Scerbo receives 2014 PEM leadership award

Ex-Catterton CFO John Scerbo became the fourth recipient of the award.

On Wednesday, John Scerbo accepted the 2014 Private Equity Manager Leadership Award at the PEI CFOs and COOs Forum in New York.

Scerbo, who recently ended a thirteen-year spell as Catterton Partners’ chief financial officer, has been an instrumental voice on a number of issues of great significance to his industry peers.

From 2003 to 2012, he sat on the board of directors for the New York Chapter of the Private Equity CFO Association (PECFOA), making him one of the group’s longest-serving directors. The PECFOA is a forum for private fund finance and operations executives to share experience and expertise useful in addressing the administrative, accounting and tax issues they commonly face.

“[Scerbo] is always thinking about the big picture and ways to move our causes forward,” said Cynthia Terwilliger, executive director of the PECFOA’s New York chapter. “Technology is certainly one of his areas of expertise. He’s always been ahead of the curve about new products and services that can help make firms more efficient.”

During his acceptance speech, Scerbo underscored the importance of networking and sharing thought leadership with his colleagues. “We are privileged to not just work in such a fantastic industry but to also know each other.”

Scerbo, who has no immediate career plans, also demonstrated how to take on a challenge a growing number of CFOs are likely to face in the coming years: succession.

“John was a great partner throughout our transition and I appreciate his guidance during that period,“ said Sandra Kim-Suk, who joined from Citigroup to succeed Scerbo in 2013. “After his departure, John would make himself available for quick phone calls or emails if I had questions.”

Past PEM Leadership award winners include ex-Adams Street CFO William Hupp; The Riverside Company COO Pamela Hendrickson and Interwest Partners COO Stephen Holmes.