Rick Battaglini, chief financial officer of John Paul Mitchell Systems, won the CFO of the Year Award from Los Angeles Business Journal. Battaglini was awarded the honor out of a field of 41 finalists, all nominated by a panel of judges consisting of executives of large corporations. In its sixth year of the CFO of the Year Awards, the winner is chosen based on the following criteria: work history; length of service at current organization; size of organization – revenues/ employees; examples of nominee’s work ethic; community involved (civic and non-profit), and mentoring capability.
Battaglini began his career at JPMS in 1987, which at the time had no computer system, no internal controls, no email, and only a typewriter to create financial statements. At the company, he went from Controller to Vice President of Finance, to CFO, Treasurer, and Board Member.
“Rick has been with us since the beginning, and has been involved with almost every facet of the company,” said John Paul DeJoria, JPMS co-founder and CEO. “I want to offer him my sincerest thanks for all he does for the company, and we are thrilled to be celebrating this great honor with him. I am proud to call him my friend.”