Maria Izurieta, 3Pillar Global

Our series on Top Tech CFOs continues. Please help celebrate these rock stars of finance at a cocktail Sept. 24 at 5:30pm at 1776-Crystal City. Sign up here. 

Many people break out into a cold sweat when asked to crunch numbers. But 3Pillar Global CFO Maria Izurieta loves the concept of how numbers work and flow and are the core of every business. She also grew up with a dad who loved talking business at the dinner table, which inspired her to pursue a finance career. As CEO of Wireless Matrix, she helped turn the struggling public company into a profitable business that was then sold to CalAmp Corp for a 22% premium. Her role at 3Pillar, a software development company, for the last two years has been to establish a global, scaleable platform. The team has expanded to 650 people globally and is on track to grow 20%.

Best lesson: You can’t do anything by yourself. In many cases, people have better ideas than you. 
Hometown: Fairfax
Current home: Vienna
Family: Married 11 years–she met her husband while working at Coopers & Lybrand; two daughters (6 and 9).
Fun summer trip: Took the family to Italy and Germany for over two weeks. 
Free time: Spending time outdoors, running, reading and helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Bucket list: More travel—too many countries on the list to name.
Most people don’t know: She climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in ’97.

Kevin Gates, Direct Connect

Direct Connect CFO Kevin Gates knew being an astronaut or a professional basketball player weren’t in his future, so accounting seemed like a good Plan B. His career has included stints in auditing and taxation with national and public accounting firms and public and private companies. At Direct Connect, which sells customized electronic payment processing products and services, he’s known as the guy who closes the place down every night. He says the company is investing in technology and pursuing acquisitions in the payments space.  

Best lesson: Perseverance and patience tend to pay off.
Grew up: Illinois
Fun summer trips: Sitting by the beach and pool in Florida.
Bucket list: Making more time for cooking and baking and take classes in American and Art History.
Most people don’t know: He collects bronze sculptures of animals, especially frogs.

Bob Latchford, Optoro

Bob Latchford (on the right, with Optoro co-founder Tobin Moore) didn’t exactly choose a finance career path, it was more something he fell into. But he did have a background in startup growth stage companies, so it makes sense that he joined DC-based Optoro three years ago as CFO. Since then the company, whose software helps retailers sell excessive and returned goods, has grown from 50 people to 250 and raised over $100M, while maintaining strong revenue growth.  

Best lesson: Keep it simple. 
Hometown: Born in Manhattan, grew up in DC.
Fun summer trip: Nantucket for July 4th—a family tradition.
Free time: Getting kids to and from their sporting events and watching their games.