Michael Matte is CFO, Executive Vice President, and Secretary of QuePasa Corp. He is also a director of Iris International, Inc. and GelTech Solutions, Inc. Matte served as a director of QuePasa from July 2006 through October 2007 and as CFO of Cyberguard Corp. from February 2001 to April 2006. Prior to joining Cyberguard, Matte was a senior audit manager for Price Waterhouse from 1981 to 1992.

Executive Profile

Chief Financial Officer bringing extensive M&A experience with Public and Private Companies. 9 years Big 4 experience from PWC, Progressing to Sr. Manager.

Experienced in IPOs, Road Shows, SEC reporting, Raising Equity Capital, Debt Restructuring, International Acquisitions, Business Integrations and Operations.

Significant experience in rapidly growing businesses.

Industry experience includes Technology, Software development, distribution, transportation and medical diagnostic equipment.

Professional Experience

Forward Industries Inc.  June 2015-present
Chief Financial Officer

Public Company engaged in off-shore manufacturing. Reported to CEO and Chairman of the board and audit committee chairman

  • Returned company to profitability from 10 convective years of loss by aggressive cost cutting
  • Created annual budgets and but to actual monitoring
  • Acquired design/development company creating vertical integrated design, develop and manufacture process
  • Maintained relationship with investors

Aspen Group – Public Company June 2013-Feb 2014
Consulting Chief Financial Officer

  • Turnaround Situation
  • Created initial budgets and monthly budget to actual reporting
  • Created presentation and presented on non-deal road shows
  • Maintained relationships with institutional investors and Wall Street

Meet me Inc. (Formerly Quepasa Corporation) 2007-March 2013
Reported to the CEO/ Chairman of the board and Audit committee. Publicly traded Internet Company with international operations that developed and operated a social discovery networking site.

Chief Financial Officer (formerly board member and audit committee chairman)

  • Turn around startup that increased traffic and membership to the 15th most trafficked site in the US, Top 5,000 website worldwide
  • Resolved existing SEC issues
  • Primary contact with Wall Street investors and investment bankers
  • Reduced Cash burn by 74% while growing the company to a global leadership position.
  • Acquired MyYearbook and became the largest social discovery site worldwide.

Cyberguard Corporation 2001-2006
Publicly traded company with international operations that develops proprietary security software and appliances for Fortune 1000 companies’ world wide. Sold the company in January 2006

Chief Financial Officer
Reported to CEO/Audit Committee. Developed and maintained close relationships with Wall Street investment community. Prepared and presented the company profile to institutional investors and potential market makers on Wall Street to increase institutional awareness. Responsible for all, audit, tax, SEC filings and the financial operations in all countries the Company operated.

  • Turn around situation increasing shareholder value from $19.5 million to $330 million
  • Resolved existing SEC investigation and class action lawsuit
  • Re-listed Company from “pink sheet” to NASDAQ national.
  • Implemented new Sarbanes Oxley legislation including section 404.
  • Acquired two international and one domestic organization to increase company’s growth.
  • Oversee financial operation in over 7 countries
  • Acquired a company in Australia to augment our existing product offering. This product was contract manufactured in China then shipped to our staging location in Utah where our proprietary software was loaded. Once the software was loaded we would ship to our customers worldwide.
  • Reduced operating cost/ by 10 million within 12 months and returned Company to profitability.
  • Initiated strategic planning process to establish growth strategy.

Amerijet International Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 1998-2001
Privately held International Air Cargo Company servicing 750 international destinations worldwide with revenues in excess of 100 million.

Chief Financial Officer
Report to CEO. Developed and maintain relationships with financial institutions.

  • Increased cashflow by 4.6 million in first six month with Company.
  • Completed refinancing of aircraft and revolving credit facility for approximately 32 million.

Intime Systems International, Inc. West Palm Beach, Florida 1994-1998
Publicly traded company that develops proprietary HMRS software and provides systems integration services to fortune 1000 companies. Sold the company in 1998.

Chief Financial Officer
Reported to CEO/ Chairman of the Board. Developed and maintained close relationships with Wall Street investment community. Prepared and presented the company profile to institutional investors and potential market makers on Wall Street to increase institutional awareness.

  • Sold the company at 4.5 times revenues
  • Evaluated and recommended plan to turnaround United Kingdom operation and provide organizational structure to expand into Europe.
  • Implemented integration solutions for acquisitions.
  • Instrumental in turning around operations and positioning business for sale at attractive multiple to an international industry leader.
  • Assisted the auditors through the pooling issues in order to consummate the transaction.
  • Responsible for all SEC and related internal financial reporting.
  • Assisted in negotiation, with Oracle Corporation, for distribution agreement of the Company’s proprietary software.

TORWEST, INC., Vero Beach, Florida 1992-1994
US holding company of a $13 billion Canadian diversified conglomerate.

Senior Vice President of Finance/Chief Financial Officer
Reported to CEO, with direct reporting to Chairman of the Board. Direct reports: 15. Oversaw the development and implementation of strategic plans. Developed and maintained close banking relationships. Responsible for cost control, due diligence, and financial and economic analysis involving acquisitions, mergers, and divestitures. Coordinated the annual audit/tax reporting for the company.

  • Developed and implemented strategic business plan and corporate focus to identify new products; market response increased sales 100%, reduced operating expenses by $1MM. Implemented tracking systems to evaluate results of marketing and overall business plans. Acquired Orchid Island; staffed and operating in 3 months.
  • Created and implemented functional budgets process; achieved cost savings in excess of $5MM over 5 years, reduced operating costs by 30%.
  • Reduced annual tax and audit fees by 60%; increased efficiency of staff.
  • Evaluated company risks and related insurable interest. Negotiated insurance coverage resulting in 45% savings in related premiums.
  • Evaluated and installed new ERP systems (hardware and software); increased operating efficiencies and assured timely financial reporting.
  • Managed human resources function; eliminated non-essential activities and positions.
  • Reduced annual tax and audit fees by 60%; increased efficiency of staff.
  • Evaluated company risks and related insurable interest. Negotiated insurance coverage resulting in 45% savings in related premiums.
  • Chose and installed computer systems (hardware and software); increased operating efficiencies and assured timely financial reporting.
  • Managed human resources function; eliminated non-essential activities and positions.

PRICE WATERHOUSE, West Palm Beach, FL 1981-1992
Big Four international accounting firm.

Senior Manager
Managed the annual financial statement examinations. Performed due diligence reviews for merger and acquisition candidates. Identified and resolved technical and business issues, drafted required Securities and Exchange Commission documents and prepared reports to audit committees. Selected to participate in the company’s International Service Program. Prepared and presented reports to the audit committee and the Board of Directors.

  • Assigned responsibility for largest clients in West Palm Beach office.
  • Converted unprofitable audit engagements to profitable relationships.

Audit Manager, Nassau, Bahamas
Established complex organizational/ownership structures for foreign entities desiring to operate in the tax-free environment of the Bahamas.

Developed continuing education programs to address small business needs Implemented small business audit strategies.

Audit Manager, Tampa FL
Primary client responsibility for a variety of substantial high revenue-generating assignments in
Public and Private companies, including real estate, banking, manufacturers, retailers, citrus, distribution and alternate energy. Responsible for identification, research and resolution of technical and business issues; drafting and review of financial statements and SEC documents.