EMC CFO Denise Westenfield recognized by Twin Cities Business Magazine as a 2021 Notable Women in Construction, Architecture + Engineering
October 19th, 2021
Leading-edge LED Lighting + Technology conversion systems and service solutions provider EMC is pleased to announce that Twin Cities Business magazine has named CFO Denise Westenfield a 2021 Notable Women in Construction, Architecture + Engineering and is featured in the magazine’s October/November issue.
“A seasoned CFO ready to take on the demands of our growing company, Denise has expertly dealt with the expected as well as the unexpected in her two years with us,” said EMC CEO and Chairman Jerry Johnson. “She delivered on improved reporting and processes as planned—and did it while helping the company successfully navigate the unexpected with COVID-19.”
Westenfield’s leadership in process improvements included applying new procedures to improve reporting quality for the Leadership Team and help implement a new ERP system. These efforts bolstered efficiencies that contributed to a 150% Gross Margin improvement and a significant improvement in company profitability.
As for the unexpected, Westenfield was eight months on the job as CFO when she assumed responsibility for EMC’s HR function. This happened just days before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. While she had worked closely with HR teams in the past, she had never led one. However, she and her new HR team quickly got to work, closely monitoring changing health and safety requirements.
Westenfield played a pivotal role in EMC’s merger and acquisition activities. In December 2020, EMC acquired L70 Technologies, a leading innovative product development engineering firm focused on IoT and UV-C disinfectant solutions. On top of this, she also directed 35% space expansion of the company's Headquarters spotlighting many of the new technologies being developed by the business.
For more than two decades Westenfield has provided leadership for organizations that support families dealing with Prader-Willi Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects her youngest son, causing a loss of function of specific genes on chromosome 15. Westenfield most recently served from 2016-2019 as Treasurer for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association USA, is currently serving as Treasurer for Friends of International Prader-Willi Syndrome Organisation. She is also presently Treasurer and Board Member for the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association MN.
Westenfield has served as Head of Delegation from 2008 to present for the Minnesota-based Western Wings Special Olympics Team. This organization relies exclusively on fundraising to support 150 athlete participants in the Twin Cities metro area.
“It’s an honor to be part of such a collaborative and committed team at EMC and to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished in a short amount of time,” said Westenfield. “I also appreciate the opportunity this award gives to spotlight efforts to support Special Olympics and Prader-Willi Syndrome families here and abroad.”
About EMC
EMC provides leading-edge LED Lighting + Technology conversion systems and service solutions to a broad range of multinational retail, commercial, industrial and specialized customers. Since 2003, the company has used its total project management approach, EnergyMAXX®, to successfully implement thousands of lighting upgrade projects, saving clients across industries billions of kilowatt-hours of energy. EMC has since expanded beyond lighting into smart buildings and IoT devices, system integration, custom product development, energy analytics and disinfection technologies.