GMDC's VP of Finance and Administration to Retire

Global Market Development Center's (GMDC) VP of Finance and Administration Ann McConnell will retire at the end of the year after 30 years as a member of the association. 

McConnell will be replaced by James Engstrom, former engagement director for CliftonLarsonAllen and co-founder and president of Eagle Trace Consulting in Broomfield, Colo. 

Photograph courtesy of GMDC

Engstrom has started management transition of all financial aspects of the organization such as its annual budget, investments and employee benefit programs, and says he hopes to "continually enhance" GMDC's long-term financial strategy."

GMDC President and CEO Patrick Spear expressed his "deep appreciation for Ann, her leadership, and her countless accomplishments during her tenure," being a GMDC member since 1988 and having advanced to her current role in 2015.

"Her ability to adapt to the evolving nature of the industry while ensuring our financial health across all levels is unparalleled," he said. "Not only will we miss Ann’s business acumen, but also her presence in the organization. We wish her a happy and well-deserved retirement.”

Spear added that Engstrom is "the ideal team member to continue Ann’s legacy," as, like McConnell,  he is a committed financial professional with more than 30 years of "progressive experience in financial operations" under his belt as well as a certified public accountant who has worked globally with manufacturing companies in Europe and Asia while stationed in the Czech Republic, Germany and Belgium.

Engstrom holds a master's degree in business administration from Regis University in Denver and began his career at Leprino Foods. He has held positions at Arthur Andersen, U.S. West, MediaOne, @Link Networks, McData, Applied Films Corp., Tomkins PLC, and Gates Corp.