FCMA Len Samletzki knows that innovation is a key to success.

FCMA Len Samletzki has made a career of creating, implementing and managing innovative systems and processes that lead to organizational success.

Len received his CMA designation in 1991 after graduating from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in finance. As a CMA candidate, he began his professional career at TELUS where he worked for 19 years in a variety of different roles including: Financial Analyst, Manager, Director of Treasury and Director of Supply Chain, an opportunity he attributes to the skills he acquired in the CMA program. “The CMA training, with its focus on strategy, management and accounting, gave me the opportunity to work within both the financial and operational sides of the company.”

Working in various roles also enabled Len to apply his experience, knowledge and creative thinking to develop and implement several processes within the company at a significant time of mergers and acquisitions.

“When you’re a growing company, it is important to create processes that position the organization for success,” says Len. “It’s critical to any successful growth strategy.”

In 2001, Len worked with a team that undertook the largest corporate financing deal in Canada, totaling $9.2 billion. In addition, they implemented the integration of the organization's treasury operations, which involved centralizing all of the systems to save the company time and financial resources.

Another milestone was the implementation of SAP Enterprise Buyer Professional, that enabled field technicians to order materials on-demand, online and in a one-day delivery from remote field locations. The project, which positioned the organization with best in class supply chain processes, ultimately resulted in a cost savings of $7 million.

Len’s success at TELUS made him an attractive prospect for the Director of Treasury role at EPCOR, and in 2006, he joined the organization with a mandate to streamline operations within Treasury to position EPCOR for growth.

Currently, Len’s team is creating hosting solutions for the company’s treasury workstation and developing policies that will help the organization align its treasury activities to support its growth strategy.

As well as implementing treasury systems to support EPCOR’s growth, Len is also developing a management sustainability program which involves creating and implementing a management development program. The program will give new graduates and internal candidates the opportunity to participate in an intense management development program, giving them exposure to different business areas within EPCOR Finance. The program has three one-year rotations within different business areas in EPCOR Finance and is designed to give candidates a holistic view of the organization.

“This is a program that I’m extremely excited about” he says. “It’s a highly creative way to develop people within the organization who possess the leadership, management and team skills to become the future leaders at EPCOR.”

The process, which includes a mentorship component to the program, will help prepare the candidates for success in the various business areas they will be exposed to.

“EPCOR is committed to building future leaders, and the management development  program will enable the organization to do just that,” says Len.

As part of the management development  program, EPCOR is also providing candidates with the opportunity to acquire a professional designation.

Of the four candidates who are currently in the program, three are pursuing the CMA designation.

 “The candidates are well aware of the opportunities available to CMAs,” says Len. “There’s a reason the CMA is a leading choice for hiring senior level financial management. It offers exactly what businesses need. It’s more than just the numbers–it’s also about creative thinking and strategic leadership. And clearly, it’s becoming the designation of choice for upcoming business professionals.”

Len’s passion for his CMA designation stretches beyond his mentoring at EPCOR. He’s also been a CMA moderator for the past 10 years, and has been a huge supporter of CMA Alberta’s recruitment initiatives. He’s also been a big part of the University of Alberta’s Rocky Mountain Business Seminar, one of Canada’s longest running, most prestigious student led business conference where CMA Alberta helps prepare students for an intensive business case competition.

“Giving back to the designation is important to me,” says Len, “I’m proud of the CMA designation and what it’s given to me.”
 

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