Media:


  • Provided financial analysis and input into the launch of over 15 new Fringe / Prime programs.
  • Provided financial management of signature programming including Anderson Cooper 360, Piers Morgan Tonight, Situation Room, CNN Newsroom, Nancy Grace, Dr. Drew, Morning Express w/Robin Meade, Larry King Live, Lou Dobbs Tonight, as well as acquired programming such as Anthony Bourdain, Inside Man, Crimes of the Century, and What Would You Do?
  • Established approval and tracking for over $60 million of licensed and original program acquisitions.
  • Led major strategic analysis on Prime Line-up scenarios for CNN and HLN which improved ratings by 5pp.
  • Developed, directed, and achieved $25 million - $30 million in annual cost reduction initiatives.
  • Enhanced management of $100 million/year capital investment through robust forecast/governance process and ROI analysis.
  • Led financial management of $30 million+ HD capital investment in new sets, cameras, and operating centers.
  • Performed financial/scenario analysis for $1 million+ contract renewal for key on-air talent.
  • Chaired process improvement committee documenting, enhancing and streamlining ~10 processes where appropriate.
  • Advanced talent development as a Member of Turner Finance Talent Council and Chairperson of University Recruiting Committee.
  • Provided financial management of signature international programming including Amanpour, Quest Means Business, Biz Traveler, Main Sail, Living Golf, Marketplace Middle East, Inside Africa, and World News Asia.
  • Directed key strategic analysis such as Content Ownership Strategy, Multiple Production Center Strategy, and redesign of on-air look and feel.
  • Successfully led over $5 million in annual cost reduction initiatives.
  • Led financial analysis and due diligence for multiple confidential acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances including Google, Nokia, Sony HD, Apple, Adobe, ITN, IBN, CNN Turk and Expansion.


​Higher Education:

  • ​​Five-Year Strategic Plan: Provided financial, business, and operating analysis, scenarios, and decision-making to support approval and implementation
  • ​Ten-Year Master Plan: Provided financial and business support, analysis, input, and decision-making to the maximum utilization, configuration, future accumulation, fundraising, and layout of fixed assets, real estate, academic, research, and financial resources to maximize the relevancy and effectiveness CAU’s mission over the next ten years and beyond
  • ​Profitability Models:
    - Developed P&Ls by CAU’s four schools of Art & Science, Business, Education, and Social Work for insights into contribution margin and profitability with the overall objective of greater decision making in investments, programming, budgeting, and other resource allocations
    - Developed P&Ls by business organizations for greater accountability and execution in expense management, budgeting, and decision making
    - Developed P&Ls for Business/Auxiliary Services to enhance revenue streams, drive greater contribution margins by vendor/service, enhance contract renewals and negotiations, maximize quality of services delivered
  • ​Annual Budget Process: Revised and enhanced the process through greater structure, clarity, inclusion, decision-making, and approval through the Budget Committee, University Senate Committee, Finance and Audit Committee, and Board of Trustees
  • ​Enrollment Management: 

           - Developed and Chaired Enrollment Management Committee to maximize tuition revenue, fees, housing and dining                            revenue while optimizing limited financial aid, awards, and scholarships

​​           - Constructed committee to include Enrollment, Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, International, Student Success,               Public Safety, Athletics, Business Services, and Facilities

Dr. Lanze Thompson has over thirty-five years of successfully delivering financial, strategic, operating, and business development results across many key industries as highlighted below:

Automotive:


  • Supported 15% revenue growth through development and implementation of enhanced product development strategy (South America export program, Canadian import line-up, and increased local Mexican production).
  • Achieved 10%/year reduction of non-production cost for all regions and aligned into corporate global process for benchmarking and best practices.
  • Developed, implemented, and ensured execution of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance plan and SEC reporting requirements.
  • Led $500 million cycle average profit improvement through execution of the North America C-Car Break-Even and the Canadian Import strategies.
  • Reduced vehicle material cost by over $400 p.u. and warranty cost by over $500 p.u.
  • Provided financial leadership for resourcing/renegotiated supplier agreements on key strategic modules worth over $700 p.u.
  • Led $650 million annual savings through black belt/ six sigma initiatives and material cost reductions.

Precious Metals and Energy:


  • Supported greenfield development of 500-600 MWs CC turbine power projects in the Pacific NW, the SE, and Texas.
  • Evaluated acquisition of utility owned 550 MWs power plant in the mid-Atlantic.
  • Performed financial due diligence and working capital evaluation/strategy for 335 MWs hydro plant in Quebec.
  • Led acquisition process for majority position in joint venture ownership of strategic coal rail line in the mid-West.
  • Developed and oversaw division’s risk management policies and procedures associated with electric procurement and trading including daily mark-to-market, letters of credit, credit evaluation, and contract negotiations.
  • Established cash management and treasury services which ensured proper liquidity for business operations and investment opportunities.
  • Created, implemented and enforced risk management policies, operating procedures, and reporting. 
  • Evaluated new business ventures through in-house development, M&A, and strategic alliances. 
  • Developed strategy and implementation for the deregulated behind the meter energy services for the 3rd and 4th largest utilities in the US.
  • Oversaw financial and strategic analysis for major oil and natural gas deep water drilling projects.
  • Developed natural gas salt cavern storage projects.


Gaming:


  • Created quarterly balance scorecard package for strategic and tactical operations review with senior executives
  • Developed monthly roll forward forecast model and reporting presentation to assess near term risks and opportunities
  • Created and implemented daily/weekly cash analysis and forecast model to improve cash projections and disbursement decisions
  • Enhanced capital management and forecast tracking process and reporting to ensure on-time and on-budget completion and prioritization of capital projects
  • Established more robust month end close process and reconciliation process reducing closing period from 6 to 3 days, enhanced internal controls, reporting, and general ledger accuracy
  • Developed game portfolio and life cycle model to support decision making for developing, launching, exiting new and existing lottery games
  • Provided financial analysis and negotiation lead for major banking, marketing, and gaming systems RFPs and contract renegotiations resulting in approximately $200 Million of savings over seven years.


Retail:


  • Improved division profit margins from 18% to 25% by strategically shifting product mix and overhauling incentive compensation plans.
  • Reduced warehouse inventory skus from over 7,000 to 5,000, increasing operating efficiency and turn over while reducing order picking errors, damages, lost products, and the need for additional capital investments.
  • Collaborated with division management to expand sales territories and increase competitiveness for national accounts.
  • Developed Business Segment Analysis and Profitability Analysis to measure profitability by store, by product line, and by square footage for strategic decisions and product positioning.
  • Partnered with Marketing and Store General Managers to develop and implement new consumer segments in the areas of home lighting, home office equipment, children's educational toys, and infant toys. 
  • Provided financial and strategic lead for new store development, expansions, acquisitions, and divestitures.