Memphis Celebrates Financial Excellence at Annual CFO of the Year Awards

Memphis Honors Financial Wizards at CFO of the Year Ceremony

Oh, Memphis! On a lovely evening, the city was abuzz with excitement as the CFO of the Year awards took center stage at Theatre Memphis on October 22. This annual ceremony, which kicked off back in 2010, sets out to honor the unsung heroes in the realm of business finance. These extraordinary professionals tackle the intricate world of numbers, spreadsheets, and fiscal strategies while adding a pinch of warmth and humor. Who says finance has to be boring?

Shining Stars of the Evening

Among all the talented financial masterminds recognized at the ceremony was Jiem Cranney, the Chief Financial Officer of BlueOval SK. This innovative joint venture between Ford and SK On is gearing up to shake things up in the electric vehicle (EV) market with the construction of two massive battery plants in Kentucky and one in Stanton, Tennessee. And let us tell you, Cranney is not just any finance guy; he’s a decorated U.S. Army veteran with over 30 years of experience under his belt, most of which he spent at Ford. Talk about a powerhouse!

Building the Future, One Battery at a Time

Cranney explained that BlueOval SK operates like a startup. With ambitious plans to kick off production in 2025, the team is currently laying all the groundwork to make it happen. It’s akin to training for the championship game—you know the one where everything you’ve worked for finally pays off!

“We are a 50/50 joint venture between Ford and SK On,” Cranney said, beaming with pride. “Ford adds over 120 years of manufacturing smarts, while SK On has more than 25 years of EV battery technology experience. When you mix that wealth of knowledge with a dedicated workforce, well, you’ve got yourself a winning team!”

Location, Location, Location!

In a savvy move, the team picked Kentucky and Tennessee as their plant locations. While many states were considered, the final choice came down to a flourishing business environment coupled with a robust talent pool. “It was about making sure we had what we needed to thrive,” Cranney noted.

Facing Challenges Head-On

Of course, every adventurous journey comes with its hurdles. Cranney’s biggest concern? The short-term volatility in the electric vehicle market. “We are confident that the demand for electric vehicles will continue to climb,” he acknowledged, “but predicting the pace of that growth is a tricky business. Not to forget the need for more EV charging stations and improvements in charging infrastructure!”

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Cranney is optimistic. The five-year plan for BlueOval SK aims to establish itself as the top battery manufacturing company in the world. A bold ambition, no doubt, but if their track record so far is any indication, they might just pull it off!

Celebrating Local Achievements

As the CFO of the Year awards wrapped up, the energy of camaraderie and celebration was palpable. Colleagues, coworkers, and peers came together to cheer on the honorees and reflect on their remarkable contributions to their organizations and the community.

For Memphis, recognizing the hard work behind the scenes and the financial nuances that keep businesses running smoothly is essential. It’s moments like these that remind us just how vital these “numbers wizards” are to our economic landscape.

The event also highlighted exciting future gatherings, including the Building Memphis Awards in 2025 and ongoing efforts to keep Memphis thriving. So as we celebrate our wealth of local talent and leadership, there’s no denying—Memphis continues to grow, adapt, and shine!