Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> March 3, 2002
ROBERT L. RECCHIA is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer at Valassis Communications, Inc. In this position, Mr.
Recchia is responsible for all aspects of finance, accounting and
information systems. Mr. Recchia is also a member of Valassis'
Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Since joining the
company in 1982, he has held a number of key positions, including
Treasurer and Vice President of Operations, and has contributed
greatly to the company's financial and operational development.
His responsibilities in the areas of accounting and finance
include the oversight of all acquisitions and joint ventures. Key
events in this segment span the sale of the company in 1986 from
entrepreneur-owner George Valassis to Australian media baron
Kerry Packer, Valassis's 1992 initial public offering, the
largest IPO of that year, and a 1997 oversubscribed, highly
successful secondary public offering. Over the years, he has been
responsible for creating the company's tax strategies and
improving its debt structure during both private and public
ownership. Under Mr. Recchia's direction, Valassis's information
systems have transitioned from mainframe to server-based, and
this division is known in the industry for its extensive PC
training programs, producing 'power users' throughout the
company. Additionally, Valassis uses an innovative MIS liaison
program, integrating information systems and computer knowledge
directly with the business function and its personnel. During his
tenure as Vice President of Operations, Mr. Recchia reorganized
the company's operations, purchasing, traffic and inventory areas
to create better efficiencies and a stronger framework for
growth. This built a solid operational foundation, which remains
in place today. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in
Accounting in 1979 from Wayne State University, and earned his
CPA in 1981, while working as an Auditor for Touche Ross & Co. Profile
an overview of what the company is doing at the present time?
Mr. Recchia: We are a marketing services company that
