Is a Cashless Society on the Horizon? with Kirk von Seelen

Join me on this episode of the Treasury Career Corner Podcast, where I speak to Kirk von Seelen, the Vice President & Treasurer at The Brinks Company. With his consistent track record of significant achievements in finance, operations management and process improvement, Kirk’s treasury career quickly gained momentum. He is a high-focused, motivated and seasoned hands-on leader with a lot to say about treasury and the future of the industry!

Kirk von Seelen is Vice President & Treasurer for The Brink's Company, the premier provider of secure logistics and security solutions including cash-in-transit, ATM replenishment and maintenance, international transportation of valuables, cash management and payment services, with responsibility for corporate finance, global treasury operations and risk management.

Previously, Kirk was Vice President - Treasurer with PAE, a global leader in providing enduring support for the essential missions of the U.S. government, its allied partners and international organizations. Prior to joining PAE, Kirk was Staff Vice President, Treasury Operations - Assistant Treasurer, at General Dynamics, where he developed capital strategies and oversaw corporate finance and treasury operations for the $30 billion defence contractor and manufacturer with a global footprint. In this role, he managed all facets of treasury operations during a rapid organic growth period with heavy acquisition activity. His accomplishments there ranged from leading General Dynamics' treasury operations during a period that saw revenues grow from $3.5 B to $30 B, integrating ~65 acquired companies, deploying multiple technology platforms for items ranging from cash management to foreign exchange to trade finance, and successfully navigating the challenges presented by Sarbanes-Oxley and subsequent regulatory reforms.

Kirk is an accomplished and versatile financial executive with a proven record of leading teams in periods of rapid growth. He is noted for his excellence in operational execution and strategic planning, commitment to the development of talent and process with a commitment to ethical leadership. He has led corporate finance and treasury operations in businesses ranging from $350M to $30B always improving processes, reducing expenses and enhancing profitability. His background is varied having served in a heavily regulated mid-market utility, a Fortune 100 global manufacturer in the Aerospace and Defence Industry, a government contractor providing essential services and a global logistics company after an initial stint in financial services.

On the podcast we discussed…

• How Kirk discovered and then pursued a career in finance and Treasury
• How he transitioned from a traditional Treasury role in cash management to working in corporate and international
• How management and coaching roles change in different cultures
• What it’s really like working for a government contractor
• Why you should take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves to you
• How to prepare for a potentially ‘cashless world’
• Kirk talks about how technology has impacted treasury for him and his team

Would you like to get in touch with Kirk? If so, you can connect with him via his LinkedIn profile

Are you interested in pursuing a career within Treasury?

Whether you’ve recently graduated, or you want to search for new job opportunities to help develop your treasury career, The Treasury Recruitment Company can help you in your search for the perfect job. Find out more here. Or, send us your CV and let us help you in your next career move!

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