MICHAEL RAGAZZO
Wilmington
Summary
Accomplished senior finance executive with 15+ years of progressive leadership in operational finance, financial systems, and project accounting across global life sciences organizations. Proven ability to lead large, high-performing teams, manage complex financial portfolios exceeding $500M, and deliver transformative results in forecasting accuracy, ERP system selection, M&A integrations, and audit readiness. Known for driving strategic planning, streamlining financial operations, and building scalable models and tools that support growth, profitability, and executive decision-making. Recognized for excellence in performance, system implementations, and cross-functional collaboration in high-growth environments
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director Finance
LABCONNECT
04.2023 - Current
- Built and led a 30-person team overseeing finance operations, systems, and project accounting for 500+ clinical studies and $400M+ in backlog, ensuring financial integrity and execution at scale
- Delivered a dynamic forecasting and budget model with
- Spearheaded ERP system selection with external consultants, aligning cross-functional priorities and laying the foundation for enterprise-wide financial transformation
- Successfully managed multiple audits with zero findings while leading M&A integrations and driving system/process improvements across finance
Director of Phase1 Finance
THERMOFISHER / PPD
08.2021 - Current
- Leads PPD Phase1/Early Development Finance team which oversees hundreds of ongoing Phase1 studies
- In this role our team has been able to achieve the following goals; Increase monthly revenue by 213%, Increase profit percentage by 29%, Expanded our finance team into two more continents, and triple the team’s employee count while lowering turnover
Associate Director of Phase1 Finance
THERMOFISHER / PPD
01.2020 - 08.2021
- Oversee the Operations Finance department for PPD Phase1/Early Development
- Business lead for a new ERP system implementation (Oracle)
- Managed finance for three clinic locations and support staff, while navigating a global pandemic
- Made strategic decisions, which increased revenue and profit margins coming out of the lockdown
- Successfully established a new overseas billing department that drastically improved DSO while lowering costs
Senior Manager of Phase1 Finance
THERMOFISHER / PPD
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Established new ASC606 revenue recognition process
- Assisted in the acquisition of a new clinic location
- Created tools and processes for overburn analysis, revenue forecasting, utilization, out of scope tracking, and contract modifications
- Worked with CRM team to track contract values/authorizations in Salesforce
Manager of Phase1 Finance
THERMOFISHER / PPD
04.2018 - 01.2020
- Took over a smaller section of PPD finance to make it compliant with new 606 revenue requirements
- Created a new tool and process for Phase 1 analysts to use to track revenue, profit margins, and billing/WIP.
Associate Manager Finance
THERMOFISHER / PPD
06.2016 - 04.2018
- Managed a team of finance analysts that looked after PPD’s portfolio with GlaxoSmithKline
- Met with GlaxoSmithKline and the internal executive management team to improve partnership processes
Senior Process Improvement Analyst
THERMOFISHER / PPD
02.2015 - 06.2016
- Lead trainer for finance employees; conducted larger general trainings to all of PPD
- Built tools, created guidance, revised websites, and implemented a new financial system for the company
- Received the sole “Global Finance Excellence Award” in recognition for the largest impact on corporate improvement
Finance Analyst II
THERMOFISHER / PPD
06.2014 - 02.2015
- Worked to develop the new PPD global project structure as a “SuperUser”
- Trained all PPD finance employees in new system
- Received the “PPD CEO Global Award of Excellence” for my role in the company’s software implementation
Project Cost Analyst
THERMOFISHER / PPD
05.2013 - 06.2014
- Managed the finances of 45 medical studies with a total financial worth exceeding 500 million dollars
- Responsible for balancing WIPs, managing payment schedules, invoicing, and preparing financial summaries
MYCITYHD.com
05.2009 - 05.2011
- Provided the company with a complete market analysis and a template for future expansion
Accounts Receivable Manager
CAROLINA COMMERCIAL FLOOR COVERING
11.2004 - 12.2006
- Managed two warehouses and all incoming deliveries along with Accounts Receivable department
Education
Master’s degree - Business Administration
University of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC12-2012
Bachelors - Economics/Finance
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Skills
- Advanced in Microsoft Excel
- ERP management & implementation
- Team building
- Process improvement
- Revenue recognition methods
- Financial analysis
- Financial forecasting
- Budget management
- Team leadership
- Data analytics
- Audit management
- M&A integration
- Profit analysis
Additional Information
Originally went to Queens University on a Lacrosse Scholarship., Years ago, acted in multiple commercials and shows.
Timeline
Senior Director Finance
LABCONNECT
04.2023 - Current
Director of Phase1 Finance
THERMOFISHER / PPD
08.2021 - Current
Associate Director of Phase1 Finance
THERMOFISHER / PPD
01.2020 - 08.2021
Senior Manager of Phase1 Finance
THERMOFISHER / PPD
01.2019 - 01.2020
Manager of Phase1 Finance
THERMOFISHER / PPD
04.2018 - 01.2020
Associate Manager Finance
THERMOFISHER / PPD
06.2016 - 04.2018
Senior Process Improvement Analyst
THERMOFISHER / PPD
02.2015 - 06.2016
Finance Analyst II
THERMOFISHER / PPD
06.2014 - 02.2015
Project Cost Analyst
THERMOFISHER / PPD
05.2013 - 06.2014
MYCITYHD.com
05.2009 - 05.2011
Accounts Receivable Manager
CAROLINA COMMERCIAL FLOOR COVERING
11.2004 - 12.2006
Master’s degree - Business Administration
University of North Carolina At Wilmington
Bachelors - Economics/Finance
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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