John S Brana

Current

Founder/Owner at John S. Brana - Handcrafted Designer Jewelry San Francisco, California

Past

Vice President - Finance at Charles Schwab
Senior Financial Analyst at Bronson, Bronson, McKinnon LLP
Financial Planning Analyst at Union Bank of California

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Education

University of Michigan
University of Michigan

Connections

115 connections

Industry

Luxury Goods & Jewelry

Websites

John S Brana’s Summary

A fast-track, highly motivated executive with a successful background in small business startups, financial services, legal, and consumer banking. Proven ability to improve operations, impact business growth, and maximize profits in financial management, cost reductions, internal controls, and productivity/efficiency improvements. Skilled in project management, business planning, systems technology design and implementation, and staff development/leadership. BA-Econ and MBA-Finance University of Michigan.

John S Brana’s Specialties:

Finance & Accounting Management … Budgeting … Information Systems … Regulatory Reporting … Profitability Management … Staff Training & Development … Incentive Program Development

John S Brana’s Experience

Founder/Owner

John S. Brana - Handcrafted Designer Jewelry San Francisco, California

(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Apparel & Fashion industry)

October 2004 — Present (4 years 2 months)

http://www.johnsbrana.com

Owner and Designer of John S. Brana - Distinctive Jewelry, a wholesaler specializing in custom handcrafted precious metal and gemstone jewelry.

• Performed all business startup activities: business plan, capital formation, incorporation, hiring, and market research.
• Responsible for web site development and maintenance, search engine optimization, copy writing, marketing initiatives.
• Negotiate vendor relations, customer relations, order fulfillment, fabrication, and jewelry production.
• Manage payroll, government reporting, cash flow management, annual budgeting, and sales forecasting.
Vice President - Finance

Charles Schwab

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; SCH; Financial Services industry)

August 1997 — January 2004 (6 years 6 months)

Accountable for strategic planning, development, and leadership of the entire finance and technology functions as well as day-to-day operations of the Corporate Oversight (Compliance, Corporate Counsel, Risk Management, Government Affairs, Strategic Planning) division. Recruit, develop, and manage a team of 11 finance and technology professionals, project managers, and support staff. Direct the Annual Plan and subsequent Reforecasts of the Corporate Oversight group’s $64 million expense budget. Manage and negotiate 100 Outside Counsel relationships to ensure rate reduction achievements of 10% or $1.6 million annually. Direct corporate RFP funding process of critical Regulatory initiatives within SOP (97-2, 98-1, 98-9) guidelines: Email Archival, Patriot Act, Sarbannes–Oxley (SOX 404), InSight Surveillance System, Document Management System, India Offshoring Initiative (WIPRO).
Senior Financial Analyst

Bronson, Bronson, McKinnon LLP

(Partnership; 201-500 employees; Law Practice industry)

September 1993 — August 1997 (4 years)

Planned, organized, and coordinated the development and approval of the firm’s $54 million revenue and expense budget. Developed and implemented Practice Group Profitability model to assess contribution margin of individual attorneys and practice groups at the request of the Managing Partner, CEO, and CFO. Designed executive and management profit and loss reporting systems and tailored financial and operating reporting systems to meet departmental, branch office, and practice group requirements. Analyzed and reported expense variances for various departments and offices quarterly. Implemented automated Merit Planning system company-wide reducing Human Resource staff by 50%. Directed annual Associate Bonus and Staff Incentive Bonus plans. Evaluated various external legal practices for potential Merger/Acquisition candidates. Analyzed and implemented cost recovery systems for on-line legal research, photocopy, and telephones increasing recoverables by 45%.
Financial Planning Analyst

Union Bank of California

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; UB; Financial Services industry)

March 1992 — August 1993 (1 year 6 months)

Provided financial analysis/planning of customer and marketing information relative to the performance of branches, products, customers, competitors and geographic areas for Community Banking division. Coordinated, compiled, forecasted, and reviewed $7 billion capital and $600 million operating budgets. Prepared and presented quarterly budget variance, staffing, expense, and ROE reports to executives. Designed and compiled branch manager incentive program for 206 retail branches. Evaluated potential Merger/Acquisition candidates. Developed advanced PC applications and modeling using Lotus 1,2,3 (3.1 and Macros). Trained and supervised Market Research analyst and summer interns.

John S Brana’s Education

University of Michigan

MBA, Finance/International Economics, September 1988 — December 1990

Honors: Dean’s List, School of Management
University of Michigan

BA, Economics, September 1982 — May 1986

Honors: Dean’s List, College of Arts and Sciences

Additional Information

John S Brana’s Websites:

John S Brana’s Groups:

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, American Craft Council, SNAG - Society of North American Goldsmiths, PMC Guild, GGBA, JRB

eOffice
Luxury & Lifestyle Professionals
Fashion Marketing & Digital Media Group (FMG): A Meeting Place for Fashion & Marketing Professionals
Charles Schwab Alumni Network
Jewelry Retail Network
Retail Industry Professionals Worldwide