Chris Lindley joined Molded Dimensions Group as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in June of 2023, responsible for all financial data and for management of the financial team. We recently sat down with Chris to talk about the environment at Molded Dimensions Group, challenges facing the company, and his connection with the sport of hockey.
Tell us a bit about your past experience, current role, and how things have been going.
I have been in similar roles for the last 10 years or so, with the last 5 years at private equity-owned businesses. Prior to that, I was with larger companies including CNH Industrial, Abbott, ITW, and Clifton Gunderson (now CliftonLarsonAllen).
So far at Molded Dimensions Group, it has gone very well! There are always opportunities for improvement: things we can do to continue to grow this business and to refine how we do things for more efficiency.
What does a typical day as CFO look like?
I am not sure that a “typical day” exists for me. While there are always projects and meetings, the beauty of this role is that it is constantly changing based on the needs of the business. I can spend one day working with the accounting team to close the books, and then spend the next day working with our customer service or sales teams on the latest opportunities. The day-to-day variety makes this job exciting and continually new.
Tell us about an experience that made you feel like you belonged at Molded Dimensions Group.
The people here have been very welcoming since I started; from day one, I feel like everyone has accepted me into the team. My first week started with two days at the Molded Dimensions Group headquarters in Port Washington, WI, to meet folks, get my computer, etc. Then I went out to the Fife, WA location for my first full week. The folks in Fife accepted me into the organization like I had been with Molded Dimensions Group my entire life. It was one of the best on-boardings I have had in my career.
What is a challenge that you think the industry is going to face as we finish up 2023 and move into 2024?
The biggest challenge we are going to face is the slowing market nationwide. And on top of that, we are experiencing a lot of changes here at Molded Dimensions Group—new ERP, new teammates, and more—and people are still working to grasp all of them. Introducing new ways of doing things always creates some excitement.
Why do you like working at Molded Dimensions Group?
The people! It is a great team of folks who all just want to succeed—and have some fun doing it. I have been extremely impressed at the entire team’s ever-present attitude of “what can I do to make it better.”
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I don’t have a lot of spare time, but I love playing golf when I can, spending time with the family, and watching sports on television.
Do you have any secret talents?
I am not sure it is a secret talent, but I am a hockey official for youth and college hockey. I don’t skate like I used to, so now I work on the administrative side, helping other officials reach their goals.
Anything else that you would like to share?
I am just happy to be part of a great team, and I look forward to what the organization can do to grow our business.
