Vanquish Worldwide is pleased to recognize Chief Financial Officer Anna Love (Tilley), who was recently named to the prestigious Greater Knoxville Business Journal’s 2016 40 under 40 awards. The honor recognizes 40 individuals younger than 40 who are leaving an imprint on the Knoxville area through their professional and philanthropic efforts.
Love along with the other honorees are profiled in the January 2016 issue of the Business Journal and will be honored today, Thursday, Jan. 14th at the publication’s annual Book of Lists reception at the Knoxville Convention Center.
Many of Love’s coworkers said they believe her philanthropic drive outside of the office in addition to her leadership as CFO prove that she is a positive role model to her coworkers.
“Anna effortlessly models the Vanquish Worldwide motto, ‘Delivering Excellence’ through her positive work attitude, exceptional skills in accounting and through her selfless philanthropic efforts, all of which consistently motivate her coworkers,” Vanquish President and CEO Eric W. Barton said. “I’m proud to call Anna our Chief Financial Officer for Vanquish Worldwide and our family of companies. Congratulations to Anna and her accomplishment.”
Besides developing annual budget processes for Vanquish Worldwide and all sister companies, which amount to more than 10 operating companies, Anna has proven instrumental in company financial success, including setting up accounting processes for newly created entities Vanquish Leasing and Vanquish Logistics in 2015, improving accounting policies and procedures, restructuring general ledger accounts and establishing sound financial reporting practices. She also recently guided her accounting team through implementation of many corporate acquisitions including PAC & CAP Trucking, Angel Capital Group and Business Owners Benefits Association LLC, BOBA Services and BOBA Agency and led her team through the implementation of new payroll and accounting software to provide more detailed analysis to those in daily decision making roles.
To stay ahead of the growing workload, Anna has had to double her staff and leads them in accomplishing multiple accounting closings each month, preparing financial statements and budget versus actual comparisons for the CEO and banks.
“Working for Eric Barton is a challenge I embrace every day. A positive attitude and a listening ear allow me to effectively and efficiently lead my team and support the operations across the board,” Love said.
As CFO of more than 10 operating businesses within the Vanquish family of companies, Anna serves as second in authority to the CEO, overseeing operational and business function; she is the primary decision maker when the CEO is away.
Besides proving her leadership strength at the office, Anna is a proud supporter of community activities and volunteers with several nonprofit organizations across the region through her time, labor and knowledge in accounting. Among nonprofits close to her heart is the United Way of Blount County, where she serves as a Loaned Executive, advising the organization’s assigned business accounts with its annual company donation programs. She served on the 2015 United Way of Blount County Ball Committee, assisting in the planning stages of the nonprofit’s major annual fundraiser.
Beginning this year, Anna also serves on the Board of Directors for United Way of Blount County and New Hope Blount County Children’s Advocacy Center.
Anna also serves as a board advisor for the Angels Over America Foundation, a nonprofit private foundation that distributes funds to charitable organizations, and on the board of The Gypsy Gift Foundation, a LexLin Gypsy Ranch donation program, which each year donates horses to PATH-accredited Equine Therapy Centers across the country. With the foundation’s creation, Anna and LexLin owner Eric Barton plan to develop a breeding center with a full training staff. She also regularly volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
“I am honored to work for a company that supports and encourages my involvement in the community. Giving back truly has allowed me to continue to grow as an individual,” Love said.
Anna brings with her 15 years of financial and management experience in the government contracting, service and manufacturing industries, supporting both of Vanquish’s overseas and U.S. service lines.
Before becoming CFO of Vanquish in December 2014, she served as CFO for manufacturing company MillenniTEK. She has also held significant roles for government contractors including EOD Technology, Navarro Research & Engineering and NetGain. Love holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Eastern New Mexico University and an MBA from the University of Tennessee.
A large supporter of the U.S. military and extremely proud of her eldest son, who is currently serving in the U.S. Air Force, Anna embraces Vanquish’s veteran-owned small business status and has been a champion for the government contracting mission of supporting the war-fighter and likewise a champion for supporting other small businesses and local small business vendors.