Brian Beck
Brian Beck
Chief Financial Officer
bbeck@golinharris.com
After beginning my career at one of the large public accounting firms and then subsequently progressing through a few companies and positions in the professional services sector, I came to GolinHarris in 1999 as a VP of Finance. Two years later, I took on a larger role as an SVP, then in 2003 was named EVP and Chief Financial Officer. This has been the best company, opportunity and experience in my career, by far.
For me, there are two specific things I think of that have made my experience here as great as it has been. First, there is an open and honest approach to everything we do, whether it is advising clients or working with each other internally. The environment can be traced in part to our Chicago heritage I’m sure, the part that emphasizes hard work (“the city of broad shoulders”), honesty and pragmatism. We take ourselves
seriously, but not too seriously. When you work somewhere that places such an importance on who you are and what you represent, that values input from anywhere and everywhere, where debating yet respecting differences of opinion is a part of the fabric and not just paid lip service, where you know that everyone is on the same page and collectively driving the organization to greater heights, well…you just don’t find that every day. We have it here.
Second, my job provides me the opportunity to work across an amazing cross-section of areas and, by necessity, with a wide range of people inside and outside the agency. This has allowed me to continue to learn and grow both professionally and personally in ways I probably would not have predicted when I joined the agency long ago. This is certainly one of the big reasons I have stayed with the agency, and why I look forward to the future.
Client Experience
Everybody, both inside and outside the agency
Areas of Expertise
Financial Management
Analysis and Reporting
Counsel
Strategy
Diplomacy
Writing
Humor
What’s on my iPod, Kindle and TiVo
The iPod lineup rotates often but always includes Wilco, the Jayhawks, Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Robyn Hitchcock and the songs “Hallelujah” and “Moon River.” No Kindle yet, but the nightstand contains Newsweek and several political and music books.
My Favorite Pastimes
Family time with my wife and daughters, reading, playing guitar, golfing with friends, politics, Chicago Cubs baseball, grilling with a cold beer
My Favorite Quote
“Life is what happens to you while you are busy making plans.”– John Lennon