Stephen D. Harrell is a highly accomplished financial and operational executive with nearly four decades of experience leading high-growth technology, digital infrastructure, and semiconductor companies. As a senior vice president and chief financial officer at Expedient, a leading private equity-backed digital infrastructure provider, Stephen has been instrumental in driving financial transformation, operational efficiency, and strategic expansion for the company. His expertise spans corporate finance, M&A, compliance, digital infrastructure, cloud computing, and both venture and private equity transactions, making him a sought-after leader in the high-tech and data-driven industries.  Stephen was named CFO of the year by the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Throughout his tenure at Expedient, Stephen has scaled revenue from $75 million to $225 million while increasing EBITDA by over 350%. He played a pivotal role in shifting the company’s focus toward higher-margin managed services and cloud products, successfully leading multiple strategic divestitures and acquisitions. His leadership culminated in the 2019 sale of Expedient to InfraBridge, a DigitalBridge subsidiary, after securing multiple high-nine-figure offers from leading strategic and financial buyers. Under his financial stewardship, gross margins improved from 55% to 70%, and revenue per employee increased by $100K, demonstrating his ability to drive profitability through operational and strategic excellence.

Stephen also served as chief financial officer and vice president of operations at Akustica, a venture-backed semiconductor company acquired by Robert Bosch GmbH. He successfully raised $36 million in venture funding, helped secured high-value strategic partnerships in Japan, built the company’s financial systems, and led cost-saving initiatives that reduced material expenses by over 30%. His leadership helped position Akustica as an attractive acquisition target, demonstrating his deep expertise in scaling early-stage companies.

Earlier in his career, Stephen spent a decade at Texas Instruments, where he managed financial operations for a $1 billion+ semiconductor division. As director of business operations and finance, he helped lead a $600 million acquisition and significantly improved operational efficiencies by reducing lead times from 12 weeks to 4 weeks and increasing on-time shipping performance from 82% to 97%. His ability to balance cost reduction strategies with revenue growth initiatives helped optimize the company’s performance in a competitive global market.

Stephen began his career as a consultant in the Washington, DC office of KPMG and also operated his own lower-mid market private equity firm.

Stephen has extensive international experience, having worked across Asia and Europe during his tenure at both TI and Akustica, including a one-year stint in Japan. His global business acumen has been critical in forging international partnerships, managing cross-border M&A transactions, and leading large-scale supply chain negotiations.

Now at a pivotal point in his career, Stephen is seeking board and advisory roles where he can leverage his extensive financial, operational, and VC/private equity expertise to help organizations scale, optimize financial results, and navigate complex business transformations. With a proven track record in corporate exits, M&A, and financial strategy/engineering, he is an ideal candidate for companies looking to enhance governance, drive profitability, and prepare for liquidity events.

Beyond his professional achievements, Stephen is passionate about travel, music, and culinary experiences, reflecting his appreciation for diverse cultures and innovation in all aspects of life. With a reputation for strategic vision, financial acumen, and leadership excellence, he is poised to bring significant value to private equity and VC backed firms, technology enterprises, and high-growth startups seeking seasoned executive guidance.

Character: Stephen D. Harrell is a principled and results-driven leader with a strong commitment to financial integrity, operational excellence, and strategic growth.

Knowledge: With nearly four decades of experience, he possesses deep expertise in corporate finance, business operations, M&A, digital infrastructure, private equity, and scaling high-growth VC backed technology companies.

Strategic: He has a proven track record of leading corporate transformations, optimizing financial structures, executing high-value exits, and positioning businesses for long-term success.

Communication: Stephen effectively collaborates with executives, investors, and stakeholders, articulating complex financial strategies and business plans with clarity and impact.