TONY LEONARD
BIOGRAPHY
Tony Leonard is a results-oriented senior finance and operations professional with a strong educational background. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree in Civil Engineering from Vanderbilt University. He obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on finance and marketing from the prestigious Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College.
Tony has a proven track record of driving revenue and bottom-line growth while improving operating efficiencies and managing major analytical and capital projects. His diverse skill set encompasses business development, financial planning and analysis, and all areas of finance and accounting management in stable and transitional environments, including acquisition, divestiture, start-up, and restructuring scenarios.
Notably, Tony was the co-founder and Director of Administration and Development at the Paragon School, a not-for-profit private school in Central Florida dedicated to specialized education programs for high-functioning autistic children. He played a pivotal role in the school’s establishment in 2007 and continued to volunteer in this capacity until October 2011. Subsequently, he joined the Paragon staff full time to spearhead the identification and acquisition of a permanent facility for the program. Through his efforts, the school successfully raised approximately $1.7 million in donations for facility expansion and tuition assistance, benefiting around 200 students and families over 14 school years.
Before his involvement with the Paragon School, Tony demonstrated his financial expertise as the Finance Director for EPIK Communications (aka Progress Telecom). During a critical period of ownership change and reorganization, he led financial reporting and cost reduction efforts for the telecommunications company. His role as the lead finance representative on the team that successfully marketed and sold the company, coupled with his astute financial management, contributed to a smooth transaction and the divestment of the parent company of EPIK.
Furthermore, Tony played a key role in identifying significant annual operating expense reductions, driving cash flow from an annual loss of $10 million to break-even within one year. His adept negotiation skills also resulted in a substantial reduction in historic property tax obligations across 32 Florida counties, decreasing recurring annual property tax expenses.
Tony Leonard’s exceptional blend of engineering, business, and financial acumen has positioned him as a dynamic leader and a driving force in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, leaving a lasting impact on the organizations and communities he serves.