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One of the best compliments Frank Cestero ever got came from a former boss.
“My boss said that CPAs are like a scalpel, a really specific tool that is perfect for a really specific job,” Cestero remembers. “He told me that I was more like a Swiss Army knife, more than sharp enough to do some cutting, but also bringing so many tools to the table. That meant a lot to me, and it still does.”
The current chief financial officer at West Construction says someone in his role would often be that scalpel, a seasoned CPA. Cestero has been a lot of things, but a CPA isn’t one of them. And somehow, that has made him a perfect fit for midsize companies, ones big enough to need a CFO, but small enough to demand a more flexible professional in the role.
Cestero has nearly a decade of operations management experience, maintenance supervision, project management, and the more traditional accounting and financial leadership roles he grew into later in his career. His adaptability is enhanced by a strong commitment to servant leadership and a deep commitment to continued professional growth even though his career is closer to its end than its beginning.
In coming to West Construction, Cestero hopes he’s found the role to round out his resume. The third-generation, family-owned business in Palm Beach County is exactly the kind of organization that can benefit from Cestero’s blend of finance and operations.
“I think a big part of the value that I bring to a role like this is that I have driven in all these different lanes,” the CFO explains. “I spent my first nine years in operations management working in logistics and supply chain. The variety of my experience isn’t something every organization wants. If you’re a Fortune 500 company, you probably want a very specific type of skillset. But if you’re a $50–500 million company, you probably need somebody who has the tools to be the accounting finance leader but can also have a hand in the operational management of the company.”
Cestero was lured to West precisely because of some of the growth potential. The CFO sees a potential transition to COO if things continue to play out in the right direction. The leader’s wider perspective is best illustrated in a story he tells about his own work experience. At different parts of his career, Cestero says he’s had heart-to-heart conversations with different leaders in organizations. One explained, “Everyone’s in sales.” In another role, he was told, “Everyone’s in charge of safety.” Cestero himself used the axiom when trying to help a growing company pay attention to its bottom line. He told them, “Everyone’s in accounting.”
“There were some giggles and some eyerolls,” Cestero admits. “But I am absolutely of the mind that accountability is cultural. Eventually, we built that kind of culture, and I didn’t have to be the one telling people that ‘everyone is in accounting.’ They were telling each other.”
The story isn’t just illustrative of the culture-building Cestero has perfected over the years; it’s the ability to succeed in a multitude of different areas of a business and maintain a bigger-picture perspective in the process.
The CFO says his commitment to servant-based leadership is an extension of this philosophy. He’s emphatic that his finance professionals “speak human” as fluently as accounting to encourage interdepartmental communication. And he works diligently to create environments where feedback is constructive and shared, never siloed.
As Cestero has grown over the years, he’s evolved into more mentorship, teaching, and supportive roles. From investing time onsite with project managers to facilitating challenging audits, he views leadership as an opportunity to help others rise to their potential in difficult moments.
The son of two Puerto Rican natives, Cestero says his heritage, his commitment to his family, and his belief in a “glass half full” worldview are all intertwined. The CFO draws parallels between the cultural vibrancy of New Orleans, where Cestero earned his professional stripes (as well as marrying a local), and San Juan, in the power of faith, music, and communal joy, even amidst adversity.
But back in South Florida, Cestero says he relishes the opportunity to be around not just Puerto Ricans, but Latinos from all over the world, sharing food, fellowship, and the opportunity to celebrate the small moments of life.
“Blessings aren’t really blessings unless you can share them,” Cestero says with a smile. “Finding a reason to celebrate, that’s a very Hispanic thing. And as I saw in New Orleans, sometimes it’s those who seem to have the least that find the most joy in celebrating. There’s something to be learned from that. Family and culture and love don’t cost a thing. I try to remember that.”
We have known Frank for many years and has been a phenomenal partner to us here at Baker Charles. Frank has had a distinguished career as a CFO for a number of high profile companies and now at West Construction inc. As finance headhunters here at Baker Charles, it has been our privilege to assist Frank who has consistently impressed with his expertise and knowledge of the sector. Frank is an energetic, personable and credible leader with proven record of improving the bottom line by strategic planning, financial analysis, practical budget management and implementation of sound accounting controls. He has the ability to focus, identify and resolve challenges from the global to the granular level. His dealings with Baker Charles has been outstanding and Frank has always been a superb sounding board to us whether in recruiting for his company of work, building our wider networks or imparting insight knowledge on the market. Baker Charles are so proud of what Frank has achieved to date in his career and is an asset to any company blessed to have him.
