Rochester, NY – December 15, 2021 – Butler/Till, an employee-owned independent marketing agency and one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, today announced the retirement of Melissa Palmer, its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), after a 15-year tenure. Scott Chapman, previously Divisional CFO of Rochester-based Partners + Napier, will succeed Palmer as Butler/Till CFO, guiding the company through continued growth and expansion.
“Melissa has been a trusted advisor and partner, bringing financial rigor to Butler/Till operations that has helped us grow revenue, expand our employee base, and streamline core financial processes to operate more efficiently. She has astutely managed our investments, outpacing the market to increase non-operating income and strengthened relationships with our financial and business partners with a combination of professionalism, integrity, and warmth.”– Kimberly Jones, President & CEO
Palmer, who served as a professor of finance at the Rochester Institute of Technology before joining Butler/Till in 2006, has been instrumental in the agency’s explosive growth and 20 percent year-over-year revenue increases. Under her financial stewardship, the company took a progressive step to become a 51 percent employee-owned company in 2011. Due to its ability to pay down debt ahead of schedule, Butler/Till became 100% employee-owned in less than four years. Employee ownership has been a tremendous factor in the company’s ongoing success, contributing to a passionate culture, boosting employee engagement, providing significant tax savings, and providing a seamless exit strategy for its founders.
Palmer was also pivotal in the development of Butler/Till’s new headquarters in Downtown Rochester, putting the agency in the heart of the Downtown Innovation Zone with hundreds of innovative and creative-class companies.
Scott Chapman to Drive Continued Growth as Newly Named CFO
After a national search for a candidate to succeed Palmer, Butler/Till appointed Rochester-based Chapman, an industry leader in driving organizational improvements and growth, its new CFO. He brings to the role direct advertising, marketing, media, and auditing experience. He has been a key leader in the identification, evaluation, due diligence, and execution of multiple acquisitions during his tenure at Partners + Napier.
“Scott’s technical finance and M&A experience and his demonstrated track record of having built and continuously improved systems and processes to transform organizations like ours makes him an ideal candidate to usher Butler/Till into an exciting future. Just as important as these impressive qualifications are his collaborative nature and passion for ensuring a culture of honesty, respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency. That passion is integral to Butler/Till, making us who we are and ensuring our continued success.”– Kimberly Jones, President & CEO
Chapman will work in partnership with the finance teams at Butler/Till and Digital Hyve, a digital agency continually ranked on the Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies and a wholly owned subsidiary of Butler/Till. Together they will focus on creating efficiencies and growing the company, while maintaining the culture that drives and inspires Butler/Till.
“I am honored to be appointed CFO of Butler/Till, a forward-thinking organization that is redefining the world of marketing by focusing on innovation and fostering a collaborative, passionate ownership culture. I look forward to stewarding the company through continued growth, identifying strategic opportunities, and modernizing operations to better serve the needs of businesses around the world.”– Scott Chapman, Chief Financial Officer
