Dale Marples is the Director of Small Business for CFO Systems, which provides financial leadership to middle-market entities and small business across the United States. It serves clients as interim and timeshare CFOs and Controllers, providing practical, experienced financial leadership on the clients’ schedule.
How did you get started in the business? – In 2001, I was making a career change and a CPA friend and an attorney friend kept encouraging me to start a CFO consulting service for businesses since I had been a suburban banker my entire career. That made sense to me because I could represent businesses back to a bank because I understood what their banker wanted. It filled a perfect niche.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Growing my business at the speed I expected. Every business I have ever seen has that same problem–expectations often exceed reality.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Although starting my company was a great achievement, I would say becoming an Air Force pilot was the single most important and satisfying achievement because so few people ever get that opportunity and those who succeed are even fewer.
Tell me a little about your family. – I married my high school sweetheart, Betty Jo, nearly 57 years ago. We have 2 daughters, 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – I have been successful in every venture in my life, but the biggest turning point had to be the day I asked Jesus to be my personal Savior because that caused everything in my life to come together and make sense.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I don’t have many days off, but Betty Jo and I like to go junking or walk through expensive houses and have a nice dinner together.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – That I have made two parachute jumps in the last few years. As a pilot I always said I would never jump out of a perfectly good airplane, but the door was open, so I took advantage of it.
What are you the most proud of? – The family Betty Jo and I have. They are all fantastic children and we are so proud of them.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – To be positive and not speak negatively because you are what you constantly say.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Faithful. The one characteristic that is missing in too many people is that their word is not trustworthy.
Which talent would you most like to have? – The ability to be organized in everything I do. I tend to be sloppy in some areas of my life. I would like to be organized without even having to work at it.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Any book by David Baldacci, but I just finished Unbroken which was fantastic.
What is your favorite movie? – The Sound of Music
What is your favorite TV show? – Shark Tank
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Vivace
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – You can contact me via email at dmarples@cfosystemsllc.com or visit www.cfosystemsllc.com.