PRINCIPAL / PARTNER PROFILES

PARTNER BACKGROUND

HF&H's three founding partners, Robert Hilton, John Farnkopf, and Scott Hobson worked together for several years for a "Big Six" accounting firm. At this "Big Six" firm, they developed their professional approach to management consulting that includes:

• Focusing on client objectives and goals;
• Agreeing with the clients on the work to be performed, the time, and the budget;
• Staffing projects with a team of qualified consultants;
• Documenting and performing effective quality control review of the work performed; and,
• Communicating frequently with the client.

In 1996, after five years with HF&H, Laith Ezzet became the Senior Vice President in charge of our Southern California solid waste consulting practice. In 2008, Richard Simonson became Vice President in our Northern California solid waste practice. In 2009, Marva Sheehan, CPA became Vice President in our Northern California solid waste practice.

PARTNER BIOGRAPHIES

Bob Hilton is a Certified Management Consultant and President of HF&H Consultants. In addition to being firm President, Bob heads up our Northern California solid waste practice.

Mr. Hilton is a member of the Solid Waste Association of North America and the California Resource Recovery Association.

Bob has over 30 years of public management experience in county and city government and special districts, the past 20 years as a consultant. He has provided expert solid waste advice to more than 150 agencies.

Mr. Hilton's consulting activities encompass the following specialties:

John Farnkopf is a California certified Civil Engineer and Senior Vice President in charge of our Northern California water/wastewater practice. Mr. Farnkopf has over 30 years of public and private experience in the utility industry, emphasizing consulting to water, wastewater, stormwater, electric, gas, and solid waste utilities.

John is a member of the American Water Works Association, the Utility Finance and Economics Committee, the California Urban Water Conservation Council, the California Water Environment Association, and the Water Environment Federation.

Mr. Farnkopf's consulting activities encompass the following specialties:

Laith Ezzet is a Certified Management Consultant and Senior Vice President in charge of our Southern California solid waste consulting practice.

Mr. Ezzet has over 20 years of experience as an economist and solid waste consultant and has assisted over 100 public agencies to plan, implement, and monitor their solid waste collection, recycling and disposal programs. During the course of these engagements, he has conducted more than 100 public workshops and public meetings for City Councils, Boards of Supervisors, and citizens' advisory groups.

Laith is a past member of the Board of Directors of the California Resource Recovery Association and currently a Director of the Southern California Founding Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America.

Mr. Ezzet's consulting activities encompass the following specialties:

Richard J. Simonson, CMC, Vice President

Rick Simonson has over 15 years of experience as an auditor/accountant in various capacities. During his time with HF&H, Mr. Simonson has performed and managed numerous rate reviews for the South Bayside Waste Management Authority, Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority, Marin Franchisors' Group, City of Livermore, City of Vallejo, City of Milpitas, City of Union City, and Stanislaus County, as well as several other California municipalities.

His other financial analysis experience includes rate comparison benchmarking analyses, customer service level assessment, and conducting a statistical study for the California State Bar Association detailing the relationship between law firm size and disciplinary actions.

In addition, he has performed and managed several competitive and sole-source procurement projects which have involved drafting requests for proposals and franchise agreements and evaluating the reasonableness of cost proposals submitted by prospective collection contractors.

Mr. Simonson’s consulting activities encompass the following specialties:

Marva M. Sheehan, CPA, Vice President

Marva Sheehan, CPA, has over 25 years of financial and accounting experience as a consultant and controller, with 20 years in the solid waste industry.  Her expertise is in analyzing the financial aspects of solid waste operations; rate setting; short and long-term financial forecasts; and billing and fee audits.

Ms. Sheehan has managed rate review projects for the Cities of Union City, Pacifica, Petaluma, Stockton, and the Marin Franchisors Group (San Rafael, Larkspur, Ross, Marin County and Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District).  Her rate review experience includes analyzing operational and financial data, negotiating with third-party hauling companies and presenting the findings to City Councils/Boards.

Ms. Sheehan's consulting activities encompass the following specialties: