Dr. Bernd Deffland (Dba

Dr. Bernd Deffland has extensive experience in finance and leadership roles. Dr. Bernd served as the President & CFO, as well as the Executive Vice President & CFO, at Dieffenbacher USA, a global manufacturer of production plants for the wood and composites industry. Dr. Bernd was responsible for overseeing the company's operations in the US market. Prior to that, they were the Chief Financial Officer - Americas at DöhlerGroup, a global provider of natural ingredients for the food and beverage industry. Dr. Bernd managed all financial operations for the company across North, Middle, and South America. Dr. Deffland also held the position of Vice President of Finance and Controller at Dieffenbacher USA, where they focused on financial leadership, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis. Dr. Bernd served as the Controller/CFO at MAGE SOLAR USA, a solar manufacturing company, overseeing daily financial activities. Before that, they worked at Rödl & Partner International USA, a professional services firm, where they held various roles including CPA Senior Associate, Senior Accounting Manager, and LL.M. Dr. Bernd was responsible for business process outsourcing, external accounting, and financial statement closing for international companies. Dr. Bernd also served as the CFO/Prokurist at Ruhrdeich Holding GmbH, overseeing finance, tax, and accounting for multiple locations and subsidiaries. Earlier in their career, Dr. Deffland worked as the CFO and head of tax, finance, and accounting departments at Jo. C. Boecker GmbH & Co. KG, a leading textile retail company in Germany.

Dr. Bernd Deffland has a diverse educational background in the fields of business administration, law, and management. Their education history includes a Doctor's Degree in Business Administration and Management from Columbia Southern University, completed from 2020 to 2023. Prior to that, they obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Business from Universität des Saarlandes from 2006 to 2008. Dr. Bernd also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management, achieved from 2003 to 2005. Additionally, they have a Bachelor of Commercial Economics and a Graduate Commercial Lawyer (Dipl-Wirtschaftsjurist) from FOM University, acquired from 2000 to 2003.

Dr. Deffland has also obtained several certifications, including a Doctor of Business Administration from Columbia Southern University in 2023, a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from HRCI in 2022, and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the State of Georgia in 2013. Dr. Bernd also holds the Chartered Global Management Accountant certification from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is certified as a CPA by the States of South Carolina and NASBA.