David Distel
Managing Director, CPA/CFF, CTP
616.233.8080
ddistel@okeefeandassociates.com

Dave is a gifted negotiator who operates in complex environments quickly boiling down the key issues, restructuring balance sheets, and implementing disciplines to improve cash flow and operating profits.  He utilizes his 25 years of experience in turnaround roles with two major publicly traded companies as Chief Financial Officer, as well as Chief Restructuring Officer and Financial Advisor.  Dave’s exceptional track record includes keeping 100% of his clients out of bankruptcy.

 Mr. Distel has over 25 years experience focused in directing operating profit and cash flow improvements, crisis management and turnaround consulting, debt restructuring and refinancing, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation support.  Since joining O’Keefe & Associates in the summer of 2005, Mr. Distel has been a Chief Restructuring Officer in multiple Chapter 11 proceedings, a court appointed Receiver outside bankruptcy, a financial advisor to several unsecured creditor committees, a financial expert in litigation matters, and a bank appointed financial consultant to several distressed businesses.   He possesses broad industry experience including manufacturing/automotive, real estate/resorts and residential developments, retail, media, information technology/software, financial services, and business services.

Prior to joining O’Keefe & Associates, Mr. Distel’s career background includes seven years of Big Four public accounting experience as an auditor in New York and Detroit with Deloitte & Touche; three years of consulting experience with Deloitte & Touche’s Merger, Acquisition and Restructuring practice in New York; and twelve years in senior financial and operating roles including Controller, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Distel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Michigan State University.  He is a Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF).  Mr. Distel is a member of the Turnaround Management Association and is a co-founder and President of the West Michigan Chapter.  He is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, Association for Corporate Growth, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.