Erik "Rick" Kjellberg is a Consulting CFO with Burkland Associates, where he assures accountability to boards of directors, investors, and banking partners--providing depth and breadth of financial and operational expertise to multiple growth-stage startups and small companies on financial and operational strategy, while building the foundation to support future financial health, attractiveness to investment, scalability, and long-term viability. 

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Prior to joining Burkland, Rick oversaw the Financial Planning & Analysis team at NEXT, Samsung’s venture arm. There, he provided financial strategy and budgetary alignment for NEXT as well as for startups within the portfolio. Before NEXT, Rick was promoted through a series of executive roles at Ogin Energy, a venture-backed wind energy equipment manufacturer. His contribution was in areas such as operational strategy, international supplier management and procurement, project finance, and analytics. Prior to Ogin, Rick was a senior financial consultant at Chatham Financial, advising clients on their derivatives and debt management strategies. Rick began his career as an officer and instructor pilot in the US Air Force. He was entrusted to execute sensitive wartime missions piloting Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Congress, and general officers, and he developed expertise in operations and training. 

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Rick is a Distinguished Graduate of the US Air Force Academy with a BS in Astronautical Engineering. He has an MSA in Information Resource Management from Central Michigan University, an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and an MPA from the Kennedy School at Harvard University.  

 

Rick enjoys alternative rock music, professional football, and early American History.