Modernization Without Losing Identity: Discipline, Culture, and the Modern CFO Role

What does it actually take to replace 40 years of institutional process without losing the company that built it? Kareem Jernigan is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at LAI Fleet, a national vehicle leasing and fleet management company headquartered in Houston, Texas, founded in 1958. With more than 20 years of finance and operations experience, a background in the Marine Corps, and six years leading LAI Fleet's finance function, Kareem is currently guiding the company through a full replacement of its 40 year old legacy operating system. Andrew and Kareem talk through de-risking a major system transformation, earning credibility with a long tenured workforce, and what it takes to compete as an independent, mid-market focused fleet company. You'll also hear insights on: • Why technical debt builds up in long running proprietary systems • How LAI Fleet is digitizing paper heavy leasing and titling processes • Aligning incentives to support organizational change • Rebuilding the bench while retaining institutional knowledge • The expanding scope of the modern CFO role • Managing credit discipline and portfolio risk through market volatility • How LAI Fleet manages residual risk across its vehicle portfolio This episode is for finance and operations leaders navigating legacy system replacement, credit and risk professionals thinking about portfolio discipline in volatile markets, and anyone leading change inside a long tenured, relationship driven organization.