Meet Our Chief Financial Officer: Interview with Harmony Healthcare’s John Bilello
He surprises the back office team with lunches and snacks. He even surprises them with his rapping skills and his unintentional comedic ability as he strolls through the office. This New York Giants fan loves to golf, enjoys cigars on his back patio, and devotes his free time to his wife and daughter.
Without further ado, here’s John in his own words.
What does a typical day look like for you here at Harmony?
I start each day with a cup of coffee, and I review the cash activity in our bank accounts. As CFO for Harmony, it is my responsibility to ensure the assets of the company are secure. I set the cash position and update my cash forecast.
After this my day consists of overseeing the day to day operations of the Finance and Accounting team. We run a weekly payroll in about 45 states, and with that comes a variety of complexities that need to be addressed. In addition, we are billing about 250 clients on a weekly basis and collecting accounts receivable for over $60M+ in revenue.
This too comes with a host of issues that need attention. I review reports, operating metrics, and financial statements. When I am not attending to these details, you can often find me working with our CEO, executive team, and board of directors to help strategically navigate the company to continued growth.
Tell us something about yourself that may surprise us.
I used to play guitar in a garage band in high school and can still play a little. I also played on the football team on the offensive line and as an outside linebacker. Problem was that I kept jamming and breaking my fingers so my guitar playing suffered. I was eventually kicked out of the band.
You can choose one: flying cars, cities on another planet, or robot friends. Which one do you choose and why?
After careful consideration, I would choose to live in a city on another planet. My reasoning? If we can ever actually make a city on another planet, I am pretty sure there would be flying cars and robot friends there, so I can get all three.
Create the soundtrack to your life in 5 songs. Why did you choose those songs?
This one is very tough one, there is so many great songs, bands, and artists that I can’t list everything, but here it goes.
- “Dream On” by Aerosmith – It’s an amazing song about never giving up on your dreams. Striving and persevering. “Dream until your dreams come true!”
- “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” by Van Morrison – This was my wedding song. It reminds me that I should tell my wife Lori how much I love her and how thankful I am she married me and continues to put up with me. I don’t think I say it enough.
- “The Bare Necessities” from Baloo in The Jungle Book – This song reminds me to not take myself too seriously. My daughter, Catherine used to think I resembled and acted like Baloo, and it made her laugh. She and her cousins still call me Baloo every now and again, and it reminds me to stay young. The song takes me back to when she was just a little girl; it makes me smile whenever I hear it. It also has a great meaning behind it too: “Forget about your worries and your strife.”
- “Piano Man” by Billy Joel – This is just a great song and one of my favorites of all time. My daughter took piano lessons when she was younger, and this was one of her choice songs to learn. I will always remember her playing it at one of her recitals. It’s a great memory that comes to mind whenever I hear this song.
- “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey – This is another great song about not giving up. “Payin anything to roll the dice…just one more time!” My daughter Catherine sang this with a bunch of other kids at one of her recitals, and I can still see her smiling on stage singing this song. Another great memory for me!
How do you balance work and down time?
I’m not sure what you mean by down time. I haven’t had much of that lately, but when I do, I like to spend it with my family. We enjoy cruises, stay-cations, the beach, and St. Augustine. If I get some time for myself, I enjoy playing golf.
Tell us a story from the weirdest job you’ve ever had.
I really didn’t have any weird jobs, but one story comes to mind. Back in high school I worked in the local pizza shop. I worked the store by myself from time to time. A guy came in one day, ordered a slice, and suddenly began to choke. I jumped over the counter and performed the Heimlich maneuver on him.
I like to think I saved his life, but he made it out like he was just reacting to the hot pepper. He said that it has happened to him before with the hot pepper. I then yelled at him, “So why do you put it on your #@$@ing pizza if it makes you choke?!” He had no answer and just walked out. Come to think of it I don’t think he paid for that pizza or even thanked me.
Who is your favorite fictional character and why?
Hands down Captain Jack Sparrow. I love the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and the sense of adventure, sailing in search of treasure in a time where lands were uncharted and unknown. It would be so cool to be a pirate. Captain Jack is shrewd, cunning, and witty. He walks with a drunken swagger and outmaneuvers his enemies. Those movies are a lot of fun to watch!
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in the last 5 years?
I’ve learned that you need to slow down and appreciate this life you have. It goes so fast, and before you know it things change. Take time to appreciate those who love you. Don’t hold anything back because you may not get another chance to tell/show someone what you feel. Regret is the result of fear and holding back. Do your best to not have regrets in life.
Also, I talk a lot to my daughter about perseverance. No matter what life throws at you – persevere. It could be at work, or at school, or in your personal life. It’s amazing what you can overcome with faith in God and belief in yourself.
