Anita Britt: Chief Financial Officer Perry Ellis International

Abstract

Prior to joining Perry Ellis, she served as executive vice-president and chief financial officer for Urban Brands, Inc., and prior to that spent more than 12 years at Jones Apparel Group, Inc., where she held multiple leadership positions, including executive vice-president of finance. Anita is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the National Institute of Investors Relations.

Anita Britt has served as Chief Financial Officer of Perry Ellis International since joining the company in 2009. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the apparel and retail industry. Prior to joining Perry Ellis, she served as executive vice-president and chief financial officer for Urban Brands, Inc., and prior to that spent more than 12 years at Jones Apparel Group, Inc., where she held multiple leadership positions, including executive vice-president of finance.

As a key member of the Perry Ellis Executive Management team, Anita reports to the Chairman and assumes a strategic role in the overall management of the company. She has day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, managing, and controlling all financial-related activities of the company. This includes direct responsibility for accounting, finance, forecasting, strategic planning, job costing, deal analysis and negotiations, investor relationships and partnership compliance, and private and institutional financing.

Anita is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the National Institute of Investors Relations. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for St. Thomas University.

Interview

Q1. Life is about stories. Do you have a favorite story you use as an icebreaker?

I like to connect with a personal item such as a family or work event. It normally makes others feel a connection with the speaker and is an easy icebreaker. One of my favorites is around meeting my in-laws for the first time and how it ties into two parties coming at the same thing from a completely different perspective. My future mother-in-law and I were conversing on a topic, and it became a comedy of words as we both thought we were speaking about a different topic. Needless to say, after that initial meeting, there was only one direction to head.

Q2. What are the top three characteristics that contributed to your success?

Not necessarily in this order:

a. Solid communicator with the ability to interact with a wide spectrum of personalities.

b. The ability to gain the respect of those around you-you will find greater support and better ability to execute with a solid team.

c. The intelligence and perseverance to get the job done.

Q3. What life-changing events or decisions have guided your career?

Deciding on being a CPA was definitely a positive decision and obtaining my initial training with a Big 8 Firm. It provides a solid foundation to steer you to a number of options for the future. It also makes you extremely humble as it is a great training ground, and anyone who goes in with a big head has it deflated quickly.

Q4. Tell us of any expressions your parents often repeated with you.

My father passed away when I was in grade school, but he taught me through example that hard work and diligence is required to be successful-in whatever you do. My mother raised my younger sister and I to be self-sufficient-we were amazed at how resilient she was after losing the breadwinner and her partner to raise us and instill in us great values.

Q5. What is the biggest misconception about how to achieve success?

Many believe that success is measured by economic means. While that is important, what is more critical is the road you take to get there -how you develop as a person along the way- who you touch, and what improvements you make.

Q6. What books have you read lately?

I am an avid reader. I enjoy historical perspectives and have recently read The Presidents Club as well as Atlas Shrugged. While traveling, I enjoy light, entertaining authors-James Patterson and Robert Ludlam.

Q7. Imagine your phone rings, and it's you from ten years ago. If you only had a minute to talk, what would you say?

You are going to be leaving the snowy northeast and relocating to South Florida. It would have gotten me through the relentless overcast winters and made the treacherous commutes and driving conditions a lot easier. Certainly waking up in South Florida with beautiful scenery and sunny skies supports a better disposition, no matter what issues or conflicts one is facing.

Q8. What elevator speech would you give children about success in life?

I would be open to new experiences-follow your interest, but make it sure you can earn a living doing it!

Q9. What is the best advice you've ever received, and who gave it to you? Be honest.

Honestly, my husband provides me with excellent advice. He is somewhere between a realist/pessimist and always keeps me grounded. He provides great perspective on situations and navigating your way through difficult situations.

Q10. What would you like to see as your life's legacy?

I want to see my son achieve his dreams and be happy in life. He is my greatest legacy, and I hope that the life lessons and opportunities that my husband and I have provided to him give him the opportunity to pass on more to others.

To Cite this Interview

Gringarten, H. (2015, Spring). Anita Britt, chief financial officer, Perry Ellis International. Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 7(1), 23-25.