Pehlke was chosen for the position because of his experience with public companies and his merger and acquisition experience, a spokesperson said. "He brings with him a strong financial background, included demonstrated ability to manage capital markets transactions and mergers and acquisitions in a public company environment," says chief executive officer Mark Rose in a prepared statement. "We believe this experience will be extremely important as we continue to aggressively execute our growth strategy." Rose was traveling and unable for further comment.

Pehlke most recently served as executive vice president, chief financial officer and a member of the board of directors for Hudson Highland Group, where he worked from 2003 through 2005. He previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of ONE Inc., a privately held software implementation business, and operated a financial strategy and leadership development consulting business. Since 2005, he did consulting work "in the private capital arena," worked with a friend who was starting a business and spent time with his family, Pehlke says.

He says he is excited about the position, which is "as much leadership oriented as financially oriented," and that the company is based in Chicago, fulfilling his goal to stay in the Chicagoland area. Pehlke tells GlobeSt.com his goals as the chief financial officer are to "maintain its financial strength and its integrity" and continue the growth of the company.