Mr. Sheffert is a nationally recognized business advisor in financial, strategic, leadership, and governance issues facing companies undergoing rapid change, transition, or crisis. Acclaimed for his leadership and advisory talents, he has been retained by hundreds of companies in a wide variety of industries to renew, sustain, and improve their value. As the founder of Manchester Companies, Inc. with over 40 years business experience, Mr. Sheffert utilizes his expertise and vision to direct Manchester’s world-class financial and advisory services.

Mr. Sheffert’s business leadership expertise has been recognized by numerous industry organizations. In July 2014, Mr. Sheffert was inducted into the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame . In October 2009, Mr. Sheffert was the recipient of the Outstanding Director - Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by the National Association of Corporate Directors and Twin Cities Business for his exceptional service on over 40 boards and serving as chairman for over 20 of those. In 2008 and 2006, the Turnaround Management Association awarded him with the Upper Midwest Turnaround of the Year Award, and in 1999, he was the recipient of the National Turnaround of the Year Award. He was also recognized for his exceptional service on public company boards of directors by being named one of Minnesota’s five Outstanding Directors of the Year by the National Association of Corporate Directors and Twin Cities Business that same year.

Mr. Sheffert is a no-nonsense, hands-on, results-oriented advisor who, prior to founding Manchester Companies, was president at First Bank System (now US Bancorp), a $28 billion bank holding company, and was a vice chairman of First Bank, N.A., its largest bank subsidiary, and was chairman and CEO of First Trust. Before that, he was president and COO of a national insurance company. Mr. Sheffert’s areas of expertise include:

• Board governance
• Turnarounds / restructuring
• Financial advisory
• Strategic planning
• Organizational effectiveness
• Merger, acquisition, & sell-side advisory

Mr. Sheffert has served on and chaired over 40 boards of directors including public, private, and non-profit organizations. Currently he serves as board chair for Bolder Options, a non-profit organization that provides mentoring programs, wellness activities, and leadership opportunities for at-risk youth, and as board chair for MGC Diagnostics, a medical device manufacturer. He is a public speaker on a wide variety of topics. In addition, Mr. Sheffert writes a monthly column about leadership, ethics, and corporate governance issues for Twin Cities Business, a regional publication that has consistently won national excellence awards. His articles also are published quarterly in the Tri-State Business Times.

Highest Education

• Master’s Degree in Management (MSM), Richard D. Irwin Graduate School of Management, Bryn Mawr, PA
• Minnesota Executive Program (MEP), Carlson School of Business, University of Minnesota
• Graduate Studies, Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Georgetown University

Professional Designations / Organizations

• Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP) by the Turnaround Management Association
• Certified Board Advisor (CBA) by the Center for Strategic Business Integrity
• National Association of Corporate Directors
• Association for Corporate Growth
• Turnaround Management Association
• American Bankruptcy Institute
• International Federation of Insolvency Professionals
• Center for Ethical Leadership - American College (past board member)

Recent Articles

Mr. Sheffert writes a monthly column titled "Corner Office" for Twin Cities Business. Follow this link to read his articles: Manchester - News & Views

Recent Speaking Engagements

• "Ethics in Business and Law", Featured Speaker, St. Thomas Law School, October 2012
• ""Governance or Government?", Moderator of Panel Discussion, National Association of Corporate Directors, Minnesota Chapter, December 2009
• "Transition in This Economy", Featured Speaker, Minnesota Young President's Organization, October 2009
• "Best Practices in Board Governance", Featured Speaker, and "The High Cost of Low Ethics", Key Note Speaker, DakotaCare Board Alumni Association Annual Meeting, September 2009
• "Current Credit Market Crisis", Featured Speaker, Annual Meeting of The Association of Rotational Molders, September 2009
• "Ethical, Practical and Psychological Issues in Representing Individuals and Businesses in Financial Distress", Panel Speaker, Minnesota Bar Association, August 2009
• "The Upside of Down", Featured Speaker, Graduate School of Business, Carlson School, University of Minnesota, April 2009
• "The Upside of Down", Featured Speaker, Edina Rotary Club, April 2009
• "Case Study: Turnaround of the Year Award", Featured Presentor, Turnaround Management Association, Twin Cities Chapter, January 2009
• Key Note Speaker, "Harvest Profits by Planting Corporate Values", Minnesota CPA Management and Business Advisors Annual Conference
• Panelist, "Board Leadership of a Company in Crisis", Minnesota National Association of Corporate Directors / Turnaround Management Association
• Panelist, "Building a Power Board: How to Find and Compensate Outside Board Members Who Can Help Drive a Company's Performance to the Next Level", Midwest Regional Association of Small Business Investment Companies, Mid-Winter Private Equity Conference
• Key Note Speaker, “The High Cost of Low Ethics”, Graduation ceremony of the Master of Science in Leadership Degree Program, The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA
• Featured Speaker, “Ethics: How Great Thou Aren’t”, Rocky Mountain Chapter, Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals

Practice Areas