In this issue
FEISV Chapter Newsletter | January 02, 2026 
FEI Silicon Valley Events
01/20 - Debt, Deals, and Disruption: The Credit Market Outlook for 2026 | Reed Smith
01/27 - Getting a Paid Board Seat | Wells Fargo
02/06 - Financial Officers Forum (FOF) (Virtual)
Partners & Other Chapter Events
01/14 - Building an AI-Ready Finance Function: Modern FP&A Before Modern ERP (Virtual) | FEI
01/21 - Financial Executives Priorities 2026 (Virtual) | FEI
01/29 - Lowering the Personal and Professional Risks of Online Data Exposure: Strategies to Protect Your Personnel (Virtual) | FEI
02/03 - Agentic AI: Use Cases & Best Practices for Leveraging AI Agents in F&A (Virtual) | FEI
02/18 - Private Company Priorities Conference (Virtual) | FEI
03/11 - Q1 2026 Quarterly Accounting Webcast (Virtual) | PwC
05/17 - 05/19 - 2026 Financial Leaders Forum (San Antonio) | FEI
Latest Trends in FEI
Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, there’s no better time to set your sights on professional growth…and perhaps make this the year you earn your first Board seat.
To help you chart that course, we invite you to join us for an exclusive fireside chat with three distinguished CFOs who have successfully transitioned to paid Board positions: Kelly Battles, Prat Bhatt, and Ken Goldman. Each will share their personal journeys, challenges, and the pivotal moments that helped them reach the boardroom, along with candid advice on what to do (and what to avoid) when pursuing these influential roles.
Moderated by Jan Robertson, Managing Partner of SiVal Advisors and host of the Strategic CFO podcast, this insightful conversation will uncover actionable strategies and “insider” tactics you can apply to secure your own paid Board seat. Key topics will include how to position yourself for selection, crafting an effective Board Bio, knowing when (and if) to engage recruiters, and navigating the nuances of board-management dynamics.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from leaders who’ve been there. Start the year by taking bold steps toward expanding your influence and impact!
Getting a Paid Board Seat will be held at the Wells Fargo Innovation Center on Tuesday, January 27th, from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm Pacific.
FEISV Members & Partners: Free | Other FEI Chapters & Non-Members: $135 | Registration: Here
FEI’s Private Company Priorities
Private companies continue to face rapid disruption fueled by emerging technologies, talent challenges, evolving regulatory landscapes, and global market complexities. Leading financial executives at private enterprises are driving digital transformation, strategic growth, and operational resilience to capitalize on new opportunities and navigate risk.
Join industry experts at FEI’s Private Company Priorities conference to explore the latest insights on AI adoption, agile finance strategies, workforce evolution, and governance best practices shaping the future of private company finance leadership. Attend to lead with foresight amidst volatility and position your organization for long-term success.
Private Company Priorities Conference will be held virtually on Wednesday, February 18th, from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Pacific.
FEI Sacramento & Other FEI Members, and Non-Members: Free | Registration: Here
Top Podcast Episode: Robert Barker
Unlock the secrets of financial leadership in the fast-paced world of semiconductors and AI! Today, The Strategic CFO podcast goes live with Robert Barker, a veteran FEI Silicon Valley (FEISV) Member and CFO of AIStorm, Inc. In this episode, Robert reveals the strategies that have propelled him to success, from navigating global challenges to harnessing the power of emerging technologies.
Tune in to discover how Barker's expertise can transform your approach to financial management. Learn about AIStorm's groundbreaking charge domain technology and how it's revolutionizing AI applications.
Gain insights into the critical role of communication and relationship-building for CFOs and understand the impact of tariffs and regulatory frameworks on tech companies. This is a must-listen for financial executives looking to stay ahead in the industry!
Download or stream any time: The CFO's Struggle & Triumph in AI's Power Crisis.
With Demand Spiking, Data Center Projects Become Increasingly Complex, Costly, and Tense
In its latest analysis of data centers and their related energy infrastructure needs, Law360 reports that development deals have become increasingly challenging and costly, often with billions of dollars at stake.
Stephen Humes, a veteran energy and project finance partner at Pillsbury, said that, among other challenges, these developments often face significant zoning and compliance issues. That’s because potential data centers usually represent the largest customers on a given grid.
“It’s like turning on a new city or a new major community to power that hasn’t had power before, but all the power is going to one address, one customer,” he said.
As a result, the utility company often has to perform an impact study to see what improvements are necessary to its transmission and distribution system when a large power user asks for service. And some of those power providers are even implementing extra costs or tariffs for data centers that require minimum contract lengths to pay for the costs of building transmission infrastructure.
One alternative to avoid those costs is to build a power plant adjacent to the data center and plug the energy source directly into the facility, which is called going “behind the meter.”
Learn More. Read With Demand Spiking, Data Center Projects Become Increasingly Complex, Costly, and Tense via our Platinum Partners at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
FEISV Member of the Week
Steven Vattuone is a financial executive with successful and progressive financial, administrative, and management experience primarily at high-technology, multi-national, privately held, and publicly traded companies ranging in size from $10M to $400M of revenue. Currently, Steven serves as CFO at ON24. Previous CFO experience includes roles at Electric Cloud, Grass Valley USA, LLC, and Composite Software, among other roles in organizations.
Steven earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Accounting from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He earned an MBA from Santa Clara University.
FEISV Partner of the Week
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is a premier global law firm with more than 700 attorneys located across 20 offices throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Their commitment is to deliver sophisticated, tailored legal solutions spanning corporate transactions, complex litigation, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, cybersecurity and data privacy, technology, and financial services.
Pillsbury has a leading capital markets practice advising on a full spectrum of transactions, including IPOs and follow-on/secondary offerings, confidentially marketed public offerings, convertible and equity-linked securities, and at-the-market programs. Their attorneys also provide comprehensive counsel to public companies on disclosure obligations, corporate governance, regulatory filings, and ongoing compliance with securities regulations.
Their team leverages their deep understanding of industry-specific challenges and market trends, enabling their experts to anticipate clients' evolving legal needs and proactively develop innovative strategies. Pillsbury's attorneys bring extensive industry knowledge, technical expertise, and a global perspective to help clients navigate complex legal and business landscapes and achieve their strategic objectives. At Pillsbury, they are dedicated to providing exceptional service and helping their clients succeed.
CONTACT:
Davina K. Kaile
Corporate and Securities Partner and Global Leader of Pillsbury’s Capital Markets and Public Companies Practice
[email protected]
Special Thanks to Our Strategic Partners
Marquee Partners
Platinum Partners
Gold Partners
Silver Partners
