May 24, 2010

DETROIT — Urban Science CFO Richard Widgren was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as a top CFO in southeast Michigan. He was selected by an independent panel for his leadership role across the company and contribution to its successes. Widgren is one of nine executives accepting the award on June 16 at The Henry Ford in Dearborn.

“Dick continues to skillfully manage Urban Science’s financial future,” said Jim Anderson, CEO, Urban Science. “His strategic leadership and counsel have allowed us to continue our growth into new products and regions, even during last year’s recession.”

Widgren joined Urban Science in 2001, bringing extensive experience in financial management and strategic planning. He overhauled the company’s global budgeting process to allow detailed analysis of results and improved control over operating performance. This led to strategies that improved operating margin rates, enabling the company to develop new software applications and expand into European and Asian markets. Additionally, Widgren helped the company focus on cash preservation during the 2009 recession that challenged the industry.

Urban Science works with most major global automotive manufacturers and more than 10,000 automotive dealers worldwide to help them increase market share and improve profitability by planning their retail networks effectively, defining and measuring performance, and developing sales and marketing programs that deliver results. Crain’s Detroit Business recently named Urban Science one of the top 25 companies to watch in professional services and retail.

Widgren earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Detroit Mercy. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Currently, Widgren sits on the board of trustees and serves as chair of the audit committee for the Detroit Medical Center, is director and chair of the audit committee for Tech Team Global, and president of the Lochmoor Club in Grosse Pointe Woods. Widgren also focuses his time supporting his local community in St. Clair Shores by serving as chair of the Tax Increment Finance Authority, Corridor Improvement Authority and the Brownfield Authority.

Founded in 1977, Urban Science is a global retail consulting firm that takes a scientific approach to help companies identify where they should allocate resources in order to increase their market share and profitability in the most effective and efficient manner. With headquarters in Detroit, Urban Science serves its global clientele from offices in the United States, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Australia, China, Mexico, Japan, India and Russia.