Melinda Miramant Wins the Lottery
A Lesson in Work/Life Balance
Most professionals in the financial sector aren’t known to be gamblers. But Melinda Miramant, who has served as Colebrook Financial Company’s CFO for 2 ½ years says “I feel like I’ve won the lottery! I just couldn’t have scripted a better transition from the public accounting sector to a private company.”
Colebrook Financial Company, based in Middletown, Connecticut, specializes in providing financing for the timeshare industry. They pride themselves on rapid turnaround and personal service. Melinda is a perfect fit for this innovative lender.
Melinda is an example of “hometown girl makes good.” She grew up in Middletown with an aptitude for science and math. She confesses she really wanted to be a hairstylist, but her wise parents (her mother was in retail and her dad in landscaping) suggested she pursue a business degree and then she could at least run her own salon. Aware of her aptitude for science and math, her guidance counselor at Middletown High School directed Melinda to accounting classes.
Melinda earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Rhode Island and is a Certified Public Accountant. After beginning her professional career with Price Waterhouse Coopers, she joined Mahoney Sabol (Hartford, CT) in 2000 and spent nearly 20 years there, rising to the position of Senior Manager. In fact, she was the manager on the Colebrook relationship for eight years. During a performance review at Mahoney Sabol, one of the partners let her know that Colebrook was looking for a new CFO and let her know that Colebrook inquired as to her possible interest. Before accepting the position as CFO in January 2020, she put her cards on the table. Melinda wanted confirmation that the opportunity would offer her time and space for healthy work/life balance. She got what she wanted on many levels at Colebrook, where. she is responsible for financial reporting, cash management, and all administrative functions.
Related: Colebrook Financial Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary
As a young woman, many of her friends didn’t understand why the vivacious, people-person even wanted to be an accountant. Her position today provides a platform for Melinda to capitalize on both her communication and accounting skills. She’s a natural. Being able to talk with people, learn and quickly assess their needs has proved to be a valuable skill.
“I could have been a great hair stylist,” she says. “But I’m glad I listened to my parents. Who had the foresight to know I could grow up to be a Lady Boss—a term that didn’t even exist back in high school.”
Her understanding of Colebrook and her admiration for the team drew her to make a long-time commitment to the firm. She admired Bill Ryczek, Mark Raunikar and Tom Petrisko and the business they built from the ground up. “Our business philosophies are in synch. When you like someone personally, you become invested in their success and want to do business with them. I’m in this for the long haul; I’m learning more about lending and timeshare, meeting existing clients and building relationships to create more opportunities.”
Since there were few tightly wound gender roles in her household growing up, she and her husband Jay, a high school principal, raise their daughters to simply be good human beings—setting an example that will safely guide the girls through the 21st Century successfully. Avery, a 13-year-old middle schooler whose dad coaches her travel softball team and Grace, 18, who faces special needs due to Cerebral Palsy and will attend Quinnipiac University in the fall, have great role models setting examples.
Related: Colebrook Financial Provides More Funding for Disney Vacation Club Resales
Melinda and Jay count fitness as one of their favorite pastimes. They both enjoy cycling and staying as fit as possible. Weekends, when not traveling around the northeast with the Cheshire Flames, Melinda teaches the girls an axiom she learned from her parents: “You don’t have to follow the path others have chosen for you. You can be whoever you wish.”
Melinda’s path is a shining example to her daughters, her husband, her colleagues, and her professional circle as she navigates the ever-evolving challenges of the timeshare arena—with a contagious smile and magnetic energy allowing her to raise a loving family while continuing her successful journey providing financing for the timeshare industry.
Georgi can be reached at Georgi@GBGandassociates.com; or by calling 760-8034522.
