Nick Parfitt’s entrepreneurial mindset began to take shape early in his career. Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, he started in public accounting before moving to the U.S. to pursue higher education at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and later at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. This move laid the foundation for his strategic approach to finance, blending analytical rigor with an ability to think creatively about solving business challenges.
He utilizes this foundation to fuel success as the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Stern Pinball Inc., a manufacturing firm specializing in innovative pinball games.
Since joining Stern Pinball in January 2023, Parfitt has implemented critical initiatives that have fortified the company’s financial health and operational scalability. Under his leadership, the company has achieved a compound annual growth rate exceeding 20% over the past three years, driven by new product launches, expanded market reach and process enhancements. His financial expertise has been instrumental in modernizing systems, including implementing an enterprise resource planning and human resource information system, which have streamlined operations and improved decision-making.
“What truly sets Nick apart is his entrepreneurial mindset and his skill in executing large-scale change with a human-centered approach,” said his colleagues.
In his role, Parfitt led the reorganization of Stern Pinball’s treasury functions, transitioning to JP Morgan Chase, increasing credit facilities and securing favorable loan terms. These actions enhanced cash flow, reduced interest expenses and enabled greater investment in growth opportunities.
What Parfitt values most are the people he leads and the culture he builds. “Celebrating successes—both big and small—is a core part of maintaining passion for the business,” he said. “Recognizing milestones, whether it’s a successful product launch, a new process implementation, or even an individual achievement, helps build momentum and fosters a shared sense of accomplishment. By sharing these moments and the stories behind them with the broader team, I aim to create a culture where enthusiasm and pride are felt by everyone.”
Looking ahead, Parfitt envisions Stern Pinball continuing its expansion while staying true to its mission of creating technologically advanced, community-driven pinball experiences. “As someone deeply invested in the gaming industry, I find it energizing to stay connected with the latest trends and developments,” he said. “Whether it’s exploring new technology in gaming design, attending industry events, or seeing how our products impact players, I make it a priority to engage directly with what makes this industry so dynamic and fun.”