The Controller

There was a classic quality about Brad Jenkins that seemed to transcend time. It was reflected in his refined manners, in his attire, and in his speech. He was a family man whose traditional values were reminiscent of a time long ago when honor and virtue dictated one’s actions. Everyone who knew the 42-year-old accountant simply described him as a man of honor. Brad was elated when he began his two-year assignment as the Controller of AMA Electric International’s manufacturing plants in Monterrey, Mexico. As the months went by, Brad proved to be a very capable financial executive. His outstanding performance quickly earned him the nickname of “the man with the golden glow.” Much to his chagrin, Brad’s dream job in Mexico eventually begins to turn into a nightmare. He discovers corruption in the Monterrey plants, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. When the AMA executives realize that Brad is on to their plan, he begins a race for his life back to the U.S., a race that will put the Controller on a collision course with the darkness of human depravity, and whose thrilling outcome will forever change the lives of all of them.

J. Michael Aiken began his journalism career at the age of 13 while writing a weekly column for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Georgia. At the age of 17, he was editor-in-chief of his high school newspaper. That year he also won several journalism awards, including the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer’s “Page One Award.” During his college years, J. Michael’s interests gravitated to business. He received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration (magna cum laude) from Columbus College (now Columbus State University) and his Masters of Accountancy degree from the University of Georgia, eventually becoming a Certified Public Accountant. For twenty years he has worked in positions of progressive responsibility in the financial and accounting fields, primarily for manufacturing companies. The last ten years he has served as Controller and Chief Financial Officer of the Mexican subsidiaries of several U.S. multinational companies. J. Michael, who speaks fluent Spanish, has lived in several cities in Mexico, including Monterrey, Mexico City, and Cuernavaca. He has also lived in Beijing, China. Currently, he resides with his wife and two children in El Paso, Texas.