What I Do: I serve on boards of directors and advisory boards, as well as in interim senior management positions. I also advise CEOs and other senior executives, serve on boards of directors and advisory boards and build advisory boards as business development engines. In selected situations I act as an executive coach or life coach to senior executives. My expertise includes innovation, governance, succession planning, mergers & acquisitions, team building, strategic planning, turnarounds and reorganization.
I specialize in managing turnaround situations as either a senior advisor or interim executive. My experience in building six for-profit and helping to launch two non-profit organizations allows me to help management overcome challenges that may seem daunting to them. My wide range of contacts allows me to tap into substantial pools of resources - including senior executives, highly effective professionals and sources of financial support.
An effective leader and innovator, I blend academic research with hands-on management expertise. I have a record of successful innovation in a variety of industries including technology transfer, film financing, property investment and management, team building and leadership, board design/population and management, management/team/board assessment and executive/leadership/team coaching.
What Attracts My Interest: Two of my very favorite things (aside from fishing) are building a business and helping others build theirs. Some of my most rewarding experiences have been creating jobs for highly motivated people and watching them enjoy successes that they never through they might.
I work as a senior advisor to CEOs because I believe that hard problems can be solved – it’s just a matter of finding the right approach, resources and team to solve them. When it comes to overcoming tough challenges, there is no substitute for experience and proven judgment. That is one of the things that I bring to the table in my advisory engagements. I have worked with CEOs that were stuck – unable to find a way forward. Once the way was cleared, watching them succeed was a real ‘Rocky Mountain High’!
I serve on boards of directors because I believe that CEOs deserve the wisdom, guidance and experience that people like me have gained. I am experienced in the areas of corporate governance, strategic planning and team building. I find board service one of the best ways to help CEOs turn their visions into reality.
I build advisory boards as business development engines because I discovered that they are by far the best way to drive the gross revenue of a company. I built the first ones for my own companies and now help others build them for theirs. My latest book, Amazing Pace: Turbocharged Business Development describes these boards.
I am an executive coach because of my own experience as an entrepreneur. I made most of the mistakes that trouble entrepreneurs and was lucky enough to have a great group of mentors to help me recover from them. Now I am dedicated to giving back – to helping a new generation of entrepreneurs learn form my experience.
Personal growth does not occur simply with the passing of time. A major challenge that every human faces is to grow in understanding, capabilities and value to the people around them. Through my life coaching engagements, I have helped many senior executives slaughter their demons and break through to new levels. For me, there is something deeply satisfying in helping someone do just that – and watching an entirely new mastery emerge because of it.
The overriding issue for me is whether an engagement is fun and highly productive. I love to work with people who have a zest for life and an appreciation of the contributions that others make to it. If you are one of those people, I would enjoy getting to know you.
Who I am: I am a proven entrepreneur, seasoned senior executive, political and social theorist, published author and speaker. A veteran of Wall Street, I have founded two non-profit and six for-profit companies.
My experience includes designing and organizing companies, business/technology management, team building, strategic alliances, negotiating complex arrangements, governance & compliance, resourcing & financing, mergers & acquisitions, management/team/board assessment, coaching and strategic and tactical planning and implementation.
For over two years I wrote a monthly column for a national sheep magazine. While in Scotland, Strathclyde University Press published my scholarly papers. Since returning to the States, I have authored a regular column for a newsletter and a series of columns focusing on management issues, turnaround management, governance, advisory and coaching. My writings are currently in syndication on at least a dozen major websites. I am also the author of Amazing Pace: Turbo-Charged Business Development.
I received a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Texas and a Masters of Management Science from the Alfred P. Sloan School at MIT. In 1996 I was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy by the Department of Government and International Studies, Strathclyde University, Glasgow Scotland with a focus in political and social theory and comparative cultural analysis. Subsequently I taught advanced political and social theory as an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Government, University of Birmingham in England. I author a political and social theory blog - non-partisan and focused on issues such as ethics, citizenship, government, the press and much more - Come On Sense.
I am available for radio and TV appearances, panels, seminars, speeches, key-note addresses, book signings and as a subject-matter expert. I am also a motivational speaker who combines humor with lots of content. Contact me with details on your event and needs.
About This Website: I write on a wide range of topics. The Library is full of articles that I have written on a wide range of subjects. Take a look and be sure to leave comments if the spirit moves you! There are over 2,500 comments that have been left by readers - they are well worth the time. On the testimonials page you will also find endorsements from clients and associates and recordings of some of my media appearances. I also have posted a current biography and full CV.
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