Greater Tampa Bay Area
Transportation Industry Expert | Strategic Planning & Implementation Specialist | Global Business Development Leader With over 25 years of experience in the transportation industry, I am a seasoned professional dedicated to enhancing performance in both commercial and public sector organizations. My expertise lies in: Innovative global strategy formulation and flawless implementation Transforming concepts into tangible business results Building successful domestic and international partnerships and alliances Crafting powerful market strategies for consistent business success Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a passion for driving organizational growth through strategic planning, critical thinking, and effective project management. My approach combines analytical rigor with creative problem-solving to deliver exceptional outcomes in complex business environments. I thrive on challenges that require a blend of strategic vision and practical implementation. My track record includes double digit growth the past four years achieving 80% growth last year. Always eager to connect with like-minded professionals, industry leaders, and potential partners. Let's explore how we can drive innovation and excellence in the transportation sector together.
As the leader of North Highland's transportation practice, I lead public-sector and commercial initiatives across all transportation modes throughout North America. My role encompasses setting the firm's industry strategy, driving business development, ensuring client service excellence, managing revenue growth and margin, and building the teams to deliver. I collaborate with North Highland's clients to: • Develop and implement operational improvement strategies • Integrate cutting-edge technology, data analytics, and AI solutions • Build high-performing workforces • Enhance customer experiences Representative Client Projects: 1. Cost Optimization and Business Transformation | Top 5 Transit Agency • Led a large team of transit specialists as on-site Client Executive • Analyzed agency’s operations and capital programs • Developed strategies to reduce operating expenses by $600 million • Created a 5-year plan for economic solvency and agency transformation • Delivered recommendations to meet current and future travel demands • Cut and paste this article for more info: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/transportation/2024/05/07/nj-transit-cuts-plan-assessment/73555728007/ 2. 30-Year Strategy and Futuring | Major Eastern Airport Hub • Partnered with CEO and Executive Leadership to develop long-term scenarios through 2050 • Led a team of strategic planners and futurists to reimagine the airport as a dynamic operating community • Conducted extensive research on mobility, tourism, and city planning • Synthesized 600+ signals into 64 drivers of change • Created four 2050 scenarios with detailed stakeholder experience narratives • Developed a preferred future state with key capabilities and strategic milestones • Outcome: Comprehensive long-range planning framework for the airport's growth as a future-ready community
Chris was hired by North Highland to build a transportation consulting practice from the ground up. Over the first three years, he drove revenue growth by more than 25% each year and expanded the number of clients to more than 20 across the country. Examples of his work work include: * Subject Matter Expert for a Global Energy Company examining the impact autonomous vehicles will have on future fuel consumption. * Transformed the recruitment, testing and hiring practices of a major transit agency to allow it to compete in today's economy. * Developed the business case for a commercial rail operator that identified needed operational improvements and investments in new technology to grow revenue and improve the overall customer experience along a public commuter line.
Co-founded, launched, and managed subsidiary consulting practice with no clients at start-up. Rapidly developed service offerings, hired skilled employees, and made presentations to skeptical customers. Over a 15 year period, Chris led major restructuring and transformation projects of large transportation companies in the U.S., Europe, Asia and South America. He has worked with global banking institutions including the World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction & Development, Fortune 500 companies such as Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce and Hess Energy, and large public sector organizations and has successfully developed global partnerships and captured business on six continents. • Served as a long-term strategic advisor to Lockheed Martin, providing guidance and insight on expanding and diversifying the company’s traditional defense business into the transportation sector. Completed a critical technology feasibility study that allowed Lockheed to secure a $100 million contract in Australia. • Led the restructuring efforts of the Romanian Railway to break the company up into independent infrastructure, freight and passenger companies and eventually bring private operators and investment into the freight rail sector. • Retained by the US Federal Government to serve as a financial advisor for a $35 billion loan program targeted to rail and transit agencies. • Prepared multiple market assessment studies for Fortune 500 and small businesses looking to expand into new markets.
Promoted to managing partner of parent firm specializing in corporate affairs and trade association management. Attracted new equity partners and modernized technology to improve financial reporting, marketing and performance resulting in 10% annual growth over six years. Created business, marketing strategy, and human resource optimization plans for global companies executing a comprehensive financial and managerial restructuring. Retained by US government to oversee $35B loan program targeted to rail and transit beneficiaries. Achieved 35% success rate in obtaining grants from a federal program, compared to the national average of 1%, through the refinement of analytical tools, proposal preparation and generating wide stakeholder support. Secured over $50M in aid . Authored, managed, and negotiated over 50 successful consulting, corporate affairs advisory and international projects that generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue.