Irving, Texas, United States
I help businesses navigate their toughest moments — from financial distress to strategic transformation to high-stakes M&A. Over the past 25 years, I’ve led turnarounds, advised boards and investors, and stepped into interim leadership roles (CEO/CRO/CFO) to deliver results when it matters most. I focus on three areas: • Turnarounds & Rapid Performance Improvement — Helping leadership teams fix underperformance fast. • Restructuring — Partnering with companies in crisis to stabilize, restructure, and execute operational resets. • M&A Execution — Leading complex carve-outs, exits, and wind-downs from diligence through post-close. Clients trust me to treat their problems - and their investments - like my own. I don’t just advise — I roll up my sleeves and execute alongside them. I’m known for being direct, dependable, and deeply invested in the people I work with. Outside of consulting, I write and speak about career growth, overcoming obstacles and personal transformation. My forthcoming memoir, The Turnaround, shares the story of how I rebuilt my life — and the strategies that helped me do it. I believe the best leaders are forged not just in boardrooms, but in the fire of personal change. Always up for good food, real conversation, world travel, martial arts, and mentoring the next generation of changemakers. Also: unreasonably passionate about Bruce Springsteen, Harry Potter, and my Italian Greyhounds.
Representative Experience: Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures: • Served as interim general manager for the Brazilian subsidiary of an $8 billion global consumer products company, worked with local management team and counsel to develop and implement a divestiture and wind-down plan for two major business lines • Financial advisor in the carve-out acquisition of a $1.4 billion private label food business • Financial advisor in the Chapter 11 filing and 363 sale of a $600 million financial services business Restructuring: • Financial advisor in the successful out-of-court restructuring of a global consumer loyalty program provider with $1.5 billion in debt • Financial advisor in the successful out-of-court restructuring of a managed health care network provider • Financial advisor in the Chapter 11 restructuring of a distressed financial services business Turnaround & Rapid Performance Improvement: • Served as co-Chief Transformation Officer in supporting the leadership transition at a private equity backed equipment leasing business • Served as interim Vice President of Operations, leading the day-to-day operational restructuring of one of the nation’s largest mortgage default processors, reducing addressable SG&A expense by ~20% • For a $700 million Third-Party Logistics provider that was severely underperforming post-acquisition by a private equity sponsor, developed and executed plans for 40% year-over-year EBITDA improvement through creation of extensive cost reduction program, business reorganization, and revenue improvement plan • Worked with the executive team of an underperforming public trucking company to develop a comprehensive transformation program to drive growth and improve EBITDA margin with share value increasing over 100% in the twelve months post engagement
Raised by entrepreneurs, I’ve retained their passion for building companies and helping great visions come to life. I love working with start-ups and small businesses on strategic, operational, financial, and marketing challenges. Representative projects include: • Seed investor & advisor for Rwanda-based coffee experience company. • Short-term financing and business planning for high-growth security firm serving celebrities and high-profile venues. • Business model refinement and messaging support for early-stage “life services” startup seeking capital. • Client targeting and proposal development for boutique professional services firm. • Interim VP of Marketing for telecommunications start-up. • Business plan development and liquidity controls for global intelligence company. • Marketing revamp and action plan implementation for professional services founder.
Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures: • For a $1.8 billion retailer, advised stakeholders on a proposed $1.5 billion acquisition, including assisting Company in business plan development, four wall analysis and cash management. Worked with CFO & Treasurer to upsize existing ABL to ensure adequate liquidity when acquisition efforts terminated Restructuring: • Served as Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO) and acting CFO in the restructuring of distressed family-owned apparel retailer, enabling the original founders to maintain an equity position post-reorganization • Served as acting CEO in the restructuring of one of the largest jewelry retailers in the United States following a financial scandal with its parent company Turnaround & Rapid Performance Improvement • For a PE-backed media company, worked closely with the new VP, Finance to assess an underperforming finance & accounting team and to develop a roadmap for improved performance, including shortening the close cycle and serving as a better partner to internal customers
• Recruited by CEO to support company due diligence and strategic planning for successful $40M recapitalization of family-owned commercial modular construction business • Working with CEO and CFO, developed and executed a five year business plan that resulted in 5.1x revenue growth over a 4 year period, from $35M in 2001 to $180M in 2005. Key growth components included: geographic expansion, organizational development, process improvement, alliance building • Additional M&A activity including: developed pitch books and research for transactions; due diligence for acquisition of California operation; due diligence support for 2006 transaction • Led business development effort targeting government and quasi-government agencies. Responsible for large project proposal development ($3M and over) for government/government contractor opportunities • Directed company’s sales organization, including managing sales pipeline, recruiting new sales/project management professionals, designing compensation and incentive programs (including setting targets), designed in-house CRM program • Created company’s first formal marketing function, increasing sales pipeline from marketing sources 17x; managed annual budget, developed staff, created online marketing programs • Forged strategic alliance with diversified Alaskan Native Corporation 8(a) Government Contractor, creating a platform for DOD agency sales of over $150 million in 2004-2005
• Managed consulting engagements focused on creating shareholder value through strategic communications and organizational alignment programs for organizations undergoing significant change • Clients include: Alcoa of Australia, Bell Atlantic, Ford Motor Company, Fosters Brewing Group, KeySpan Energy, Mobil Oil, Pennsylvania Power & Light, Rio Tinto