Expert Details
Innovation, Open Innovation, New Business Creation, Corporate/Startup Collaboration, Startups
ID: 722613
Florida, USA
Proven record of growth, profits and new business creation through breakthrough thinking, teamwork, entrepreneurial collaboration and disciplined execution
Broad industry experience across consumer products, life sciences, industrial, technology & services in diverse geographies including U.S., Europe and China
Author of innovation book, invited keynote speaker and frequently quoted in business press.
Helped leading consumer health company identify new technologies and create commercialization plans for disruptive opportunity with over $250 million in projected revenue. Identified, created and obtained funding for three independent ventures to commercialize unique intellectual property – one in sporting goods, one in power tools and one in housewares (all are on track for market launch in 2007 & 2008)Led project for DESA International to conceptualize, develop and launch new product line in backyard heater category, resulting in ‘best new products’ award at Patio Show and exceeding first year revenue projections by over 100%Developed business plans, supported successful funding and performed role of interim president for new division of an LLC, focused on introducing monitoring technologies at retail for elder care.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1988 | Degree: MBA | Subject: Marketing/Finance | Institution: Kellogg School, Northwestern University |
| Year: 1981 | Degree: BS | Subject: Mechanical Engineering | Institution: Drexel University |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2018 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Co-Founder and Managing Partner | Department: |
Responsibilities:Venture development firm that commercializes new digital and IoT-enabled business ventures in partnership with leading corporations and startups.- Partnered with Pittsburgh-based economic development groups, universities, startup accelerators and investors to build successful corporate/startup co-creation program in less than 1 year - Created Employer's virtual network of entrepreneurial business talent (US, Europe) and technical development (Warsaw, Prague) for large-scale digital/IoT ventures - 3 corporate-sponsored ventures underway and 2 corporate-sponsored co-creation accelerators launched |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2010 to 2012 | Employer: SPENCER TRASK & CO | Title: President | Department: |
Responsibilities:Senior executive for this boutique, early-stage venture investment firm, reporting to the Chairman- Pioneered new operating model for the firm, leveraging collaborative networks and crowd-sourcing for investment & venture support - Led successful investments in open-innovation platforms (inno360, InnoCentive) and breakthrough life-science startups (Organovo, Invivo Therapeutics) |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2009 to 2011 | Employer: Third Screen Marketplace (a Spencer Trask Company) | Title: President | Department: |
Responsibilities:- Co-founded (with P&G's ex-CMO) this Spencer Trask funded mobile marketing network, focused on co-creating innovative mobile marketing solutions with leading brand companies- Achieved $1 million in revenue within18 months; led successful co-creation programs with Fortune 100 brand companies to identify and structure $250 million in co-venturing opportunities |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2004 to 2018 | Employer: Venture2 Inc | Title: Founder, CEO | Department: |
Responsibilities:He founded this consulting and new ventures company focused on connecting and commercializing innovative products and businesses in consumer product markets.- Established leading position in collaborative innovation and new business creation with premier clients, including Cisco, Legrand, Sanofi, RB, Unilever, GSK and others (in U.S., Europe & China) - Supported corporate partners in the planning or launch of over $1 billion of new market value across consumer, industrial, life sciences and financial service industries - Interim executive roles in planning and launch of 3 high-growth new businesses for clients (healthcare, consumer, transportation) |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2001 to 2004 | Employer: Sunbeam Products | Title: Senior Vice President/General Manager | Department: Global Health Products |
Responsibilities:Senior executive and part of successful turnaround team at this durable household products company, reporting to CEO.- Led $100 million home health care business, including weight scales, air therapy, monitoring/ diagnostics and heat therapy under Health-o-meter and Sunbeam brands - Achieved 150% of profit goals for first year and 200% for second year, through brand management, new product introductions, operational improvements and cost reductions |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1999 to 2001 | Employer: Sunbeam Products Inc. | Title: Vice President, New Product Development | Department: Global Appliances |
Responsibilities:Led transformation of new product development during turnaround of this consumer products company, leveraging open innovation practices to achieve breakthrough results.- As VP New Products, re-organized new product marketing and technology groups (staff of 100) and leveraged new partnering models to increase new product introductions from 20 to over 150 within two years - Restructured new product capabilities resulting in 20% reduced time to market, 50% warranty cost reduction and transformation of business model from 80% manufactured to 100% sourced |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1996 to 1999 | Employer: Creative Logic, Inc. | Title: | Department: |
Responsibilities:He founded this strategic consulting business to help companies manage product innovation, through product strategies, business process improvements and project management. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1992 to 1996 | Employer: Sundberg-Ferar | Title: Director | Department: Strategic Product Development Services |
Responsibilities:He led 30% annual revenue growth for this industrial design firm through strategic planning, new business development & new services; brought design thinking into clients' growth initiatives |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1989 to 1992 | Employer: Ford Motor Company | Title: Product Planner, Program Management | Department: Light Truck Product Development |
Responsibilities:He developed product plans and won management approval for Ford’s first US-based global vehicle program; completed successful design phase within six months |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1988 to 1989 | Employer: General Electric Company | Title: Marketing Manager | Department: Corporate Marketing & Sales |
Responsibilities:He developed strategic market opportunities and cultivated cross-GE opportunities at key Fortune 500 accounts; received management award for developing new market opportunities |
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Additional Experience
| Marketing Experience |
|---|
| 30+ years of broad-based leadership experience in general management, strategic marketing and new product development, including start-ups venture capital and turnarounds. |
| Other Relevant Experience |
|---|
| Experienced in global management, including European, Mexican and Asian sourcing and development. Active in supporting entrepreneurial community through venture organizations and business plan competitions. Licensed private pilot. Startup Mentoring: Active supporter of entrepreneurship and the startup community. • Startup mentor since inception at this Cincinnati-based accelerator, consistently ranked among top programs nationally • Advisory Board member for this 'automotive-subscription' startup, aiming to replace automotive ownership with access • Board of Directors member for this successful consumer healthcare startup, providing consumer innovation in nasal care • Advisory Board member for European corporate-startup collaboration center, based in Warsaw Causes: Organizer and supporter of various philanthropic efforts, including: • Co-founder and Board of Directors member for this non-profit foundation, providing support for injured veterans & families • Co-founder of unique crowdsourcing program (with Jonas Salk's son Peter) aimed at lower cost (IPV) solutions for polio eradication • Executive committee member and judge for Edison Awards and Edison Universe (501c3), focused on fostering and honoring innovators |
Fields of Expertise
business incubator, entrepreneurship, new product development, technology innovation, market positioning, strategic market planning, business management, corporate strategic planning, technology planning, new technology business value measurement, technology management, strategic planning, project planning