University of Washington

Glencoe

CEO  -  Strategic Consultant  -  Podcast Host  -  CliftonStrengths Coach  -  Navigating Organizations to Success

In the initial phase, I assumed the role of a strategic consultant at Precision Manufacturing. Guided by pivotal shifts in leadership, strategic formulations, and the orchestration of refined execution, the company has achieved unprecedented milestones, recording exceptional growth in sales and profits. After these transformative interventions, I was invited to contribute as a board member.

The remarkable turnaround orchestrated by CEO Don Lindsey stands as a testament to his visionary leadership. With adept acumen, he has steered the company onto a trajectory of remarkable revival. As members of the board, we convene at regular intervals to diligently oversee ongoing operations and unwaveringly align with our strategic imperatives.

Precision Machine & Manufacturing

Board Member

The Measure Success Podcast convenes weekly discussions with esteemed leaders, delving into effective strategies that serve as catalysts for achieving success. We proudly hold a position within the top 2.5% of Global Podcasts, and our aspiration is to ascend to the ranks of the Top 100 business podcasts by the culmination of 2024.

Among our recent notable guests are luminaries such as authors Stephen M R Covey, Mike Michalowicz, Paul Young, and Tommy Breedlove, as well as esteemed figures including Forbes contributor and economist Bill Conerly, Dr. Bill Morgan, Dr. Vonda Wright, entrepreneurs Nigel Bennett, Kevin Lawrence, Trey Taylor, the distinguished Top 30 Guru Dov Baron, world record holder Cameron Dorn, and the remarkable Speaker of the Year and mountain climber Renata Chlumska, to name but a few.

Our podcast encapsulates three distinct guest categories: 1) CEOs/Entrepreneurs, 2) Authors, and 3) Extraordinary High Achievers.

During the initial segment of each episode, we delve into their journey to success, uncovering both their triumphs and trials en route to their pinnacles. Subsequently, we engage them in a discourse regarding their metrics of success within their business ventures.

The latter portion of the episode focuses on their personal practices, shedding light on the habits they consistently uphold that fuel their accomplishments. Often, this exploration extends into their personal lives, ultimately leading us to inquire about their measures of success in these spheres. Their responses provide a profound connection between the Doing Side and Being Side facets of life.

Concluding the episode, we seek their recommended book titles and avenues for further connection.

Those privileged to be featured as guests become integral members of our Measure Success community, sharing invaluable insights and fostering camaraderie.

Measure Success Podcast

Podcast Host

Our clientele is driven by the desire to propel their companies to the next level with speed and precision. Within our client base, there are two distinct groups: the first comprises companies already experiencing significant growth. While they have achieved success in the past, they seek to ensure that this success continues into the future by focusing on the right strategies. The second group consists of companies currently facing stagnation and seeking guidance to facilitate a turnaround and reignite growth.

We specialize in conducting a transformative strategic planning process, utilizing our renowned CAPTAIN strategy method that consistently yields tangible results. Our clients have witnessed their revenue and profits doubling, along with achieving unprecedented levels of growth.

Our core focus centers on small to medium-sized privately held companies and organizations. Our expertise extends across a diverse spectrum, encompassing solopreneurs, family-owned businesses, and private equity entities. We cater to companies ranging from start-ups to those generating over $200 million in revenue and beyond.

The moniker "40 Strategy" is derived from the fact that most organizations devote a mere 2% of their time to strategic planning—approximately 40 hours per year. Consequently, many organizations lack the internal strategic planning expertise required. This is where we come in; our strategic planning proficiency equips organizations with proven practices and facilitation skills that unearth the most effective ideas.

Our suite of services includes:

Facilitating Strategic Retreats
Crafting 3-Year and 5-Year Strategic Plans
Formulating Execution Plans
Establishing Strategic Accountability
Providing Executive Coaching
Conducting Gallup StrengthsFinder Assessments
Forging Senior and Executive Leadership Teams to fuel growth

40 Strategy

Hired to support sale of business. The company was successfully sold to a strategic investor.

Allagi Inc.

Chief Financial Officer

As an Investor and North America CEO, my central objective was to establish our US office in Portland, Oregon, and coordinate sales and support mechanisms to facilitate the company's expansion. Cascade, an innovative strategic planning software firm from Sydney, Australia, fueled this venture. Our revolutionary cloud-based solution, Cascade, is now operational on six continents, empowering businesses to cultivate engaged and aligned organizations.

During my tenure overseeing the US division, our client roster witnessed an impressive sevenfold increase within three years. Notably, our enterprise clientele experienced an astounding twentyfold growth over the same period. A clear testament to our progress, the US office burgeoned to constitute 50% of the global business.

Prior to our footprint, there were not any US-based operations. To jumpstart this endeavor, my partner Mike Fritz and I self-funded operations. Guided by an entrepreneurial vision, I assembled a great team to support roles in sales, implementation, and customer support. We employed innovative approaches to nurture business expansion, fueled by impeccable execution by our dynamic team.

As our growth trajectory gained momentum, specific clients expressed a need for additional strategic consultation to ensure the precision of their strategic plans. I spearheaded this vital strategic consulting initiative, leveraging the expertise of our US-based team to instill confidence in our clients that their strategic plans were tailored for optimal implementation.

After three years of transformative influence, I was presented with the extraordinary opportunity to lead the global consulting unit. Regrettably, due to familial considerations tied to extensive international travel, I had to decline this role. This pivotal decision laid the foundation for the inception of 40 Strategy.

For further insights, kindly explore our endeavors at https://www.cascade.app/.

Cascade Strategy

CEO, North America

During a phase of accelerated expansion, I was called upon to facilitate a leadership transition within DWFritz's operations. This role encompassed a spectrum of responsibilities, spanning estimating, project management, manufacturing, and oversight of China operations. Collaborating with the project management team, we spearheaded the development of novel monitoring processes tailored to accommodate an unprecedented influx of client projects. In the manufacturing sphere, we orchestrated the expansion of our technical manufacturing procedures, expedited recruitment efforts, and meticulously aligned operations to meet the exacting demands of client product specifications. Overseeing China operations required a strategic recalibration of management practices, facilitated by a new leadership team, all within the demanding framework of meeting critical deadlines. Additionally, we executed the initial phase of a complex ERP/MRP implementation.

DWFritz Automation

Vice President of Operations and Finance

In my initial role as an Executive Leader, I held the responsibility of overseeing the accounting and finance teams at DWFritz. Over a transformative three-year period, the company's workforce surged from 70 to 450 employees. An instrumental achievement during this phase was skillfully negotiating with financial institutions to secure the essential working capital needed to underpin our expansion. Swift adaptation was key as we efficiently streamlined teams, automated processes, and overhauled systems to ensure growth. Purchasing was added to my responsibilities under this position. 

Building on these accomplishments, my role expanded to encompass administering the Strategic Planning systems and processes. This journey led us to discover Cascade Strategy, a distinguished strategic planning software company headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Our strategic software implementation yielded a remarkable reduction in processing time of up to 70%. During my tenure at DWFritz, in collaboration with Mike Fritz, we embarked on establishing the US-based operations for Cascade Strategy.

Further, diversifying our portfolio, we strategically invested in Visicon Technologies, located in Napa, California. Following an extensive due diligence process, I assumed a board member role for the company and also personally invested in Visicon. This pivotal phase marked a dynamic chapter for the organization, culminating in a successful sale and a notable ROI for investors.

Our global operations extended to China, where I played a pivotal role in establishing a Wholly Foreign Owned Entity (WFOE) and overseeing the acquisition of third-party operations on the Chinese mainland. This intricate endeavor involved multiple negotiations within China and the establishment of administrative controls.

Vice President of Finance

In retrospect of my time at Lightspeed, I recognize a period defined by challenges and successes. This chapter involved dynamic shifts, growth, and strategic changes. My role contributed transformative leadership, innovative tech integration, and unwavering dedication.

Beginning at Lightspeed, I handled finance and accounting, gradually expanding to oversee manufacturing, Supply Chain, IT, HR, Support, Distribution, and Customer Success. This broad responsibility showcases my evolving role.

During my tenure, Lightspeed achieved remarkable growth, expanding over 3.5 times in seven years. The latter part coincided with a Board initiative to groom future executives, leading to expanded roles, including HR, for a smooth transition. We expanded our strategic responsibility for the Board of Directors and supporting committees.

After the Education Stimulus post-Great Recession, our first decline in a decade occurred. We strategically restructured costs and finances, successfully guiding the company back to profitability, demonstrating crisis management and strategic prowess.

Lightspeed Technologies, Inc.

EVP of Operations / CFO

As our expansion journey unfolded, I assumed broader responsibilities, taking charge of manufacturing operations. Collaborating with the Oregon Manufacturing Expansion Partnership, we seamlessly integrated LEAN principles into both manufacturing processes and our back office operations. Notably, our dedicated efforts yielded impressive results, such as streamlining the Purchase Order to Order cycle time from 40 hours to a mere 1 hour. To enhance communication and issue resolution, we introduced a huddle system across the organization.

Our commitment to enhancing distribution capabilities extended to Europe, a pivotal market for us. Initially reliant on Asian sourcing and US-based distribution, we strategically shifted towards designing products that could be manufactured locally in Oregon. This pivot demanded procedural changes, new manufacturing capabilities, and direct sourcing from Asia. The integration of LEAN principles further optimized our workflows.

To accommodate our remarkable growth trajectory, we underwent facility expansions, a process that involved astute negotiation to secure adjacent land for future growth. This shrewd move allowed us to double our manufacturing capacity, a feat realized through skillful financial negotiations with institutions to secure financing for expansion.

During this period of transformation, we introduced an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), a pivotal step in generating liquidity for shareholders while empowering employees to amass wealth. Our proactive approach extended to crafting annual incentive plans with quarterly payouts, fostering consistent reward for our dedicated team members.

Guided by a seasoned management team with Fortune 500 experience, we meticulously crafted and executed robust Strategic Planning and Execution Plans. We reported to our Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. This infusion of industry best practices expedited our execution, propelling us closer to our goals with each stride.

VP of Operations / CFO

During my role as CFO at Lightspeed, I played a pivotal part in propelling the company's growth by 3.5 times in just five years. Initially recruited to oversee corporate finance, accounting, stock option valuations, and accounting systems, I helped reshape our financial foundation by collaborating with financial institutions to secure crucial working capital.

As Lightspeed experienced rapid expansion, I led the creation of a capable team, streamlined processes, and seamlessly integrated NetSuite into our operations. This decision, despite NetSuite's limited user base at the time, elevated our accounting capabilities to meet the surging demands.

To align fully with Lightspeed's trajectory, I sold my tax consulting firm, enabling me to fully dedicate my energy and expertise. Taking charge of the IT department, we optimized service levels by incorporating Google Drive for email, calendar, and server operations.

Strategically, we shifted to a direct sales approach, accompanied by a predictive sales pipeline tool I developed in collaboration with the VP of Sales and our team. This tool enhanced our forecasting accuracy and completeness, further supporting growth.

Our adoption of NetSuite extended to replace legacy support systems. Despite challenges, persistent effort yielded a seamless system, enhancing customer and technical support operations. I also expanded my scope to lead product technical support, refining processes and bolstering key performance indicators.

In pursuit of global expansion, I ventured to Europe, laying the groundwork of our first distribution site. My strategic and administrative endeavors ensured their seamless integration, enhancing our global presence.

Corillian Corporation, a publicly traded entity specializing in internet banking solutions for financial institutions, held a prominent position in the industry. Notably, Corillian once managed the internet banking operations of five out of the top ten banks in the United States. My journey with Corillian commenced as I was recruited to be the Assistant Controller, a role that entrusted me with overseeing the accounting team and providing steadfast support for both monthly and quarterly financial reporting.

Advancing in my role, I ascended to the position of Corporate Controller, a pivotal transition that elevated my responsibilities. In this capacity, I assumed a broader scope, ensuring the punctual and accurate delivery of financial reporting essential for SEC reporting compliance.

As a means to bolster financial and operational controls, I undertook the pivotal role of reviewing and endorsing all scope agreements and change orders that bore an impact on our revenue recognition based on the percentage-of-completion method. Concurrently, I meticulously monitored the alignment of total project hours with the projected estimates on a monthly basis.

Among my notable achievements, I spearheaded the implementation of Corillian's inaugural Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls assessment. This multifaceted endeavor necessitated comprehensive documentation of key controls and their accompanying processes and procedures, culminating in a successful audit outcome.

Corillian Corporation

Controller

I was strategically brought on board by Babcock & Jenkins, a rapidly expanding direct marketing agency renowned for its pioneering approach that seamlessly integrated traditional mail campaigns with cutting-edge tracking technology. This innovative strategy aimed to yield enhanced Return on Investment (ROI) for direct marketing endeavors. Within this dynamic environment, I assumed the pivotal role of the senior financial manager, entrusted with steering the financial trajectory of the organization.

In this capacity, my focus was twofold: firstly, to establish a streamlined and timely financial reporting framework that provided crucial insights into the company's financial health and performance. Secondly, I improved the internal control structure, optimizing efficiencies, while safeguarding the company's assets and integrity.

The company secured private equity investment, warranting a heightened level of board reporting. In response, I improved the reporting mechanism that catered to the increased demands of stakeholders.

Babcock & Jenkins

I was recruited from public accounting to lend my expertise to a call-center enterprise dedicated to providing comprehensive Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) across the United States. As the senior financial manager within the organization, my pivotal role extended to overseeing the successful overhaul of the existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system—a task that bore significant implications for our operational efficiency and financial integrity.

With a strategic focus on optimizing our technological infrastructure, I spearheaded the seamless upgrade of the ERP system, a triumph that underscored my commitment to advancing the organization's capabilities. Simultaneously, I assumed the additional responsibility of managing the Human Resources department.

ProtoCall Services, Inc.

Fiscal Manager

Acquired comprehensive audit expertise while conducting business assurance services for publicly traded companies, privately held enterprises, and not-for-profit organizations. Throughout this rigorous two-year tenure, I diligently cultivated the necessary proficiencies to achieve my CPA license, although I am not currently licensed as a CPA.

Carl J. Cox