Northwestern University

MIT Sloan School of Management

Thunderbird School of Global Management

Landmark

University of Cambridge

Simsbury High School

Engaging and passionate Big Picture, Strategic Thinker, Author of "After the Casseroles"

Responsible for guiding the overall strategic direction of the US subsidiary and driving toward $1 billion in revenue.  Ask me about Markeides and the WHO/WHAT/HOW framework.  It's the most simple and elegant strategic framework I've come across.

SICK

Director Strategy and Business Exploration

SICK is a leading German manufacturer of factory and process automation technology worldwide.

In this marketing and business development role, I am responsible for creating and executing marketing strategies for key segments within the Factory Automation industry. Additional responsibilities include  leading customer facing Voice of Customer teams to validate new product, system and services as well as working cross functionally to create go to market strategies for national markets. 

Recent awards include being honored with the Sales Excellence Award as one of 2 "at large" recipients selected from 400+ people; a Spot Award for excellence in leadership and a Shout Out Award for creating the global standard for a market research process.

Segment Marketing Manager

We equip leaders and teams to more effectively steward time, control communication and manage information through coaching, technology and habit formation.  Our goal is simple: to help people reach pace, balance and confidence in all aspects of their lives.

I am one of approximately 100 Evernote Business Certified Consultants in the world, and help companies maximize collaboration and productivity with customized workflows for individuals and teams.  See the link at http://evernote.com/business/certified-consultants/.

The Vélo Project, LLC

Co-Founder

Start-up focused on identifying opportunities in business operations by engaging and quantifying employee feedback via proprietary software, enabling management to prioritize highest impact improvement initiatives.

• Created 900+ contacts and $1M business development pipeline in financial, retail, healthcare, education and government.
• Consistently achieved monthly development plan goal of 400 calls and 12 in person meetings in local Twin Cities market.
• Led C-level presentations with $20M+ organizations and delivered proposals that guaranteed average savings of $500K.

elisit Solutions

Senior Partner

Youzoh - an Americanized word from Portuguese that means "brave and bold" - is a Brazil-focused consultancy that formulated business development and market entry strategies for $10M+ organizations to capture exponential growth in emerging markets.

• Completed Brazilian market analysis and partner vetting for an American architectural furniture company.
• Acted as sole agent for German and Dutch furniture companies to create distribution channel in the Brazilian DIY market; led in-market negotiations with five largest retailers.
• Structured 50/50 joint venture with cultural mediation firm to align incentives of principals and drive 3X revenue growth.
• Developed sponsors for World Youth Choir and Orchestra for benefit concert series during the Olympics in 2016.

Youzoh Global, Inc.

President and CEO

Boutique consulting firm that developed, executed and managed entertainment strategies for retailers, movie studios and music labels to monetize content and expand revenue streams.

• Collaborated with world’s third largest retailer's team to develop next generation digital entertainment strategy.
• Created $3M project budget and secured 100% supplier support from technology and content providers that resulted in project approval to develop revolutionary in-home entertainment and shopping experience.
• Agent of client at industry consortium and led team of executives from Sony, Microsoft, Comcast, Best Buy and Rovi to advance the voice of the customer in association discussions.
• Authored business plan for product offering to increase client's CD sales by 20% while creating a new revenue channel for retailers and labels.

Blueprint

Vice President, Strategy and Global Business Development

Developed and implemented growth strategies in adjacent service businesses for customer segment that accounted for 23% of company revenue; directed digital growth strategies to offset decline in CDs and DVDs sales for $8B entertainment category.

• Led online movies strategy for $1.6B movies category to drive incremental revenue of $308M through a mix of digital services and collaboration from technology vendors, Sony, Warner, Fox, Universal and Disney.
• Managed Media on Demand pilot and experimented with innovative digital merchandising and experience design which drove traffic, incremental unit sales and attachment to key hardware and entertainment categories.
• Drove five company bid process and directed $800K pilot expansion in key markets that resulted in saving $8M.
• Negotiated agreements with venture-backed digital entertainment services for $2M in vendor supplier support and minority equity positions.
• Recruited for Innovation Team to implement leading innovation process that resulted in pilot of eight new businesses.
• Led 20 person cross functional team that experimented with two businesses which resulted in cost savings of $6M.

Best Buy, Co. Inc.

Director, Entertainment Growth and Strategy

Recruited for highly competitive MBA management development program to develop top potential candidates in critical business units such as Trading, Energy Services, Treasury and International. 

• Member of Origination Team and worked with retailers and manufacturers to minimize energy expense volatility.
• Distilled complex analytical energy pricing models for presentations to prospects and clients.
• Executed multimillion dollar transactions and collaborated with product development and analytical teams to channel deals from development to execution.

Enron

Associate

Hired as sole American intern accountable for creating business case and strategy to penetrate the growing premium hospitality sector with Internet via satellite.

• Led feasibility study, completed financial assessment and presented to the Brazilian executive board.

SKY Brasil

Developed new business opportunities as commercial real estate consultant and property manager in industrial and specialty medical properties sector with 100,000 square feet under management.

• Created five year plan to achieve 30% growth in annual billings to $1M.
• Solely responsible for analysis and recommendation for the construction of $15M medical and wellness facility of 50,000 square feet.  Project was successfully financed and completed.

Michael R. Levin and Associates

Vice President

Leader of private school for business professionals and young adults

Language Scouts

Founder

Professor at private academy for young adults, professionals and executives

EF English First

Professor

Commercial real estate portfolio lead for Ameritech, its largest client

• Led account team, conducted national site selection, led lease negotiations for over 400 leases in five states.

David Adams