OVERVIEW
A business leader with a record of success at creating and managing businesses in media, education, entertainment, and technology. Has financed, assembled, and run profitable operations within major media companies and as an independent entrepreneur. Broad management abilities encompass strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, marketing, product development, sales, infrastructure, and financial management. Has been a principal, director, and advisor to numerous companies and non-profit organizations. A frequent public speaker on the subjects of education, media, and technology.
BUSINESS HISTORY
2003-Present
PRIVATE EQUITY-BACKED MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Managing Director
Founder and principal. Company is focused on the acquisition and management of companies in education and entertainment. Company has several emerging market strategies and is now seeking to assemble high quality business assets that support these opportunities. Company is working closely with several leading private equity firms and top industry managers to implement its strategy.
1997-Present
CHILDREN’S MEDIA COMPANY, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Chairman and CEO
Founder and principal shareholder of profitable children’s media company that creates and markets award-winning technology-driven educational and family entertainment products for school and home usage. Company’s product family includes software, Internet services, books, music, and materials that accelerate children’s learning. These products blend research-based education with top creative design to deliver rich content integrated with management tools, assessment, information, and resources that help parents and teachers manage the educational process. Company is best known for its early childhood curriculum programs that are used by thousands of children nationwide.
Raised capital investment in three rounds from leading private equity firms and strategic investors. Built a world-class team of executives, a staff of 25+, and an advisory board drawing from leading entertainment, education and technology organizations. Manage all aspects of the operation including product development, engineering, marketing, sales, business development, and finance.
Navigated Company through the tech boom and bust, implementing rapid strategic revisions that resulted in sustainable profitability. Developed partnerships with prominent national companies. These deals brought to Company valuable products, content licenses, and industry leading marketing, sales, and distribution.
1992-1997
MAJOR MEDIA COMPANY, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Interactive and Educational Media Division
Vice President and founder
Recruited to create a new division to target the home learning and PreK-12 institutional education markets. Positioned Corporation as a leader in education by using its skills and assets to develop and market products that educate and entertain. Products included CD Rom titles and traditional media products based on existing and original creative properties.
Accountable for P/L and all aspects of Division including development of the strategy and the funding of the business plan. Built a high performance 100+ person team that recruited leading product development, marketing and operating executives from the TV, interactive media, and publishing sectors. Ran the division, including creative development, production, marketing, and business development. Established strategic partnerships with media companies, distributors, development houses, content owners, and celebrity talent. Formed advisory boards of prominent educators, thought leaders, policy makers and industry executives.
A founder of Corporation’s interactive division and a member of its Executive Committee. Helped develop the plan, raise investment funds, and grow Division from a start-up to over 300 employees, rapidly achieving leading positions in the edutainment (CD-Rom) and video game markets through both vertical integration and licensing. Implemented a sales and distribution strategy for Division to penetrate the institutional education and home-to-school markets.
Led or participated in many corporate initiatives including new business strategies, synergy projects, acquisitions, partnerships, and cross-company projects. Created a strategy and business plan for a new educational cable TV channel to extend Corporation’s position in cable television.
1990-1992
MAJOR PUBLISHING COMPANY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Education Group.
Responsible for group sales & marketing activities for $900 million set of PreK-12 and higher education publishing companies. These companies included industry leading brands and divisions in every segment of the education market. Dotted line reporting for 300+ sales staff across all education divisions. These companies were later sold to for over $4 billion.
Worked closely with the Group president to develop and implement product development and marketing strategies throughout Education Group. Restructured sales and marketing efforts throughout the PreK-12 divisions. Started new business to help school districts improve student performance through the implementation of products, training and technology. Implemented numerous strategic initiatives across Corporation.
Director, Business Planning, Office of the President
Reported to the Chairman and the President. Directed the operating management process of all Corporation’s 30+ business units. This included overseeing monthly and quarterly division performance reviews. These operating reviews were the primary management tool for the Chairman and President.
Executed strategic initiatives and performance enhancement projects throughout the Corporation’s Education, Consumer, and Professional Publishing Groups. Implemented reengineering projects for the Consumer Publishing Group which included Trade, Mass Market, Reference and Juvenile divisions. Assessed and implemented corporate strategic alliances and acquisitions. Developed and managed synergy relationships between publishing divisions to enhance cooperation and increase leverage of corporate skills and assets.
1988-1990
LEADING MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Client Manager
Directed strategic management consulting engagements for Fortune 200 companies in technology, media, telecom, educational publishing, consumer products, consumer durables and industrial machinery industries. Projects included strategy, marketing, branding, operations management, process reengineering, sales effectiveness, and change management.
Achieved quantified performance improvement for clients through application of client-centered consulting processes to bridge best practices, business theory, and actual client experience. Promoted from Associate to Manager within 12 months and identified by Partners as on a rapid course to becoming Partner.
1987-1988
MAJOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Consultant
Developed and implemented marketing and sales strategies for Corporation’s telephone systems and computer hardware divisions. Re-deployed sales representatives and branch offices based on a quantitative algorithm for strategic market management. Held post during summer and part-time through second year of business school.
1984-1986
LEADING OFFICE EQUIPMENT COMPANY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Market Specialist, New York
Managed marketing and sales efforts for intelligent mailing systems. 100+ person field sales force. Increased territory sales by 50% within first year.
Area Sales Representative
Responsible for field sales of office systems in New York City. Ranked fifth of 150 reps in region and among the top reps nationwide. Promoted within 12 months.
1984
INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTING FIRM, LONDON, ENGLAND
Associate
Conducted strategy, marketing and organizational effectiveness assignments for multi-national clientele in the consumer products, food, electronics and consumer durables industries. Projects addressed markets throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa.
1984-Present
LEADING SPECIALTY STEEL COMPANY, GREAT NECK, NEW YORK
Officer and Director
Active director and advisor of 50 year old, privately-held steel company. This family business is a leading independent supplier of high carbon steel products serving the North American printing, fastening, and construction industries.
Contribute to all significant aspects of the business including operations management, strategic planning, partner management, financial planning, marketing, and sales. Review strategic plans and significant deals with vendors, partners, and clients. Attend regular directors meetings.
EDUCATION
COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
• Masters of Business Administration, 1988
• Marketing
• International Business
MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE
MIDDLEBURY, VERMONT
• Bachelor of Arts, 1984
• Major: Economics
• Minor: Comparative Mysticism |
