Our seasoned experts aren't theoreticians, lecturers, or workshop leaders.
They've had years of real P&L responsibility, with track records of earnings and profitability growth in once stagnant businesses. They provide focused, detailed, and custom-tailored strategies to businesses that seek aggressive, profitable, and sustainable growth. They do this by managing product and customer portfolios, segmentation, pricing, inventory, targeted selling, and all other mission critical aspects of your business.
Through three phases, our 80/20 Profit Enhancement experts will drive dramatic earnings growth in your business.
Our process includes:
Meet The Experts
Strategex has assembled a team of world class experts who don’t just know 80/20, they live it! Each has implemented 80/20 into businesses they ran, acquired, and consulted with...
David
Philippi
CEO
David is CEO of Strategex, Inc., his expertise includes 80/20 execution, product development and market analysis to drive profitability.
Prior to joining Strategex, David gathered over eight years of in-the-trenches experience at Cinch Connectors in various product management and business development roles. His wide range of knowledge includes market research, product development, growth planning, and manufacturing. David has been responsible for growing product lines, developing plans and penetrating new markets, and devising long-term strategies for driving profitable revenue.
Since joining Strategex, David has consulted with over 50 clients and has contributed greatly to the successes of Strategex's PEGS clients. He applies his extensive 80/20 knowledge along with business analysis and growth strategies to help clients dramatically increase profitability and accelerate top-line growth. Prior to becoming CEO, David was the General Manager of the 80/20 PEGS business, he was responsible for running the business and has a CAGR of 19% during this time.
David obtained a BS in Electronic Engineering Technology from DeVry Institute of Technology and received his MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.
David Philippi
CEO
Peter
Philippi
Founder | Chairman
Peter is Founder and Chairman of Strategex, Inc., and has over 30 years of direct experience working with top level management to drive change, profitability, and growth.
Peter manages a vast range of long-term client relationships; he is an exceptional communicator and facilitator with an unusual ability to bring cohesiveness to a management group, as well as a clear vision and direction. He conducts 80/20 Seminars and Workshops across the country in both the manufacturing and service sectors. In his many years of consulting Peter has had direct involvement in hundreds of consulting assignments.
Peter has worked closely with client management teams to effect change as well as provide focus and ongoing direction for increased profitability and aggressive growth.
Peter Philippi
Founder | Chairman
Joe Hahn
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Joe is a Vice President at Strategex and leads the 80/20 Profit Enhancement business. Over the course of his career, he has either run, helped run, or consulted for over 100 different companies.
Prior to joining Strategex, Joe was a Group Vice President at Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) in Chicago, Illinois, where he worked for over 20 years. ITW designs and produces food preparation equipment, highly engineered fasteners and components, equipment and consumable systems, and a variety of specialty products and equipment for customers around the world.
Joe also spent 3 years as Division and Group President for Danaher Corporation — another world-class manufacturer of tools, components, and instrumentation.
Joe is well known as one of the finest "80/20 experts" to come out of ITW and has extensive experience and a history of involvement with over 100 different companies in his career. He specializes in turnaround situations and in developing strategic growth platforms and has an unblemished record of success in each of these examples.
Joe joined Strategex in 2008, shortly after retiring from his second stint at ITW. Together with Strategex founder and chairman Peter Philippi, and current CEO David Philippi, Joe created our 80/20 practice: developing our process, building our team, and operating as lead adviser for dozens of clients with revenues into the billions of dollars. Some of those early clients remain clients today, showing the tremendous earnings improvement and continual value Joe brings to each and every engagement. Joe has also been instrumental in the continuous improvement of Strategex's 8020 approach, resulting in the development of proprietary techniques currently used by blue-chip companies everywhere. Joe remains active in direct consulting for us, with a sizable list of personally led engagements.
Joe has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University, and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, where he was valedictorian of his class. He is fluent in French and conversational in Spanish and is an outstanding public speaker, teacher, and executive coach. In fact, he taught the capstone course (Strategic Management) of the MBA program at Edgewood College in Madison, WI for nearly a decade, earning top honors as an instructor. Joe splits his time between Merrimac, Wisconsin and Bonita Springs, Florida, along with his cherished wife Juliana.
Joe Hahn
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Marc
Fooksman
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Marc is a Vice President at Strategex dedicated to our 80/20 practice. He has acquired over 25 years of extensive 80/20 knowledge as well as operations, management, and sales experience. Marc has held a range of professional roles, from General Manager to Group President.
Early in his career, Marc gained valuable experience in manufacturing, engineering, marketing, and selling. Marc joined Illinois Tool Works (ITW) through an acquisition and became one of the early adopters of the 80/20 process.
Over the next 25 years, Marc assumed increasing responsibilities, serving as a General Manager, VP/GM, and Group President. At one point, he was responsible for ten business units with over $330 million in revenue on four continents. His vast experience includes applying the 80/20 principles to a variety of business models from standard products to custom-engineered solutions. Marc also has considerable experience in acquisitions and divestitures.
His last position at ITW was the 80/20 Director for the Food Equipment Group, a $2 billion segment. By applying 80/20, the group significantly improved operating income, grew revenue, and reduced working capital requirements. Marc retired from ITW in 2014 and joined Strategex as an 80/20 Expert.
Besides his proficiency in 80/20, Marc is also an avid scuba diver. He has fed the stingrays in the Caymans, dove with the turtles in Hawaii, and swam with the sharks in the Bahamas.
Marc earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Marc Fooksman
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Mark
Curran
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Mark is a California-based consultant in our 80/20 Profit Enhancement service. In his nearly 20 years of 80/20 experience, he has guided over 50 operating divisions toward increased profitability.
Prior to joining Strategex, Mark held positions as president for two divisions of the Ali Group, a privately-held worldwide group of more than 65 different manufacturing brands based in Milan, Italy. In the three years Mark was with Ali Group he doubled profits at both brands.
Working seven years for ITW as president in one division and BUM/VP Sales in another division, both divisions more than doubled their profitability. Prior to his time with ITW, Mark worked in sales and operational roles at brands like Maytag, PepsiCo (Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, etc.) and Toshiba America Computer Systems Division. Mark also has experience in starting up and running family businesses. Mark is a dynamic speaker and trainer, and a powerful 80/20 coach and consultant with a bias for action and a drive for measurable results.
Mark holds a BSMS from Pepperdine University.
Mark Curran
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Richard
Dodge
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Richard is a Vice President at Strategex and is primarily involved in Strategex's 80/20 Profit Enhancement services.
Rich began his career with Sonoco Products Company working for various financial and operational jobs during his 7 years. During his 16-year career with Illinois Tool Works, Rich worked in both financial and operational roles in the automotive, industrial and specialty chemicals businesses.
For the last 10 years, he had complete strategic, functional and P&L responsibility for the Global Specialty Chemical and Equipment Manufacturing Group. He was responsible for growing this group over the 10 years from $60M to over $500M generating 20% ROS. The group now comprises 25 world-wide businesses with operations in 13 countries, including Europe, South America, Asia, and India. During this time, he was responsible for the acquisition of 11 businesses with over $350M in revenue and integrating them into ITW business philosophies.
Rich was responsible for successfully implementing 80/20 in all of the businesses he worked in. He has an M.B.A. from Syracuse University and a B.B.A. in accounting from St. Bonaventure University, Magna Cum Laude. Rich is also a member of the board of directors for Junior Achievement.
Since retiring from ITW and joining Strategex 10+ years ago, Rich has consulted and helped over 25+ clients worldwide. His client base has primarily focused on Manufacturers, but also includes Engineering Service Providers, Distributors, and Trade Associations. Industries include: Automotive, Specialty Chemical, Health Care, Furniture, Electronics, and Industrials.
Richard Dodge
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Rick
Budweg
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Rick is a Vice President at Strategex dedicated to our 80/20 practice. He has acquired over 30 years of extensive 80/20 knowledge as well as operations, financial and management experience. Rick has held a range of professional roles, from Controller to Group President.
Since joining Strategex, Rick has worked with clients that do business in the general industrial, plumbing, industrial paper, recreational marine, and automotive fastener industries. Their channels to market are both business to business and consumer. His clients appreciate his candor and knowledge as they have worked through effectuating positive change in their business.
Rick enjoys coaching and mentoring his client’s executive teams, team leaders and providing a clear understanding of how to apply the principles of 80/20 to their unique set of data and circumstances.
Prior to joining Strategex, Rick gained valuable experience from Illinois Tools Works. He has over 35 years of practical business experience and over 31 years of utilizing 80/20 principles to simplify businesses. Rick joined ITW in 1985 as a Business Unit Controller and worked in various financial and operational roles until becoming General Manager of a business unit in 1991. From there he became a VP/GM and, for the last 9 years, was a Group President responsible for over $550 million of revenue in 14 countries. Applying the 80/20 principles to acquisitions and businesses in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, Operating Income and ROI consistently exceeded corporate goals and achieved over 25% and 22%, respectively. With global experience in manufacturing and service-oriented businesses, Rick has been involved in construction, automotive, alternative energy, industrial fluids and lubricants, packaging, machine tool, commercial marine, and consumer markets.
Prior to joining ITW, Rick received his BS in Accounting from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, played minor league baseball for the New York Yankees, and held various financial positions at FMC Corporation.
Rick Budweg
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Mike
Potempa
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Mike is a Vice President at Strategex dedicated to our 80/20 Profit Enhancement & Growth practice. He has over 25 years of "hands on" 80/20 execution with numerous businesses.
Mike Potempa is an 80/20 expert with over 25 years of successful P&L leadership experience managing manufacturing, sales, and distribution businesses. He has a diverse background in operations, engineering, strategic sourcing, manufacturing, customer service, sales, and marketing.
Prior to joining Strategex, Mike was Vice President and General Manager at Illinois Tool Works (ITW) for 20+ years. He initially managed a consumables manufacturing facility with responsibility for commercial sales in the eastern half of the United States and Canada. He took on several different roles and ultimately managed the ITW Industry Packaging Systems Division, a group of businesses that included design, manufacture, and sales of highly engineered equipment, and consumable systems for customers around the world. He drove substantial growth in the organization both organically and through multiple acquisitions.
During his tenure with ITW, Mike championed new manufacturing processes and provided leadership in product development projects focused on customer and marketplace needs. He is named as an inventor on two patented products. Mike has extensive experience using 80/20 to generate millions of dollars of savings and drive bottom-line growth while improving service to key customers. He has simplified business processes to improve operating results, asset management, and cash flow.
Before joining Illinois Tool Works, Mike was Vice President and General Manager for a small privately held company in the specialty machinery business. He also worked for Rockwell International and Chrysler Corporation.
Since joining Strategex, Mike has worked with clients in a variety of business segments, both domestically and internationally, including the following: Capital Equipment, Machine Parts Manufacturing, Service Industries, Commercial Construction, Construction Products, Consumer Products, Paper Industry, Commercial Mixers, Hoists and Cranes. He has successfully created value, simplification and profitable growth for his clients.
Mike has a BS in Metallurgical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago and an MBA from the University of Hartford, with concentrations in Marketing and Information Technology.
Mike Potempa
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Paul
Taylor
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Paul is a Vice President at Strategex dedicated to our 80/20 Profit Enhancement practice. He brings 30 years of “hands on” experience and a consistent track record of delivering profit growth.
Since joining Strategex in 2017, Paul has assisted publicly traded, private equity, and privately-owned companies operating in Industrial, MRO, Power Transmission, Plumbing, Water Management, Aerospace, Jan/San, Commercial Flooring and Medical Device industries. Paul is known for his ability to learn his clients’ businesses quickly while building relationships with client stakeholders. He leverages this, with his 30+ year experience and the Strategex 80/20 process to guide clients and their businesses to realize accelerated revenue growth while delivering significant profitability improvement to their bottom lines.
Paul retired from Illinois Tool Works Inc, (ITW), in 2016 before joining the Strategex Team. At ITW, Paul was a Vice President & General Manager responsible for the company’s Fluids Businesses in North America. During his 18-year career with ITW, he held a number of progressive business leadership roles including Business Unit Manager, General Manager, Group General Manager, and VP/GM. Paul is a member of ITW’s Patent Society.
Paul began his career as a Sales Representative at NCH Corp where he learned the “Gears of Selling”. In 1985, he joined Dymon, Inc. and it was there that Paul was first introduced to 80/20 and his career and life trajectory were changed forever. Sales awards were won, responsibilities increased, promotions were earned, and his career progressed as a direct result of his application of the 80/20 Principle. Paul’s good fortune continued when ITW acquired the company in 1998.
Paul has a strong financial acumen and his commercial and operational competencies include: product and customer simplification, target selling, product development, patents and trademarks, acquisitions, business integrations, facility moves, process simplification, manufacturing streamlining, lead-time improvement, AR/AP, inventory improvement and working capital management. Additionally, Paul has experience managing businesses regulated by the EPA and FDA while operating various ISO, cGMP, and AS9100 quality systems.
Paul was a Business Administration major at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO where he was a two-sport athlete. Three of his football teams are in the college’s Hall of Fame. More than anything, Paul enjoys spending time with his wife of 33 years and their three grown children.
Paul Taylor
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Bill Holl
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
Bill is a Vice President at Strategex and has over 30 years of experience in executive management and marketing.
Prior to joining Strategex in 2010, Bill was EVP and COO of Zep, a $575mm cleaning and maintenance chemicals business. While at Zep, Bill engaged Strategex to assist in streamlining the business. Bill was responsible for leading and implementing the 80/20 tools and philosophy across all of Zep's departments. Bill streamlined Zep's operating structure, rationalized the product offering, and implemented sales and marketing initiatives targeting key account growth. These actions led to gross margin improvement of 400 basis points and an increase in operating profit of 17% in 2008.
Bill began his successful career with Proctor and Gamble in 1979. Bill left the industry in 1981 to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School. Following graduation in 1983 Bill began a 21-year career with Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE). He got his first General Management assignment running the state of Michigan, a $300 million division in 1992. After a series of promotions, Bill was named Senior Vice President of CCE, and President of Eastern North America, a $5 Billion Group at CCE, in 2000. Bill was recruited to be CEO for DS Waters in 2003, a $900mm home and office water company which he successfully sold in 2005.
Since joining Strategex, Bill has worked with almost twenty clients in the following industries in both North America and Europe: Food Service Equipment, Transportation, Steel Fabrication, Precision Tube Manufacturing, Heavy Machinery, Thermal Heating, Medical instrumentation, Packaging, Network Infrastructure, and Industrial Wiring. He has successfully guided his clients in both financial turnarounds and in strategic profitable growth situations. Perhaps the greatest testimony to the value that Bill has brought to his client is that three former clients have named Bill to their Board subsequent to the end of their client engagement with Strategex. Bill has served on the Board of Directors at T & S Brass and Bronze Works, Inc. and at Wirecrafters LLC since 2017. Bill was named to the Board at Fabricated Metals LLC in 2018.
In addition to the Harvard MBA, in 1979 Bill received his BS in Business Administration from the University of Southern California where he triple-majored in marketing, finance, and accounting. Prior to joining Zep, Bill served on the Board of Directors for Safety-Kleen Holding Company, and DS Waters Holding Company, LLC.
Bill Holl
Vice President | 80/20 Expert
