20+ Years of Experience in Leadership, Product Development, and 80/20 Profit & Growth

David is CEO of Strategex. His expertise includes 80/20 execution, product development, and market analysis to drive profitability.

Prior to joining Strategex, David gained experience at Cinch Connectors in various product management and business development roles. There, he honed his skills in market research, product development, growth planning, and manufacturing. He was responsible for growing product lines, 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 to the success of Strategex's 80/20 Profit & Growth engagements. He applies his 80/20 mastery along with analysis and growth strategies to help clients achieve profitable market share growth. Prior to becoming CEO, David was the General Manager of the 80/20 Profit & Growth business. He was responsible for running the business and had a CAGR of 19% during this time.

To date, Strategex has delivered over two billion dollars in operating income improvement to our clients – thanks in large part to David’s strategic vision – although, he’d probably tell you that our team and our clients did all the work.

David obtained a BS in Electronic Engineering Technology from DeVry Institute of Technology and received his MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

40+ Years of Experience in Leadership and Management Consulting

Peter is Founder and Chairman of Strategex. He has over 30 years of direct experience working with top-level management to drive change, profitability, and growth.

In 1993, Peter started Strategex with the mission to teach clients how to grow through strategic planning, customer insights, and business development.
The company has since evolved to be an international consulting firm, dedicated to implementing strategies that facilitate our clients’ growth.

Peter manages a vast range of long-term client relationships in both the manufacturing and services sector. He is an exceptional communicator and facilitator with an unusual ability to bring cohesiveness to a management group. He conducts 80/20 Profit & Growth seminars and workshops across the country.

Peter partners with clients' management teams to effect change. He is committed to providing focus and ongoing direction for increased profitability and aggressive growth.

25+ Years of Experience in Finance and Accounting

Sandy is Chief Financial Officer for Strategex. She is responsible for providing financial insights, guidance, and solutions for the company. A compassionate and strategic leader, she is driven to nurture the unique culture of the organization. She fosters collaboration and works to uphold Strategex's standard of excellence. In addition to her finance responsibilities, she currently manages HR, Risk Management, and IT.

Sandy has spent most of her career working for closely-held enterprises and is comfortable managing numerous aspects of a business. Prior to joining Strategex in 2011, Sandy had over 20 years’ experience in the transportation and technology industries. She honed her audit-focused accounting skills during her tenure at Arthur Andersen in their Small Business Audit practice. It was during that time that she was part of the Arthur Andersen team that provided consulting services to the purchasers of the Chicago, Missouri, & Western Railway. Sandy joined the new railroad after the acquisition. After seven years with the CM&W Railway, she joined Dyna Bulk, Inc., a plastics distribution firm, to assist in the sale of the company to Bulkmatic Transport, Inc.

Away from the office, she enjoys daily yoga, current events, classic rock, and pretending to be a rock star when she plays her drums and electric guitar.

Sandy earned a BA in Accounting and a Masters of Accountancy from DePaul University and is a licensed CPA.

10+ Years of Experience in Business Management, Strategic Marketing, and Operations

Jenn spent the first decade of her career with Illinois Tool Works (ITW). During that tenure, she undertook progressive business leadership roles across several divisions— including functional responsibility for sales, marketing, product management, operations, and corporate strategy.

Jenn specializes in strategy creation and execution. During the consolidation of multiple ITW operating units, she led the business segmentation into focused markets and products. She guided her team through value proposition definition and developed growth strategies. She restructured the commercial organization and built a product management function to drive the growth strategies. Using 80/20, Jenn eliminated complexity through customer and product line simplification. This resulted in cost reduction, bottom-line growth, and improved satisfaction of top customers.

Since joining Strategex, Jenn has consulted with more than 20 companies across various industries. She has helped her clients achieve profitable margin expansion and cash flow growth through revenue increases, overhead reductions, working capital reductions, and more.

She also has a track record of successfully leading turnarounds for failing manufacturing businesses. In 2021 she coached a tier 1 automotive client to overcome significant operational challenges. The results were a 25% increase in EBITDA, increased on-time delivery, and increased wallet share with the world’s largest automotive manufacturers.

Jenn has a BS in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Tech. She received her Executive MBA at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School during which she earned The Entrepreneurship Award, and The Core Value Award for Rigor, among other recognitions. She lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband and two children.

20+ Years of Experience in Project Management and Customer Insights

Sharon Kottke leads the Customer Experience practice with a passion for delivering measurable results. Together with leadership, Sharon helped design and innovate Strategex’s Customer Experience offering. She led the team through a digital transformation and championed the integration of 80/20 and customer insights.

Her goal is to partner with every client to achieve profitable market share growth. She leverages her deep knowledge in customer research and operations to deliver the insights needed to execute successful CX strategies.

Sharon has partnered with hundreds of clients across many industries: packaging, industrial products, services, and more. She has planned and facilitated more than 500 CI studies internationally, always dedicated to quality and impactful deliverables.

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10+ Years of Experience in Market Research & Due Diligence

Anthony is Managing Director of Strategex’s Private Equity Solutions – a revolutionary practice area that includes commercial diligence, customer diligence, and market assessments. He has worked with over 50 private equity firms on countless transactions to prevent deal failure. Give Anthony 30 days, and he’ll deliver actionable strategies that help you mitigate risk and jumpstart value creation.

He partners with private equity clients to design and implement research initiatives to address common questions that arise during the due diligence process (the stability of key accounts, the target company’s ability to service key accounts, confidence in senior management, etc.). He provides deep insights into a customer’s level of satisfaction and loyalty as well as competitive positioning, innovation pathways, pricing optimization, and more. Ultimately, this work enables Strategex to transform research findings into actionable growth strategies.

Before joining Strategex, Anthony held senior-level positions at two leading market research firms where he specialized in insight, strategy, and innovation projects for global financial services, consumer packaged goods, and pharmaceutical clients. He is well-versed in multiple methodologies including brand positioning, segmentation, advertising effectiveness, and pricing optimization.

When he's not advising private equity clients on customer risk and value creation strategies, he guest lectures on consumer behavior and research methodologies at Cornell University, Loyola University Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania.

A veteran of the United States Air Force, Anthony holds a B.B.A. in economics and international business from Loyola University Chicago as well as an M.S. in public policy from the University of Oklahoma.

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35+ Years of Experience in Executive Management

Joe is renowned as one of the most influential 80/20 experts to come from Illinois Tool Works (ITW). He specializes in business turnarounds and developing strategic growth platforms. Throughout his career, he has either run, helped run, or consulted for over 100 different companies.

Prior to Strategex, Joe earned his stripes as a Group Vice President at ITW where he worked for over 20 years. ITW is a global manufacturer of a variety of specialty products and equipment including food preparation equipment, fasteners and components, equipment, and consumable systems. Joe also worked as Division and Group President for Danaher Corporation — a global manufacturer of tools, components, and instrumentation.

After retiring from ITW, Joe joined Strategex in 2008. He collaborated with Strategex founder Peter Philippi, and current CEO David Philippi, to create the 80/20 Profit & Growth practice. He developed the process, built the team, and acted as lead adviser. Today, Joe is instrumental in the continuous improvement of Strategex's 80/20 approach and has developed proprietary techniques currently in use by several blue-chip companies.

Joe has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University, and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, where he was valedictorian. He is fluent in French and conversational in Spanish. He is highly regarded as a public speaker, teacher, and executive coach. Joe 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 wife.

30+ Years of Experience in 80/20 Execution and Leadership

Marc has held a range of professional roles, from General Manager to Group President. Early in his career, Marc gained experience in manufacturing, engineering, sales & marketing. Marc joined Illinois Tool Works (ITW) through acquisition and became one of the early adopters of the 80/20 process.

Over the next 25 years, Marc assumed increasing responsibilities, culminating in his roles as General Manager, VP/GM, and Group President. At his pinnacle at ITW, he was responsible for ten business units with over $330 million in revenue on four continents. His experience includes applying 80/20 principles to a variety of business models from standard products to custom-engineered solutions. Additionally, Marc 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). In this role, he 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.

30+ Years of Experience in Marketing & Customer Experience

Kay Cruse is a seasoned veteran of customer research, strategic planning, and brand development. With over 30 years of experience, Kay Cruse serves as Vice President of Customer Experience. She champions client success by focusing on business strategy and maximizing their ROI.

A proven leader, Kay specializes in customer insights, prioritizing strategic opportunities, and tactical implementation. She leads Strategex’s engagements in Customer Insights Strategic Practice where she employs Voice of the Customer techniques to successfully grow client businesses by identifying opportunities for improvement and success.

Kay leverages her extensive history across a wide range of industries including manufacturing, professional services, financial services, and private equity. Her experience includes The Prescient Group, a B2B and B2C market research firm that she founded and led for over two decades.

30+ Years of Experience in Global Executive Management

Mark is a California-based consultant for the 80/20 Profit & Growth practice. In his 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. During this tenure, Mark doubled profits at both divisions.

His career also includes seven years at Illinois Tool Works (ITW). There, he served as President for one division and Business Unit Manager/Vice President 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 including Maytag, PepsiCo, and Toshiba America Computer Systems Division. Additionally, Mark has experience with start-ups. Mark is a dynamic speaker, inspirational trainer, and a powerful 80/20 coach and consultant. No matter the role, he brings a focus on action and a drive for measurable results.

Mark holds a BSMS from Pepperdine University.

25+ Years of Experience in Financial and Analytical Leadership

Carmelle brings a proven track record in achieving operational excellence through 80/20 principles. Her success can be attributed to her strengths in operational management, innovative strategic thinking, and global team collaboration.

Carmelle’s career in financial and analytical leadership began at ITW where she worked for more than two decades. She earned her stripes in Group Finance where she specialized in acquisitions and 80/20 execution. After a successful tenure in Group Finance, Carmelle was promoted to VP/General Manager of a global business unit. In that role, she improved operating results using 80/20 principles and achieved a CAGR of 31%. After ITW, Carmelle spent seven years at IDEAL Industries, Inc. There, she was a key member of the leadership team that succeeded in growing the company over $1B during her tenure.

Additionally, Carmelle has extensive experience in acquisition management -- specifically: valuation, negotiation, and post-acquisition integration. In this area, she excels at change management and is effective in turning around declining businesses.

Carmelle is a passionate champion of women in business and leadership. She was a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Team at ITW where she set up a curriculum to help women succeed in manufacturing management. Throughout her career, she has mentored several women to career success.

Carmelle attended Miami University (Ohio); she is a graduate of Kellogg’s Women’s Leadership Executive Education Program and she completed the Leading Women’s Executive Program. Carmelle has held several not-for-profit leadership positions serving The United Way and Park Ridge Schools. She lives in Park Ridge, IL with her husband and has four adult children.

25+ Years of Experience in Executive Management

Rich began his career with Sonoco Products Company performing various financial and operational roles over seven 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.

Rich has successfully implemented the 80/20 business philosophy in every organization in which he has worked. Prior to joining Strategex, he had complete strategic, functional, and P&L responsibility for the Global Specialty Chemical and Equipment Manufacturing Group. In ten years, he grew the group 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, and Asia. During this time, he was responsible for the acquisition of 11 businesses with over $350M in revenue and integrating them into ITW.

Since joining Strategex 10+ years ago, Rich has consulted and helped over 25 clients worldwide. He primarily works with manufacturers but has led successful engagements with engineering service providers, distributors, and trade associations. Specific industry experience includes automotive, specialty chemical, healthcare, furniture, electronics, and industrial.

He holds an MBA from Syracuse University and a BBA in Accounting from St. Bonaventure University, Magna Cum Laude. Rich is also a member of the board of directors for Junior Achievement.

30+ Years of Experience in Operations, Finance, and Management

Rick is a Vice President at Strategex dedicated to our 80/20 Profit & Growth 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 a broad range of clients – consulting in both business-to-business and business-to-consumer channels. He has a successful track record in numerous industries including industrial manufacturing, plumbing, industrial paper, recreational marine, and automotive.

Rick enjoys coaching and mentoring his clients' executive teams and team leaders. In this role, he provides a clear understanding of how to apply 80/20 principles to their unique set of data and circumstances. To every engagement, Rick brings candor and extensive 80/20 knowledge for which he is renowned. Further, he is relentless in the pursuit to effectuate positive change in his clients' businesses.

Prior to joining Strategex, Rick gained valuable experience from Illinois Tools Works (ITW). 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 Vice President and General Manager. For his last nine years with ITW, Rick was a Group President responsible for over $550 million of revenue in 14 countries. As a Group President, he applied 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 & lubricants, packaging, machine tool, commercial marine, and consumer markets.

Rick received his BS in accounting from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. He played minor league baseball for the New York Yankees, and held various financial positions at FMC Corporation.

25+ Years of Experience in Executive Leadership and Strategic Growth

Mary Kate specializes in using 80/20 to develop and execute strategic growth platforms. She is an expert at segmentation, driving strategic customer sales, and operational excellence.

Prior to joining Strategex, Mary Kate was a Group President at Illinois Tool Works (ITW), working in the Food Equipment and Specialty Groups, and at Madison Industries in the Filtration Group. Within these roles, she led decentralized and global businesses that offered both manufactured goods and services.

Mary Kate developed a passion and strong expertise in 80/20 while at ITW, after over a decade of leadership within organizations utilizing lean business systems. She held General Management leadership roles within high-growth businesses at Danaher, Regal Rexnord, and Alcoa.

Mary Kate is passionate about DEI—her leadership roles allowed her to cultivate healthy working environments where teams were fully engaged and comfortable bringing their full selves to work. She has served on the Women’s Leadership Councils at ITW, Regal-Rexnord, and Alcoa. In 2017, Mary Kate was an honoree of the Manufacturing Institute’s Step Ahead Awards recognizing Women in Manufacturing.

Mary Kate earned a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs from Purdue University and an MBA from Loyola University.

When Mary Kate isn’t working, she and her husband volunteer at their kids’ school and church. They enjoy coaching and cheering the kids on at their many sporting events. The family resides outside of Milwaukee in Hartland, Wisconsin.

30+ Years of Experience in Executive Management and Marketing

Prior to joining Strategex in 2010, Bill was EVP and COO of Zep, a $575 million 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 a gross margin improvement of 400 basis points and an increase in operating profit of 17% in 2008.

Bill began his career with Proctor and Gamble in 1979. In 1981, he pursued an MBA from Harvard Business School. Following graduation, Bill began a 21-year career with Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE). His first General Management assignment was running CCE’s Michigan division (a $300 million division). After a series of successes and 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 $900 million home and office water company which he successfully sold in 2005.

Since joining Strategex, Bill has worked closely with clients in both North America and Europe in numerous industries. Industry experience includes foodservice equipment, transportation, steel fabrication, precision tube manufacturing, heavy machinery, thermal heating, medical devices, packaging, network infrastructure, and industrial wiring. He has successfully guided his clients in both financial turnarounds and in strategic profitable growth. Perhaps the greatest testimony to the value that Bill brings his client is that multiple former clients have named Bill to their Board after the end of their engagement with Strategex. Bill serves on the Board of Directors at T & S Brass and Bronze Works, Inc., Fabricated Metals LLC, and Wirecrafters LLC. He previously served on the Board for Safety-Kleen Holding Company, and DS Waters Holding Company, LLC.

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.

+25 Years of Experience in Global Executive Management

Barry is an accomplished international leader with a record of delivering sustainable profitable growth. His experience includes sales, marketing manufacturing, new product development, and distribution channel management.

Barry joined ITW in 1990; over a 21-year tenure, he held several positions including sales, General Manager, and Vice President roles. An early adopter and leader of the 80/20 process, he successfully grew the business to +20% ROS. The 80/20 process was widely used to deliver consistently improved market share, end market segmentation, manufacturing simplification, R&D performance, investment strategies, acquisition, and divestment.

Following the sale of the business in 2015, to Carlisle Inc. (NYSE - CSL) with a revenue of $4.8 billion in sales, Barry was appointed President of Carlisle Fluid Technologies (CFT). Here, he was responsible for building a newly created senior leadership team and opening a new headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Barry led a global facility consolidation and investment strategy, that delivered significant cost reduction and focused facilities.

Barry has a passion for continuous business improvement and personal and organizational development.

Barry earned his MBA from Bournemouth University, UK.

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25+ Years of Experience in Executive Management and 80/20 Execution

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 United States and Canada. He 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 a global audience. 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 new product development. He is named as an inventor on two patented products. At ITW, Mike gained extensive experience using 80/20 to drive bottom-line growth while improving service to key customers. He simplified business processes to improve operating results, asset management, and cash flow.

Before joining ITW, 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 capital equipment, machine parts manufacturing, services, commercial construction, construction products, consumer products, paper, commercial mixers, hoists, and cranes.

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.

25+ Years of Experience in Manufacturing Leadership and 80/20 Implementation

Del joined Strategex after a multi-decade tenure at IDEX which started in 1998 when the company acquired Gast Manufacturing. As the Vice President of Strategic Business Optimization & Technology, Del led the IDEX Business Service team and the Corporate Information Technology team. Prior to joining IDEX, Del worked for a private company that manufactured medical devices. Early in his career, he spent eight years as a part-time engineering instructor at his alma mater teaching—an experience which allowed him to hone his teaching and training technique.

Del joined Gast Manufacturing in 1995 as a Design Engineer working on new product development (NPD) for the company. He developed several products for Gast and worked in several engineering and technical leadership roles, eventually becoming the Vice President of Technology & Business Development. In that position, Del was responsible for all NPD, Application Engineering, Marketing, and Business Development at Gast.

In 2012, his role changed when he helped lead and execute the 80/20 implementation for IDEX. He started with a single segment, after which the responsibility grew to all of IDEX. Del helped develop the IDEX Pricing Excellence program starting in late 2016. Soon, his team included Lean, Commercial Excellence, and Supply Chain Excellence resources, and by 2018 his team evolved into the Office of Business Services. In 2020, Del also took on the leadership of the Corporate Information Technology team.

Del has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Minor in Mathematics from the Lee Honors College at Western Michigan University. He lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago with his wife, Maggie (also an engineer), and they have two adult sons. In his free time, Del is an avid motorcyclist and participates in amateur motorcycle racing.

30+ Years of Experience in Executive Management

Paul joined Strategex in 2017 where he guides companies in multiple industries: industrial, power transmission, plumbing, water management, aerospace, commercial flooring, and medical device, among others. Aside from the 80/20 toolkit, the secret to his success is his ability to learn clients’ businesses quickly while cultivating key relationships.

A pivotal moment in Paul’s career was when he was introduced to 80/20 in 1985 while working at Dymon, Inc. He won awards; his responsibilities increased; he earned promotions; he advanced his career because of his application of the 80/20 principle.

Paul retired from Illinois Tool Works (ITW) where he was a Vice President & General Manager responsible for the company’s Fluids Businesses in North America. During his 18 years with ITW, he progressed through several leadership roles and remains a member of ITW’s Patent Society.

Paul’s specialties include product and customer simplification, target selling, product development, patents and trademarks, acquisitions, business integrations, 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 quality systems (including ISO, cGMP, and AS9100).

20+ Years of Experience in Financial and Operational Leadership

Grant Stanojev is a proven financial and operational leader with over 20 years of experience in the manufacturing sector, with deep experience within the electronic assembly, automotive, and electrical trade markets. His financial acumen, operational expertise, and commitment to excellence have left a lasting impact on the organizations he has served.

Throughout his career, Grant has held key roles at renowned organizations such as Illinois Toolworks (ITW), Regal Rexnord, and IDEAL Industries. Notably, he spent 12 years at ITW, executing 80/20 strategies through various leadership positions, including as Kester Worldwide's Controller. In this role, he served as a strategic business partner, overseeing a $140 million global supplier of assembly materials to the electronics industry. Grant successfully executed operational cost improvements, driving a $3 million reduction in spending, and implemented sustainable simplification through the application of 80/20 and LEAN manufacturing principles. His Kester work enabled a 31% CAGR. He was then promoted to Platform Controller over ITW Electronic Assembly businesses—a global platform with revenues above $500 million.

During his 10-year tenure at IDEAL Industries, Grant demonstrated his proficiency in financial and operational leadership. With P&L responsibility for the two largest electrical business units, he directed the strategy and execution of the wire connector and tool businesses. His achievements include revitalizing the new product development team, consolidating operations for an annual savings of $2 million, and leading the financial and operational integration of IDEAL's largest acquisition.

Outside of Strategex, Grant enjoys spending time with his family at Bass Lake, Indiana—their happy place. He has dedicated nearly a decade to serving on the Board of the not-for-profit organization Opportunity House. Grant's hobbies include creating memories with his wife of 23 years, his two children, and a circle of friends in Cary, Illinois.

Grant holds a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Iowa, complemented by a CPA qualification.

35+ Years of Operations, Engineering, and Leadership Experience

John comes to Strategex after a career in leadership in the recreational vehicle, packaging, and automotive industries. He cut his teeth as a Foreman and worked his way to President, holding various positions such as Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Plant Manager, VP Operations, VP of Engineering and Service Manager. He has worked for notable companies including Coachman Industries, Ventline, Thiele Engineering, multiple divisions of Illinois Toolworks, and Kokusai.

80/20 strategy has been the catalyst for many of John's career achievements. He has used 80/20 methodology to reconfigure sales and product development, resulting in a sales increase of over 700%. He led a team to an operating profit percentage increase of over 170% using inlining techniques in engineering and manufacturing. Additionally, he received an OSHA Star award for safety – first in the state of Iowa, and he holds a patent for a product that received the prestigious automotive Pace Award.

At Strategex, John empowers clients and offers deep expertise in operations, manufacturing, 80/20 analysis, and inlining.

Away from Strategex, you can find him playing guitar, working on his art, playing with his rescue dogs, and spending time with his family.

John earned his Bachelor of Science in industrial management at Purdue University and an MBA from Indiana University.

30+ Years of Experience in Leadership, Market Research, and Strategy Consulting

John is an expert in marketing, strategic planning, and market research, helping clients understand complex issues to make strategic business decisions. He co-founded Priority Metrics Group, now part of Strategex, over 30 years ago, leading market research and commercial diligence projects across various industries. John has extensive experience in market and customer analysis for clients in packaging, B2B manufacturing, private equity, and medical devices.

John has a BA and MBA from University of South Florida and an ABD in Marketing from University of Virginia.

30+ Years of Experience in Market Research and Market Development

Charlie has extensive leadership experience in marketing and strategy in both consulting and corporate environments. He recently completed a three-year project as a consulting member of a corporate innovation team at an $8 billion global manufacturing company. In addition to senior-level marketing roles, he has multiple years of experience in process improvement. His deep understanding of primary market research, combined with years of Total Quality Management experience, offers a unique business perspective.

Charlie has a BA in Economics from Princeton University.

4 Years of Experience in Management Consulting and Financial Advisory

John Ahn is a Vice President in Strategex’s Customer Due Diligence practice. He works closely with private equity sponsors to strategically mitigate transaction risk and accelerate value creation.

Before joining Strategex, John worked as a Mergers & Acquisitions Associate at Kaufman Hall, primarily working with healthcare executives and healthcare-focused private equity sponsors on identifying and executing strategic partnerships.

John holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.

10+ Years of Experience in Litigation and Analysis

At Strategex, Shawn analyzes the research team's interviews and synthesizes salient feedback into a business growth playbook for clients. Before joining Strategex, she was an attorney specializing in commercial and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) litigation.

Shawn is an avid eater who dabbles in yoga and speaks fluent Mandarin.

Shawn has a B.A. in psychology from Northwestern University and a J.D. from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.

5+ Years of Experience in 80/20 Implementation and Training

Leslie is a Consultant for Strategex and uses her 80/20 background to analyze data and drive simplification.

Before joining Strategex, Leslie worked at ITW across multiple segments and functions. As an Operations leader, she used 80/20 principles to improve customer on-time delivery. Her work improved customer perception, reduced overtime, and decreased inventory cost.

In her Product Management roles, she strategically simplified the product portfolio and performed Voice of the Customer interviewing to understand the customer point of view.

Throughout her roles, Leslie has been a data fanatic and loves a good spreadsheet. She considers herself a life-long learner and has a knack for tackling unfamiliar challenges.

She graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Tech University.

6 Years of Experience in Supply Chain Analytics and Transportation Management

David is a Data Analyst with Strategex’s 80/20 Profit & Growth team. Although well-versed in various machine learning algorithms and predictive techniques, his main expertise is in prescriptive analytics. He focuses on optimizing supply chains, and evaluating causal inference design.

Before joining Strategex, David served as a Supply Chain Analyst at Northside Hospital, where he focused on procurement and inventory analysis, as well as contract evaluation. Prior to his role at Northside, he worked as an operations manager and coordinator, evaluating spot-market rates and managing customer/carrier relationships for FTL/LTL and drayage shipments.

David is a strong advocate for continuous process and personal improvement, believing that success begins with a willingness to learn, solve problems, and explore new ideas.

He holds a Master of Science in Business Analytics from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, with a primary concentration in supply chain optimization and causal inference.

10+ Years of Experience in Finance and 80/20 Analysis

Sean is a senior 80/20 consultant, based in Orange County, California. With a track record of over 50 successful engagements, Sean is dedicated to coaching our clients in developing and executing strategic policies to drive meaningful financial improvements. He's not just a consultant; he's a tactical data resource, equipping clients with the insights they need to excel.

In addition to his consulting expertise, Sean has a background as a financial analyst. His FP&A experience includes in-depth analysis of KPIs, global sales, margin evaluation, and the development of intricate pricing models.

Sean has led teams that work on developing zero-base segmented P&Ls, pricing strategies, product line optimization, and the identification of organic and inorganic growth opportunities.

Sean has a BBA from the University of San Diego. Currently, he is pursuing an MBA at Pepperdine University.

10+ Years in Management, Research, and Executive Administration

Jackie is the Executive Assistant to the CEO, a data analyst for the 80/20 Profit & Growth practice, and the unofficial brand manager. Her career at Strategex began as a researcher for the Customer Experience practice area.

Jackie brings an extensive background in management and sales. Prior to joining Strategex, Jackie was in leadership at The Tile Shop for over six years. While only in her twenties, she was a successful retail management professional who oversaw multimillion-dollar operations in a high performing environment. In this role, she managed and directed the full spectrum of sales and operations: overseeing sales production, customer service, business development, staffing, warehouse operations, P&L, OI, revenue growth, and customer relations. Additionally, she has event management experience, having worked as Fest Express Coordinator for Lollapalooza.

Jackie is valued for her work ethic, attention to detail, and positive attitude (qualities that may have been honed in her successful cheerleading days).

Jackie holds her Bachelor of Science in Design, Interior Design with a Minor in Communication from Arizona State University.

10+ Years in Finance and 80/20 Analysis
Brandon Kottke brings a wealth of financial expertise and analytical acumen to his role as an 80/20 Consultant at Strategex. A Certified Public Accountant with over seven years of professional experience, Brandon has a proven track record of driving efficiency and optimizing financial performance.

Brandon's journey with Strategex began during his college years when he interned with the firm, delving into the intricacies of 80/20 data analysis and learning 80/20 tools and techniques. This early exposure to the transformative power of 80/20 ignited a passion for leveraging data to uncover actionable insights and drive strategic decision-making.

Following his internship, and prior to joining Strategex full-time, Brandon worked in public accounting, primarily working with clients in the Manufacturing and Real Estate industries. Brandon joined Strategex's finance team, where he most recently served as Director of Finance. In this role, he drove efficiencies in finance processes and worked closely with the Executive team to plan, measure, and execute the company’s strategies.

In the role of 80/20 Consultant, Brandon applies his deep financial knowledge and analytical skills to help clients identify opportunities and implement strategies that drive sustainable growth and profitability. His unique blend of financial expertise and data-driven analysis makes him a valuable asset to clients navigating the complexities of their businesses.

Brandon earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Accountancy from Calvin University and is a licensed CPA in the State of Illinois.

8+ Years of Experience in Public Accounting and Corporate Finance

Lacey Puls is an accomplished controller with experience in public accounting and the renewable energy industry. She began her career at Smith and Gesteland (S&G) in Middleton, Wisconsin, where she progressed from a staff accountant to a senior accountant. During her tenure, she worked on tax and assurance engagements and was introduced to the 80/20 principles.

Lacey joined Eide Bailly LLP (EB) in Colorado as an audit senior associate. She managed clients across various industries, including manufacturing, construction, and real estate and left EB as an audit senior manager. Before joining Strategex, Lacey worked as the controller at a company focused on manufacturing and distributing components for the renewable energy sector.

In her free time Lacey enjoys hiking, nature, traveling, reading, a plethora of sports, and spending time with her 14 nieces and nephews!

Lacey has a Masters of Professional Accountancy from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.

6+ Years of Experience in Market Research.

Adam Sidor is an Engagement Manager in Strategex’s Customer Due Diligence practice. He works with Private Equity clients to mitigate transaction risk and accelerate value creation post-close.

Before joining Strategex, Adam worked as a Strategist consulting Big Tech & FinTech companies, designing custom market research studies, and helping organizations seize new opportunities & grow market share.

Adam holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois.

Tyler Stoner is an Associate in Strategex’s Customer Due Diligence practice. She helps Private Equity clients mitigate transaction risk and accelerate value creation.

Tyler recently graduated from the College of William & Mary. There, she earned a BA in Government and a minor in Interdisciplinary Innovations & Entrepreneurship. In addition, Tyler was a student leader in William & Mary’s Office of Community Engagement. In this role, she led her peers to mitigate housing and food insecurity in the Greater Williamsburg community.

Before joining Strategex, Tyler accrued a range of internship experience. Tyler completed the Walt Disney College Program internship in the Fall of 2019. Post-graduation, she was a Master Intern with Harvard Business School’s Innovation Lab startup, Hibiscus Motherhood. There, she served as a project manager, content creator, and market researcher. Concurrently, she worked for the HomeMore Project, a San Francisco non-profit that crafts innovative solutions to homelessness in the Bay area.

25+ Years of Experience in Market Research and Accounting

Margaret Gordon brings over 25 years of diverse experience in public accounting, physician practice management, and B2B market research and consulting. She has held significant roles across various industries, including positions as an auditor with E&Y, a physician practice manager with Radiation Oncology Associates, and a consultant and project manager with Priority Metrics Group (now part of Strategex). At Priority Metrics Group, Margaret successfully collaborated with over 200 clients across manufacturing and service industries, driving top-line growth and achieving notable results.

Margaret's extensive expertise covers market assessment, competitive strategy development, and custom B2B market research. She excels in project management, staff development, secondary research, executive interviewing, data analysis, business management, strategic planning, and financial analysis. Her extensive experience and multifaceted skills make her a valuable asset as a Senior Associate, dedicated to fostering client relationships and delivering strategic insights for business growth.

Margaret obtained a BA in Accounting and Economics from Converse University and enjoys gardening, photography, cooking, and spending time on the Carolina coast.

8+ Years of Experience in Market Research and Education

Kristen began her career in market research in 2022 after spending six years as a high school English teacher. During her tenure as an educator, she received the national-level Leadership Development Award from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and was a five-time presenter across both the NCTE and South Carolina Council of Teachers of English (SCCTE) annual conferences. She authored a peer-reviewed article for the New Jersey English Journal in 2021 and the introductory chapter to “Teaching Writing as a Journey, Not a Destination,” which was published in 2019. Kristen was the English department chair at Travelers Rest High School from 2018 until her departure in 2021.

Kristen prides herself in her abstract problem-solving abilities, interpersonal communication skills, knack for client management, engagement in cross-industry research and discovery, and executive presenting. She loves that her work at Strategex provides the opportunity for deep critical thinking. She enjoys interfacing with clients, identifying patterns and trends, and articulating actionable and data-based steps for client success.

Kristen graduated summa cum laude from Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. During her senior year, Kristen was named a Furman Fellow: a selective award granted to students who “aim to make a difference, bring creativity and imagination to their daily lives, demonstrate distinctive problem-solving abilities, and are respected by their peers and faculty.”

7+ Years in Event Planning, Project Management, & Business Development

Mackenzie is an Account Executive at Strategex. Prior to this, she served in a project management role on the Customer Experience team. As an Account Executive, she is instrumental as a liaison between clients and our consulting teams. Her mission is to help clients achieve success (whether they are looking to improve customer experience or embark on an 80/20 transformation). A true team player, Mackenzie also provides data analysis, and leads internal event planning.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science, Mackenzie started her career as a corporate event planner. Additionally, she served as the director of property management for a commercial real estate company in Cincinnati. There, she managed several commercial properties to drive down NOI and increase property value.

Mackenzie is valued for her kindness, confidence, and convivial attitude. In fact, she was dubbed "The Captain O’ Fun" for Strategex in 2019; her Strategex parties and events are legendary.

Mackenzie holds her Bachelor of Science in Communication from Ohio University (where she crushed it playing Division 1 club volleyball).

11+ Years of Experience in Analytics, Customer Research, and Customer Experience Management

Kam joined Strategex's CX team as a Senior Researcher and swiftly advanced to CX Associate. He brings over 11 years of experience in analytics, customer research, and customer experience management, specializing in competitive intelligence research across various industries.

Before Strategex, Kam led customer insight and Voice of Customer programs at tech giants like Lyft and Instacart. At Instacart, he improved customer satisfaction and operational efficiency through Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools and systematic reporting methods. At Lyft, he integrated experience management processes to streamline customer feedback and drive actionable insights.

In addition to his role at Strategex, Kam serves as an Advisory Board Member for the University of Tennessee's Customer Experience Program. During this appointment, he has provided strategic guidance on curriculum development and program innovation, enhancing professional education and lifelong learning.

Kam's expertise is complemented by his Six Sigma Greenbelt certification and proficiency in Agile methodologies. Known for his holistic approach and strong problem-solving skills, Kam is dedicated to improving customer experience, fostering loyalty, and maximizing ROI. His customer-centric focus and ability to build strong relationships are key strengths he brings to Strategex.

20+ Years of Experience in Market Research and Sales Support

Lisa has over 20 years of experience providing strategic support in market research and business development. She specializes in sales support, helping teams create effective proposals, manage key accounts, and implement growth strategies. Known for building efficient teams and streamlining operations, Lisa excels at identifying opportunities that drive revenue and increase profitability.

In her current role at Strategex, she focuses on supporting sales initiatives that enable long-term client success.

10+ Years of Experience in Project Management and Accounting

Karen Goldberg works in the accounting department at Strategex. As an accounting specialist, she works in the areas of accounts payable, payroll, and bank reconciliations.

Karen's career started as a business analyst for Hewitt. After three years with Hewitt, she joined Strategex as a project manager. For five years, Karen led demand generation projects in which she orchestrated campaigns, and managed a business development team. After a hiatus, Karen rejoined Strategex in 2016 to contribute to the accounting and finance team.

Outside of Strategex, Karen is an involved parent of two. She is active in their education and frequently volunteers for their schools. Further, she was the Vice President of the Parent Teacher Organization for three years. On any given day, she can be found on baseball, soccer, basketball, and golf fields cheering on her children.

Karen graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1998.

30+ Years of Experience In Market Research, Advertising, and Public Relations

Anita joined the team in 2015 as a Senior Researcher. Preceding this engagement, she spent a decade with The Prescient Group, a strategic marketing, and market research company. There, she was a Market Discovery & Research Analyst and performed one-on-one and intercept interviews, conducted focus groups, and served in project management for a wide range of national clients.

She has more than two decades of experience in marketing communications, advertising, and public relations with the Chicago firms of Lee Scott Stevens & Associates, Weber Cohn & Riley, and Waldie & Briggs. She has experience in advertising, marketing, strategic planning, operations management, and research functions for brands such as Disney, GOJO, Brown’s Chicken, 1-800-CableMe, and Chicago White Sox, to name a few.

She is bi-lingual in German, having immigrated to the US from Germany.

25+ Years of Experience in Customer Insights

Mary Johnson has been conducting in-depth interviews to support B2B research since 1990. She has been with Strategex since its inception. At Strategex she helped develop a global team of interviewers who excel at providing clients with substantive, actionable information. Her ability to engage with colleagues and respondents alike has enabled her to contribute to the growth of both Strategex and its clients.

Her rigorous liberal arts education at Mount Holyoke College provided a strong foundation in critical thinking and developed her ability to communicate clearly to a broad range of challenges.

16+ Years of Experience in Customer Research

Lucy joined Strategex more than 15 years ago and is valued as a master in-depth interviewer who is able to probe for deep customer insights. She attributes her success to her ability to listen by being present, engaged, and empathetic. She has conducted thousands of interviews in a broad spectrum of engagements. Her work has touched many industries including packaging, industrial manufacturing, and professional services.

Outside of Strategex, she volunteers at her neighborhood park in Chicago raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to build a new playground and renovate the 125-year old field house. Additionally, she manages the finances of Midnight Circus in the Parks, a local non-profit that builds community and raises funds for local city parks "one circus at a time."

Lucy graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Environmental, Textile and Design, and an associate degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She designed and manufactured her own line of women’s clothing for 13 years before starting a family.

3+ Years of Experience in Qualitative Research

Kelly supports both Customer Experience and Customer Due Diligence service areas. She works on an array of projects in various industries including tooling, healthcare, packaging, machining, and insurance.

Her approach puts emphasis on relationship building; she is committed to understanding client needs. She works to grasp each client's business: their offering, industry, and market. She specialized in performing in-depth interviews and succeeds because she works to establish trust with research targets.

Before joining Strategex, Kelly worked for The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

She graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelors of Science.

40+ Years of Experience in Executive Administration and Event Planning

Joanie Hellmer serves as the Executive Assistant to Joe Hahn, Vice President | 80/20 Expert. In this role, Joanie is on call 24/7 to support Strategex, our clients, and Joe.

Joanie's career started in 1971 at The West Bend Company where she gained 29 years of experience as the Executive Assistant to the President and the VP of Human Resources. In 2000, she started working for Illinois Tool Works (ITW) for a Group Vice President. In this role, the GVP was in charge of the Food Equipment Division which encompassed seven divisions across the United States. Joanie traveled to each one of the divisions whenever the need arose.

Joanie is a skilled and passionate event planner – a natural fit for this extrovert. She has coordinated hundreds of events across the country for planning meetings, incentive trips, etc.

One of her many noteworthy accomplishments was the planning and execution of a research study conducted on assisted living facilities. The nine-month engagement required extensive travel to Southern California and close collaboration with multiple stakeholders. That study was directly responsible for the development of a market-specific range of assisted living centers that generated multi-million dollars in sales.

7 Years of Experience in Customer Service, Finance & Banking, and Administration

Rebecca Jones is the Executive Assistant to Jenn Desrosiers, Managing Director of 80/20. In this role, Rebecca supports Strategex, our clients, and Jenn.

Prior to Strategex, Rebecca spent years in Finance and Banking. She worked in a client-facing role at West Bank, and in client relations at Grosvenor Capital Management. After seven years, she became a "professional mom" to her three children.

Rebecca is a skilled and passionate organizer, multi-tasker, and event planner. She enjoys cooking, traveling the world, and taking the perfect snapshots of her children playing sports.

Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Graphic Design and a minor in Business, from the University of Iowa.

As Strategex's Marketing Coordinator, Kenzie assists the Vice President of Marketing with social media, content marketing, and ideation.

Kenzie graduated from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. She graduated with a degree in Business Administration, a concentration in Marketing, and a minor in Online and Social Media. At Wayne State, she was a track and field athlete for the Wildcats and participated in the throwing events. During her track career, she was a three-time recipient of the USTFCCA Academic All-American title.

In college, Kenzie was a part of SAAC (student-athlete advisory committee) where she gained marketing experience. As a part of this organization, she was the head of communications and social media for two years. She organized social media campaigns and oversaw multiple fundraising events for causes like The Make-A-Wish Foundation, and area food pantries. While being a student-athlete, and executive member of SAAC, Kenzie also held a part-time job at a local boutique, IKT. At IKT she was a sales associate that provided customer service and cultivated relationships with frequent customers. Kenzie also created content on social platforms for the boutique.

20+ Years of Experience in Marketing and Entertainment

Maggie is an accomplished marketing director with an extensive background in the performing arts. Target audiences and theatrical audiences need to hold on to their socks – she will knock them off. For nearly two decades, she has worked across the country in sales, marketing, and entertainment.

Maggie's sales and marketing experience includes engagements with multiple product development firms, a Tony award-winning theater, design agencies, and multiple tech/software companies. She is passionate about giving companies a marketing platform to amplify their brilliance. Her specialties include marketing strategy, digital marketing, content marketing, and creative campaign development.

Before she had children, you could find Maggie performing as an actress and stand-up comedian at Chicago's acclaimed theaters and some sordid dives. Now, she performs nightly lullabies for an intimate audience.

Maggie holds a BSBA (marketing) from Xavier University.