Brian Weed Email & Phone Number

United States

Naples, Florida, United States

Coaching and advisory services firm that helps companies develop strategies, improve operations and/or expand their businesses through organic growth or M&A.Recent engagements include:- Limousine & Bus transportation company: partner with CEO and leadership team in preparing for and evaluation of M&A opportunities, which resulted in an attractive sale of the business in late 2024; add financial and operational capability to leadership team; fill in for key functions following CFO retirement.- E-Commerce infrastructure company (Snap36, see below): led turnaround of a loss-making business and successful sale to a strategic partner.- Pre-K thru Workforce Development Education Consulting Firm: assist in developing its strategy in the Impact Investing space; executed a due diligence project for a $4B AUM PE client considering an investment in the early childhood education and care market.

Naples, Fl And Chicago, Il

Stepped in to CFO role to stabilize financial and operational position. Improved operating margins, repaired contentious bank relationship, and raised outside capital to sustain business. Managed successful sale of company (potential 2.5X revenue) to strategic fit, 1WorldSync, Inc. in late 2020. Continuing assistance with transition activities through mid-2022.

Greater Chicago Area

Serve as independent Board member for this higher education services company, which is a Sterling Partners portfolio company.

Chicago

Assisting Avathon Capital (formerly Sterling Partners' Education Opportunity Fund) in finding great companies with which to partner.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Joined Avenica (formerly GradStaff) after University Ventures (NYC PE firm) acquired the company in January 2017. Avenica is a recruiting firm based in Minneapolis and focused exclusively on helping recent college graduates (0-3 years out) find their "ideal fit" entry-level, career-track positions. Helped lead the company to record revenue and EBITDA results, and improved the infrastructure (IT platforms, marketing capabilities, org structure) to achieve future growth objectives. After commuting between Chicago and Minneapolis for over 2 years, decided to reduce travel burden and transitioned out of CEO role in June 2019.

Oak Brook, Il

In partnership with Concentric Equity Partners, the direct investment group for Harrison Steans’ family office, acquired a controlling interest in TUBC, a chain of upscale beauty schools, in July, 2008. Company has grown revenue at a ~25% compound annual growth rate through same-campus improvement and new unit growth. Served as CEO from 2008 to 2015, then transitioned to Chairman to coach my hand-picked successor while waiting for better for-profit higher-ed M&A environment for a company transaction, which occured in 2018.

Oak Brook, Il

In partnership with Concentric Equity Partners, the direct investment group for Harrison Steans’ family office, acquired a controlling interest in TUBC, a chain of upscale beauty schools, in July, 2008. While CEO, managed 5-10 direct reports over time, while overseeing entire company workforce (high of 225 associates). Accomplishments to date include:• Overall: Since 2008, company has profitably grown revenue at a ~25% compound annual growth rate through same-campus improvement and new unit growth. Infrastructure has been built to further scale the business.• Acquisitions & Post-Merger Integration: Developed an Acquisition & Investment Program that has led to 6 strategic acquisitions to date. Averaging a 3-year cash payback on purchase and capital improvements. Refined acquisition/integration plan, which has expedited diligence process and financial impact on new campuses.• Operations: Maintained strong TUBC culture while adding key support functions needed to support growth: Financial Aid, Business Office, Human Resources, Finance and Information Technology. Upgrading campus-based talent as decision making and accountability is shifted to the campus-level. • Talent Management: Revamped recruiting, on-boarding/training and professional development processes. TU Leadership Academy, created to accelerate development of junior talent, has helped fill 8 campus leadership roles. • Sales & Marketing: Built new sales and marketing function: optimizing online lead generation and adding new lead management system, call center and on-campus admissions positions. Have tripled student starts at original 6 campuses since 2008. Created Salon Corps® industry partnership program, improving grad placement rates.• Regulatory Compliance: Stepped in to address budding accreditation issues and ED Program Review response.

Rockville, Md

Helped launch, build and lead this start-up venture into a $3B spend, high-margin group purchasing and supply chain services growth company, which was acquired by Aramark in 2017 for $1.35B. At departure, had 6 direct reports while managing approximately 50% of Avendra workforce. Served on the company's Board of Managers. Accomplishments include:• Business Development: Led efforts to expand partnership beyond Marriott and Hyatt (original Founders). Successfully added IHG, Fairmont and ClubCorp (largest operator of golf/business clubs) as Founder partners.• Overall/Organizational: Company has been profitable since its second year of operations. Integrated and transformed five legacy cultures into an independent, aggressive start-up culture.• Account Management: Averted Founders’ 2002 crisis of confidence by taking over account management; added communication tools and improved business processes. By 2003, all Founders extended their agreements to 2007.• Sales & Service Offering: Redesigned customer offering and sales process in 2004, reenergizing sales growth. Unbundled services from core offering, and introduced a flexible, consultative sales approach. Launched Avendra Services Group to help support new sales process and deliver unbundled services offerings.• Business Design and Planning: With CEO, developed Avendra’s business strategy, financial model and organizational structure; integrated input from Board of Managers, consultants, and founding partners.

Chicago, Il

Reported to President; member, Executive Management Committee and Technology Steering Committee. Provided strategic direction and external business opportunities for the chain; led corporate functions to identify and implement operational improvement initiatives. Accomplishments include:• Business Development: Initial catalyst in creating Avendra LLC, a venture formed to lower hotels’ purchasing costs and create equity value for founding partners. Left Hyatt to take leadership position at Avendra.• Sales & Marketing: Redesigned sales force compensation plan. Subsequent year bookings exceeded quotas by 20%. Refined brand positioning and increased marketing approach, increasing preference for Hyatt among key segments. Redesigned Gold Passport loyalty program, increasing members’ access to program rewards.• Organizational Leadership and Change: Helped shift insular organizational focus to external performance benchmarks through new management reports, constant public reinforcement and internal education programs.

Chicago, Il

Sold and managed strategy, marketing and operational projects for clients in a wide range of industries. Developed capability to quickly understand new businesses and industries. Active member of BCG’s Business Development and Technology Practice Areas. Sample accomplishments include: • Business Development: Helped long distance telecom company conceive of and launch a national wireless business. Established partnership structure and negotiated partner agreements, developed business plan and established distribution strategy and network plan. Entity spun off; peak value of over $60B.• Operational Improvement: Reduced airline’s DC-9 maintenance cycle time by 20% through major process redesign, resulting in 10% maintenance cost reduction per aircraft.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Marketing & Finance, Top 10% Of Class

Activities and Societies: Beta Gamma SigmaSummer internship at Apple Computer: Finance Analyst for Advanced Technology Group.

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Industrial Engineering

Activities and Societies: Summer internship at Chase Manhattan Bank in NYC. Walk-on member of Varsity Basketball Team.