Innovative rail planning consulting and communications services

Over a 5 year period, initially as a Palladium consultant supporting the update of Amtrak's strategy and leading the development of its Balanced Scorecard/ strategy execution framework, and for 2 1/2 years as part of the Office of the CEO, I collaboratively led the focus, alignment, measurement and accountability to produce significant results:Strategic Themes: * Safety and Security: Set the standard for safety and security in the transportation industry to ensure that every passenger and employee goes home injury-free every day. RESULTS: FRA reportable incidents down over the last few years. Peer-to-peer observations meeting targets. * Customer Focus: Acquire and retain the most satisfied customers of any travel company in the world. RESULTS Set annual ridership records, raising ridership above the 30 million point, and keeping it there for five consecutive years. Customer satisfaction increased to record levels in FY16 across all service lines. * Financial Excellence: Be profitable on an operating basis (as defined by our operating ratio) and be good stewards of capital in order to secure our long-term viability as a company. RESULTS: Cut the company’s debt by two-thirds; Raised operating cost recovery to 93% - the highest of any North American railroadOn behalf of CEO, led the Chicago Blue Ribbon Panel to focus on improving rail fluidity in the Chicago terminal area. See final report here: https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/873/180/Chicago-Gateway-Amtrak-Blue-Ribbon-Panel-Final-Report.pdf Led 2 recent business development programs to capture Commuter contracts in CT and FL. Supported transition to new CEO in Q4 2016 and resigned position 1/6/2017

The Balanced Scorecard Collaborative was established by the originators of the Balanced Scorecard framework, Robert Kaplan and Dave Norton. I helped the company develop a new sales process and then became the lead sales executive using that framework. Palladium Group was formed when the company acquired two enterprise technology deployment companies. We helped clients achieve their strategy execution premium, the outcome of applying a set of proven BSC strategy management principles to drive top line and bottom line performance. Recruited by new CEO to rejoin Palladium and lead CSO practice; my clients included Publix, AbbVie (Abbott Labs), Idaho National Labs, Paramount, Redbox, Cars.com, Cargill, Amtrak. Note that Palladium Group was aquired by an international development organization who subsequently adopted the Palladium name. They still have modest strategy management offering.

Implemented high performance business development & strategy execution management processes for several client organizations: McNeil (Tylenol); Payless Shoes, Publix, Giant Eagle, Quintiles, Paramount/Viacom, Idaho National Labs, Canadian Blood Services, and others

Recruited by Board of Directors to support major project to open a presidential-style library, archive and museum. Prayer and wonderful, talented colleagues made this a career highlight. Working with the Library CEO and leadership team, CS Board of Directors and church cross-functional teams co-create strategic plan & management processes, select systems, and direct operations, finance and human resources for this world-class organization. Opened on time and on budget, September 2002.

• 59% revenue growth to $170 million in 3 years with 20% operating profit. • Drove global expansion of Company and strengthened people, processes, & systems.• Working with great team, increased revenues from $100 million to $170 million with the highest margins (49%) and operating profits (20%) in the industry. • Developed world-class marketing team and product management organization that brought record 14 new products to market in record time.Developed and installed a new product management framework using Harvard Business School Professor Steven Wheelwright to provide the needed thought-ware and templates, tailored to our organization.

Old line operations and productivity improvement consulting, with focus on lost time, short interval scheduling, and improved supervisory skills and acccountabilty I helped CEO’s achieve millions in bottom line results in food industry, appliance manufacturing (Whirlpool), toy manufacturing, warehousing, fastener manufacturing, and insurance (GMAC).

Led turn-around and subsequent spin-off of this hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder manufacturer. Innovated TQM program and employee engagement success. Sold successfully to US auto industry and OEM machine tool market. Developed strong suppliers in Europe, Japan and Taiwan.

After a few corporate jobs at FMC in Chicago, and completing an MBA, I joined the Automotive Service Equipment Division in Conway, Arkansas and progressed through a series of product management roles to VP Marketing. Strong foundation in GE-style management and technology management roles.

Taught in the inner city of Chicago, worked with emotionally disturbed teen on a ranch/facility in Zion, got a masters in the Art of Teaching and then 2 two years at Central School in Wilmette IL in an open classroom format. Learned how to command a room, nurture and develop learning.