Steve Bickford Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

United States

Naperville, Illinois, United States

Deerfield, Illinois, United States

In 2014, I was appointed Chief executive leader for U.S.-based $250M organization comprised of 300 staff. Here I drove strategic planning working with the owner, resulting in domestic/global expansion and profitability by executing innovative sales plans and tactical alignment during M&A.Professional Highlights:✔ EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP: Formalized enterprise-wide metrics and tracking to promote accountability, business continuity and formulate data-driven business decisions. Conveyed value of technology then set out to productize, market, and convey benefits to drive solution sales. Devised marketing strategy to drive unique value proposition/brand awareness. Funded future growth through reinvestment of profits with minimal new capital investment.✔ GROWTH & EXPANSION: Invested in new resources to create IP, creating customized solutions for enterprise accounts which drove margins in excess of 70%. Created offshoring capability and managed customer environments which significantly reduced costs. ✔ INTEGRATION OF ACQUISITIONS: Drove complex merger of Meridian IT and MAC Sources Communications with vastly different business models. Aligned corporate goals, and integrated businesses into one cohesive company with uniform processes, governance, and management. ✔ TRANSFORMED THE BUSINESS: Transformed focus of the business from a reseller of vendor equipment and services to a Managed Services business. Managed highly sensitive investments and divestments of resources to support new model as it grew while maintaining profitability from declining former model. This grew monthly recurring revenue 40%+ CAGR and now contributes 20%+ of revenues and > 30% of business operating margin from ongoing managed services/cloud contracts. ✔ PEOPLE & CULTURE: Developed and trained teams to serve as key players who challenged status quo, committed to future business success. Established sustainable culture of empowerment.

Deerfield, Illinois, United States

As Executive VP, I championed the multi-faceted integration between three disparate business operating units. I ensured strategic execution and alignment across key operational, sales and management processes.Professional Highlights:✔ EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP: Ambassador for innovation to augment growth. Fostered strong relationships with key C-level, board members, and stakeholders to drive business transformation and adoption. Devised strategic roadmap to accelerate profitability, remove roadblocks, and align business objectives.✔ GROWTH & EXPANSION: Refocused business from vendor centric model to a solutions centric model, and ultimately to a business value-based model. Drove cross-selling of solutions to broad client base who previously knew organization principally as a reseller of a single vendor’s products resulting in tremendous increases in the margin contribution from key clients. Pioneered international efforts, expanding from the experience leading UK division. Identified enterprise accounts where unique international capabilities could empower clients to implement global IT strategies from a central location in their desired geography.✔ TRANSFORMED THE BUSINESS: Piloted process model that centralized global client technology acquisitions from geographically dispersed locations. Strengthened reach by eliminating obstacles and successfully expanding profitability with top-level enterprise accounts.

Henley-In-Arden, Warwickshire Uk

In this role, I provided key expertise on transforming U.S. operations, simultaneously directed underperforming U.K. based Midlands IT business unit, expertly integrated into organizational structure.Professional Highlights:✔ EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP: Aligned strategy with existing technology offerings to target new verticals. Defined innovative, value added solutions to surpass competition and drive rapid growth. Conducted comprehensive analysis, rapidly identified process/operational improvements to implement transformational tools/plans. Contributed strategic leadership and operational direction to align corporate objectives, optimize visibility, rapidly boost growth/expansion, and re-shape business dynamic in highly competitive market. Managed short/long term strategy, forecasting, and financial planning; P&L, budgets, and KPIs. Analyzed and managed capital expenditures. ✔ GROWTH & EXPANSION: Choreographed and deployed strategic new global business development strategy between Meridian IT Limited and U.S. based Meridian operations for unification clients. Strengthened U.K. operational unit with exceptional revenue growth and profitability. ✔ TRANSFORMED THE BUSINESS: Re-structured business unit to function under global organization, utilized core assets and resources to distinguish as front-runner which expanded sales pipeline.

Deerfield, Il

I was appointed to execute flawless integration of disparate business units from Meridian IT, Comtech Group, and IBM; operations, technology, professional services, finance, vendor management and sales, post-merger.Professional Highlights:✔ EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP: Implemented operational enhancements and fostered progressive culture across the organization through strategic planning, hands-on business development, marketing, leadership, and sales training to provide measurable results.Pinpointed challenges and devised tactical roadmaps for executing practical and sustainable change to maximize impact, mitigate risk, drive revenue and customer success. ✔ GROWTH & EXPANSION: Augmented growth of pre-sales business focused offering broader suite of product solutions and employing cross-selling tactics utilizing multiple vendors resulting in higher sales and increased margins. Effectively uncovered new opportunities within channel programs for sustainable growth. Distinguished commoditized channel partners.✔ TRANSFORMED THE BUSINESS: Spearheaded strategic overhaul of network practice. Empowered new staff, set trajectory to achieve success.

Deerfield, Il

I was rapidly promoted through a series of increasingly responsible management roles as a result of exemplary performance initial year. Led high caliber Sales Team to unparalleled success by driving substantial revenue growth through innovative strategies.

Skokie, Illinois, United States

Marketing Manager responsible for Anixter's contractor business.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Rose from Sales Engineer through Field Technical Rep, to Research Project Manager, ultimately reaching the role of Technical Marketing Manager, where I consulted on some of the largest projects in the world, such as the Petronas Towers in KL, Malaysia and the Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong.

Mba, Management & International Business

Bs Ce, Civil Engineering