
About Mike.
Executive with over 40 years of experience leading major market development, channel, and sales transformation initiatives within multi-billion dollar technology brands. Track record of transforming go-to-market strategies and creating new organizations while managing risk and driving sustained performance. Over the last 11 years, counseled a start-up founder, growing the business without external capital to a nine-figure sale to private equity.
Experience
2013-Present
VentureWise, LLC
CEO & Founder
I bring extensive leadership experience from multi-billion-dollar technology brands to advising entrepreneurs. Throughout my career, I have led transformations in corporate strategy, go-to-market approaches, and organizational development, consistently driving profit optimization and long-term performance. Most recently, I provided strategic guidance and spearheaded business development efforts for a startup, culminating in a nine-figure sale to private equity. Over four years, the company achieved outstanding results, including a 22% revenue CAGR, 35% EBITA, and growth across all segments, with a modest 2% increase in headcount.
2009-2013
Web Advanced, Inc.
Interim CEO
Initially, I provided mentorship and guidance to the startup's founders before being appointed as Interim CEO to offer strategic leadership and strengthen their business and decision-making skills. Under my leadership, the company achieved rapid, profitable growth by focusing on delivering exceptional online customer experiences through a cost-effective, in-house, integrated CMS and e-commerce platform.
2003-2009
CEO Effectiveness Group
Chair & CEO
As Chair of the CEO Effectiveness Group, I built a network of seasoned small and midsize business leaders dedicated to growth. Drawing from my executive roles at Hewlett Packard, Compaq Computers, and BMC Software - where I played a key role in its IPO - I applied my expertise to guide and mentor emerging business leaders. I also partnered with the local SBA SCORE chapter to create a program for strategic business support. Through monthly meetings, workshops, and one-on-one mentoring, I provided personalized guidance and fostered innovation within the group.
2002-2003
Hewlett-Packard
VP, Global Accts & Operations
After the HP-Compaq merger, I created an organization to strengthen HP's position as a leader in the industry for the top 200 global customers. This resulted in $15 billion in annual revenue by fostering a seamless and accountable worldwide customer relationship. I was responsible for leading sales teams, managing global pricing and contracts, coordinating product offerings, and overseeing warranties and fulfillment. I also consolidated and supervised the corporate executive briefing centers and worldwide customer executive programs.
2001-2002
Hewlett-Packard
VP & GM, Worldwide Market Development and Partnerships
Directed strategic initiatives across all geographic sales organizations, including SMB sales, global distribution channels, strategic alliances, consultants, systems integrators, internet service providers, and global sales groups. Spearheaded the launch of an industry-leading 'compute on demand' offering, which provided cloud-based computing resources on an as-needed basis as well as significantly enhancing Compaq's capabilities and driving success in selling and supporting customers through the internet.
2000-2001
Gateway Computer
VP, E-comm & Business Dev.
Established a new organization focused on generating 'beyond the box' revenue streams and achieving operational efficiencies through the strategic use of internet technologies and investments. Launched a suite of branded services, including internet access, web hosting, website development, e-commerce, security, and industry-leading subscription computing offerings, specifically targeting the SMB market. The team successfully drove a five-fold increase in internet revenues, created over 7,500 private extranets, and facilitated fifty percent of new sales calls into the telemarketing centers.
1999-2000
Gateway Computer
VP, Marketing
Built and led a new marketing organization focused on product marketing and demand generation for the government, education, and commercial sectors. Key achievements included driving a 22% annual increase in unit sales, generating $3.2 billion in revenue, while simultaneously cutting demand generation costs by 33%
1998-1999
Compaq Computer
VP, Enterprise Solutions Division
Led engineering, marketing, and partner development efforts for server-based solutions, encompassing internet, security, database, business intelligence, ERP, CRM, messaging, enterprise management, and emerging technologies. The business units delivered innovative solutions, tools, and resources to empower IT managers, systems integrators, and consultants in planning, deploying, and operating enterprise systems. These initiatives were instrumental in securing Compaq's global leadership in the application server market.
1997-1998
Compaq Computer
VP, Enterprise Management
Directed product development and marketing for cross-divisional technologies and partnerships focused on managing distributed IT infrastructures and applications. Led a team that developed systems management strategies, created core management software and hardware products, coordinated platform instrumentation, and forged partnerships with key management ISVs. Additionally, provided business development support to sales and service teams, driving growth and innovation in IT systems management achieving leading share of systems management market
1996-1997
Compaq Computer
Director, Internet Solutions
Formed a new business unit charted with extending Compaq’s leadership in providing internet, messaging, groupware, e-commerce and security solutions to the enterprise and ISP markets. Results included the development of multi-vendor solutions and integration frameworks, and the delivery of a wide range of engineering, marketing and sales support tools which contributed to over 50% of Compaq’s application server sales.
1995-1996
Compaq Computer
Dir, Enterprise & Business Dev.
Launched a new organization responsible for leading N. American efforts to expand into the midrange computing market. Implemented integrated marketing campaigns, enhancements to the field sales structure, launch of a new consulting organization, introduction of a channel program which resulted in hundreds of dedicated system engineers, and new support offerings. Additional responsibilities included business planning, and participation on corporate teams addressing market outlook, corporate goals, investments, and company structure.
1994-1995
Compaq Computer
Director, Commercial Marketing
Establish an organization to lead the marketing, communications, distribution and customer support plans targeting the SMB market. Achievements included market share leadership and creation of Compaq’s field sales business development and telemarketing organizations. Also, responsible for the service marketing group which introduced spare parts distributors / regional centers, customer satisfaction index, expanded service providers, retail “service on location” and a warranty verification system.
1993-1994
Compaq Computer
Dir., Distr. Strat. & Bus.Planning
Built the team responsible for driving market expansion and overall business planning in N. America. Results included the formation of government and education business units, increased channel capacity through the addition of innovative distribution and reseller product sourcing programs, implementation of a private electronic portal for customers and partners and, the development of an integrated market model.
1992-1993
Compaq Computer
Mgr, Major Account Marketing
Led a restructuring of the N. America field sales organization from a channel “push” approach to a major account “pull” structure. Results included a 40% reduction in total field resources while doubling revenues. Spent six months on special assignment with McKinsey & Co. to develop the strategies and plans to attain the corporate objective of industry leadership. Championed implementation of North America’s go-to-market imperatives which led to market share leadership years ahead of plan.
1988-1992
Compaq Computer
Chan. Dev. & Corp. Mktg.
Drove the strategic development and execution of programs to transition from an exclusively indirect distribution and service model to a hybrid approach, essential for supporting the launch of industry-first PC-based servers.
1986-1988
BMC Software
Joined early-stage firm responsible for driving revenue and joint development projects with BMC’s largest customers. Rapid growth of sales and profits during this period contributed to BMC’s initial public offering.
1978-1986
IBM Corporation
Advanced through general management accelerated path (Systems Engineering, Major Account Marketing, Product Marketing, Sales Management).
Education
1976-1978
Indiana University - Bloomington
Master of Business Administration, Product Marketing & Finance
1972-1976
Texas Christian University
M.J. Neeley School of Business
Bachelor of Business Administration
Volunteering
U.C. Irvine
Paul Merage School of Business
Dean’s Advisory Board Member
U.C. Irvine
UCI Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Chairman Advisory Board
SCORE (sponsored by SBA)
Orange County, CA
Vice Chairman
City of Dana Point, CA
Park & Library Committees
Member
Pet Project Foundation
Orange County, CA
Founding Member, Board of Directors