Jeff Wesley
Executive Director at Michigan Rise
Jeff Wesley
Executive Director at Michigan Rise
Greater Lansing
Overview
Work Experience
Executive Director
2020 - Current
Executive Director of Michigan Rise. Michigan Rise is the Pre-Seed Fund III awarded by the MEDC in partnership with the MSU Foundation. Our mission is supporting Michigan based entrepreneurs on their path to commercialization. https://www.michiganrise.com/
Executive Director
2018
Executive Director of Red Cedar Ventures. A exciting portfolio of companies developed at Michigan State University. Red Cedar Ventures partners with the Michigan State Foundation and Michigan State University on growing and developing MSU-based startup companies and accelerating commercialization of MSU technologies. Find out more about our team, our portfolio, and our partners at www.redcedarventures.com.
Executive Director Spartan Innovations
2019
Executive Director Spartan Innovations. Spartan Innovations is the venture creation arm of the Michgian State Unversity Foundation. Partnering with the Michigan State University Tech Transfer office and the Entreprenuers in Residence, the team at Spartain Innovations works with new startups coaching them from ideas to successful startups.
Chief Executive Officer
2015 - 2017
Chief executive responsible for the leadership of the largest international franchise moving company. In excess of $500M in annual revenue, 10,000 team members, over 370 locations, two company stores and 250 home office team members. During my tenure with the organization the company grew from $186MM/year to over $500MM/year and had record growth, customer service and expansion of locations including mini-markets. Tenure included 91 consecutive months of record growth. Growth was 17x vs. the industry. Responsibilities included oversight of multi-million dollar investments including the rollouts of a national call center and the expansion of a revolutionary new container interstate model. Managed project initiatives and strategies in several areas including cutting edge technologies from artificial intelligence to data management with the goal of disrupting the moving industry. Leadership over the implementation of several forward looking alignment, support and culture initiatives including expanded support visits, new advisory teams, a new regional recruitment model, expanded financial support teams, franchise summits and new online training tactics. Managed the reengineering of a new risk management program, the international franchise model/agreements, a new self funded health care plan and several cost saving and quality improvement initiatives. A plus ranking Franchisegrade, 93 CEO Glassdoor rating, “Crain's Detroit Business Coolest Places to Work”, Inc. 5000 award winner, recognized nationally as a leading franchise system, a leading innovation franchise system, FranchiseTImes Top 200 Franchise System and received national recognition as a top franchise executive.
Chief Financial Officer
2008 - 2015
Leadership and strategist in the reengineering of an iconic brand impacted by the financial crisis of 2008/2009. Proven executive that assisted a family franchise business and led the financial strategies, vision and tactics to reposition all aspects of the business including ownership of company stores, financing, sales, franchise development, legal, infringements, marketing, compliance, field support and technology. Led the development of the first ever Board of Directors. Led and advised the family in development of all aspects of financial planning, optimization of business, personal goals and succession planning. Led and assisted the management teams in development of a national sales plan, new marketing and web strategies, a new integrated technology platform, implementation of captive insurance and risk management program, talent and leadership development as well as system wide benchmarking, reporting and training to support rapid expansion, culture and customer service. Oversight for the development and hiring of over 200 awesome team members and the alignment of talent and the processes to achieve rapid expansion and a leading edge culture. Managed the expansion of facilities including a 20,000 square foot home office addition, a remote call center and facilities related to the expansion of company stores. Cumulative efforts resulted in annual revenue growth over 15% annually for over 7 consecutive years, record customer service, record earnings and record metrics at the franchise level. Results were a 17x growth rate vs. the industry.
National Director - Sales
2005 - 2008
Coordinated strategies and consulted with executive leadership of Patterson Companies on the integration Accu Bite Dental Supply. Projects included consolidation and intergration of warehouses, product lines and the inside, field, service and equipment sales teams. Coordinated implementation and alignment of system data and records, processes and 150,000 customers nationally. Assisted in building closings and product line realignment. Managed open issues with previous family shareholders surrounding acquisition and forward looking goals.
President
2002 - 2005
Led the management of the vision, expansion initiatives and execution strategies that resulted in the organization being well positioned in the dental distribution industry. Recognized nationally for growth and results including an Inc. 100 award winner. Led the development of talent and leadership development. Established the first external Board of Directors. Executive sponsor in development of acquisition strategies with venture capital groups and pursuit of acquirers. Negotiated and advanced the acquisition by Patterson Companies.
Chief Financial Officer
1991 - 2002
Leadership and visionary in the architect of the growth strategies of a family business competing with two publically traded companies that controlled over 60 percent of the dental market. Led the growth strategies and initiatives of the leading growth dental distributor that resulted in expansion from $6MM/ year to over $125MM/ year. Transformed a dental catalog company to a full service national competitor with over 52,000 product lines and over 350 employees, physical operations in 16 states, 3 warehouses and a new Home Office facility. Executive strategist involved with all the treasury and financial initiatives providing for the working capital, expansion and real estate goals. Recruited and managed the sales, human resource, accounting, customer service, marketing, IT, financial and warehouse teams and established a leading edge culture and the Accu Bite Academy. Tactician in the development of paper less warehouse initiatives, bar code tracking systems, data and financial reporting, customer acquisition strategies and expansion of product lines and vendor procurement.
Audit Manager
1984 - 1991
Audit and consultative leader with significant audit, management and consulting experience helping private and family businesses with compliance while enhancing both short and long term strategies. Consulting experience at the management and Board of Director level on growth initiatives, expansion, systems and controls, cash flow and project management. Experience with a variety of industries including large professional associations, manufacturing, service, insurance, health care, financial and not for profit.