Mark Birzell

President

2020 - Current

Providing capital and advisory services for start-ups and small businesses.

Chief Operating Officer

2023 - 2023

Advisory Board

2022 - 2023

Post Earn-Out Sabbatical

2021 - 2022

After 12 years, building and selling two companies, and successfully completing the post-acquisition integration of Loft9 to Sia Partners, I am pleased to be taking a sabbatical. Taking the time to learn new skills in the kitchen, to take my endurance training to the next level by completing two 70.3 Ironman races, and most importantly to spend the deeply meaningful time with my family and friends that reenergizes the spirit - of which I am afforded this luxury to do. Thank you to the hundreds of clients and employees who shared the Loft9 and Sia Partners journey with me these last 12 years. I am deeply appreciative. Onward and upward.

Partner, Seattle Market Lead

2019 - 2021

Following the sale of my firm Loft9 Consulting, to Sia Partners, I led the growth of the Seattle/Bellevue market at rates higher than industry norms, achieving double-digit YoY organic growth and successfully acquiring and integrating another local firm.

Founding Partner

2010 - 2019

As a Founding Partner of Loft9, Mark Birzell focuses on all-up organizational effectiveness by ensuring the alignment of strategy, brand, and culture. His work in a wide variety of industries and disciplines has enabled him to develop a broad view of the business world while delivering excellent results for his clients. Mark has disciplines in operations, financial management, supply chain, process, cost management and services launches. Prior to co-founding Loft9, Mark worked at Fifth Third Bank, General Electric, Accenture and Point B, where he delivered on multiple, complex enterprise-wide initiatives for his clients. Mark holds a degree in Finance from Miami University (Ohio) and is Six Sigma Black Belt certified (from GE). He enjoys spending time with his family, skiing and competing in marathons in his free time.

Senior Consultant

2004 - 2009

• Led a corporate-wide Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) management effort through strategic planning and change management planning phases. The outcomes drove competency at Microsoft by improving decision making through agile analytics and reporting, driving efficiency and accountability through improved business processes, and integrating cost as a consideration in the design of new products and services. • Led the global Commercial Operations leadership team in an effort to transform their organization and increase competitiveness in the marketplace by realigning resources to emerging strategic growth areas. • Responsible for establishing governance framework, developing business cases, and documenting execution plans for a global cross-organizational team to reduce COGS by $96 Million over 12 months. • Led a global project team responsible for concept development, trial management, and launching a new service in Emerging Markets enabling affordable mobile communications and fund management for overseas foreign workers around the world. • Worked closely with government officials in the Philippines, Italy, and Spain to gain proper approvals and support for the product trial and launch within aforementioned regions. • Responsible for planning, documenting, and implementing new processes for product procurement, activation, billing, customer service, and reporting. • Responsible for establishing marketing programs, designing collateral, and conducting public relations events in order to build product awareness and establish sales channels. • Designed and led Program Management Office on a mission critical project for the Americas Operations Center. As Program Manager, led a cross-functional team of over 50 employees and vendors in the United States and Puerto Rico in a successful effort to build a 125,000 square foot DVD/CD manufacturing center under the $53M budget in less than 15 months.

Black Belt, CLP, Manager

2001 - 2004

• Successfully executed a $30MM turnaround negotiation with a key manufacturing client, outside legal counsel, restructuring consultants, and lenders. Worked daily with client CEO and CFO to assist with trade payables/receivables, asset management, resource deployment, and inventory management. • Successfully led the design, testing, and operational deployment of a new Call Center for a $16.0B business, resulting in $20.0MM of organic revenue growth while saving over $250,000 in cost. • Designed and launched a pipeline forecasting tool that enabled senior leaders to more accurately model sales volume needed to achieve net income and margin targets. • Managed team of 5 employees that helped to assess, develop, and deploy a new business process playbook that captured $100MM of new business in emerging markets. Quality and Process Improvement Manager – Global financial services company (2 years) • Managed a team of analysts and worked with senior business leaders across the country to baseline, collect data, and conduct statistical analysis to identify and improve process performance. Resulted in reducing operational cycle time by 20% and variation around specifications by 50%. • Implemented a digitized and automated solution for a strategic client in San Francisco, resulting in $20MM of new business, increased customer satisfaction, and distinction of the project by the CEO.

Sr Consultant

2000 - 2001

Various, Sales Rep, Region Manager

1996 - 2000

• Developed and implemented a performance based measurement system for more than 300 sales representatives across North America. Ensured data integrity, meaningful measurements, and motivational incentives. • Managed daily operations of two joint ventures including contract negotiations, marketing, supply chain, distribution, sales, forecasting, and systems compatibility; achieving 150% revenue increase. • Northwest Region Sales Manager for GE Lighting (Ballast Systems) • Mid-West Territory Sales Representative for GE Lighting (Lighting Systems)

Assistant Manager

1995 - 1996