Stephen Forte

Founder & CEO

2020 - Current

In a sprawling $250B construction industry, inefficiencies plague contractors and homeowners alike. Enter BuildClub, your digital solution. Our AI-powered copilot and digital tools find the lowest prices offering transparency and efficiency in the home improvement industry.

Member - Chairman - Technology Network

2020

Member - Chapter Chairman - YPO Bay Area Gold

2020

Founding Chairman of the YPO Bay Area Gold Chapter

Member - Regional Chairman - YPO Personal Investing Network

2018

I am responsible for events and education in the Western United States for the 3,300 members of the YPO Personal Investing Network

Speaker

2004

Frequent speaker on technology, tech investing and Entrepreneurship

Member - Chapter Learning Officer

2018 - 2020

I was responsible for the events and education of the 5,000 member YPO Technology Network

Member - Chapter Chairman - YPO Santa Monica Bay Chapter

2017 - 2018

YPO Gold Santa Monica Bay Chapter Champion, Silicon Valley Summit, 2018-2019

Member

2019

Chairman

2016

The Stephen and Camilla Forte Foundation was formed to support the transition of special warfare service members to the private sector, and support local law enforcement officers and their families. For the military, the Foundation primarily assists disabled and non-disabled warriors transitioning to a commercial career. For law enforcement, the foundation's purpose is to support officers and their families with education, scholarships, internships, social events and other initiatives that demonstrate support and appreciation from local business leaders.

Co-Owner

2001

Design-Build firm focusing on high-end residential projects in Southern California. FDG has designed and developed many celebrity homes, as seen in Architectural Digest with Kourtney Kardashian's Calabasas home.

CEO and Chief Scientist

2016 - 2019

AI Motion is a software company, focusing on eCommerce, AI, computer vision, advanced audio and blockchain for both Android and iOS. AI Motion develops its own intellectual property for its portfolio of apps, including an AI based video editing technology, digital camera connectivity and other stealth projects. AI Motion has transitioned with its IP into The BuildClub

Operating Partner

2014 - 2015

Joined in a project role to lead $100m apparel and footwear retail trade center in Kazakhstan and to conduct feasibility study. My study concluded the market is ready, but timing is poor. Thus, I recommended the firm kill the project, and reexamine in 18-24 months, saving the firm from potentially losing $10m+ on the project due to a currency devaluation shortly after the project was halted. • Built project plan for 100 hct development site on the Silk Road in Kazakhstan for an international apparel / textile trade center. Conducted markets studies, product analysis and design development plan. Sourced and developed strategic partners in China, Russia and Kazakhstan to source goods and provide vendors. • Sourced 32 international investment opportunities worth $1.2b. Deals were in industries ranging from Oil and Gas to high tech, Internet of Things ("IoT"), mobile and wireless. Many of the deals are in review. • Advised on several investments, including the investment in a multibillion dollar apparel retailer in Turkey. • Performed M&A diligence in Russia, Kazakhstan and the Middle East.

Managing Director

2010 - 2014

Coats is the World's largest manufacturer of industrial sewing thread, and second largest in zips. With sales of US$1.8B, 23,000 employees and operations in 72 countries and a 250 year history of excellence. The Global Sales group manages ~$1B in sales to the top apparel brands, retailers and large garment contractors worldwide. Prepared the Company for IPO, and increased yield of global sales team 60% over 3.5-year period. Added considerable enterprise value; institutionalized sales information, plus professionalized and united fragmented $1B brand-related sales organization. Created new global sales process and implemented CRM in 57 countries. Managed direct 80-, and indirect 2,500-person global team; developed the careers of more direct reports to win new corporate roles than any other Executive Committee member. Created technical, strategic and product innovations driving customer retention and profitable sales growth, including mobile applications for sales teams and customer connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Chief Executive Officer

2008 - 2010

Groomed the Chairman's sons to take over the business and internationalized brand to become preferred supplier to several world-renowned apparel brands and retailers. Expanded corporate sales and operations into Southern China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, USA, UK and Vietnam. Created mobile applications for sales effectiveness and implemented early internet of things ("IoT") devices in the factory for monitoring quality and efficiency with the ERP system. Increased shareholder value by creating professionally managed organization, significantly diversifying customer base and expanding into global markets. Grew sales 38% in 2010 with the opening of offices throughout West and South East Asia. Groomed Chairman’s sons for corporate leadership roles in support of succession planning process. • Enabled corporate success by passing US apparel brand audits. Upgraded manufacturing, supply chain and management processes and systems in 5 China factories. • Added 27 significant Western brand nominations, approving company as supplier. • Grew brand sales 32% despite recession by strategically leveraging the poor economic environment to gain market share from incumbent competitor. • Grew profits 14% by creating a dynamic product pricing method mitigating the negative effects of the highly volatile copper raw material price fluctuations of >300%.

Chief Executive Officer & CTO

2005 - 2008

As turnaround CEO, arrested corporate trajectory of this small cap publicly traded company into bankruptcy, taking the stock price from $0.46 to $2.50: Rebranded venerable name and reinvented business model. Ended 5 years of continuous losses. Crafted and executed international sales and operations turnaround strategy, repositioning firm from $30MM loss in 2004 to EBIT >$2MM in 2006. Delivered threefold share price increase during tenure. Improved profitability 10x; reduced cumulative losses from -$44MM to -$4MM within 2 years. Refinanced $15MM of secured debt in a difficult market for a very distressed company, saving enterprise from foreclosure. • Settled or won 7 pending lawsuits, including class action shareholder litigation to the company’s gain. Led implementation of SOX compliance and recovered $6MM in previously uncollectible receivables. • Slashed annual SD&A expenses 53%. Closed factories in the Americas and moved to outsourcing method in China, significantly improving quality and cost while growing zipper division sales and market share 50%. Opened new sales offices in China, India, Bangladesh and Vietnam to lead growth. • Ignited zipper sales 14% with a single innovation. Invented “Kids Zip,” a safety-driven improvement to children’s ware. • Secured long-term competitive advantage. Created hybrid in-plant sourcing model, achieving industry’s most cost-competitive and best-quality product.