Bio

For more than a quarter century, John has provided his leadership and insights to the CID team and to hundreds of portfolio executives. As a former CEO, John understands the challenges operating executives face and how to solve the most perplexing strategic, human and customer problems. He clearly understands the difference between “helping” and “meddling” and knows how to team up with a CEO to make a company successful. John’s career included ten years at Indiana University, where he established a global consulting practice specializing in organizational change and transitions. He has led growth companies through IPOs, has directed revitalization efforts in stagnant companies and has managed transformation initiatives in many different industries. He is constantly focused on helping good companies become truly great performers. Variety has characterized John’s career, and he is excited and motivated when faced with new opportunities. His annual climb of a 14,000-foot peak in Colorado defines his aggressive personality and determination. That same attitude is visible in his commitment to making CID—and all of CID’s portfolio companies—the best they can become. John has served on over thirty Boards of Directors, has completed over one hundred and fifty transactions, and has led countless strategic organizational change projects. He earned his PhD and MA from the University of Iowa and his BS from Drake University. He has never allowed his academic accomplishments to cloud his objectivity nor change the pragmatic style shaped by growing up on a farm in Iowa.