The Team
Louis Kolssak aka ‘The Architect’
Background
- Hometown: Winnetka, Illinois
- Major League Experience: Deloitte (Consulting), McKesson (Health IT), AmericanEagle.com (Ecommerce)
- Primary Positions Played: General Manager, Product Manager, Corporate Strategist, Management Consultant
- Small Business/Consulting Experience: 25+ years
Career Highlights
- Chicago-born; raised in a small business family
- Industrial Engineering degree from Purdue; MBA from the University of Chicago
- 15+ years in management consulting (Deloitte, Sg2, TURNkey)
- 10+ years in general management, product management, operations and strategy
- Execution-oriented consultant; results-oriented; knows how to “get things done”
- Enjoys hiking, sailing, playing bass and coaching speech & debate
Placement Examples
- Business Growth – developing new offerings and sales channels
- Ecommerce – growth & capability strategies, execution roadmaps
- Operations Management – assessing, streamlining and fixing under-performing businesses
- Available for Fractional Roles in Strategy, Operations & General Management
Jim T. aka 'Jimmy the Fixer'
Background
- Hometown: Mundelein, Illinois
- Major League Experience: Blackline Athletic (Owner/Operator), National Safety Council, NCH Marketing Services, Experian Direct Tech
- Primary Positions Played: Small Business Owner, Marketing Director, Business Development Director
- Small Business/Consulting Experience: 25+ years
Career Highlights
- Chicago-born small business owner
- Columbia College Chicago (BA, Business Communications)
- Certifications in Sports Medicine (NASM) and Operant Conditioning (CSCS)
- Owner & primary operator of Blackline Athletic, LLC (Sports Performance & Fitness Training, Rehabilitation)
- 15+ years in Marketing & Business Development, including strategy, branding, Ecommerce, analytics, direct mail and marketing consulting
- Enjoys the outdoors, working on classic autos and being a dad
Placement Examples
- Analytics/Consulting - utilizing data mining and metrics analysis to present efficient/cost effective solutions, increasing revenues via re-directing strategies
- Marketing - Building persuasive campaigns while providing clear sense solutions that influence decision-makers
- Available for Fractional Roles in Marketing, Ecommerce, and Business Development
Paul K. aka ‘Numbers’
Background
- Hometown: Westmont, Illinois
- Major League Experience: Wells Fargo (Stock Analyst), Turnkeough (Consulting & Wealth Management)
- Primary Positions Played: Business Development, VP of Sales, CFO, CMO, Strategy Lead, Financial Advisor
- Small Business/Consulting Experience: 20+ years
Career Highlights
- Upstate NY-born; raised in a small hamlet Blodgett Mills
- PhD Health Sciences from Northwestern U, Evanston; MBA from U of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- 14 years in strategy consulting (Turnkeough)
- 8 years in general management, market research, and strategy
- Scientific, data driven, market research, financial analysis
- Enjoys biking, swimming, reading, and coaching chess
Placement Examples
- Market Research – surveying customers, key stakeholders to improve products/services
- Financial Analysis – understanding ratios to improve financial health, proforma forecasting
- Strategic Planning – developing a 5-year strategic plan
- Available for Fractional Roles in Marketing, Finance and Strategy
David Kolssak aka “The Rainmaker”
Background
- Hometown: Wheeling, Illinois
- Major League Experience: Kolssak Funeral Home, TURNkey IT (25+ years)
- Minor League Experience: LA Acura, Santa Monica Lincoln, Gladstones 4 Fish, Marriott Hotels
- Primary Positions Played: Guy with Vision, Charming Aggressor, Conversation Steering
- Small Business/Consulting Experience: 25+ years
Career Highlights
- Chicago-born; lives 100 feet from his childhood home & first business venture
- BS in Management (Purdue University), Funeral Director/Embalmer (Worsham Mortuary College), Business Owner’s MBA (from the University of Life)
- 25+ years of running several small businesses handling all aspects of business including Sales / Marketing, Operations, Finance, Light Bulb Changing, General Building Maintenance (you name it)
- Born to sell. Sold gum at softball games (age 5), replica miniature guns (11), automobiles (20) and business services (since the 1990’s)
- Founded TURNkey at age 26
- Enjoys being a husband and father and vacationing near the water (and the sun) in Wisconsin (Green Lake) and in Mexico (Punta Mita)
- Favorite restaurant: Bob Chinn’s Crabhouse
Placement Examples
- Business Strategy – developing & advising on business growth and strategy
- Deal Maker – loves to broker creative business relationships
- Red Pill Pharmacist – with a seemingly unlimited supply, if you’re willing to talk
Joe D. aka ‘The Coach’
Background
- Hometown: Hinckley, Illinois
- Major League Experience: Deloitte (Audit), Honeywell (Executive Coaching), State Farm (Executive Coaching)
- Primary Positions Played: CFO, COO, General Manager
- Small Business/Consulting Experience: 25+ years
Career Highlights
- Minnesota-born; raised throughout the Midwest
- Economics & Accounting degree from University of Illinois
- 15+ years in executive coaching/consulting
- 10+ years in accounting/finance management and operations management
- Results-oriented and strengths-based coach; Collaborative leader; strategic facilitator, practical; team builder
- Enjoys being a father and grandfather, being outdoors, hiking, and public speaking
Placement Examples
- Leader Development – identifying & developing new-to-role and high potential leaders
- Organization Design – streamlining leadership teams; defining & executing business objectives
- Available for Fractional Roles in Operations & General Management