Passion. Experience. Diligence
ABOUT THE WALTON GROUP
Keep your promises!
To partner with leaders as they pursue their personal vision so they will experience the full joy of successful leadership and maximize the enterprise value of their organization
MISSION
It doesn't matter what you know, the magic is getting others to embrace change
It isn't all about you
Creating success for others creates the right kind of success for you
You can always learn
Remember to rest
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE WALTON GROUP
VALUES
"If you want to build a ship, don't summon people to buy wood, prepare tools, distribute jobs, and organize the work, rather teach people the yearning for the wide boundless ocean."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Develop your leaders
Succession and transition planning
Organizational design
Establishing improved governance functions
Maximizing company valuation and preparation for sale
Manage change
Innovate new ways to compete and create breakthrough valuation growth
How do we do it?
The magic is getting others to want to do what we need them to do.
What should we do?
two core questions
Know your key competitive capabilities
Understanding and developing a unique selling proposition
Develop new business models
Improve delivery capability
Develop useful strategic plans
Grow top line revenue
Clarity of what you do and where you compete best is integral to creating scalable growing results.
PRINCIPALS
Jane Gentry
Jeff Stinson
Principal Consultant
Rick Cazenave
SENIOR SALES AND STRATEGY PARTNER
Principal Consultant
- Manufacturing
Colonel Brian Ferguson
SENIOR CONSULTING PARTNER
Randy Walton - CEPA
CEO AND MANAGING PARTNER
Mark Fikse
Senior Consulting Partner
Jay Whitmer
Principal Consultant
Laura Guary
Principal Consultant
Roger Franklin
principal consultant
Bob Vanderhoff
principal consultant
Chuck Ginocchio
principal consultant
Bill Hicks
Senior Consulting Partner
PRINCIPALS
Randy Walton - CEPA
CEO AND MANAGING PARTNER
A highly sought after speaker, consultant, and leadership expert, Randy Walton has been challenging the norms of business thought for over 25 years. Randy is a pioneer in developing compelling and profitable market strategies through the use of a unique, core value assessment process. He has extensive experience in corporate strategic planning, operations management, marketing, technology operations, business consulting, and organizational leadership. Mr. Walton works and travels extensively throughout North America and Western Europe mentoring and advising senior leaders and executive teams. He is also a Certified Exit Planner.
"Roadmap to Remarkable"
"Enhancing Your Business Value... The Climb To The Top... Smart Strategies for a Successful Expedition"
“Hidden in Plain Sight - the Communications Secrets You're Just Not Seeing”
Information Technology – as CIO repositioned one of Atlanta’s premiere technology consulting firms to lead the marketplace in the delivery of web based application development skills.
Market Services – Developed strategic long-term technology driven market positioning plan for a leading $1.5 billion worldwide market research organization.
ECommerce – Developed eCommerce business model for premier leadership and publishing organization allowing for first time ever profitability for Internet division.
Marketing Services – served as a strategic advisor and positioning consulting to many of Atlanta’s premiere technology start up companies and one of Atlanta’s premiere business accelerators.
Marketing Communications - successfully architected numerous corporate wide brand development initiatives and resulting marketing communications programs for technology, mass market, and industry clients.
Strategic Planning - led strategic planning initiative for division of $7 billion multi-national firm to review key operational processes and re-develop those processes to address significant market presentation risk.
Mergers and Acquisitions – successfully facilitated acquisition of the internet division of one of the largest public insurance companies in United States.
Allied Development - Board Chairman
National land acquisition, development, and real estate speculation company operating in 12 states
Codelitt Software - Board Member, Compensation Committee
International custom software development
Randy currently serves on several boards and advisory groups including Refuge Coffee (Board Chairman), ROI Ministry, Oxford House Research, and Groundwire.net (Board Chairman).
When he isn't working with client companies and leaders you can find Randy flying airplanes, obsessing over great food, collecting wine, or sailing
board governance
He is the co-author of
Key accomplishments
personal
TEAM
community
A highly sought after speaker, consultant, and leadership expert, Randy Walton has been challenging the norms of business thought for over 25 years. Randy is a pioneer in developing compelling and profitable market strategies through the use of a unique, core value assessment process. He has extensive experience in corporate strategic planning, operations management, marketing, technology operations, business consulting, and organizational leadership. Mr. Walton works and travels extensively throughout North America and Western Europe mentoring and advising senior leaders and executive teams. He is also a Certified Exit Planner.
"Roadmap to Remarkable"
"Enhancing Your Business Value... The Climb To The Top... Smart Strategies for a Successful Expedition"
“Hidden in Plain Sight”
Information Technology – as CIO repositioned one of Atlanta’s premiere technology consulting firms to lead the marketplace in the delivery of web based application development skills.
Market Services – Developed strategic long-term technology driven market positioning plan for a leading $1.5 billion worldwide market research organization.
ECommerce – Developed eCommerce business model for premier leadership and publishing organization allowing for first time ever profitability for Internet division.
Marketing Services – served as a strategic advisor and positioning consulting to many of Atlanta’s premiere technology start up companies and one of Atlanta’s premiere business accelerators.
Marketing Communications - successfully architected numerous corporate wide brand development initiatives and resulting marketing communications programs for technology, mass market, and industry clients.
Strategic Planning - led strategic planning initiative for division of $7 billion multi-national firm to review key operational processes and re-develop those processes to address significant market presentation risk.
Mergers and Acquisitions – successfully facilitated acquisition of the internet division of one of the largest public insurance companies in United States.
Allied Development - Board Chairman
National land acquisition, development, and real estate speculation company operating in 12 states
Codelitt Software - Board Member, Compensation Committee
International custom software development
Randy currently serves on several boards and advisory groups including Refuge Coffee (Board Chairman), ROI Ministry, Oxford House Research, and Groundwire.net (Board Chairman).
When he isn't working with client companies and leaders you can find Randy flying airplanes, obsessing over great food, collecting wine, or sailing
PRINCIPALS
Mark Fikse
Senior Consulting Partner
Mark Fikse is a serial founder, CEO, and private equity operator who has spent more than 35 years building, scaling, and advising middle-market and Fortune 500 companies. He has led two $800+ million building services companies as President and CEO, raised more than $1 billion of debt and equity capital, and been directly involved in over 100 mergers and acquisitions. As a private equity executive he has performed due diligence, led acquisitions, and held both strategic and operational oversight roles, with direct board experience across more than fifteen middle-market portfolio companies.
Mark partners with Walton Group clients on the inflection-point decisions where he has spent his career: institutional capital raises, platform consolidation through M&A, board governance, CEO succession, and the multi-generational work of professionalizing founder-led and family-owned businesses. He brings particular focus to families navigating ownership transitions and the development of next-generation operators. Having sat on every side of those conversations — founder, operator, board director, and PE investor — he brings counsel that is both strategically rigorous and personally honest about what creating and maximizing enterprise value actually requires.
In addition to his work with The Walton Group, Mark is a Principal at Longhorn Investments, a direct private real estate lender with $450+ million of assets under management. He joined Longhorn in 2024 after merging into the firm SkyBeam Capital, the Atlanta-based private real estate lender he founded in 2019 and grew to $85+ million in AUM. Mark serves as an active advisor on capital raising and strategy for the combined platform.
Founding & Scaling — Founded Interior Logic Group in 2013 and grew it from a single platform acquisition to $1.7 billion in revenue, 4,600+ employees, and locations across 29 states in under six years. The scaled enterprise was sold to Blackstone for $1.6 billion in 2021; the initial sponsor exit delivered a 3.2x MOIC and 45% IRR.
Mergers & Acquisitions — Led 100+ M&A transactions across his career — including the eleven acquisitions and the strategic merger that created the industry leader at Interior Logic Group, and operational due diligence on 20+ portfolio investments at American Capital representing more than $3 billion of invested capital.
Capital Raising & IPO Readiness — Raised over $1 billion of debt and equity capital, including $550+ million across multiple private equity sponsors at Interior Logic Group and the first Term Loan B structure in the industry vertical. Drafted the initial S-1 filing in preparation for a potential public offering.
Family Business & Generational Transitions — Decades of experience advising owners through the financial, operational, and personal dimensions of generational transitions — recapitalizing, professionalizing, or passing a business to the next generation. Practical perspective on estate, trust, and legacy planning, with a deep interest in mentoring next-generation operators.
Distribution P&L Leadership — As President of the Southeast division of Stock Building Supply (a $1 billion building materials distributor), led the $260 million P&L through a period of significant growth and margin expansion: 25%+ sales growth in 2012, $8 million in incremental operating profit, and market share gains in 5 of 6 markets.
Building & Construction Services — As President of Home Depot Supply's Creative Touch Interiors, scaled the business from $300 million in acquired sales and 15 branches to 33 branches across 15 states, $800+ million in annualized sales, and 2,600 associates — growing 35% per year through organic growth, integration of six acquisitions, and 12 greenfield branch openings.
Corporate Strategy — Recruited to The Home Depot to lead the 15-person internal corporate strategy group, reporting to the EVP of Business Development, Strategy & Corporate Operations, with responsibility for acquisitions, new business development, and major performance improvement programs across the $76 billion retailer.
Private Equity Operating — As Operating Partner at American Capital, Ltd. (NASDAQ: ACAS), supported 20+ middle-market portfolio investments and served as director or advisor on 10+ portfolio company boards across building products, healthcare, distribution, and consumer services.
Culture & Leadership — Built the values-based “Remarkable” operating culture at Interior Logic Group that became a hallmark of the firm's market reputation — retaining over 90% of acquired sales force talent and reducing turnover from 30% to 20% in a notoriously high-churn industry.
Strategic Consulting — As Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company and Managing Director at Blue Ridge Partners, advised senior management of manufacturing, distribution, consumer products, financial services, and retail clients on strategy, sales force effectiveness, channel management, and pricing analytics.
Mark has served on the boards of more than fifteen middle-market portfolio companies as a director or advisor. Selected roles include:
M.B.A., Duke University — The Fuqua School of Business
B.A., Business Administration / Accounting, Hope College (Holland, Michigan)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Mark and his wife Sally have been married for more than 36 years and live in the Atlanta area. They have triplets (a son and two daughters) and a daughter-in-law, and serve actively in their church, where they enjoy leading pre-marital counseling. Outside of work he enjoys traveling, boating, and mentoring the next generation of operators on business strategy and transitions and legacy planning.
Mark partners with Walton Group clients on the inflection-point decisions where he has spent his career: institutional capital raises, platform consolidation through M&A, board governance, CEO succession, and the multi-generational work of professionalizing founder-led and family-owned businesses. He brings particular focus to families navigating ownership transitions and the development of next-generation operators. Having sat on every side of those conversations — founder, operator, board director, and PE investor — he brings counsel that is both strategically rigorous and personally honest about what creating and maximizing enterprise value actually requires.
In addition to his work with The Walton Group, Mark is a Principal at Longhorn Investments, a direct private real estate lender with $450+ million of assets under management. He joined Longhorn in 2024 after merging into the firm SkyBeam Capital, the Atlanta-based private real estate lender he founded in 2019 and grew to $85+ million in AUM. Mark serves as an active advisor on capital raising and strategy for the combined platform.
Founding & Scaling — Founded Interior Logic Group in 2013 and grew it from a single platform acquisition to $1.7 billion in revenue, 4,600+ employees, and locations across 29 states in under six years. The scaled enterprise was sold to Blackstone for $1.6 billion in 2021; the initial sponsor exit delivered a 3.2x MOIC and 45% IRR.
Mergers & Acquisitions — Led 100+ M&A transactions across his career — including the eleven acquisitions and the strategic merger that created the industry leader at Interior Logic Group, and operational due diligence on 20+ portfolio investments at American Capital representing more than $3 billion of invested capital.
Capital Raising & IPO Readiness — Raised over $1 billion of debt and equity capital, including $550+ million across multiple private equity sponsors at Interior Logic Group and the first Term Loan B structure in the industry vertical. Drafted the initial S-1 filing in preparation for a potential public offering.
Family Business & Generational Transitions — Decades of experience advising owners through the financial, operational, and personal dimensions of generational transitions — recapitalizing, professionalizing, or passing a business to the next generation. Practical perspective on estate, trust, and legacy planning, with a deep interest in mentoring next-generation operators.
Distribution P&L Leadership — As President of the Southeast division of Stock Building Supply (a $1 billion building materials distributor), led the $260 million P&L through a period of significant growth and margin expansion: 25%+ sales growth in 2012, $8 million in incremental operating profit, and market share gains in 5 of 6 markets.
Building & Construction Services — As President of Home Depot Supply's Creative Touch Interiors, scaled the business from $300 million in acquired sales and 15 branches to 33 branches across 15 states, $800+ million in annualized sales, and 2,600 associates — growing 35% per year through organic growth, integration of six acquisitions, and 12 greenfield branch openings.
Corporate Strategy — Recruited to The Home Depot to lead the 15-person internal corporate strategy group, reporting to the EVP of Business Development, Strategy & Corporate Operations, with responsibility for acquisitions, new business development, and major performance improvement programs across the $76 billion retailer.
Private Equity Operating — As Operating Partner at American Capital, Ltd. (NASDAQ: ACAS), supported 20+ middle-market portfolio investments and served as director or advisor on 10+ portfolio company boards across building products, healthcare, distribution, and consumer services.
Culture & Leadership — Built the values-based “Remarkable” operating culture at Interior Logic Group that became a hallmark of the firm's market reputation — retaining over 90% of acquired sales force talent and reducing turnover from 30% to 20% in a notoriously high-churn industry.
Strategic Consulting — As Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company and Managing Director at Blue Ridge Partners, advised senior management of manufacturing, distribution, consumer products, financial services, and retail clients on strategy, sales force effectiveness, channel management, and pricing analytics.
Mark has served on the boards of more than fifteen middle-market portfolio companies as a director or advisor. Selected roles include:
- Mosaic Companies, LLC (2019 – 2025) — The Baupost Group portfolio investment in specialty wall and floor tile distribution and retail, including Surfaces, Walker Zanger, and Opustone.
- Interior Logic Group, Inc. — $1.7 billion private-equity-backed national design center and construction services platform; Founder, President & CEO and board member through 2019.
- Southern Sales & Marketing / Southern Patio — Multi-subsidiary garden products manufacturer; participated in strategic evaluations leading to the sale of Southern Patio to Griffon Corp. (NYSE: GFF).
- Affordable Care — America's largest provider of dental practice management and on-site denture laboratories, supporting 140+ Affordable Dentures-affiliated practices.
- American Driveline — Franchisor for 1,000+ AAMCO Transmissions and Cottman Transmissions locations.
- Evans Analytical Group — Worldwide micro-analytical surface testing company.
- WIS International — Leading global provider of inventory management services to over 7,000 retail customers.
- Marina Medical Billing Services — Leading revenue cycle management provider for emergency room physician practices.
- Redwood Toxicology — Diagnostic drug testing laboratory and on-site test distributor serving medical, correctional, probation, and rehabilitation markets.
- Additional past directorships — TriLink Saw Chain; The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies; Velocity Financial Group; New Starcom Holdings; The Meadows of Wickenburg; Pan Am International Flight Academy.
M.B.A., Duke University — The Fuqua School of Business
B.A., Business Administration / Accounting, Hope College (Holland, Michigan)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Mark and his wife Sally have been married for more than 36 years and live in the Atlanta area. They have triplets (a son and two daughters) and a daughter-in-law, and serve actively in their church, where they enjoy leading pre-marital counseling. Outside of work he enjoys traveling, boating, and mentoring the next generation of operators on business strategy and transitions and legacy planning.
board governance
Key accomplishments
personal
education & credentials
Mark Fikse is a serial founder, CEO, and private equity operator who has spent more than 35 years building, scaling, and advising middle-market and Fortune 500 companies. He has led two $800+ million building services companies as President and CEO, raised more than $1 billion of debt and equity capital, and been directly involved in over 100 mergers and acquisitions. As a private equity executive he has performed due diligence, led acquisitions, and held both strategic and operational oversight roles, with direct board experience across more than fifteen middle-market portfolio companies.
Mark partners with Walton Group clients on the inflection-point decisions where he has spent his career: institutional capital raises, platform consolidation through M&A, board governance, CEO succession, and the multi-generational work of professionalizing founder-led and family-owned businesses. He brings particular focus to families navigating ownership transitions and the development of next-generation operators. Having sat on every side of those conversations — founder, operator, board director, and PE investor — he brings counsel that is both strategically rigorous and personally honest about what creating and maximizing enterprise value actually requires.
In addition to his work with The Walton Group, Mark is a Principal at Longhorn Investments, a direct private real estate lender with $450+ million of assets under management. He joined Longhorn in 2024 after merging into the firm SkyBeam Capital, the Atlanta-based private real estate lender he founded in 2019 and grew to $85+ million in AUM. Mark serves as an active advisor on capital raising and strategy for the combined platform.
Founding & Scaling — Founded Interior Logic Group in 2013 and grew it from a single platform acquisition to $1.7 billion in revenue, 4,600+ employees, and locations across 29 states in under six years. The scaled enterprise was sold to Blackstone for $1.6 billion in 2021; the initial sponsor exit delivered a 3.2x MOIC and 45% IRR.
Mergers & Acquisitions — Led 100+ M&A transactions across his career — including the eleven acquisitions and the strategic merger that created the industry leader at Interior Logic Group, and operational due diligence on 20+ portfolio investments at American Capital representing more than $3 billion of invested capital.
Capital Raising & IPO Readiness — Raised over $1 billion of debt and equity capital, including $550+ million across multiple private equity sponsors at Interior Logic Group and the first Term Loan B structure in the industry vertical. Drafted the initial S-1 filing in preparation for a potential public offering.
Family Business & Generational Transitions — Decades of experience advising owners through the financial, operational, and personal dimensions of generational transitions — recapitalizing, professionalizing, or passing a business to the next generation. Practical perspective on estate, trust, and legacy planning, with a deep interest in mentoring next-generation operators.
Distribution P&L Leadership — As President of the Southeast division of Stock Building Supply (a $1 billion building materials distributor), led the $260 million P&L through a period of significant growth and margin expansion: 25%+ sales growth in 2012, $8 million in incremental operating profit, and market share gains in 5 of 6 markets.
Building & Construction Services — As President of Home Depot Supply's Creative Touch Interiors, scaled the business from $300 million in acquired sales and 15 branches to 33 branches across 15 states, $800+ million in annualized sales, and 2,600 associates — growing 35% per year through organic growth, integration of six acquisitions, and 12 greenfield branch openings.
Corporate Strategy — Recruited to The Home Depot to lead the 15-person internal corporate strategy group, reporting to the EVP of Business Development, Strategy & Corporate Operations, with responsibility for acquisitions, new business development, and major performance improvement programs across the $76 billion retailer.
Private Equity Operating — As Operating Partner at American Capital, Ltd. (NASDAQ: ACAS), supported 20+ middle-market portfolio investments and served as director or advisor on 10+ portfolio company boards across building products, healthcare, distribution, and consumer services.
Culture & Leadership — Built the values-based “Remarkable” operating culture at Interior Logic Group that became a hallmark of the firm's market reputation — retaining over 90% of acquired sales force talent and reducing turnover from 30% to 20% in a notoriously high-churn industry.
Strategic Consulting — As Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company and Managing Director at Blue Ridge Partners, advised senior management of manufacturing, distribution, consumer products, financial services, and retail clients on strategy, sales force effectiveness, channel management, and pricing analytics.
Mark has served on the boards of more than fifteen middle-market portfolio companies as a director or advisor. Selected roles include:
- Mosaic Companies, LLC (2019 – 2025) — The Baupost Group portfolio investment in specialty wall and floor tile distribution and retail, including Surfaces, Walker Zanger, and Opustone.
- Interior Logic Group, Inc. — $1.7 billion private-equity-backed national design center and construction services platform; Founder, President & CEO and board member through 2019.
- Southern Sales & Marketing / Southern Patio — Multi-subsidiary garden products manufacturer; participated in strategic evaluations leading to the sale of Southern Patio to Griffon Corp. (NYSE: GFF).
- Affordable Care — America's largest provider of dental practice management and on-site denture laboratories, supporting 140+ Affordable Dentures-affiliated practices.
- American Driveline — Franchisor for 1,000+ AAMCO Transmissions and Cottman Transmissions locations.
- Evans Analytical Group — Worldwide micro-analytical surface testing company.
- WIS International — Leading global provider of inventory management services to over 7,000 retail customers.
- Marina Medical Billing Services — Leading revenue cycle management provider for emergency room physician practices.
- Redwood Toxicology — Diagnostic drug testing laboratory and on-site test distributor serving medical, correctional, probation, and rehabilitation markets.
- Additional past directorships — TriLink Saw Chain; The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies; Velocity Financial Group; New Starcom Holdings; The Meadows of Wickenburg; Pan Am International Flight Academy.
M.B.A., Duke University — The Fuqua School of Business
B.A., Business Administration / Accounting, Hope College (Holland, Michigan)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Mark and his wife Sally have been married for more than 36 years and live in the Atlanta area. They have triplets (a son and two daughters) and a daughter-in-law, and serve actively in their church, where they enjoy leading pre-marital counseling. Outside of work he enjoys traveling, boating, and mentoring the next generation of operators on business strategy and transitions and legacy planning.
TEAM
PRINCIPALS
Bill Hicks
Senior Consulting Partner
Bill Hicks is an award-winning business leader with 25+ years of CxO experience. This includes 13 years as a Chief Information Officer and 13 years as a Chief Relationship Officer, where he has excelled at driving client growth, retention, renewals, and referenceability. Renowned for his ability to bridge technology, strategy, and customer relationships to create a lasting impact, his expertise spans strategic leadership, revenue growth, customer retention, and operational excellence, making him a sought-after leader in the industry.
His expertise spans strategic leadership, revenue growth, customer retention, and
organizational efficiency, making him a sought-after leader in the industry.
The Leadership Manifesto : Eight Steps for Professional Development
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) - Designed and implemented customer engagement strategies, increasing client retention by 25%. Improved customer retention from 92% to 97% by enhancing a culture of reference-ability and customer engagement.
Team Development and Leadership - Mentored and developed 15 high-potential leaders, allowing for 200% team growth over 24 months. Fostered a culture of collaboration and innovation, increasing team engagement by 10% to create the most engaged team in the organization.
Strategic Leadership - Added sales role to a customer success department that added 20% of overall sales to the company while increasing expenses by only 5%. Developed and executed strategic initiatives resulting in 10% annual revenue growth.
Revenue Growth and Technology Innovation - Launched SaaS platforms that boosted client engagement by migrating profitability from negative 5% to positive 50% over 5 years. Exceeded sales targets for nine years while maintaining 96% customer retention.
Operational Excellence - Launched a tax filing business that increased revenue by 10% and created a tax float function that added 3% to the bottom line. Implemented online le
Chair & Advisory Board Member | Florida State University Organizational
Effectiveness Institute
Strategic Advisor | HCM Unlocked
Limited Partner | Big Sky Capital VC
Certificate in Private Company Governance | Private Directors Association
Bill’s passions are spending time with his family, traveling, and being outdoors, whether golfing, fishing, or simply enjoying life.
author of
Board governance
TEAM
The Leadership Manifesto : Eight Steps for Professional Development
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) - Designed and implemented customer engagement strategies, increasing client retention by 25%. Improved customer retention from 92% to 97% by enhancing a culture of reference-ability and customer engagement.
Team Development and Leadership - Mentored and developed 15 high-potential leaders, allowing for 200% team growth over 24 months. Fostered a culture of collaboration and innovation, increasing team engagement by 10% to create the most engaged team in the organization.
Strategic Leadership - Added sales role to a customer success department that added 20% of overall sales to the company while increasing expenses by only 5%. Developed and executed strategic initiatives resulting in 10% annual revenue growth.
Revenue Growth and Technology Innovation - Launched SaaS platforms that boosted client engagement by migrating profitability from negative 5% to positive 50% over 5 years. Exceeded sales targets for nine years while maintaining 96% customer retention.
Operational Excellence - Launched a tax filing business that increased revenue by 10% and created a tax float function that added 3% to the bottom line. Implemented online le
Bill’s passions are spending time with his family, traveling, and being outdoors, whether golfing, fishing, or simply enjoying life.
Key Accomplishments
Bill Hicks is an award-winning business leader with 25+ years of CxO experience. This includes 13 years as a Chief Information Officer and 13 years as a Chief Relationship Officer, where he has excelled at driving client growth, retention, renewals, and referenceability. Renowned for his ability to bridge technology, strategy, and customer relationships to create a lasting impact, his expertise spans strategic leadership, revenue growth, customer retention, and operational excellence, making him a sought-after leader in the industry.
His expertise spans strategic leadership, revenue growth, customer retention, and
organizational efficiency, making him a sought-after leader in the industry.
personal
Chair & Advisory Board Member | Florida State University Organizational
Effectiveness Institute
Strategic Advisor | HCM Unlocked
Limited Partner | Big Sky Capital VC
Certificate in Private Company Governance | Private Directors Association
PRINCIPALS
Colonel Brian Ferguson
SENIOR CONSULTING PARTNER
A Colonel and pilot in the Air Force Reserves with a business background in the mortgage and real estate industry, Brian offers a wealth of insight into leadership, teamwork and client relations. He has a BBA from the University of Georgia and is a graduate of the Core Essential Program of Coach University, an International Coach Federation Accredited Coach Training Program.
Having served as a leader in high risk and combat operations Brian has developed a unique understanding for motivating and managing talent in high stress environments. He has deep experience creating organizational health with an emphasis on developing healthy teams, cross functional communication and influence skills.
Using consultative coaching Brian draws out the skills and talent within those he serves to pave the way for their success. Clients gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses and leverage new awareness to achieve breakthrough performance for themselves and their teams. Brian is certified in the interpretation and use of Leadership Business DNA Assessment and the Judgment Index, an assessment tool measuring values-based judgment, employee engagement, team strengths and leadership development potential.
Leadership – over 25 years Air Force leadership experience, including Flight Commander, Chief of Wing Tactics, Squadron Commander and 22nd Air Force Deputy Director of Operations and Readiness; he brings a unique perspective on the corporate world.
Training – successfully led hiring and training in the service field of corporate aviation. Trusted with training foreign nationals and served as a training instructor in the Air Force Reserves.
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution – effectively negotiated high value real-estate deals assembling multiple sellers into a unified group balancing their desires and buyer needs with municipality requirements.
Culture development – helped multiple organizations develop high performing teams and cross functional communication improving work place morale, organizational health and bottom line results.
Client Relations – strong background in client and customer relations from consumer retail and the mortgage industry to corporate aviation and joint training with foreign nationals.
Married to a wonderful wife and is a proud dad of two great children
Served as a board member for Camp Highland golf and facilitator for Starting Point small group ministry
Golfer, outdoors enthusiast and college football fan
experience
personal
TEAM
Leadership – over 25 years Air Force leadership experience, including Flight Commander, Chief of Wing Tactics, Squadron Commander and 22nd Air Force Deputy Director of Operations and Readiness; he brings a unique perspective on the corporate world.
Training – successfully led hiring and training in the service field of corporate aviation. Trusted with training foreign nationals and served as a training instructor in the Air Force Reserves.
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution – effectively negotiated high value real-estate deals assembling multiple sellers into a unified group balancing their desires and buyer needs with municipality requirements.
Culture development – helped multiple organizations develop high performing teams and cross functional communication improving work place morale, organizational health and bottom line results.
Client Relations – strong background in client and customer relations from consumer retail and the mortgage industry to corporate aviation and joint training with foreign nationals.
A Colonel and pilot in the Air Force Reserves with a business background in the mortgage and real estate industry, Brian offers a wealth of insight into leadership, teamwork and client relations. He has a BBA from the University of Georgia and is a graduate of the Core Essential Program of Coach University, an International Coach Federation Accredited Coach Training Program.
Having served as a leader in high risk and combat operations Brian has developed a unique understanding for motivating and managing talent in high stress environments. He has deep experience creating organizational health with an emphasis on developing healthy teams, cross functional communication and influence skills.
Using consultative coaching Brian draws out the skills and talent within those he serves to pave the way for their success. Clients gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses and leverage new awareness to achieve breakthrough performance for themselves and their teams. Brian is certified in the interpretation and use of Leadership Business DNA Assessment and the Judgment Index, an assessment tool measuring values-based judgment, employee engagement, team strengths and leadership development potential.
Married to a wonderful wife and is a proud dad of two great children
Served as a board member for Camp Highland golf and facilitator for Starting Point small group ministry
Golfer, outdoors enthusiast and college football fan
PRINCIPALS
Jane Gentry
SENIOR SALES AND STRATEGY PARTNER
Jane Gentry has had a successful 30-year career as a CEO, Business Consultant, Executive Coach, Sales Manager, and Keynoter. In 1999, Jane formed her practice where she has partnered with her clients to improve growth, profitability, client retention, employee retention and leadership capabilities.
Jane helps entrepreneurs and senior leaders diagnose and solve gaps and weaknesses enabling profitable growth and improving sales velocity. Even HR leaders bring her in to coach managers on inspirational leadership and using Relational Intelligence to build high-functioning cross generational teams and improve employee engagement.
The world’s most successful organizations have brought Jane on board, including Assurant, The Home Depot, Milliken, Philips, Coca-Cola, Leidos Healthcare, Stryker, GSK, Transamerica, BlueCross Blue Shield and Mercedes-Benz.
Jane is considered one of the top voices in leadership and sales. She has been a guest on numerous podcasts and is a prolific speaker at high-profile meetings from Canada to the Czech Republic. She has been tapped to address topics including “Selling Value” to “Social Intelligence and Your Millennial Sellers” and “Inspirational Leadership”. Audiences and clients have described her as a woman with a vision, energetic and inspiring.
Jane holds a BFA/MFA from Kent State University/ The University of Pittsburgh. She also holds a CPI (Certified Professional Innovator) distinction from GA State University. Earlier in her career she was a professional stage actress. Jane lives in Atlanta, GA.
TEAM
PRINCIPALS
Jeff Stinson
PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
Founding partner at Cleveland Research Company and Revelate Advisory. Jeff served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Research at CRC. Jeff also served as Chief Operating Officer of Apple Growth Partners. Jeff received his BBA from The College of William & Mary and his MBA from Case Western Reserve University.
Community
Jeff is currently Board Chair for Faith & Real Life Ministries and has held previous board roles at True Freedom Ministries and Catapult Ministries.
Personal
Outside the office, Jeff enjoyes spending time outside and taking culinary adventures with his wife Alissa and their three children.
TEAM
PRINCIPALS
Jay Whitmer
principal consultant
Jay Whitmer launched Revelate Advisory in 2019 after moving to Atlanta, GA. As an independent advisor for small/medium business owners, Revelate helps businesses plan, professionalize, scale, prepare for and vet investors, or build a path to exit.
Prior to Revelate, Jay was a founding partner at Cleveland Research that formed in 2006. After writing research for institutional investors for 15 years, Jay helped launch a new business within the business that brought Wall Street to Main Street.
Over the 5 years of building and expanding Market Research, CRC formally partnered with over 250 companies and hosted 50+ events attended by 7,500 executives and senior leaders across the retail and foodservice sectors. Jay also consulted with 25 C-Suite teams over the last five years through requested advisory projects and presentations along with over a dozen trade show keynotes.
Prior to the formation of CRC, Jay was voted to the Independent/Regional All American Research Analyst list by Institutional Investor Magazine for three years in a row and was recognized by The Wall Street Journal in its annual Best on the Street survey as the second ranked analyst in the supermarkets and drugstores industry (2004).
Jay joined the original Midwest Research in 2000 as a Research Associate following the Food/Agribusiness sector and transitioned to Food Retail beginning in 2002 as a Senior Research Analyst. Coverage then expanded to food distribution as well as restaurants in 2003 with over +20 published companies over 15 years as an equity research analyst.
TEAM
PRINCIPALS
Laura Guary
principal consultant
Laura Guary is a seasoned executive, compelling speaker, and results-driven leader who builds high-performing teams and equips emerging leaders to thrive. With over two decades of experience across sales, client relationship management, enablement, marketing, and business intelligence, she’s known for turning complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies and for balancing operational excellence with a people-first approach.
Grounded in servant leadership and fueled by her “live gamefully” mindset, Laura creates cultures of trust, clarity, and courage. Her leadership spans startups and enterprise organizations where she’s driven scalable growth, built impactful systems, and mentored rising talent into roles of greater influence.
As a speaker and adjunct professor, Laura delivers dynamic sessions on strategic communication, curiosity-driven leadership, and high-impact negotiation that drives performance and builds trust. Whether she’s shaping strategy, guiding a new manager, or speaking from the stage, her goal is the same: to build strong teams and empower people with the freedom to fail and the room to rise.
Leadership Development & Coaching: Led initiatives that promoted over 10+ team members into leadership roles, fostering long-term career growth and team excellence.
Training & Enablement: Built and scaled enablement programs that drove consistent 100%+ quota attainment, improved ramp time by 25%, and increased overall rep productivity by 35% through targeted onboarding, sales coaching, and just-in-time training strategies.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Directed a 50+ person cross-functional team across sales, client relationship management, presales, data analytics, and operations. Led the strategy and center of excellence function to drive best practices, streamline processes, and implement scalable solutions.
Operational Strategy: Implemented KPI frameworks and CRM enhancements, resulting in a 25% improvement in forecast accuracy and stronger accountability across revenue-generating teams.
Team Culture & Development: Spearheaded the hiring, onboarding, and performance strategy for new revenue-generating teams, contributing to a 40% increase in revenue and 35% market expansion in a single year. Cultivated a culture of trust, accountability, and high performance across remote and in-office teams.
You can often find Laura enjoying water sports at the lake, leading her community Bible study, and exploring new places through travel with friends and family.
TEAM
PERSONAL
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PRINCIPALS
Rick Cazenave
principal consultant
- Manufacturing
Rick Cazenave started Compass Fractional Manufacturing Management in 2023 in Raleigh, NC. Focused on B2B process manufacturing companies, fractional engagements support enterprise value stabilization or enhancement through holistic order-to-cash strategy and execution changes. Consulting aids clients with focused marketing outlook as well as M&A due diligence for buyers, sellers, or financiers.
Prior to Compass, Rick was an executive and leader in all the various order-to-cash execution functions for publicly traded and private equity owned global process manufacturing companies: Procurement, Operations/Supply Chain, Corporate Marketing/M&A, R&D, Business Marketing, and Sales. Rick participated in all major vertical manufacturing market value chains via work in paper, packaging, chemicals, plastics, additives , and specialty engineered materials.
In the last 15-years, Rick’s responsibilities included regional and global P&L accountability ranging from $200 to over $900 million. Key highlights from those businesses include:
Rick holds a Chemical Engineering Degree (Pulp & Paper Engineering Minor) as well as an MBA from Auburn University. He remains active as a baseball player, fitness weight lifter, and martial arts participant.
Prior to Compass, Rick was an executive and leader in all the various order-to-cash execution functions for publicly traded and private equity owned global process manufacturing companies: Procurement, Operations/Supply Chain, Corporate Marketing/M&A, R&D, Business Marketing, and Sales. Rick participated in all major vertical manufacturing market value chains via work in paper, packaging, chemicals, plastics, additives , and specialty engineered materials.
In the last 15-years, Rick’s responsibilities included regional and global P&L accountability ranging from $200 to over $900 million. Key highlights from those businesses include:
- Stabilized a perennially poor performing integrated downstream business resulting in year-over-year business profitability and 400% increase in businesses integrated value
- Re-strategized a global oligopoly market participant, resulting in 180% EBITDA increase. 50% YOY margin improvement and $2 Billion increase to aggregate market value
- Led complex and regulatory restricted multi-plant/unit operations specialty materials business to 10% YOY increases in EBITDA (5-years), including the 2020 COVID year
TEAM
PRINCIPALS
Bob Vanderhoff
principal consultant
Bob brings 40+ years of global experience in manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and home improvement industry as a CEO, COO, President, and other high level executive positions. Bob has a reputation of providing leadership in change management and turning around the performance of organizations by setting strategies and aligning them with effective tactical methodologies. Bob has had the privilege of working in public, private, family-owned, and private equity owned companies. His ability to lead change on what people and organizations do has been the cornerstone of the success models he has built.
Bob has worked in industries, including OEM’s, capital equipment, manufacturing in wire & cable, equipment for composite industry, solar panels, electrical and industrial wholesale distribution, home improvement industry, carpet cleaning franchise, non-profit, and others. Bob served as CEO of fLEX Standard Solutions, a startup out of the University of Tennessee Knoxville, who created a device that measured the playability of athletic surfaces. The company was sold in May 2025 to a strategic buyer who is bringing the device to the global markets. The sizes of the companies ranged from startups, $40M, $70M, $200M, $250M, $300M, $7B, and $50B which Bob has led or was a part of the executive team.
Bob has served and serves on Board of Directors for companies, trade organizations, and non-profits. He has co-taught a course in Leading Complex Organization in the MBA program at the University of Tennessee.
Currently, Bob is providing consulting services by working with organizations and individuals to solve difficult leadership and execution challenges with a focus on conflict management He serves in the role of a Fractional CEO. Also, he is an executive coach for University of Tennessee Executive and Professional MBA programs and is an Executive- In-Residence with the UTRF (University of Tennessee Research Foundation).
During his career, Bob has worked at Westinghouse, Wesco, AMP, Coleman Cable (now part of Southwire) Industrial Distribution Group, (now part of Vallen USA) Sears Holdings- Sears Home Improvement & Sears Carpet Cleaning franchise business, Argo International, DGI Supply, and Magnum Venus Products.
Bob earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Messiah University and lives in Knoxville, TN.
Bob has worked in industries, including OEM’s, capital equipment, manufacturing in wire & cable, equipment for composite industry, solar panels, electrical and industrial wholesale distribution, home improvement industry, carpet cleaning franchise, non-profit, and others. Bob served as CEO of fLEX Standard Solutions, a startup out of the University of Tennessee Knoxville, who created a device that measured the playability of athletic surfaces. The company was sold in May 2025 to a strategic buyer who is bringing the device to the global markets. The sizes of the companies ranged from startups, $40M, $70M, $200M, $250M, $300M, $7B, and $50B which Bob has led or was a part of the executive team.
Bob has served and serves on Board of Directors for companies, trade organizations, and non-profits. He has co-taught a course in Leading Complex Organization in the MBA program at the University of Tennessee.
Currently, Bob is providing consulting services by working with organizations and individuals to solve difficult leadership and execution challenges with a focus on conflict management He serves in the role of a Fractional CEO. Also, he is an executive coach for University of Tennessee Executive and Professional MBA programs and is an Executive- In-Residence with the UTRF (University of Tennessee Research Foundation).
During his career, Bob has worked at Westinghouse, Wesco, AMP, Coleman Cable (now part of Southwire) Industrial Distribution Group, (now part of Vallen USA) Sears Holdings- Sears Home Improvement & Sears Carpet Cleaning franchise business, Argo International, DGI Supply, and Magnum Venus Products.
Bob earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Messiah University and lives in Knoxville, TN.
TEAM
PRINCIPALS
Chuck Ginocchio
principal consultant
Chuck Ginocchio is a technology executive with over 30 years of experience leading and delivering transformative technology initiatives across Fortune 500 and global companies. He most recently served as the Chief Technology Officer and Transformation Architect for Georgia-Pacific LLC, where he coordinated $2B of ongoing transformation programs, identified $1B+ of value opportunities through digital manufacturing strategies, facilitated $12M in cloud cost optimization, drove enterprise architecture, data strategy, and application modernization efforts. The culmination of these efforts resulted in a reduction of the application footprint by 50%, TCO by over 30%, and accelerating speed-to-value for ongoing delivery efforts. He also sponsored Manufacturing Excellence across Koch Industries, identifying key leverage points and synergies across seven operating companies serving multiple industries. Chuck creates measurable business impact by addressing complex challenges related to innovation, IT excellence, technology strategy, and cost optimization. Prior to Georgia-Pacific, Chuck held various leadership roles in both consulting and corporate environments, including as an interim CIO, leading a large-scale global team spanning five continents for nearly six years, and in various other capacities responsible for strategy through execution, including IT operations. He has worked across multiple industries, largely in Financial Services and Insurance, having delivered the strategic policy platform while at Allstate Insurance that runs its core business to this day. Chuck holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Engineering and lives in Atlanta, GA. He is a travel enthusiast, having driven across and visited the lower 48 states and countless national parks, as well as maintaining a professional blog and multiple other creative social media outlets.
TEAM
PRINCIPALS
Roger Franklin
principal consultant
Roger Franklin is an experienced small business consultant and executive advisor with a career spanning more than three decades of hands-on leadership, operational execution, and strategic growth. He began working in his family’s business at an early age and went on to build his career at Crystal Computer Corporation, where he ultimately became sole owner and CEO. Over the course of his tenure, Mr. Franklin held roles across every functional area of the company, including engineering, operations, sales, marketing, and executive leadership. This breadth of experience provides him with a uniquely practical and comprehensive understanding of how businesses operate at every level. Under his leadership, Crystal achieved significant growth and operational maturity. Revenue increased by a factor of five, the organization scaled substantially, and customer relationships evolved from transactional engagements into long-term strategic partnerships. Key accounts expanded from modest annual contracts into multi-million-dollar recurring revenue relationships. The company was successfully sold at a valuation of 2x revenue and 10x EBITDA. Following the acquisition in 2019, Mr. Franklin remained with the organization for more than six years, serving in senior leadership roles, including General Manager and Chief Strategy Officer. In these roles, he led cross-functional teams, advised across departments, strengthened sales engineering capabilities, and contributed to the company’s strategic direction and execution.
Today, Mr. Franklin works with small and mid-sized business owners to improve performance, strengthen operations, and position their companies for sustainable growth. His areas of focus include cash flow forecasting and management, revenue and pricing models, operational efficiency, customer relationship development, organizational structure, and internal systems and documentation. Mr. Franklin is known for his practical, results-oriented approach. Having personally navigated the challenges of building, scaling, and selling a business, he brings both analytical rigor and real-world perspective to his work. His objective is to help business owners create organizations that operate effectively, scale efficiently, and continue to perform long after an exit. Roger has traveled to 6 continents and enjoys various cultures, wonderful food (as long as it is gluten-free), driving his car on a track, and relaxing on the lake.
Today, Mr. Franklin works with small and mid-sized business owners to improve performance, strengthen operations, and position their companies for sustainable growth. His areas of focus include cash flow forecasting and management, revenue and pricing models, operational efficiency, customer relationship development, organizational structure, and internal systems and documentation. Mr. Franklin is known for his practical, results-oriented approach. Having personally navigated the challenges of building, scaling, and selling a business, he brings both analytical rigor and real-world perspective to his work. His objective is to help business owners create organizations that operate effectively, scale efficiently, and continue to perform long after an exit. Roger has traveled to 6 continents and enjoys various cultures, wonderful food (as long as it is gluten-free), driving his car on a track, and relaxing on the lake.
TEAM
Construction / Engineering / Real Estate
EMJ CORPORATION
INTERIOR LOGIC GROUP
INTERIOR RESOURCE GROUP
QUINTUS CORPORATION
SPECIALTY CONSTRUCTION
SCOTLAND WRIGHT & ASSOCIATES
SOLOMON BUILDERS
CREATURE BUILDS
BACAR CONSTRUCTORS
GARRARD CONSTRUCTION
APOLLO ROOFING
CARTER & ANSLEY
JONES LANG LASALLE
CASSIDY TURLEY
CCL ASSOCIATES
"What really made The Walton Group stand out from any other consulting firm we have worked with was the attention to detail and discovery that went into their engagement with us. They invested time understanding every facet of our business first so that as they guided us through the process they understand our business as well as we do. They are our ‘go to’ partner for solving our difficult problems."