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
You must have clarity of what you do and where you compete best is integral to creating scalable growing results.
PRINCIPALS
Jane Gentry
Randy Walton - CEPA
CEO AND MANAGING PARTNER
Bill Hicks
SENIOR SALES AND STRATEGY PARTNER
Senior Consulting Partner
Colonel Brian Ferguson
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
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
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."