I partner with PE-backed and founder-led businesses to seamlessly integrate acquisitions and elevate operations within six months — preserving culture, sustaining momentum, and unlocking new growth capacity.
My engagements deliver on or above synergy targets, enhance EBITDA, and establish the scalable infrastructure needed for sustained, long-term expansion.
THE PROBLEMS I SOLVE
M&A Integration Risk – Cultural misalignment, duplicated systems, and stalled synergy capture.
Operational Bottlenecks – Inefficiencies that stall growth post-acquisition or during rapid scale.
Leadership Misalignment – Lack of clarity in roles, priorities, and performance metrics.
Delayed ROI – Missed financial and operational targets after strategic investments.
SIGNATURE APPROACH — THE 6R INTEGRATION BLUEPRINT™
Recognize – Identify cultural, operational, and financial risks in the first 30 days.
Realign – Align leadership, teams, and KPIs to the new strategic vision.
Restructure – Remove redundancies and optimize reporting lines.
Resource – Allocate the right people, systems, and capital for quick wins.
Rollout – Execute the integration plan with accountability and clear communication.
Review – Measure, refine, and lock in results for sustained growth.
RECENT ENGAGEMENTS
Software & Systems – 180-day feasibility study for entry into top 10 international markets, including GAP analysis, ROI modeling, and pilot plans.
Boutique Real Estate – CRM and workflow build-out with 3,000-lead integration and automated follow-up campaigns.
3PL Company – Six-month growth strategy targeting D2C, healthcare, and food/beverage sectors for 25% projected revenue lift.
IDEAL ENGAGEMENTS
Post-Merger Integration – Stabilizing and accelerating ROI on acquisitions.
Operational Transformation – Removing growth constraints and improving profitability.
Portfolio Value Creation – Partnering with PE operating teams to protect and grow investment value.
If you’re facing post-acquisition turbulence or scaling challenges, I can deliver a clear path to integration, stability, and growth — fast.
Prior to consulting, Neil served as Head of Product for multiple companies where he led cross-functional teams, built product cultures, and delivered innovation at scale. He’s known for his structured coaching approach, combining OKRs, product operating model frameworks, and leadership development to empower teams and executives alike.
He works hands-on with clients to:
Define product vision and organizational design
Launch pilot teams to demonstrate early wins
Facilitate workshops and leadership alignment sessions
Leave behind customized tools, playbooks, and repeatable practices
The result unlocks organizational potential by improving product competencies and fostering innovation, leaving a lasting legacy of business and financial health
I enjoy exploring emerging trends and technologies, seeking innovative ways to serve my clients.
As a speaker, consultant, trainer, and coach, Jim dedicates his time to sharing his knowledge and skills with other software professionals and organizations. He has a passion for creating and delivering innovative solutions that meet the needs and expectations of customers and stakeholders. Jim has extensive experience in agile methodologies, .NET, and RESTful APIs, and has successfully led and implemented numerous large-scale and complex projects across various domains and platforms.
Proven success leading customer journey innovation, driving 0-1 product launches, and scaling 1-10 platforms to achieve sustainable growth.
Skilled at aligning product strategy with commercial objectives, building high-performing cross-functional teams, and integrating CRM and e-commerce ecosystems to optimize the end-to-end customer experience.
Prior to joining ES&S, Chris was the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington D.C. where he oversaw cybersecurity efforts for the Department. He has held other senior cybersecurity leadership positions in both the public and private sector including the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Research Corporation, and the University of Nebraska.
Chris served with the United States Navy for over 20 years in a variety of leadership positions. He earned his master's degree from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Science in Technology Education from Southern Illinois University. He also holds a current CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) certification and a Top Secret (TS/SCI) security clearance. Chris is the past Chair of the Election Industry - Subsector Coordinating Council (EI-SCC) and a Federal Advisory Board Emeritus Member for the Dell/EMC Corporation.
I am a Fractional VP of Sales with 25 years of experience driving success in sales, business development, account management, and customer success, particularly in early to mid-stage startups. Proficient in product-market fit, go-to-market strategy, organizational design, sales processes, and cross-functional alignment. My career highlights include contributing to seven acquisitions, two IPOs, and leading a revenue-focused team with an eight-figure quota.
I am passionate about helping early-stage software companies build and scale their sales function—whether it’s getting to their first repeatable sales motion, closing more enterprise deals, or setting up the right sales process to hit their next growth milestone. For startups that aren’t ready for a full-time VP of Sales but need senior-level expertise, I step in as a fractional VP of Sales to accelerate revenue and build a foundation for long-term success.
• Over 20 years of progressive finance & accounting experience in public, private equity, and non-profit environments.
• Escalated leadership responsibilities to include M&A, Human Resources, IT, Network Administration, Legal, Pricing & Solutions, Risk Management, Executive Training Program, and Safety.
• Start-Up success within my personal and professional development including real estate investment, treasury and banking relations, small business financial management, and private equity fundraising.
Lessons, Insights:
• Possesses a diverse background in Finance & Accounting beginning in multiple publicly traded corporations, most recently in a private equity corporation. In both types of organizations there have been acquisitions, treasury, human resources, and general accounting and finance struggles. The key is that I have learned that most organizations, regardless of the industry, possess very similar challenges and resolution strategies.
• Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside differing leadership styles. I have crafted my version of a blended leadership style that incorporates emotional intelligence and accountability.
• With my comprehensive experience, I have been afforded the ability to work closely with many types of personalities. I have led teams of human resource professionals, IT experts, attorneys, CPAs, analysts, and executives. In learning to read the audience, per se, I have devised the ability to communicate in a manner that results in successful outcomes.
It has always been a goal of mine to engage with other companies, help them succeed, and collaborate using my diverse skillset while engaging with their leadership team. Understanding that I can aid companies to meet their goals is my driving force to work as a fractional executive. Ultimately, I will continue to learn and leave something of value behind.
Most recently, Rich served as VP of North America Enterprise Sales at RingCentral, a leading provider of SaaS-based Communications, Contact Center and AI solutions.
During Rich’s tenure, RingCentral’s overall revenue grew from $900 million to $2.4 billion, while Rich’s GTM strategy and leadership solidified RingCentral as a leading provider in the Enterprise market.
Previously, Rich was a key member of the executive sales leadership team at Equinix that grew overall annual revenues from $2.1 billion to $5.6 billion. He led the Financial Services vertical team that became the dominant co-location partner for the world’s leading electronic trading platforms, and then led Equinix’s largest geographic region by revenue.
Beyond his considerable impact on growth, Rich is known for building high-performing teams and cultivating strong, results-oriented cultures. His collaborative leadership style and strategic clarity have earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor and executive partner.
Today, Rich leads O'Dea Advisory Group, a firm focused on sales consulting, fractional sales leadership and executive advisory services. Rich utilizes his considerable experience and insight to help organizations accelerate growth, improve execution and navigate critical inflection points with confidence.
What are we trying to build here — and not?
What exactly are we hoping to achieve?
What is our plan to do this?
How will we know that 1) we're working our plan, and 2) our plan is working?
As a data-driven, customer-centric, and financially savvy executive leader, I thrive on uncovering and systematizing solutions that drive growth and innovation.
My passion lies in scaling B2B and B2G tech companies, particularly in the law enforcement, public safety, and investigative software space. I’ve helped transform organizations like PenLink into industry leaders by developing and executing product strategies and revenue growth initiatives. Whether through strategic mergers, pioneering product development, or optimizing marketing and sales processes, I focus on driving meaningful impact.
I excel at recruiting top talent, mechanizing marketing, and analyzing market trends to meet evolving customer needs. A natural storyteller and rapport builder, I am committed to developing tools that help public safety agencies make informed, impactful decisions.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
• Product and Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy & Execution
• Data-Driven Decision-Making & Insights
• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Integration
• Continuous Process Improvement
• Software Product Management & Development
• Financial Analysis, Modeling & Forecasting
• Team Building & Leadership
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES: Salesforce, Pardot, ProdPad, Azure DevOps Services, Jira
I thrive in ambiguity, operate with founder-level ownership, and work across product, engineering, and GTM with equal ease.
I am now looking to take on a Product / Solution leadership or EIR style role within an early or growth-stage team — helping shape product strategy, drive execution, and solve high-leverage, cross-functional problems.
Learn more how we can help
Connect with us for a free consultation!