Robert Gernon – Logistics Co-Practice Leader
Bob has more than 30 years of experience in all modes of transportation. With a particular expertise in TL, LTL, rail, intermodal, ocean and barge, Bob’s client engagements have spanned the globe from the U.S., to Mexico, Africa, China, Europe and beyond. His ability to create unique transportation and network optimization solutions has saved clients in excess of $100mm in annualized transportation costs.
Bob received a Bachelor's degree in biology and a minor in chemistry from the University of Illinois. He also has completed advanced studies in transportation and advanced transportation management at Columbia University. Bob has an Advanced Transportation Management degree from Northwestern University and is an active member of their Transportation Education Committee.
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Louis Ivezaj – Strategic Procurement Practice Leader
Lou has more than 20 years of experience delivering results as a Global Director of Strategic Sourcing for Fortune 200 companies. In addition, he consulted for four years as an expert in leading projects for MRO & direct materials in the automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, packaging and retail industries. He has extensive knowledge of strategic sourcing in Europe and China, as well as less developed economies. Lou has lived abroad and speaks Serb-Croatian, Czech, and Bulgarian. He is certified in Six Sigma (green belt) and lean manufacturing and is kaizen certified. Lou earned a Bachelor's degree in economics from Central Michigan University and an M.B.A. from American InterContinental University in Chicago, Illinois.
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Peter Robinson – Operations Excellence Practice Leader
Peter has more than 21 years of experience working with a diverse range of clients in the U.K., Mainland Europe, the U.S., South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. He is a results-oriented team leader with extensive expertise and implementation experience in the areas of lean manufacturing, lean enterprise, Six Sigma, process reengineering, corporate turnarounds, mergers and acquisitions, change management and organizational performance. Peter is a Six Sigma Black Belt and earned a Bachelor's degree in management from George Mason University. He also has his certification from the Association of Certified Accountants in the U.K.
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John Spears – Leader & Organization Improvement Practice Leader
John is a dynamic leader, trainer, and facilitator with over 14 years of experience consulting in various business segments and the U.S. government. He served as a career officer in the U.S. Army for 26 years in operations and training assignments.
His experience as a facilitator/ trainer spans virtually every major industry including manufacturing, financial services, communications and government. John retired from the U.S. Army as a colonel. He has a Bachelor's degree from The United States Military Academy, an M.B.A. from The Yale School of Management and was a National Security Fellow at Harvard University.
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Bryan Youd – Logistics Co-Practice Leader
Bryan brings more than 25 years of strategy and supply chain experience to his work helping companies achieve break-out performance and market growth. Bryan has consulted with global clients in a broad range of strategy and supply chain engagements, and has broad global experience in the NAFTA, Latin American, European and Asia-Pacific marketplaces. He has also held progressive strategy, operations and finance roles with a Fortune 100 company. Bryan earned a Bachelor's degree in industrial psychology from the University of New Mexico and an M.B.A. with concentrations in finance, strategy and transportation management from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
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Stephen Ottley – Vice President, Analyses
Steve has more than 22 years of industry experience in operations and procurement in The United States, South Africa, and throughout Europe. He has grown two startup consultancies to over 50 staff members. Steve has developed a successful track record in restructuring and optimizing purchasing organizations by using his expertise in strategic procurement and supply chain integration. He also excels in the supplier negotiations, cost reduction programs and the implementation of Lean methodologies.
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Les Vandagriff - Vice President, Data Acquisition and Modeling
Les has been involved in the logistics and information systems field for more than 20 years. His expertise in supply chain analysis and optimization has come from successful engagements with Fortune 1000 clients. Les also has experience in the design and implementation of an automated inventory management system. He holds a BS degree in Business Management, and earned his instructor credentials through the Microsoft Corporation for Microsoft Office programs.
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William Forster – Executive Vice President, United States
Bill has a 25-year track record of success in growing revenue, improving profitability, and redesigning or enhancing operating systems for manufacturing and service-related businesses. He joined Maine Pointe after serving as founder and Chairman of Entirety Management Services. He also founded RSA Wines, Inc. and built and acquired businesses on five continents.
Bill was employed by Chick-fil-A as a field consultant and owner-operator. He has consulted with well-known food industry enterprises such as McDonald’s, Bunge, Domino’s, Smithfield, Pizza Hut, Potash, Wendy’s, Lacca, Cadbury Schweppes and Checkers/ Rally’s. Bill served his country in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Air Force Active Reserves.
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George Saplyvy - Executive Vice President, Canada
George has more than 22 years of experience in executive level leadership roles in industry and in management consulting servicing the high technology, oil & gas and mining sectors on an international level. He brings a wealth of operations and supply chain improvement implementation experience to his clients. In his consulting experience, George has developed a proven track record of success in generating results for global clients in many industries and particularly with oil & gas producers, mining operators and manufacturers.
George has worked across the globe and has lived in Paris, London, Moscow and Kiev. He speaks five languages, has a Bachelor’s Degree from McGill University, a degree in Sciences, as well as several professional certifications and accreditations.
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Craig Speed - Executive Vice President, United States
Craig is a highly accomplished global operating and management executive with proven leadership skills. During his 20 year career, Craig has consulted with leading Fortune 1000 organizations and private equity clients, and has led organizations in a variety of industries, including manufacturing and consulting. Craig is a strategic visionary who is adept at developing innovative solutions to challenges during both economic decline and rapid growth. He is also skilled at establishing operational excellence within culturally diverse environments and translating conceptual models into specific growth strategies to improve customer loyalty, revenues and bottom-line profits. A graduate of Columbia University, Craig is also a Founding Member of the KD Global Talent Development Board at the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University.
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Carl Westwood – Executive Vice President, Europe
Carl has more than 21 years of experience in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, financial services, real estate development and IT services.
Having held senior management positions and lived in the US, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Carl possesses a wealth of knowledge he utilizes to help Maine Pointe’s clients.
As Europe’s Executive Vice President, his goal is to position clients with an aligned and efficient operating model allowing for exponential growth and competitive differentiation. Based in Germany, Carl speaks English and German. He received his MBA from Aston University.
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John Kirk – Chief Operating Officer
John is a highly accomplished and results oriented executive with over 30 years of experience in corporate strategy, outsourcing, process improvement, sales, and CEO coaching. His experience includes leadership roles as a Covansys Vice President, a KPMG Partner, an IBM Corporation Principal, and a Dun & Bradstreet Software Senior Manager. John earned his BS in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee.
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Rosemary McGreevy – Chief Financial Officer
Rosemary has 25 years of combined industry and consulting experience in financial analysis, accounting, and business management primarily for manufacturing businesses.
Rosemary brings consulting experience from Deloitte & Touche, as well as industry knowledge and perspective from her work for a private investment foundation, Educational Testing Services Inc., Oceanspray Cranberries Inc., and Blyth Industries. Rosemary holds Bachelor's degree (Magna cum Laude) and an M.B.A. from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. Rosemary is also a Certified Public Accountant.
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Steven Bowen – President & Chief Executive Officer
Steve has been helping clients develop and deliver superior results for more than 30 years. He and other current Maine Pointe consultants worked extensively together even prior to Maine Pointe’s founding in 2004.
Steve's deep expertise in growth and profit development through sales and marketing effectiveness, lean manufacturing, strategic procurement, logistics and process reengineering, includes working with leading Fortune 1000, middle market and numerous private equity clients.
Steve received a Bachelor's degree in chemistry and a minor in Economics and Business Administration from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri.
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