With an executive mindset, I targeted overlooked B2B systems—those often lacking security due to budgeting gaps. By adopting the persona of a business owner, I gained legitimate access and exposed 10 to 20 critical vulnerabilities per engagement. These complex networks, neglected in traditional security strategies, proved to be prime targets for impactful exploits, demonstrating the power of combining strategic thinking with hands-on action.

Recognizing a growing trend in business lending, my business partners and I blended reverse auction technology with a sophisticated matching system to serve this new vertical. This combination ensured applicants were matched with lenders most likely to fund their needs, maximizing the chances of success. We partnered with OnDeck, Lendio, Kabbage, and 15 other lenders, leveraging our lead generation expertise and innovative tech to launch a second national brand. We also secured Larry King as the spokesman, aligning with his passion for helping small businesses succeed and enhancing brand credibility.

To optimize performance across 2,000 concurrent marketing campaigns, I developed a real-time monitoring system that blended proprietary and off-the-shelf applications for seamless data capture. This platform provided immediate visibility into campaign performance, high-value leads, and potential issues, enabling the team to make agile, data-driven decisions. The result was an adaptive marketing engine that optimized ad spend instantly, maximizing ROI and keeping us ahead in a highly competitive market.

Disparities in reporting metrics eroded trust across the company. I found the root cause: departments used different definitions for key terms. Collaborated with the executive team to standardize definitions and implemented a BI platform, restoring trust and accuracy company-wide.

Partnered with a credit counseling company to overcome monetization challenges and prove a market opportunity by serving the underserved. Secured investment and launched a new venture with LeaderOne and All Western Mortgage. Acquired a mortgage branch and built a fully integrated service—covering marketing, credit score improvement, mortgages, and realtor connections—targeting underserved homebuyers. This approach reduced CPL by 82%, increased lead-to-application rates by 35%, and transformed the customer journey into a seamless, vertically integrated process, creating sustainable revenue and expanding market reach.

Brought in by a lead aggregation company looking to diversify, I partnered with two other executives to recommend a strategic pivot from expanding into new verticals to becoming a lead generator. We developed the concept and launched a national advertising brand in just three months—achieving profitability within 60 days. Within six months, profits had already covered the initial investment, establishing the company as the largest direct response lead generator in the nation, and tripling profits for the parent company.

As part of the company’s strategic growth initiative, I addressed the need for advanced business rules in collections by repurposing our existing real-time credit card approval technology. I integrated this technology seamlessly into the collections infrastructure, connecting disparate systems to enable real-time application of complex business rules. This solution saved months of development time, drove efficient debt portfolio growth, and helped the company achieve the #2 spot on Fortune’s Fastest-Growing Businesses list.

Not every project ends in perfection, and my golf game is living proof. Despite my best efforts to apply the same analytical mindset and strategic planning that have fueled my successes elsewhere, consistently nailing that perfect swing still eludes me. Yet, much like my professional endeavors, I remain committed. Every missed putt and every wayward drive is just another opportunity to improve—because some challenges are worth the ongoing pursuit, even if the road to mastery is a bit longer.