Author Archives: Jeremy Gleason

The First 100 Days: What Separates Transformational COOs from Caretakers

COO Operational Performance Assessment Process Improvement

The first 100 days of a Chief Operating Officer’s tenure can establish the direction, credibility, and operating discipline that shape the executive’s long-term effectiveness. For CEOs, boards, and investors, this period offers an early indication of whether the new COO can translate business strategy into measurable outcomes or simply maintain existing processes without creating meaningful […]

COO vs. VP of Operations: Which Operations Leader Does Your Company Actually Need?

COO VP Operations Executive Leadership Strategy Meeting

Choosing between a Chief Operating Officer (COO) and a Vice President of Operations (VP of Operations) is an important organizational decision for growing companies. Both executives help improve operational performance, coordinate teams, and turn business priorities into measurable results. However, their responsibilities, decision-making authority, and organizational scope can differ significantly. A company struggling to coordinate […]

Founder-to-Professional CEO Transitions: A Playbook for Boards and Investors

Founder Professional CEO Leadership Transition Boardroom

A founder-to-professional CEO transition is one of the most consequential leadership changes a growing company can undertake. Founders often build businesses through personal conviction, deep customer relationships, and a willingness to make decisions quickly. As the organization expands, however, its leadership requirements can shift toward formal governance, scalable operating systems, disciplined capital allocation, and consistent […]

CEO Succession Planning: Why 60% of Companies Are Unprepared — and How Retained Search Fixes It

CEO Succession Planning Board Of Directors Meeting

CEO succession planning is one of the most important responsibilities of a corporate board, yet many organizations postpone preparing for their next chief executive until a departure becomes imminent. Retirement, unexpected resignations, performance concerns, and strategic changes can create leadership vacancies with little warning. Without a credible succession plan, companies risk disrupting operations, weakening investor […]

CFO vs. Full-Time CFO: When Growing Companies Should Make the Permanent Hire

Fractional CFO Financial Consultant Startup Founder Meeting

Choosing between an interim CFO and a full-time Chief Financial Officer is an important decision for growing companies. As businesses expand, financial complexity increases, cash flow becomes more demanding, and leadership teams need reliable information to guide investment and operational decisions. The right financial leader can help an organization navigate these changes while preparing for […]

How to Hire a CFO in 2026: What Boards and CEOs Get Wrong in Retained CFO Searches

Candid Executive Meeting

Knowing how to hire a CFO in 2026 requires more than reviewing accounting credentials and interviewing experienced finance executives. Today’s Chief Financial Officer must balance financial discipline with commercial strategy, technology adoption, capital allocation, and long-term enterprise growth. For CEOs, corporate boards, and private equity investors, selecting the right financial leader can significantly influence profitability, […]

How to Hire Biomedical Technology Executives Who Can Bridge Engineering, Clinical Needs and Commercialization

Biomedical Technology Executives

Biomedical technology companies operate at the intersection of engineering innovation, patient care, regulatory oversight, and commercial execution. Whether an organization develops diagnostic systems, medical devices, monitoring technologies, rehabilitation equipment, or connected healthcare solutions, its success depends on leaders who can translate technical capabilities into products that address real clinical needs and achieve sustainable market adoption. […]

Automotive Manufacturing Leadership: Recruiting Executives for Automation, Electrification and Supply-Chain Resilience

Automotive Manufacturing Leadership

Automotive manufacturing is evolving as companies adopt advanced automation, expand electrification capabilities, and rethink supply-chain strategies. These changes require leaders who can maintain current production performance while preparing factories, workforces, and operating models for new technologies and changing market demands. Employers working with automotive production recruiters should prioritize executives who combine manufacturing expertise with digital […]

Neurovascular Device Market Growth Requires Cross-Functional Leadership: R&D, Clinical, Regulatory and Sales

Cross Functional Leadership 1

Growing a neurovascular medical device business requires more than developing innovative technology or building a strong sales organization. Companies must coordinate research and development, clinical affairs, regulatory strategy, quality management, manufacturing, and commercial execution to bring products to market and support sustainable growth. Neurovascular technologies, including mechanical thrombectomy systems, embolization devices, flow-diverting stents, access catheters, […]

How to Hire Automotive Production Executives for Quality, Throughput and Manufacturing Performance

Automotive Manufacturing Leadership

Hiring an automotive production executive requires more than finding a leader with manufacturing experience. The right candidate must improve production quality, maintain throughput, manage operating costs, develop frontline leadership, and ensure manufacturing operations consistently meet business objectives. Organizations working with automotive production recruiters should focus on candidates who combine operational expertise with measurable performance improvement, […]