Dan C. Hillenbrand
Dan Hillenbrand is an experienced operator who has served as Chairman, CEO and President of companies in the manufacturing, services and consumer products arenas. Dan has a domestic and global record of dramatically increasing sales, profits and cash flow in multiple diversified manufacturing environments and industries.
While leading these companies, Dan has demonstrated intellectual creativity and business flexibility, a keen ability to diagnose and identify value quickly, and a calm decisive leadership style. Dan has built a record of success in reinventing, business expansion and development. Accomplished in lean manufacturing principles, product and brand development, creating and driving rapid value appreciation, strategic planning, sourcing, distribution, logistics, e-commerce, building and motivating senior executive teams. Also experienced in crisis management.
Dan is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the World Presidents Organization. Dan has also enjoyed serving on the board of trustees for the Lincoln Park Zoo, La Lumiere Preparatory High School and the Adventurers Club of Chicago. Dan earned his undergraduate degree from Boston College and an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, where he has been an advisor to graduate students in the entrepreneurship department and a regular New Venture competition judge.
Dan has received various awards and recognitions during his career including Outstanding Employer Award and Fast Track Award, both presented by the governor of the state along with a Global Innovation Award for design excellence.
While leading these companies, Dan has demonstrated intellectual creativity and business flexibility, a keen ability to diagnose and identify value quickly, and a calm decisive leadership style. Dan has built a record of success in reinventing, business expansion and development. Accomplished in lean manufacturing principles, product and brand development, creating and driving rapid value appreciation, strategic planning, sourcing, distribution, logistics, e-commerce, building and motivating senior executive teams. Also experienced in crisis management.
Dan is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the World Presidents Organization. Dan has also enjoyed serving on the board of trustees for the Lincoln Park Zoo, La Lumiere Preparatory High School and the Adventurers Club of Chicago. Dan earned his undergraduate degree from Boston College and an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, where he has been an advisor to graduate students in the entrepreneurship department and a regular New Venture competition judge.
Dan has received various awards and recognitions during his career including Outstanding Employer Award and Fast Track Award, both presented by the governor of the state along with a Global Innovation Award for design excellence.
Michael D. Alter
Michael Alter is a Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. Michael is also the Executive Chairman (and former Interim CEO) of Vanco Payment Solutions, the largest provider of e-giving payment solutions to the Faith-based community. Previously, he was the Chief Executive Officer of The Tie Bar, LLC - the #1 e‐commerce destination for stylish men's accessories. Prior to The Tie Bar, Michael was a co-founder and CEO of SurePayroll, a SaaS technology company that is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Paychex®. Michael co-founded SurePayroll in 2000 after six years as a Consultant with McKinsey and Company. Prior to receiving his MBA from the Harvard Business School, Michael worked in various sales positions at IBM. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Northwestern University.
Michael is also an active board and advisory board member for leading industry and entrepreneurial organizations including: Board Member for Nambe — a leading design and lifestyle brand known for their award-winning tabletop giftware, Board Member for MAX Systems — the SaaS leader in Mobile Showroom and Digital Performance Management for Auto Dealers, and previously, a Chicago Chapter Officer for the Young Presidents' Organization.
A past recipient of the Illinois Technology Association CityLIGHTS CEO of the Year Award, Michael has been a nationally recognized spokesman on business issues, having served as a columnist for INC.com and appearing regularly in media outlets nationwide, including Bloomberg TV, and the Wall Street Journal.
Michael is also an active board and advisory board member for leading industry and entrepreneurial organizations including: Board Member for Nambe — a leading design and lifestyle brand known for their award-winning tabletop giftware, Board Member for MAX Systems — the SaaS leader in Mobile Showroom and Digital Performance Management for Auto Dealers, and previously, a Chicago Chapter Officer for the Young Presidents' Organization.
A past recipient of the Illinois Technology Association CityLIGHTS CEO of the Year Award, Michael has been a nationally recognized spokesman on business issues, having served as a columnist for INC.com and appearing regularly in media outlets nationwide, including Bloomberg TV, and the Wall Street Journal.
Steven G. Courtade
Steve Courtade is a seasoned financial and accounting professional with 25 years of experience working in both public and privately owned companies. Steve is an expert in restructuring underperforming companies as well as improving financially healthy businesses. Steve has worked in over 70 client companies across the US, Mexico, Canada and Australia and has hands-on experience as a President/CEO, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Restructuring Officer, Treasurer, Receiver and Financial Advisor. He has worked in a wide variety of industries with client company revenues ranging from $20 million to over $1 billion. Steve is very strong strategically and able to anticipate and proactively deal with business challenges.
Steve’s main focus has been performing business viability assessments, interim to long term management as an officer of the client company, turnaround and restructuring implementation and crisis management. His experience includes financial performance improvement, cost reductions, re-negotiating customer and supplier agreements, designing concise key metrics and financial packages for management and boards, right sizing operations, plant floor operational improvements, overseeing system implementations, lean manufacturing basics, job costing, variance analysis and product rationalization/gross margin profitability by product line, among many others. Steve has managed Accounting, Credit, HR/Payroll, Purchasing and IT departments, trained and mentored employees and built teams. Courtade is an expert with cash management, business modeling, risk management, short term and long term strategic plans.
Steve has an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Houston, a BBA in Finance and is a Certified Turnaround Professional. Steve grew up in Texas, worked in the UK as an accountant for several years and currently resides in Atlanta. He is an Elk and a 32° Mason in the Scottish Rite. Steve is active with his church, local food bank and has served on the Boards of several non-profits. His personal motto is res non verba: actions not words.
Steve’s main focus has been performing business viability assessments, interim to long term management as an officer of the client company, turnaround and restructuring implementation and crisis management. His experience includes financial performance improvement, cost reductions, re-negotiating customer and supplier agreements, designing concise key metrics and financial packages for management and boards, right sizing operations, plant floor operational improvements, overseeing system implementations, lean manufacturing basics, job costing, variance analysis and product rationalization/gross margin profitability by product line, among many others. Steve has managed Accounting, Credit, HR/Payroll, Purchasing and IT departments, trained and mentored employees and built teams. Courtade is an expert with cash management, business modeling, risk management, short term and long term strategic plans.
Steve has an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Houston, a BBA in Finance and is a Certified Turnaround Professional. Steve grew up in Texas, worked in the UK as an accountant for several years and currently resides in Atlanta. He is an Elk and a 32° Mason in the Scottish Rite. Steve is active with his church, local food bank and has served on the Boards of several non-profits. His personal motto is res non verba: actions not words.