N. John Simmons, Jr.
CEO / President
Generate millions of dollars in profitability for public and private sector businesses through the careful alignment of strategies, process improvements, and resources to generate highest ROI with lowest marginal risk.
Balance stakeholders’ expectations with business goals to achieve the full capabilities of the organization, adapting to rapid market change, and overcome roadblocks to success to achieve that balance
Build the bridge between concept and operational execution, meeting the needs of all stakeholders, by focusing on:
Tampa, FL
jsimmons@growthadvisorsllc.com
(813) 494-5859
Opportunities and Capabilities
Seeking “breakout” opportunities and trends in the marketplace that have significant potential and that will utilize the full capabilities of the organization
Defining Direction
Aligning the organization’s people, products and services with a clear plan for engagement that will generate the highest potential return on investment with the lowest marginal risk
Developing Teams
Ensuring that the best people are in the right positions with the tools, training and accountability for their roles, and creating a positive, proactive culture that produces maximum personal, team and corporate performance
Driving the Process
Keeping all resources on track through continuous communication and process review that will balance consistent performance toward planned objectives while providing adaptability in times of rapid market change
Stakeholder Relations
Optimizing and carefully balancing the needs of all stakeholders to ensure that these relationships are sustainable and profitable for all concerned
Achievements
Work History
A professional staffing firm.
Board Director | 2014 – Present
Recruited to the Board to assume the Audit Committee Chairman role of this public $1.4 billion tech flex staffing provider.
Firm providing advisory services to high-growth private companies.
CEO | 2012 – Present
Assist companies with strategy formulation and tactical plan implementation to accelerate growth, team building, sales processes, digital marketing, technology, operations, and exit planning. Clients range from $10M to $200M in revenue and include consumer service, manufacturing, financial services, retail, restaurant, digital marketing, medical, wellness, franchisors, PE-sponsored companies, as well as family offices.
ADVISORY BOARD | 2017 – Present
Franchisor of 100+ unit system of Melting Pot restaurants and other concepts.
ADVISORY BOARD | 2017 – Present
Franchisor of 100+ unit system of moving and junk disposal services.
ADVISORY BOARD | 2015 – Present
Franchisor of 100+ unit system of apparel (t-shirt, golf shirt, uniform) retail with on-site, ink-printing capabilities.
Board Director | 2012 – 2013
Recruited to the Board and Special Committee of this public and PE-backed company to run a sale process. Sold to the London Stock Exchange in five months.
Top 10 US-based $100 million, 55-unit fitness club chain with 220,000 members and 3,000 employees.
CEO | 2008 – 2012
Selected to oversee day-to-day operations for large fitness club chain providing personal training, group fitness & education, nutrition, and fitness & wellness services. Supervise nine direct reports. Accountable for strategic vision & direction, P&L performance, process improvements, marketing & sales, corporate programs, capital & debt management, membership services, market analysis / solution development, business & technology integrations, and customer / employee relations. Manage merger & acquisition activities, divestures, and restructurings.
- $100 million in revenue retained by devising and executing “Hope-Driven” wellness program and technology interface for ease of use impacting lives of over 100,000 members.
- $7.1 million profit increase achieved by establishing retention program via customer service call center, resulting in 21.7% decrease in member attrition in 18 months.
- $7.7 million representing 11% of total sales secured by establishing new corporate sales program including payroll deduction element to dramatically improve corporate retentions.
- Eliminated $36 million in future lease obligations at cost of $6 million for 12 buyouts and obtained $1.9 million in concessions on 12 other properties by re-negotiating leases to offset effects of recession.
- $3.5 million in annual cost reductions achieved by reengineering operations and eliminating business functions not directly related to current operating objectives.
- $1 million in annual cost savings realized by spearheading re-lamping and HVAC initiatives and refinishing exercise equipment across facilities.
- Dramatically improved cost structure, while retaining key personnel by assuming responsibilities of VP-IT Development and VP-IT Operations as Acting CIO over 18-person team serving 56 locations.
- Established social media program and protocols for corporate and 55 fitness clubs covering market presence, promotions, content, monitoring, and responses to negative reviews for 220,000-member community.
- Grew new membership revenues by developing and implementing “Build Your Own Membership” program with pricing starting at $19.95 versus previous lowest price of $34.99.
- Boosted new member sales and retention levels by rolling out most popular group-fitness class (Zumba) to all 55 clubs within three months.
- Maintained new member volume despite recessionary period by instituting trade area pricing and promotions as opposed to region-wide uniform pricing.
- Delivered electronic sales presentations to achieve uniform comprehensive, yet tailored, presentation to all retail and corporate prospective members.
- Reduced employee turnover by 23% by utilizing personality profiling (Predictive Index) to target and hire talented, high-performance candidates.
- Enhanced digital marketing efforts through email campaigns, social media communications of events and promotions, SEO and adword campaigns, and mobile apps for club locators and online joining.
- Instituted 360-degree feedback and self-development program for employees, resulting in improved morale.
Medical transcription service organization.
Board Director | 2005 – 2007
Served as Audit Committee Chairman and Board Director for this public medical transcription subsidiary.
- Facilitated $300 million company sale by resolving SEC/DOJ investigation and class action suit, with financial restatement by re-engaging auditors and addressing whistleblower and option-dating investigations.
Top 10 internet-based national residential real estate sales company with 400 agents in 38 states.
President | 2004 – 2006
Led daily operations for internet-based nationwide real estate firm. Accountable for P&L performance, strategic planning & execution, process improvements, IT / HR functions, marketing & sales, and financial management. Led six direct reports.
- 30% business expansion achieved, while reducing turnover from 80% to 60%, through implementation of hiring plan that attracted key sales professionals to drive business growth.
- 5X+ return on investment after only 15 months of taking on failed project by devising and executing preparation plan to position company for acquisition by private equity firm.
Board Director, public SRI Surgical / Board Director, public Technology Research Corporation
CFO, Invision Research Corporation / President, Quantum Capital Partners / VP & Controller, Eckerd Corporation / CFO, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants / Partner, KPMG
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting
Loyola University of New Orleans
NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) Fellow, 2018 – Present
Certified Public Accountant, State of Florida
Contact Me
Tampa, FL
jsimmons@growthadvisorsllc.com
(813) 494-5859