Special Consulting Assignments
IITRI - Facilitator
Facilitator of the divestiture of IITRI, the government contracting component of Illinois Institute of Technology, creating an ESOP standalone company, Alion Science and Technology. The complex deal involved the seller, the ESOP and the management team. The financing involved employees’ investments, a bank loan, a mezzanine note and a seller’s note. Two fairness opinions were required. All three parties had multiple legal and investment advisors. The deal generated over $100 million to the seller and led to the building of an independent $1 billion private company.
Rupert Murdock - Consultant
Provided advice to Rupert Murdock on several communications and computer projects. A major subject was satellite-to-home television. A partnership was formed with NBC, Cablevision, Hughes and News Corp. called Sky Cable. This was the first geosynchronous satellite TV system to be designed for a modest-sized antenna. When the partnership fell apart, the business evolved
into DirecTV.Indus Capital Advisors - Analyst
Performed selected technical and business analyses of investment opportunities. Provided extensive monthly reports on alternate energy products, technology and systems for 33 months. Each report covered 25 to 50 subjects and included an executive summary.
Tatum CIO - Founding Chairman
Hired by Doug Tatum, founder and CEO of Tatum CFO, a unique business and structured partnership, to launch a similar partnership of Chief Information Officers, called Tatum CIO.
Coaching
Improve Your Leadership Effectiveness
By applying fresh thinking and dynamic business advice to find exceptional solutions to complex technical, marketing, and financial challenges, Dr. Potter helps his clients figure out how to make more money.
EFFICENCY
Dr. Potter is a constructive helper to his client.
UNIQUE BUSINESS REALTIONSHIPS
Each relationship is unique. Starts with a trial period. Some meetings are face-to-face; others on the phone.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
Potter can attend staff meetings, communication meetings, and/or board meetings to help the client develop communication skills as well as give Potter an opportunity to critique the content of the meeting.
STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT
Potter helps his client develop his strategies and presentations.
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING
Potter counsels on personnel issues and interviews candidates at all levels including reference checking.
Start-Ups
PMP Corp. – Founder and CEO
Designed and built unique insulating building materials. Sold a number of significant installations, e.g., Comiskey Park in Chicago. Sold the business successfully after one year.
Digital Products Corp. – CEO
Designed, manufactured and marketed the first robotic phone dialer. Launched ‘house arrest’ monitoring bracelets. Significantly increased the company’s revenue in less than a year.
Aster Corporation – CEO
Designed and manufactured fiber optic couplers and switches. Used in systems to divert communications when fiber optical cables are cut. Assumed role when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. Sold the company in four months generating a return to the stockholders of half their investment.
SpeedFC – Director
One of a two-person board tightly coupled to the entrepreneur of this third-party fulfillment company. With no technology or patent position, from a cold start, this company grew to $77 million in sales in 12 years maintaining an EBITDA of 10%. Twelve stockholders enjoyed the return of eight times their investment when SpeedFC was acquired.
Improve Your Leadership
Effectiveness
R. J. Potter Company helps companies with innovation, analysis,
and strategy development by using fresh thinking and a
dynamic business approach.