Dynamic executive holding both revenue and operational leadership roles. Specializes in the unique needs of high growth technology companies. Developed an operational framework that effectively translates strategic vision into operational scale and capacity at the top line and the bottom line. Successful track record driving both revenue growth and cost reduction simultaneously. Unique ability to zoom into operational and financial data to create powerful strategic insights. Passionate about building high performance teams that embrace a culture of continuous improvement and learning and that thrive both personally and professionally.

RAY THOMPSON

Revenue & Operations Executive
Specializing in Profitable Growth and Scale

KEY SKILLS

OPERATIONS

Create Sustainable Growth

Operational excellence is my mantra. I believe that companies are complex organisms that need careful nurturing to survive and thrive. The thoughtful balance of people, processes, and systems guides my work and measures my success.

Over the past 30 years, I've stood up, run, and improved operations for (mostly tech) companies from startup to scale, private to public (and non-profit), and from one company to many (M&A). With a passion and voracity for understanding all parts of a business, I like to half-joke that I can out-spreadsheet your CFO, speak geek with your CTO/CIO, and close deals like a boss.

I started as an electrical engineer/programmer, became a financial analyst, grew up doing sales, and found my calling in operations.

handshake isolated on business background

REVENUE

Top Sales Performer & Leader

I love closing deals and creating high-performance sales teams even more.

As a sales leader, I've built sales teams from the ground up, refined other teams with sales methodologies and sales processes, and integrated sales teams across acquired companies.

Are you ready to create a high-performing team?

My style is to lead by example backed by experience. As an individual contributor, I've closed multi-year quota-busting contracts at the executive level to billion-dollar logos like Whole Foods Market, United Way Worldwide, American Red Cross, and Centers for Disease Control to name a few.

TALENT MANAGEMENT

Build Happy & Effective Teams

Talent is your most expensive and most important asset. I've built systems and processes that create a complete employee lifecycle from hire to retire. The outcomes are happier employees/lower attrition, scalable culture, reduced time to ramp, improved recruiting, and increased team effectiveness.

I'm a strong advocate for diversity in the workplace, authentic "work hard-play hard" work/life balance, and bringing emotional intelligence to the team.

In short, I love people and I love to help them thrive as a team and as individuals in the context of a solid company mission.

“Thanks Ray. You have made a big contribution. You’re a great leader. And I’m hopeful that our business paths will cross again. ”

Scott Beck, CEO

“Ray is an unusually effective solution designer, gifted in bridging the intersection between client and community, need and asset, and technology and people...The number two person at the CDC refers to Ray as a strategic asset.”

Dr. Doug Zimmerman, CEO

Ray is a very talented leader that is data driven while at the same time cares about people...He has been an amazing mentor and has mentored me in business frameworks, finances, and culture. His drive of culture has been one of the reasons that I am excited and motivated to arrive at work every day.

David McCullough, CTO

I worked with and reported directly to Ray for portions of our time together at Akerna. Ray was focused on solutions and was always looking for ways to improve our processes, systems, and communications across the organization to improve customer and employee satisfaction. Ray would always collaboratively look for feedback and suggestions for ways to improve upon his suggestions to ensure to gather buy-in from all parties involved. I am incredibly appreciative of the support, coaching, mentorship and opportunities that Ray provided me during our time together and believe his leadership would be a great addition to any organization looking for these traits and his extensive experience.

Chad Carroll

Ray was an incredible asset to ViewMyLife and a natural leader in the organization. He went far beyond his sales function including high-level strategy of the Internet and social media space as well as product management improving the site and reducing development cycles. He brings an incredible mix of soft skills and technical savvy. On a personal note he was a pleasure to work with, passionate and someone I enjoyed getting to know. I fully recommend him and would enjoy working with him again.

Jamie Duklas

Ray is one of the best leaders I have had the opportunity and privilege to work with. His commitment to people, his work ethic, his motivation, and his ability to understand and navigate business complexity are awesome! He is incredibly talented at building high-performance organizations, recognizing and valuing the unique abilities and talents of the people he works with. There is no doubt this is why the companies he leads flourish and why people love working for Ray. His leadership and loyalty to the people he leads are why his teams and companies overachieve and beat their goals. I would strongly recommend Ray as a charismatic executive capable of leading at the highest levels.