NICK PFENNING
President & Principal Advisor
Nick Pfenning has over two decades of sales, leadership, operations and finance experience with responsibility for up to $230mm in annual sales and direct P&L responsibility up to $100mm in sales and $70mm in EBITDA. Prior to becoming an independent advisor, he held leadership roles in aerospace & defense, specialty fasteners and industrial filtration.
He has successfully built two companies of his own (simultaneously) - Pfenning Group, LLC & Equipment Dudes - and has helped dozens of clients in a multitude of industries grow their companies the RIGHT way, by developing and implementing key business strategies around sales & marketing, talent optimization, processes & systems, data utilization and technology. His passion for solving problems, helping others succeed and always doing the right thing sets him apart from other business advisors and is infused into DNA of the businesses he has helped and created himself.
His key accomplishments include:
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Responsible for several P&Ls with revenue up to $100mm and EBITDA up to $70mm
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Sales & marketing leadership over two operating divisions with a combined annual revenue exceeding $220mm
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Grew two successful startup businesses - Pfenning Group & Equipment Dudes - with no outside investment
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Post-acquisition P&L responsibility for a $12mm aerospace sensor mfg. – grew EBIDTA by over 100% in first 18 months
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Closed a $100mm+ exclusive multiyear defense contract with a major OEM with avg price increases over 4% per annum
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Key executive in PE-backed backed turnaround of a 100 year-old distressed forging company
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Provided insight on A&D markets to investors (hedge funds, PE & institutional) in the capacity of independent advisor
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Advised two Fortune 500 aerospace OEMs on market dynamics and GTM strategy in the sensors and actuation segments
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Led double digit CAGR in the eastern US for a distributor of industrial pollution control equipment
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Worked with the owner of a small chemical co. to develop a 3 year strategic plan with the aim of doubling EBITDA in 3 yrs.
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As VP of Sales & Marketing, organized the restructuring efforts for a $5mm subsidiary in response to market downturn
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Successfully completed M&A curriculum at Case Western Reserve University as part of an invitation-only corporate initiative
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Skilled at presenting financials and corporate strategy to public and private boards, C-level executives and investors
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Certified Talent Optimization Expert
Mr. Pfenning began consulting in 2015 on a part-time basis, primarily speaking to institutional investors about industry dynamics in the aerospace & defense markets to help them make informed investment decisions. Shortly thereafter, he was engaged for more extensive projects with several large publicly-traded manufacturing companies. His passion is working with small-to-mid market privately-held companies, particularly those either owned by private equity, preparing for an eventual sale, planning for succession or experiencing turbulent sales.
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Nick’s exposure to a variety of different industries and corporate structures gives him a unique perspective on what is necessary to achieve lasting success. He believes strongly in building a solid foundation, which starts with determining why a company exists, followed by how the organization will achieve its goals. He is an ardent advocate of “beginning with the end in mind,” a concept which has been ingrained in him ever since first reading The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Nick is guided by unassailable moral and spiritual principles, with a commitment to always doing what is RIGHT for his clients, irrespective of any personal motivations.
He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Franklin University and has been through extensive university-led and privately-run training programs in sales, change management, negotiation and executive leadership. He is also a certified Talent Optimization Expert. He has extensive international business experience, having worked with organizations throughout Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East.