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The Chief Outsider
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Manufacturing and Technology Marketing Executive to Drive Growth for Chief Outsiders Clients
With a consistent record of transforming complex companies, Sabrina Donley to drive growth and increase marketing ROI for clients as a Chief Outsiders Fractional CMO
Recent Posts

Fractional CMO Firm Taps Former Xerox Executive to Run its Explosively Growing Western Region
5.7.2015 — Karen Hayward takes reigns as Managing Partner at Chief Outsiders, LLC.


Chief Outsiders Sponsors Vistage Executive Summit in San Diego
2.25.2015 — Strategic Marketing Consulting Firm Offering Attending CEOs 5-year Growth Planning Guidance
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Chief Outsiders Announces Sponsorship of Dallas Vistage Executive Summit
2.9.2015 — Strategic Marketing Consulting Firm Signs as One of Six National Vistage International Sponsors
The 10 Fastest-Growing Companies in Houston
9.16.2014 — They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and even small business is no exception. As the fourth most populous city in America, Houston is home to many companies on this year's Inc. 5000. Boasting a home-field advantage with such industries as health care and energy, Houston is poised for an even bigger small business scene in the years to come. Should you consider Houston for your upcoming launch? For some guidance, here's our list of the top 10 fastest-growing companies in the area: 10. Worldwide Power Products The tenth fastest-growing Houston-based company is also number 910 on the Inc. 5000. It distributes power generation equipment to consumers in the nautical, industrial and petroleum industries throughout America, Asia and Europe. Headed by CEO Mark Perry, it boasts a three-year growth rate of 493 percent. 9. Noah Consulting Founded in 2008 and headed by CEO Amber Ruddy, Noah Consulting provides information management services to companies in oil and gas, retail, trading, and natural resources. It's number 891 on this year's Inc. 5000, with a three-year growth rate of 502 percent. 8. Security America Mortgage Making its debut appearance on the Inc. 5000, this company provides a wide range ofmortgage loans to consumers. Led by CEO Garrett Puckett, it's also among the top financial services companies on the list. It's ranked at number 734, with a three-year growth rate of 624 percent. 7. Cradle Solution Led by CEO Alex Akintayo, Cradle Solution develops SaaS for the home health-care industry, and provides consulting and training for oil and gas companies. It makes its second appearance on the Inc. 5000 this year, ranking number 721 with a three-year growth rate of 629 percent. 6. Chief Outsiders Aptly named, the seventh fastest-growing Houston-based company provides management and consulting services to owners and CEOs of mid-sized businesses, with a special focus on growth and marketing strategy. Headed by CEO Art Saxby, it's added 14 jobs in the last three years, with a growth rate of 863 percent. 5. Cimation Founded in 2009, Cimation automates processes and develops IT systems for clients in the oil, gas and energy industries. Headed by CEO Jonathan Klein, it clocks in at number 517 on this year's Inc. 5000, with a three-year growth rate of 911 percent. It's on the larger side of Houston small business, with 213 total employees. 4. Team Trident Headed by Rod Long, the fourth fastest-growing company in Houston provides oil and gas technicians--trained by the US military--for both direct hire and contract positions. This is the third time the company has appeared on the Inc. 5000, presently ranked at number 372. 3. Southern Green Builders This construction company is number 284 on the Inc. 5000 and the third fastest-growing company in Houston. Led by CEO Sam Seidel, it works to build Craftsman-style homes that also incorporate modern efficiencies. With only seven total employees, Southern Green promises "sustainable innovation," with homes that you can count on being more than just sticks and bricks. Its model is certainly effective: The company's three-year growth rate is 1,610 percent. 2. EPI Engineering With the goal of reducing energy consumption, this business--number 263 on the Inc. 5000--provides a range of engineering services. With only 15 employees total, EPI boasts an impressive 1,751 percent growth rate. It ranks number two on Inc.'s Top Engineering Companies in America, headed by CEO Edward William. 1. PPT Fiberglass The fastest-growing company in Houston makes its first appearance on the Inc. 5000 as number 239. Led by CEO Justin Parker, PPT produces fiber-reinforced plastics and fiberglass grating, which it sells to different industries including waste water treatment, oil, gas, and construction companies. Founded in 2010, its three-year growth rate is a whopping 1,983 percent. The biggest city in an even bigger state, Houston is definitely a location to watch in the ever-growing world of entrepreneurship. (View original Inc. article here.)

Meet the Fast 100: Houston management consultancy embarks on largest national expansion to date
9.11.2014 — By Suzanne Edwards, Houston Business Journal, September 8, 2014, 3:52PM

Chief Outsiders Recognized by Inc. Magazine as 560th Fastest Growing Privately Held Company
9.5.2014 — Strategic Marketing Consulting Firm Recognized For Significant 3-Year Growth Rate Houston, TX (PRWEB) September 5, 2014 Chief Outsiders, LLC, the nation’s leading strategic marketing firm comprised solely of C-level marketing executives has achieved a 3-year growth rate of 863%, giving it recognition as the 560th fastest growing privately held company in the America by Inc. Magazine in their 33rd annual list of companies-the Inc. 5000. Focused on addressing the growth challenges of mid-sized companies, Chief Outsiders offers a range of fractional CMO services that range from coaching to part-time or interim executive roles, to strategic. Since their inception in 2008 in Houston, Texas, the company has expanded nationally, adding new regions, diversified service offerings and a larger team. They are continuing to press the gas pedal on driving more business by serving an expanding number of clients from sectors including technology, industrial and financial services, oil and gas, consumer goods and much more. “We have all heard companies say ‘it is all about our people.’ But in our case, it really is. Working together as a tribe of Chief Marketing Officers, we can bring in great assignments that allow us to do what we love, make big things happen for midsize companies that we couldn’t do and they couldn’t do elsewhere,” said Art Saxby, founder and CEO of Chief Outsiders. “We do this by working together as a “tribe.” We’re continuously learning through each other, by taking our assignments back to the tribe, sharing what we’re doing, inviting each other into discussion and projects and utilizing each others strengths. Each CMO has actively helped build a culture and company that we can enjoy being a part of.” The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring all the companies on the list will be held from October 15 through 17, 2014 in Phoenix. Speakers include some of the greatest entrepreneurs of this and past generations, such as Michael Dell, Martha Stewart, host of the CNBC show “The Profit” Marcus Lemonis, Container Store Founder and CEO Kip Tindell, and Chobani Founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya. The Inc. 5000 award is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2010 to 2013. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2010. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent--not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies. The minimum revenue required for 2010 is $100,000; the minimum for 2013 is $2 million. About Chief Outsiders Recently listed by Inc Magazine as one of the 600 fastest growing privately held companies in the US and recognized for the Houston Business Journal's Fast 100, Chief Outsiders, LLC is an “Executives-as-a-Service” firm helping grow mid-sized companies from coast to coast with part-time, or fractional, Chief Marketing Officers. Chief Outsiders is unique among strategic marketing and management consulting firms, by working as part of the portfolio company leadership team on a fractional or as-needed basis to not only help develop market based growth plans, but to be responsible for implementing the plans within the company. Unlike most consulting firms, Chief Outsiders believes delivering a world-class marketing strategy on its own creates very little value. The real value is created by helping the organization implement the growth vision. Everyone at Chief Outsiders has held the position of VP of Marketing or higher at one or more operating companies. With 30+ CMOs across the country, we can put exactly the right skill set on the leadership team of any portfolio company for a fraction of the cost of a full time executive. Chief Outsiders has been a premier source for businesses seeking marketing expertise, execution and leadership including Riverside Company portfolio companies OnCourse Learning, YourMembership.com and IDoc, Source Capital portfolio companies such as Abutec, and Merrill Lynch Special Situations Group portfolio companies such as EarthColor.

Chief Outsiders CEO Art Saxby to Speak at Private Equity International’s Operating Partners Forum
8.26.2014 — Operational Partners Will Gather for Premier Event at Convene Conference Center in New York on October 21 – 22 New York, NY (PRWEB) August 26, 2014 Entering its fourth year, the Operating Partners Forum has become the pre-eminent peer-to-peer event for professionals in private equity firms who are focused on value creation at the portfolio company level, namely the operating partners. The event provides the opportunity for operational partners to expand their knowledge and expertise of not only how to create value at a portfolio company, but what’s occurring in the larger private equity realm, how technology is changing the way business is conducted, new trends in the global market place and how they impact portfolio companies and the information operating partners need to make an impact on their portfolio company’s bottom line. Art Saxby, CEO and Founder of Chief Outsiders, is a sponsor of the event and will be a panelist at the workshop “Sharing Costs to Optimize EBITDA,” where he will discuss: Outsourcing and long-term value How to evaluate outsourcing options Finding the “sweet spot” between in-house and outsourced capabilities “As the operating partner role in private equity firms is evolving, becoming more central and valuations are increasing, expanding the knowledge and expertise of operational partners is vital,” said Saxby. Saxby started his career in corporate finance with a BS and MBA in finance and various financial analysis and planning roles at LTV Aerospace and Defense and Frito-Lay. He learned his trade in marketing in brand and project management at Frito-Lay, Kellogg’s, Coca-Cola and Compaq/HP, before getting involved in troubled company turn-around with the Lehman Brother controlled Imperial Sugar and Madison Dearborn Partners controlled Hines Horticulture. He started Chief Outsiders in 2009. About Chief Outsiders Recently listed by Inc Magazine as one of the 600 fastest growing privately held companies in the US and recognized for the Houston Business Journal's Fast 100, Chief Outsiders, LLC is an “Executives-as-a-Service” firm helping grow mid-sized companies from coast to coast with part-time, or fractional, Chief Marketing Officers. Chief Outsiders is unique among strategic marketing and management consulting firms, by working as part of the portfolio company leadership team on a fractional or as-needed basis to not only help develop market based growth plans, but to be responsible for implementing the plans within the company. Unlike most consulting firms, Chief Outsiders believes delivering a world-class marketing strategy on its own creates very little value. The real value is created by helping the organization implement the growth vision. Everyone at Chief Outsiders has held the position of VP of Marketing or higher at one or more operating companies. With 30+ CMOs across the country, we can put exactly the right skill set on the leadership team of any portfolio company for a fraction of the cost of a full time executive. Chief Outsiders has been a premier source for businesses seeking marketing expertise, execution and leadership including Riverside Company portfolio companies OnCourse Learning, YourMembership.com and IDoc, Source Capital portfolio companies such as Abutec, and Merrill Lynch Special Situations Group portfolio companies such as EarthColor.

Chief Outsiders Doubles Silicon Valley Presence
8.18.2014 — Karen Hayward and Mark Lange, newest CMOs at Chief Outsiders, bring their extensive technology experience to work with CEOs of growth companies SILICON VALLEY, CA (PRWEB) August 18, 2014 Karen Hayward and Mark Lange, new CMOs at Chief Outsiders, bring their extensive technology experience to work with CEOs of growth companies. Chief Outsiders, LLC, of Houston is pleased to announce that Karen Hayward and Mark Lange have joined the firm. Chief Outsiders is the nation’s largest executive marketing firm focused on implementing market-based growth plans for mid-size and growth companies through fractional or part-time marketing executives. Hayward and Lange will work alongside CEOs and their executive teams of technology companies to accelerate their revenue growth. Having worked with SaaS companies since 2000, Karen Hayward is a pioneer in the cloud computing industry. Among the many areas in which she will be working with CEOs, she specializes in aligning sales and marketing for revenue growth, improving lead generation, executing “go to market” strategies, positioning companies as “thought leaders” and much more. Karen has held executive positions at EarthLink Business, CenterBeam, Accelio, BeyondWork and Xerox Canada. “During my career working with multiple organizations, public and private, international and national, large and small, I have lived the hard reality of the battlefield and am eager to share my expertise, lessons learned and deliver the impact needed to solve CEOs’ organizational challenges,” said Hayward. “Chief Outsiders’ model is unique,” she continued. “It provides marketing help to CEOs at a lower cost and risk but with executive marketers who are at the height of their careers experience wise and are ready to see the results of their labor.” Recent engagements of Hayward include the development of marketing and sales enablement programs at Earthlink, the re-architecting of the services offerings and go-to-market strategy at CenterBeam, which was subsequently acquired by Earthlink, and delivering revenue and profit growth by revamping sales operations, professional services and global market alliance programs at Accelio Corporation, which was subsequently acquired by Adobe. Karen has received numerous rewards and recognitions for her marketing campaigns, sales skills and performance including being named one of the “Power 100: The Most Powerful Women of the Channel.” Lange brings Chief Outsiders a unique combination of early-stage and enterprise-class technology marketing and sales leadership experience, combined with the financial background to develop and refine new business models, secure funding, and support outstanding M&A outcomes. Mark has held executive leadership positions at Nimsoft (a CA Company), SAP, PeopleSoft, BrassRing, K-III (a KKR fund) and was a speechwriter to the President of the White House. “These are exciting times for marketing as a discipline,” Lange said. “Innovations in marketing systems and processes, as well as and digital and social media tools, make it possible to drive demand, revenue and profitable growth as never before. I’m very happy to be joining a group of senior, leading-edge CMOs who will continuously raise the level of my game.” As an entrepreneur, Mark has founded and helped grow innovative web, SaaS and cloud ventures in talent management, healthcare information and social e-commerce, two of which were acquired for over $200 million. Mark currently serves as an Executive Fellow at the Center for Digital Strategies at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, where he moderates quarterly roundtables with Global 100 CIOs. “Both Karen and Mark are world class marketers who have enabled companies to become category leaders,” says Pete Hayes, Principal of Chief Outsiders. “They know how to collaborate with CEOs and executive teams to unlock their potential and turn vision into actionable strategy.” Contact Karen Hayward at khayward@chiefoutsiders.com and Mark Lange at mlange@chiefoutsiders.com. About Chief Outsiders Headquartered in Houston, TX, and silver winner of the American Business Awards “Company of the Year,” and recognized for the Houston Business Journal's Fast 100, Chief Outsiders serves mid-sized companies from coast to coast with part-time CMO services. Chief Outsiders is unique among strategic marketing consulting firms, taking businesses to the next level by working as part of the leadership team on a fractional or as-needed basis. Unlike most marketing consulting firms, Chief Outsiders believes delivering a world-class marketing strategy on its own creates very little value. The real value is created by helping the organization implement the growth vision. Chief Outsiders has been a premier source for marketing expertise, execution and leadership for companies such as i2C, AbsolutData, Bethyl Labs, Auto Load Logic and Riverside Company portfolio companies including OnCourse Learning, YourMembership.com and IDoc.