Tom Vranas

• Chicago, IL

Tom Vranas is an experienced executive, innovative COO & Consultant based in Chicago.

Tom Vranas's Bio:

Tom Vranas's Experience:

• Owner at GrevCo

  | Chicago, IL

  Built business from startup phase to multi-industry consultancy (Consumer Products, Media, Technology, Education, Consulting). Provide strategic guidance and executive coaching to entrepreneurs and C-suite, leading growth initiatives across all functional areas. Collaborate on concept, design, manufacturing, sales / marketing, and operations for early-stage (successful crowd-funding, brand-building, anchor products) to mid-stage companies (growth initiatives, capacity expansion).  For key clients, hold interim executive roles (operations, finance, sales); also recruited by consulting firms (Atlantic Research Partners, Experience Institute).  For media client, credited with delivery of 400% growth within 4 months.  For education technology client, built expansion strategy that generated 50% additional sales within 6 months and lead a $200,000 investment round.  For outdoor recreation consumer products client, reduced operating costs by 40% within 2 months and developed growth and partnership strategies.

• President | Chief Operating Officer | Owner at PROACT Search

  | Chicago, IL

  Acquired executive search firm and introduced K-12 industry to utilization of psychometric testing, data dashboards, web-based information gathering, and best practices in executive search, which led to increased retention and success rates. Headed operations, project management, marketing, finance, HR and technology.  Delivered 1st-year revenue growth of 100%.  In 5 years achieved 10x growth on revenue and margins.  Co-authored leading guidebook for HR in education.  Transformed theory-based intellectual property into innovative, nationally-awarded educational leadership company with annual revenue of $10M.  Pioneered MBA-style training of district and principal leaders in management and organizational design, strategy, and tactics.  Grew SUPES into premier national executive leadership program with record annual attendees and selective 10% admission rate.

• President | Chief Operating Officer | Owner at SUPES Academy

  | Chicago, IL

  Defined and executed all operations and growth strategies for educational firm. Headed logistics, digital curriculum development, distribution, reporting, data, QC, and oversight of 400 leaders and consultants. Launched district-based custom leadership programs with immense financial successes in urban markets nationwide – Baltimore, Chicago, Minneapolis, Syracuse, DC, among others.  Transformed theory-based intellectual property into innovative, nationally-awarded educational leadership company with annual revenue of $10M.  Pioneered MBA-style training of district and principal leaders in management and organizational design, strategy, and tactics.  Grew SUPES into premier national executive leadership program with record annual attendees and selective 10% admission rate.

• President | Chief Operating Officer | Owner at Synesi Associates

  | Chicago, IL

  Transformed project-based, non-standard collective of retired leaders into organized consultancy. Headed marketing, operations, finance, human resources, project management and technology.  Led full business model redesign and transformed company into stable, profitable firm with engagements across Central and East Coast markets.  Defined high-margin company and engagement-based standards, protocols, operating procedures, financials, indicators, branding, and communications.

• Vice President at The Princeton Review

  Advanced through 3 roles in 4 years to lead rapid turnaround of national call center and online programs, transforming each division into significant profit centers. Consolidated company-wide marketing and customer service operations. Refocused sales training on high dollar and margin sales and built live online sales channel. Oversaw launches for company-owned and franchised sites.  Grew Chicago tutoring program from 100 students to 8,000+ in 5 months and added nearly 10% to firm's revenue and profits.  Within 6 months, reduced call center costs 20% while increasing annual revenue by 200%.  Created replicable model used for national expansion of product line.

• Founder at SolTyra

  | Chicago, IL

  In the early 2000's, the Internet started to take off. While working with small and medium-sized companies, Tom realized that they needed help. There weren't many tools for SMBs to utilize the Internet for marketing and sales efforts. Any solutions that did exist were too costly for these organizations. Tom created SolTyra to fill this need. Starting in Chicago, Tom developed a Marketing Agency to help businesses with their digital sales, marketing, strategy and growth. SolTyra created marketing collateral, websites, eCommerce sites, amongst many other products and solutions. Starting from nothing, Tom grew the company to include marquee clients such as CareerBuilder, Philadelphia School District, The Princeton Review and US Cellular. Upon joining The Princeton Review, Tom continued to do work at SolTyra, but closed the business to focus on the challenges and opportunities at The Princeton Review.

• Chief Operating Officer | Chief Marketing Officer | Partner at UpZing

  | Chicago, IL

  While at Northwestern, Tom met fellow technology buffs and realized there was a need for a new type of technology for the upcoming wireless revolution. Tom and two partners founded UpZing, which provided large-scale wireless networking and deployment services to high-end real estate developments in and around Chicago. UpZing developed a proprietary system that could be installed in any office or apartment building quickly, inexpensively and without modifying the physical plant. The owner would then become their own Internet Service Provider and offer high-speed, wireless internet at a profit. In this role, Tom managed all sales, marketing and operational aspects of the start-up company. Tom obtained financing through a well-known Chicago angel investment firm. Tom also developed a multi-platform marketing campaign- all while remaining enrolled at Northwestern. UpZing found success with installations in a landmark building on Lake Michigan as well as in the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Unfortunately, UpZing proceeded consumer demand for wireless internet and as the dot-com bubble burst, the venture partners and UpZing team amicably parted ways. The investment and UpZing team have successfully joined forces on other projects in the past years.

Tom Vranas's Education:

• Northwestern University

  Bachelors of Arts
  Concentration: Economics

Tom Vranas's Interests & Activities: