ANTHONY MILLS

Executive Leader – Business Technology Product Strategy

201-***-**** ac8d6r@r.postjobfree.com

Grand Rapids, MI, USA https://www.linkedin.com/in/camills

WHO IS ANTHONY MILLS

WHO I AM

I am a seasoned business leader – a master of strategy, product, technology, and brand – who has successfully driven multiple new endeavors in both Fortune 100 and startup businesses. From defining new business platforms and go-to-market strategies, to designing and delivering completely new product categories, I have launched several new lines of business and filled many different roles from end to end in the process.

I have extensive experience throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

WHAT I’M GOOD AT AND ENJOY

I am good at strategy, design, execution, leading, and getting things done that matter – I move the needle.

I enjoy leading organizations, launching new things, wooing partners, winning customers, and closing sales.

WHAT DRIVES ME

What drives me is having exciting new endeavors to lead – endeavors that hold the promise of major new value for both the business and its customers.

WHAT I’VE BEEN (OFFICIALLY) RECOGNIZED FOR

I have been officially recognized by independent third-parties for my in-depth expertise in strategic innovation (aka innovation-driven growth) and customer experience.

MY LEADERSHIP STYLE

I drive organizations by casting a vision for the endeavor so that there is a shared sense of purpose in the team. This in turn drives focus and peer accountability.

I know how to build relationships in organizations that mobilize people and thereby achieve the intended goals and objectives. I know good stakeholder management.

STRENGTHS

WORK EXPERIENCE

Executive Director

Global Innovation Institute

Jan 2016 – present global

Co-led the launch of an entirely new global certification organization from totally unknown to now recognized as the world's foremost accreditation and standards body in business innovation.

Single-handedly created GInI’s revenue engine by developing its 5 professional certification courses from scratch – CInP®, CDTP®, CInS®, CCInO®, & AInA®.

Since pursued by hundreds globally.

Created and developed GInI’s highly-coveted CInOrg® certification for businesses.

Created and launched GInI’s Accreditation Program – Innovation Labs + Incubators + Accelerators + more.

Authored GInI’s comprehensive 900-page reference book – The GInI Applied Innovation Master Book.

Grew GInI’s network of Authorized Innovation Providers (AInPs) around the world by 5X in <3 years.

Grew GInI’s cumulative revenues by 100X in <3 years.

Chief Executive Officer

Legacy Innovation Group

Jan 2014 – present Grand Rapids, MI

Developed the firm’s comprehensive service model – Discovery / Design / Strategy / Process.

Delivered numerous high impact consulting and training engagements to clients from all over the world, covering a broad range of topics relating to strategic innovation and growth.

Achieved broad global recognition for the firm.

Achieved revenue growth of 20X in 3 years.

Council Member

Gerson Lehrman Group

Jun 2014 – present New York, NY

Provided micro-consulting to clients from all over the world on topics relating to strategic innovation and growth – growth strategies, corporate innovation programs, innovation management systems, corporate venturing, open innovation, partnership management, portfolio management, design thinking, and emerging market & technology trends.

Strategic Innovation Leader

Whirlpool Corporation

Jun 2013 – Sep 2015 Benton Harbor, MI

Led the research, identification, conceptualization, design, and defense of new product categories and new technologies for expanding Whirlpool’s product lines.

Conceived and championed the Vessi® home-brewing appliance, successfully launching Whirlpool into an entirely new product category and North American market worth potentially up to $100M.

Led teams in the development of new technology innovations, covering technical design as well as financial assessment and business case justification.

Led execution of the visual brand language (VBL) for Whirlpool’s next-generation premium washer / dryer line, as well as the design of select components.

First at Whirlpool to apply novel “Experience Thinking” practices to ensure that new product platforms could deliver on their intended brand experience.

Vice President of Product Development

Bio-Chem Fluidics – a Halma PLC company

Feb 2009 – Jun 2013 Boonton, NJ

Provided executive leadership over all areas of Product Management & Innovation – Strategic Marketing, OEM Applications, Sustaining Engineering, NPD, and R&D.

Set the vision and strategy for the company’s product portfolio & roadmaps, challenging and mobilizing product teams to achieve key new growth objectives.

Led the design, development, launch, and commercialization of 5 key new product lines, generating substantial revenue growth from incremental new OEM projects, and taking the business to the next level in overall sales – eventually achieving 16% YOY revenue growth – an all-time record.

Slashed product launch cycles by >50%, from 40 months to <18 months, and labor costs by 50% by mobilizing cross-functional launch teams, regular project meetings, and focused vendor management.

Developed rolling 36-month product roadmap aligned to strategic plans, providing the tool to maximize ROI while minimizing technical risks & balancing resources.

Championed and sourced strategic technology partnerships with third-party firms in both Europe and Asia, commercializing two partnerships in France.

Provided executive leadership to adjacent functions, incl. Production, Purchasing, and Quality Assurance.

Director of Engineering

Hayes Bicycle Group

Jul 2007 – Jul 2008 Mequon, WI

Provided key leadership and guidance during extremely intense M&A transition.

Completely rebuilt and restructured the engineering organization – recruiting, hiring, training, and coaching an entirely new engineering team at HQ.

Directed Design and Engineering teams in the US and Taiwan, along with other functions needed to support NPD, OEM Applications, and Sustaining Engineering.

Challenged and mobilized the new U.S. team to break historical boundaries and to position our department as true technical leaders in our field.

Developed and implemented numerous new and streamlined processes and ultimately oversaw the division’s quality program to dramatically improve product quality.

These efforts culminated in a new, high-functioning organization that was able to move the business forward into new opportunities.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Member of Evaluation Board – IoT Open Innovation Lab

Northeastern University Jun 2018 – present

President – West Michigan Chapter

PDMA Oct 2014 – Dec 2015

Vice President of Marketing – NY/NJ Chapter

PDMA Jan 2012 – Jun 2013

EDUCATION

Masters of Management

Aquinas College

Aug 2001 – May 2004

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

North Carolina State University

Jan 1989 – May 1991

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

North Carolina State University

Aug 1983 – Dec 1988

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

Authorized Innovation Assessor – AInA

Certified Chief Innovation Officer – CCInO

Certified Innovation Strategist – CInS

Certified Design Thinking Professional – CDTP

Certified Innovation Professional – CInP

Global Innovation Institute

2016 – present

Professional Engineer – PE

State of Michigan

1996 – present

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