Grand Power Systems Executive Retained Search Results - NextGen Executive Retained Search

Chief Executive Officer at Grand Power Systems (GTI/Warner)

Completed Search

The Placement

June 29, 2017: NextGen Global Executive Search proudly announces a recently completed executive placement. Stephen Paul formally accepted the position as the Chief Executive Officer at Grand Power Systems (GTI/Warner).

Stephen Paul joins Grand Power brining an extensive leadership Background in the manufacturing of electrical transformers, value added magnetic solutions and specialty switchgear for the commercial industrial and industrial OEM markets.

As a change agent, his unique capability is in conceptualizing and expanding market share while also reducing overall costs. Stephen will be responsible for leadership, formulating an effective market and business strategy for both GTI and Warner Power, and leading the companies into the future in electrical power systems.

Stephen’s most recent experience includes serving as COO for Pioneer Power Solutions and prior 3 years as Director off Sales for Jefferson Electric. He holds a BSME from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Edgewood College. He is also an avid pilot.

Client Overview

Grand Power Systems Inc is a U.S. based, manufacturer of engineered electrical products creating solutions for the commercial OEM and industrial end use markets. Their customers include Fortune 500 Companies in the Data Center, Drives, Elevator, Machine Tool, Ground Power, and Glass Manufacturing industries. At GPS, their purpose is to provide the best solution for you. With a focus on engineering support during the application, design, and prototyping phases of development, our goal, is to deliver the best solution for your specific application.

The Challenge

The task was to replace an interim CEO for a mid-cap manufacturer with two facilities in the United States, each with 60 FTE, the company has very positive CE? great relationships with many repeat customers. Needed to deliver a 2-3-year plan profitability, diversification of
customer base, execution of strategic plan, achievement of certain growth figures, and entrance into new markets.

NextGen Custom Search Strategy & Results

The NextGen team identified key mid-cap competitors CEOs as well as large-cap SVPs in power transformers, custom magnetics, and relevant power supply manufacturers whose customer base included industrial markets. NextGen needed to identify candidates with solid experience with addressing existing facilities, labor costs, capital expenditures in manufacturing. Ideally someone who could take an unstructured approach to getting things done, delegating, willing to look outside the box for answers and opportunities.

We interviewed more than 29 candidates who passed the pre-screening and after exhaustive interviews and testing, delivered 4 candidates as a shortlist. Three of the four were brought into Grand Rapids for in-person interviews with the Chairman and Blackford Capital, the investor group. Of that three, two were brought back as finalists to make presentations to the entire Board of Directors with their strategy to meet the objectives of the role.