As an interim executive, I step into an empty leadership seat or a transition, typically as CEO, COO or President, and run the business with full management authority for a set period.
Who is it for?
Owners, boards and investors of companies with a leadership seat that's empty or about to be, or a transition that needs a steady hand: a founder stepping back, an executive departure, an acquisition or a business that needs to be stabilized.
When does it fit?
- "Our CEO or COO has left, and we need someone running the business now."
- "The founder is stepping back, and we need a bridge to the next leader."
- "We've acquired a company and need experienced leadership while we integrate it."
- "Part of the business is in trouble and needs to be stabilized."
What's included?
I take on the seat's authority and responsibilities for the agreed period. That typically includes:
- An early assessment of the business and an operating plan
- Stabilizing operations and the leadership team
- A KPI scorecard and review cadence
- Board or investor reporting
- An org chart and role definitions, and support recruiting the permanent leader
- SOPs and workflows so the business runs well after the handover
Formats and typical length
- Interim Executive Leadership: typically 6 to 12 months, usually hybrid, with up to two days on site when needed.
Every engagement is scoped and priced in writing after a first conversation.
How does an interim engagement end?
Every engagement ends with a planned handover, not a sudden exit:
- An offboarding plan, agreed well before the end date
- An offboarding package for the incoming leader: priorities, open issues, key relationships and the operating rhythm
- A postmortem and debrief with the owner or board
- Availability for a week or two afterward to answer questions
Who does the work?
I hold the interim seat personally. The M2 Ventures team can add hands-on capacity under my direction and review. All engagements are contracted and billed through M2 Ventures.
How does an engagement start?
- You send a short note about the business and what you need.
- I reply within two business days, with times for a call.
- We talk for 30 minutes, at no cost, about whether and how I can help.
- If it's a fit, I send a written scope and proposal, including the authority, reporting line and handover plan.
Relevant experience
- Took operating control of a distressed distributor, stabilized it within six months and expanded it from one hub to three.
- Served as co-founder and CEO of a venture-backed, multi-state operating company, reporting to an eleven-member investor board.
- Served as President and sole executive officer of a 100+ person company, reporting to a five-member shareholder board.
See it in practice: Turning around a distressed distributor.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find an interim CEO for a growing company?
Look for someone who has held the CEO seat, reported to a board and can take authority on day one. I've been co-founder and CEO of a venture-backed, multi-state operating company in regulated consumer products and President of a 100+ person company, and I step in as interim CEO, COO or President for growing companies.
How quickly can an interim executive start?
Start dates are agreed during scoping, based on your timeline and my current engagements. Tell me your timeline in the contact form, and I'll confirm a start date on our first call.
Do you work on site?
Yes, as needed. Interim engagements are usually hybrid, with up to two days on site when needed, and I'm open to weekly travel anywhere in the United States.
Can you serve as an interim COO for a multi-site company?
Yes. I've run a multi-site manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer as its sole executive officer, and a distribution business across three hubs.
How are interim engagements priced?
They're priced monthly, based on the seat, the authority and the time commitment, and agreed in writing before work begins.
Will you help us hire the permanent leader?
Yes. Defining the role and supporting the search can be part of the engagement, and the handover is planned for the incoming leader.
Ready to talk? Discuss an Engagement