Jake VanderZanden
President/CEO at OTTO DesignWorks LLC- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Cort Buchholz ★
Jake is an excellent leader. He keeps his eye on the big picture, but rarely hesitates to dig into the deeper details when it’s warranted. Jake inspires those around him with his insight, confidence, experience and good humor. He is effective at keeping meetings focused on key issues - and to deal with those issues swiftly. These traits make him a charming leader and an all around good guy. I have had the privilege of working with Jake several times and always look forward to the next engagement.
Bill Bray
I have had the privilege of both working for Jake at ICS,Blount and working with him as both a customer and supplier while I was with Stanley Hydraulic Tools. Jake is one of those special individuals that has great vision for products, markets, and organizations. He used his education and engineering background to create a unique product line and business within Blount,then added his expertise in marketing to communicate a vision and expectation to our customer base. His leadership and expertise across all disciplines created a business and new work methodology from a product idea. Jake is a high energy individual that is never satisfied with the status quo. He is an accomplished strategist with the ability to articulate goals throughout an organization and help others to execute the necessary strategies and tactics to accomplish those goals.
Cort Buchholz ★
Jake is an excellent leader. He keeps his eye on the big picture, but rarely hesitates to dig into the deeper details when it’s warranted. Jake inspires those around him with his insight, confidence, experience and good humor. He is effective at keeping meetings focused on key issues - and to deal with those issues swiftly. These traits make him a charming leader and an all around good guy. I have had the privilege of working with Jake several times and always look forward to the next engagement.
Bill Bray
I have had the privilege of both working for Jake at ICS,Blount and working with him as both a customer and supplier while I was with Stanley Hydraulic Tools. Jake is one of those special individuals that has great vision for products, markets, and organizations. He used his education and engineering background to create a unique product line and business within Blount,then added his expertise in marketing to communicate a vision and expectation to our customer base. His leadership and expertise across all disciplines created a business and new work methodology from a product idea. Jake is a high energy individual that is never satisfied with the status quo. He is an accomplished strategist with the ability to articulate goals throughout an organization and help others to execute the necessary strategies and tactics to accomplish those goals.
Cort Buchholz ★
Jake is an excellent leader. He keeps his eye on the big picture, but rarely hesitates to dig into the deeper details when it’s warranted. Jake inspires those around him with his insight, confidence, experience and good humor. He is effective at keeping meetings focused on key issues - and to deal with those issues swiftly. These traits make him a charming leader and an all around good guy. I have had the privilege of working with Jake several times and always look forward to the next engagement.
Bill Bray
I have had the privilege of both working for Jake at ICS,Blount and working with him as both a customer and supplier while I was with Stanley Hydraulic Tools. Jake is one of those special individuals that has great vision for products, markets, and organizations. He used his education and engineering background to create a unique product line and business within Blount,then added his expertise in marketing to communicate a vision and expectation to our customer base. His leadership and expertise across all disciplines created a business and new work methodology from a product idea. Jake is a high energy individual that is never satisfied with the status quo. He is an accomplished strategist with the ability to articulate goals throughout an organization and help others to execute the necessary strategies and tactics to accomplish those goals.
Cort Buchholz ★
Jake is an excellent leader. He keeps his eye on the big picture, but rarely hesitates to dig into the deeper details when it’s warranted. Jake inspires those around him with his insight, confidence, experience and good humor. He is effective at keeping meetings focused on key issues - and to deal with those issues swiftly. These traits make him a charming leader and an all around good guy. I have had the privilege of working with Jake several times and always look forward to the next engagement.
Bill Bray
I have had the privilege of both working for Jake at ICS,Blount and working with him as both a customer and supplier while I was with Stanley Hydraulic Tools. Jake is one of those special individuals that has great vision for products, markets, and organizations. He used his education and engineering background to create a unique product line and business within Blount,then added his expertise in marketing to communicate a vision and expectation to our customer base. His leadership and expertise across all disciplines created a business and new work methodology from a product idea. Jake is a high energy individual that is never satisfied with the status quo. He is an accomplished strategist with the ability to articulate goals throughout an organization and help others to execute the necessary strategies and tactics to accomplish those goals.
Experience
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OTTO DesignWorks LLC
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United States
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Consumer Goods
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1 - 100 Employee
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President/CEO
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Sep 2016 - Present
Founder and chief entrepreneur working to build the OTTOLOCK brand in the cycling & outdoor industry. OTTOLOCK makes a full spectrum of portable locks that won't weigh you down. Our award-winning, lightweight cinch locks are designed for bicycle, scooter, and outdoor quick stops to protect against opportunity theft. Founder and chief entrepreneur working to build the OTTOLOCK brand in the cycling & outdoor industry. OTTOLOCK makes a full spectrum of portable locks that won't weigh you down. Our award-winning, lightweight cinch locks are designed for bicycle, scooter, and outdoor quick stops to protect against opportunity theft.
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VanderZanden Consulting LLC
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United States
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Business Consulting and Services
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Business Strategy Consultant/Speaker/Author
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Dec 2011 - Present
Business consultancy focused on helping organizations with building strategic plans, unlocking product/service innovation, and marketing strategy. Open for Board seats or fractional management work in fitting company scenarios. Guest speaker/teacher at Oregon State University and Portland State University in both College of Engineering and College of Business programs. Author of Barnyard Management ebook published in May 2012. Business consultancy focused on helping organizations with building strategic plans, unlocking product/service innovation, and marketing strategy. Open for Board seats or fractional management work in fitting company scenarios. Guest speaker/teacher at Oregon State University and Portland State University in both College of Engineering and College of Business programs. Author of Barnyard Management ebook published in May 2012.
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Partner/Domestique
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Feb 2016 - Present
Owner, advisor, and teammate applying experience to help grow sales and value. Owner, advisor, and teammate applying experience to help grow sales and value.
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DWFritz Automation
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United States
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Automation Machinery Manufacturing
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100 - 200 Employee
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Vice President of Product Development
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Apr 2015 - Dec 2017
Senior team advisor on business strategy & scale. Leader of new product development programs, strategy and NPD incubator.
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Vice President of Corporate Development
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Apr 2012 - Mar 2015
Leader responsible for a variety of functions throughout rapid growth period of DWFritz Automation, including strategic planning, marketing, organization development, platform development and information systems.
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Oregon Tool
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United States
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Manufacturing
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500 - 600 Employee
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Sr. Vice President, New Product & Business Development, Corporate Officer
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Nov 2007 - Dec 2011
Leader of corporate-wide New Product Innovation & Commercialization, Strategic Planning, Branding/Identity Positioning, and Intellectual Property Management. Created new business and successful commercialization of multiple new product lines and SBUs, including PowerSharp® saw chain sharpening system, PowerGrit® utility pipe solutions, and game-changing Oregon® Cordless lithium-ion battery tools. Leader of corporate-wide New Product Innovation & Commercialization, Strategic Planning, Branding/Identity Positioning, and Intellectual Property Management. Created new business and successful commercialization of multiple new product lines and SBUs, including PowerSharp® saw chain sharpening system, PowerGrit® utility pipe solutions, and game-changing Oregon® Cordless lithium-ion battery tools.
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ICS® Diamond Tools
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United States
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Construction
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President
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Jan 1990 - Dec 2011
Founded and created a strategic business of Blount Inc. (now Oregon Tool) which designs, sells and manufactures construction products to the concrete-cutting & finishing industry. Responsible for leading rapid company growth, development and marketing of new products, and multi-channel global distribution to create an enterprise value of over $100 million. Strategic vision created industry leading ICS brand, products, and best-in-class operating margins. Founded and created a strategic business of Blount Inc. (now Oregon Tool) which designs, sells and manufactures construction products to the concrete-cutting & finishing industry. Responsible for leading rapid company growth, development and marketing of new products, and multi-channel global distribution to create an enterprise value of over $100 million. Strategic vision created industry leading ICS brand, products, and best-in-class operating margins.
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Education
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2001 - 2001
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Executive Program -
1983 - 1987
Oregon State University
BS, Mechanical Engineering
Community
