Ross Goodwin, Managing Partner
A 1978 SSU graduate with a BS in Physics and Mathematics,
Ross Goodwin furthered his studies with an MBA in Finance from the
University of California, Berkeley. As a 26-year veteran of Hewlett-Packard
Company in marketing management and internal consulting to executives, Ross
honed extensive experience in customer loyalty, voice of the customer feedback
(VOC), sales support, sales training, service support, and new product
definition/introduction within the high technology B2B environment.
Ross successfully developed and implemented HP's first B2B TCE survey and
measurement system linkage architecture, as Corporate Manager of Customer
Loyalty. This entirely new survey covered products and services representing
more than 80 percent of HP B2B revenues in more than 20 countries. By working
alongside senior management and international cross-functional teams in various
lines of businesses, Ross spearheaded the design and implementation of
competitively superior customer experiences, driving revenue growth and
improving profitability. Initially Ross developed the first Customer Loyalty
Management Program for a $1B division at HP, linking bottom-line business
performance while working with various divisions to implement strategic change,
improve customer value, and integrate customer-derived priorities into the
strategic planning process.
Following HP, Ross worked as a consultant in high-technology industries,
telecom, financial services, and healthcare for several marketing research
firms. He is also a former California "Baldrige" Examiner.
Currently, Ross is the Managing Partner for Bennett Valley Group, developing
customer feedback surveys. He also teaches business classes at College of Marin
and Dominican University, and is a sales coach for CustomerCentric Selling®
workshops.
A lifelong Santa Rosa resident, Ross actively supported his three children and
contributed to his community as the President of the Board of the Bennett Valley
Union School District in 1998, and a trustee from 1994-1998. Ross currently
serves as a Sonoma State Alumni Association Director and California State
University Alumni Council Representative.
Bill Vyenielo, Advisor
Wine Industry veteran, Bill Vyenielo's love for agriculture was instilled while growing up in Sonoma County. A UC Davis graduate, he began his career 28 years ago as an agricultural lender with American Ag Credit in St. Helena. He later served as Controller and Vice President of Monticello Cellars and Vineyards in Napa. After a sabbatical to earn an MBA at Pepperdine University, Bill spent the next 14 years from 1991 through 2005 leading the highly regarded Peter Michael Winery as General Manager and Chief Executive. Under his leadership, Bill instituted a steady course of growth for Peter Michael by building the winery and vineyard estate from a fledgling start-up to one of the most respected producers of limited production, ultra-premium wines in the world.
Bill left Peter Michael to found his own consulting business and knows the "daunting demands and challenges" faced by winery principals. He draws upon the experience he's gained in successfully developing and managing luxury-focused winery operations and brands to help winery clientele succeed in the ultra premium and luxury niches. Bill helps guide them through the various challenges such niche entrepreneurs may face from: spanning marketing, operations, winery and vineyard development. He works directly with the owners and managers of ultra premium wineries who are striving to grow their business and offers consulting services dealing in areas that address how the winery may improve efficiency, increase profitability and build a sustainable, valuable brand.
Brad Ball, Advisor
Brad has over 20 years experience as member of senior leadership teams with Open Text, Hewlett-Packard, Kraft Foods, BICC and Gemini Networks, where Brad was focused on Sales, Marketing and Service strategies and deliverables. Additionally, Brad cofounded two companies, most recently IntellectMarket, Inc. an enterprise collaboration software company, where he was cofounder and Chief Marketing Officer. Brad is currently CEO and President of LoyaltyMatch.
In the marketing and brand functions, Brad's expertise lies in strategic planning, global marketing, and the marketing tactics to implement customer centric visions. Brad has assisted clients in portfolio management of products and services; brand segmentation and positioning; value proposition development; go-to-market strategy; marketing communications, message mapping and establishing thought leadership. Brad is particularly adept in building and engaging in professional services marketing. In the sales function, Brad’s expertise is in account based marketing and sales force tool kits and training.
Brad has presented at numerous conferences and written articles on customer retention, loyalty and database marketing for various publications. He obtained his MBA from McMaster University.