Hilbrich Group

Acquisition and leadership of marketing communications companies to bring more and better services to clients.

CEO | Founder | Investor l Business Turnaround Expert l Author l Coach

I have combined four decades of experience into instant insight. To help businesses create good times out of bad and to learn from the mistakes I made to help amplify their success.

Executive Coach

Global organization of company Presidents who believe in education, idea exchange and family work/life balance. Have held many officer, day chair and global champion roles.

Member

The Sandbox Agency

Our vision is to create a global challenger agency. Sandbox not only creates great work and executes flawlessly—we focus on the important and undervalued virtue in the agency business of playing together nicely in the sandbox. After growing from a startup to $62MM in revenue, Sandbox successfully combined with MERGE in March 2020.

Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO

Brandimage - Desgrippes & LAGA

Acquired Brandimage - Desgrippes & Laga, one of the world’s largest design firms, was formed from the combination of Desgrippes Gobé, a global design firm, and laga, a leading American design and innovation agency. With a team of experts in the U.S. Europe and Asia, Brandimage offers holistic services designed to deliver rich emotional brand experiences for consumers, from brand strategy and consumer insight, to brand identity, industrial design, package design, graphics, innovation, interactive, retail experience and architecture in one integrated offering. Brandimage was acquired by Schawk in October 2011.

Owner and CEO

The Marketing Store

Global promotional marketing communications agency with offices in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, U.K., France, Australia and China serving McDonald's, Nissan, Diageo, Vodafone and Coca Cola. Having created the awesome team that grew The Marketing Store Canada from a startup to $25MM in revenue, earned TMS global agency of the year three years in a row and achieved a top 5 independent agency status in Canada, I moved to the role of Global President of the company.

Global President

Leo Burnett

Started my career at Leo Burnett in Chicago and moved on to Burnett offices in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Canada in various senior leadership positions while growing the agency and client business for Kellogg's, Proctor & Gamble, Kraft, Heinz, Fruit of the Loom, Glad and McDonald's. Although I loved working with many major multinational clients, I especially enjoyed successfully leading smaller, more entrepreneurial offices in Leo Burnett International. Having experienced helping clients navigate the crumbling of the Berlin Wall and executing turnarounds in smaller offices in Scandinavia, I developed my deep love of the agency business and the people who work so hard to make it tick.

Senior Vice President

CEO | Entrepreneur | Investor | Author | Executive Coach

Leaders need perspective and broader thinking to create success. I can help you achieve that success. 

After almost three decades as a CEO, entrepreneur and investor, I have navigated organizations large and small, struggled through recessions and successfully managed companies to success who were once drowning in poor management or deeply in debt. I have grown business organically and through acquisition; and I have exited two companies as an entrepreneur.

I have seen a lot. I'm not perfect. I have struggled and laid awake many nights to try to figure out the right answer. 

My passion is to serve. That is why I have combined four decades of experience into days of learning for you. To help you create good times out of bad, to help you learn from the mistakes I made and to help you amplify your success. 

I will engage in your success. I will help you turn your company around. I will sell your company. I will invest in or purchase your company. 

If I have entered the conversation you are already having in your head, I would be privileged to chat with you.

John Hilbrich

Extreme Networks

●	Lead the vendor operations team, achieving 10% cost savings through strategic sourcing, improved procurement practices, risk and competitive assessments, supplier consolidation, and performance management.
●	Enhanced vendor onboarding processes by refining and streamlining procedures to ensure compliance with corporate legal standards, reducing internal lead time by 50%, minimizing operational risks, and promoting spending transparency through detailed analytical oversight.
●	Managed over $100 million in vendor contracts, securing $10 million in savings by building strategic partnerships, employing financial strategy, and conducting rigorous contract negotiations to drive fiscal stewardship and operational efficiency.

Senior Manager, Product Operations

GeekEx

Event Director

●	Produced over a dozen premier B2B events, focusing on educational and networking opportunities for marketers, affiliate marketers, direct-to-consumer brands, lead generation specialists, and high-net-worth individuals.
●	Led operations and boosted profit margins by over 20% in the first year through operational and financial optimizations, including process improvements and budget reallocations.
●	Achieved a 25% cost reduction by negotiating favorable terms with vendors, partners, and stakeholders and streamlining operations to enhance event profitability and efficiency.

Head of Operations / COO

Elemental Race Timing

●	At Elemental Race Timing, we’ve provided professional race timing and event management since 2009. We work alongside event directors and staff to create unforgettable race experiences. Our dedication to precision and professionalism ensures that your event is in the best hands every step of the way.
●	As an experienced and RRCA Certified Race Director, I have successfully managed hundreds of races, emphasizing safety-focused planning, efficient organization, and active participant engagement to ensure events of the highest standard.

Founder

●	Oversaw comprehensive fitness programs across multiple facilities, tailoring workouts and nutritional advice to diverse client needs. Managed gym operations focusing on safety, efficiency, and creating a positive environment for clients and staff; demonstrated proficiency in staff development and fostered a team-oriented atmosphere.
●	Utilized advanced fitness assessment tools to track client progress, enabling personalized goal-setting and strategy adjustments. Provided motivational coaching, underpinned by exceptional customer service, to ensure client satisfaction and enhance commitment to fitness objectives. Excelled in building client relationships through understanding individual motivations and customizing coaching approaches.
●	Maintained professional certifications in fitness and pursued continuous education to stay abreast of the latest industry trends and research. Integrated new techniques and insights into fitness programs, ensuring cutting-edge service delivery. Committed to personal and professional growth, fostering industry best practices.

Fitness Professional

CLS Holdings USA / Natural Medicine

●	Led diverse teams in developing top-tier products in multiple state markets, achieving top 10% rankings across numerous categories through intelligent operational and financial management.
●	Implemented data analytics to optimize supply chain operations, achieving a monthly inventory variance of less than 0.1% and overhauling hardware and raw product procurement strategies. This resulted in a gross margin increase of over 50%.
●	Managed $6 million and $4 million phases of a cultivation and production facility project, ensuring complete audit compliance from the Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB) and conducting effective contract negotiations, including master service agreements (MSAs), pricing, and service level agreements (SLAs).
●	Delivered significant growth in wholesale operations during Nevada's cannabis legalization, enhancing supply chain efficiencies by 10x to 50x, achieving a 50% increase in revenue, and fostering a positive work environment with a low personnel turnover rate of less than 8%.

Head of Operations / General Manager / Regional Manager

MGM Resorts Event Productions

●	Planned and executed over 15 large-scale events and trade shows in Las Vegas, collaborating with cross-functional teams to align with organizational objectives and deliver exceptional attendee experiences.
●	Maintained operational protocols for inventory management, health and safety compliance, and cycle timelines, increasing efficiency and successfully managing multimillion-dollar event budgets.
●	Served as the primary escalation point for suppliers and the event & commercial operations team, resolving complex issues and fostering solid relationships with stakeholders to ensure seamless event execution and enhance client satisfaction.

Event Manager

SageWater

●	Directed project management for over 2000 inhabited repipe and rehab projects, showcasing strong leadership and operational skills, and managed the daily operations of SageWater's largest territory in Nevada, effectively overseeing large-scale, complex projects.
●	Coordinated closely with diverse teams and stakeholders, ensuring projects were completed on time and within budget. Utilized project management tools and methodologies to track progress, identify and mitigate risks, and make necessary adjustments to project plans.
●	Fostered strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, maintaining effective communication and managing expectations throughout the project lifecycle. Demonstrated a commitment to client satisfaction and stakeholder engagement in all project phases.

Senior Project Manager

US Army

●	Served with distinction in various capacities, including Combat Engineer, Unit Operations Specialist, Armorer, Mail Room Supervisor, Unit Parts and Logistics Lead, and demonstrated adaptability and leadership in diverse locations such as Missouri, Germany, and California.
●	As a Combat Engineer, executed essential tasks like construction, demolition, and route clearance to support combat operations and troop movements. Facilitated efficient unit operations, contributing to the planning, training, and execution of missions, enhancing unit readiness and effectiveness.
●	Managed armory operations, maintaining accountability and readiness of weapons systems and equipment. Oversaw mailroom operations, ensuring timely and efficient mail distribution to unit personnel. Led unit parts and logistics, coordinating the procurement, distribution, and inventory management of essential supplies and equipment.

Combat Engineer

Senior Operations Leader | Embracing Unwavering Execution & Extreme Ownership Principles

I am a dynamic operational leader with extensive experience in comprehensive execution, strategic planning, operational efficiency, and developing high-performing teams. Proven track record in achieving significant results, including a 20% increase in profit margins and successful management of global operations. Adept at adapting quickly to changing business environments, I employ a results-driven approach and collaborative leadership style to drive operational excellence and deliver tangible outcomes.

Committed to continuous learning and professional development, I seek new knowledge and skills to stay current with industry trends. With a keen eye for identifying and implementing operational improvements, I am eager to leverage my extensive experience and proactive mindset to contribute significantly to an organization's growth and success.

"... Jimmy's integrity, bias toward action, and laser focus allowed our organization to scale. He was the heartbeat that took us from operating in the red into the black < 1 year, scaling our organization > 10X ..." Anoop Grover, COO

Jimmy Gabany

The most painful leadership lessons are usually the most effective.

I’m currently on the ground in Orlando for Day 1 of Muster 23 with the Echelon Front team.

Standing in a room full of leaders committed to the principles of Extreme Ownership, there is one truth that hits harder in person than it does on the page:

"There are no bad teams, only bad leaders."

It’s easy to say when things are going well. It’s brutal to accept when you’re facing a missed deadline, a fractured culture, or a failing project. But as Jocko Willink and Leif Babin emphasize, the moment you stop looking for someone else to blame is the exact moment you gain the power to fix the problem.

Day 1 has been a deep dive into checking the ego and the Laws of Combat. The big takeaway so far? Leadership isn't a "soft skill." It is a tactical discipline that requires constant repetition and the humility to realize you haven't arrived yet.

I’m here to be better so I can better serve my family, friends, clients, and team.

What is one area in your world right now where you need to stop looking sideways for an excuse and start looking in the mirror?

#Muster23

Jocko Willink 
Echelon Front

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Talks about #execution, #leadership, #operations, #extremeownership, and #businessmanagement

Senior Operations Leader | Operations Systems Builder | Global Vendor Strategy & Management | Event Direction | Extreme Ownership

After the mindset reset of Extreme Ownership on Day 1, Day 2 of the Echelon Front Muster was dedicated to the how. It’s one thing to accept responsibility; it’s another to build the structure that ensures success.

The key takeaway? Everyone is a leader. You lead your team, yes, but first and foremost, you lead your own life, your health, your family, and your attitude.

Here are a few of the core lessons we drilled into today:

Geometry of Leadership: Span of Control:
Effective leadership scales through structure. The concept of Span of Control reminds us that no leader can effectively manage a massive, unwieldy group. You must organize into small, maneuverable units (Fire Teams) and ensure crystal-clear communication and command, staying under the ideal 5-7 direct reports. This prevents bottlenecks and enables true Decentralized Command.

Iterative Decision Making (IDM):
The world doesn't wait for a perfect plan. Iterative Decision Making (IDM) is the recognition that we must often make decisions with incomplete information. It’s about getting the best possible plan out now, executing it with aggression, and immediately feeding the results back into the Leadership Loop (brief, execute, debrief, repeat). Waiting for 100% data leads to 100% failure.

Humility, Judgment, and the Readback:
The most critical asset for a leader is Humility. It allows you to Listen to Lead and accept that your subordinate, who is closer to the problem, may have a better solution than you do. This ties directly into Judgment—the wisdom to distinguish between good and bad advice. The tool for checking both ego and understanding? The Readback. It forces your team to articulate your intent in their own words, ensuring shared understanding and preventing catastrophic errors.

Implementation: The Debrief and Reflection:
We spent significant time on the Debrief and Team Reflection and Application. This is the mechanism by which the Extreme Ownership Framework is actually locked in. It’s not about blame; it’s about what went right, what went wrong, and what we will do better next time. This discipline ensures the team constantly gets better.

Day 2 ended with an intro to BJJ which may just be my next sport. 


#Muster23
Jocko Willink 
Leif Babin 
Echelon Front

You see the quote everywhere: Discipline Equals Freedom. But what does it mean for your 60-hour work week?

It's the most powerful principle of Extreme Ownership. It teaches us that self-imposed structure creates capacity and flexibility.

Financial Discipline (budgeting, saving) = Freedom from debt/stress.

Physical Discipline (working out, eating well) = Freedom of energy and health.

Team Discipline (SOPs, clear meeting agendas) = Freedom from chaos, wasted time, and micromanagement.

By instituting disciplined standards, the right way to do things, you free up your mental and physical capital to be creative, solve complex problems, and maneuver when the unexpected strikes.

The Takeaway: Stop chasing 'balance' and start embracing discipline. The more standards you impose on the mundane, the more Freedom you gain for the mission.

Complex plans fall apart. Simple ones get finished.

Clarity speeds up everything. When the goals are clear and the coms are simple, people stop guessing and start moving. Teams that know what “done” looks like can make decisions without waiting for permission.

Simplicity is not a lack of ambition. It is the discipline to strip away noise so the work can actually get done.

#leadership #operations

Opportunity rarely waits for perfect clarity.

Default Aggressive means you move when you have enough information to make a smart call. Leaders who hesitate miss openings that will not come back. Leaders who act with purpose set the pace for everyone else.

It is not reckless. It is controlled forward movement. You set guardrails, think through the risks, and commit.

When people see decisive action, they stop waiting for permission. The culture shifts from playing it safe to capturing opportunities that others overlook.

Bold execution creates advantages that slow organizations never see.

#leadership #operations

What separates unforgettable leaders?

It’s not having all the answers.
It’s seeing potential in someone before they see it in themselves.

Careers are built on those moments.
A stretch assignment. An “I believe in you.” One real chance.

If you’re in a position to open a door, take the shot.
Push someone forward like someone once did for you.

Perfect doesn’t exist, but potential does.
Who made that difference for you?
Maybe it’s your turn now.

Trying to do everything at once guarantees nothing gets done.

Prioritize and Execute means leaders decide what matters most, then attack that first. It is not glamorous, but it is effective.

The reality is simple: energy is finite. Spreading it too thin leads to burnout and half-finished projects. Prioritization forces clarity. Execution forces progress. Together, they create momentum.

Leaders must protect their teams from trying to solve every issue simultaneously. Choosing the next task is leadership. Following through is execution.

What would change in your week if you only worked on the one task that mattered most today?

Ignore operations, and your strategy goes nowhere.

Plans only matter if someone can turn them into real work. Operations is the engine that keeps everything moving. Without it, even the best strategy sits in a slide deck and never touches the ground.

Ops is where ideas gain traction and momentum becomes real.

#leadership #operations

Communication Skills: How to Use a Cold Read and Accusation Audit #leadership #negotiation #ChrisVoss

Excuses stop progress. Ownership builds it.

When something goes sideways, the fastest way out is to take responsibility and move. Leaders who do that create momentum because the team sees action instead of complaints and excuses. People pay attention to how you respond when the pressure hits. Do you step up or do you crumble?

Accountability is not about blame. It is about setting a standard where responsibility feels normal and progress feels expected.

#leadership #operations

Leadership isn’t about barking orders and hoping for the best.

It’s about being someone your team actually wants to follow, not just someone they have to.

Funny how fast people forget that.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: anyone can push projects across the finish line. That’s management.

But multiplying belief? Sparking trust? That’s leadership.

Plenty of folks can set KPIs and enforce deadlines. Fewer can win hearts at the same time.

A manager chases metrics. A leader inspires momentum.

Management runs on rules. Leadership runs on relationships.

Deadlines don’t earn loyalty. Character does.

Control doesn’t build greatness. Care does.

Forget job titles. Forget the latest productivity hacks. Here’s what real leadership looks like:

1. Set the path, then move out of the way.
If you’re steering every turn, your team will never learn to drive.

2. Bring clarity, not intensity.
When things get tense, don’t fan the flames. Shine a light.

3. Spot potential where others see problems.
A mistake is just a lesson in disguise. A contrarian might be a future innovator.

4. Start with purpose, not percentages.
People give their all for a reason, not just a result.

5. Teach self-trust.
Empowering someone to decide means you’re building more leaders, not just more followers.

6. Grow people, not ego.
Your legacy is measured in their confidence, not on your business card.

7. Keep promises when it’s toughest.
Sticking around when it’s inconvenient is when trust is really built.

8. Listen until others feel safe to speak.
Those quiet voices in the corner? They’re often your secret weapon.

9. Lead with heart, not hierarchy.
Power gets compliance. Empathy gets commitment.

Leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about making others feel capable.

If you want to build a team that outlasts you, stop managing work and start leading people.

Tasks can be moved by authority, but only care can move hearts.

If this sounds like tough love, good.
Because real leadership isn’t for everyone.

Ready to raise your own bar?
What’s one leadership lesson you wish more people understood?
Drop it in the comments and let’s raise the standard together.

Ever work for someone who blamed everyone but themselves? Yeah, me too.

Here’s the thing most leaders won’t admit: Personal accountability isn’t just some checkbox on a leadership scorecard. It’s the glue that keeps teams from falling apart.

I make it a point to own my decisions, especially the ones that don’t go as planned. If I missed the mark, my team hears it straight. No sugarcoating, no scapegoating.

Why? Because trust isn’t built on empty words. It’s built every time a leader says, “This one’s on me,” and means it.

When my team sees I hold myself to the same standards I expect from them, the whole tone changes. People step up, speak up, and bring their best. They know we’re in it together, no finger-pointing.

Want a team that runs on trust, not fear? It starts with you. Take the hard look in the mirror, call your own fouls, and watch what happens.

Who’s the most accountable leader you’ve worked with? Tag them below or share what real accountability looks like in your world.

The enemy of execution is Complexity.

When a plan gets too detailed, too convoluted, and too full of jargon, people get confused. Confusion leads to hesitation. Hesitation gets you defeated.

The Extreme Ownership principle of Keep Things Simple is not about dumbing things down; it's about making your Mission and Intent impossible to misunderstand. A truly great plan can be articulated by any member of the team in a single, clear sentence.

Bad: "The strategy is to utilize cross-functional synergy to maximize Q3 ROI in key performance indicators."

Good: "Our mission is to acquire 10 new anchor clients this quarter by focusing 100% of our efforts on personalized outreach to the Midwest territory."

The Takeaway: Your team needs to know the Main Effort—the single, most important thing that must happen. If they know the intent, they can adapt when the plan inevitably goes sideways.

Clarity often requires distance.

When leaders get too close to problems, emotion clouds judgment. Detachment means stepping back to see the whole picture.

It is not disengagement, it is perspective. By observing instead of reacting, leaders can identify patterns, anticipate risks, and choose better paths.

Detachment creates objectivity. It turns chaos into actionable insight. Leaders who practice it make sharper decisions and avoid costly overreactions.

Sometimes the best move is to pause, breathe, and step back.

#leadership #operations

In fast-growing businesses, chaos can become the norm. But what if your operational systems could transform that chaos into clarity?

Strong systems don’t just organize tasks. They create a foundation where teams operate smoothly and confidently. When processes are clear and repeatable, you can troubleshoot faster, make better decisions, and free up time to focus on strategic growth.

Building these systems starts with understanding the pain points. Where do bottlenecks slow things down? What steps are duplicated or unnecessary? Then, design simple, scalable solutions that everyone understands and follows.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistency. When your team knows what to do and how to do it, chaos turns into control. That’s when real operational excellence begins.

If you want to turn chaos into clarity, focus on designing systems that empower your team, eliminate ambiguity, and drive measurable results.

Clarity isn’t a luxury. It’s a competitive advantage. Are your systems ready to deliver it?

Mastering Accountability and Leadership: A Deep Dive into Extreme Ownership - EchelonFront.com #leadership #EchelonFront

Wisdom under pressure reveals character more than comfort ever will.

Leaders are tested in chaos because panic strips away pretense. Wisdom means trusting the Lord, leaning not on your own understanding, and being willing to adjust when facts demand it.

When you lean on systems or emotion alone, you'll misread the path. But when you anchor decisions in humility and wisdom, even failure becomes a lesson.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

When was the last time you changed course because humility pointed out your blind spot?

#leadership #operations

Leadership isn't about being unbreakable. 
It's about being unshakable when everything around you is chaos. 

Mental toughness isn't a gift; it's a skill you build. 
It's not in your personality; it's in your principles. 

The strongest leaders I know don't let emotions run wild. 
They have a blueprint—rules they follow when the storm hits. 

Here are 11 rules the mentally tough swear by: 

1. Don't expect fairness 
↳ Life throws challenges, not fairness 
↳ Accept what is, adapt accordingly 

2. Separate facts from feelings 
↳ Facts are objective, feelings are subjective 
↳ Know what's influencing your reactions 

3. Focus on what you control 
↳ Energy is limited; use it wisely 
↳ Invest in areas you can influence 

4. Take full responsibility 
↳ Own your actions and results 
↳ That's where your power lies 

5. Let go of needing approval 
↳ Not everyone will get your vision 
↳ That's okay, their approval isn't your goal 

6. Learn, then move on 
↳ Extract lessons from the past 
↳ Dwelling only wastes energy 

7. Prioritize wellness 
↳ Mind and body are linked 
↳ Neglect either, and you suffer 

8. Embrace change and calculated risks 
↳ Growth lives outside the comfort zone 
↳ Evaluate, then leap 

9. Stop waiting to feel ready 
↳ Confidence is built through action, not preparation 
↳ Just start 

10. Set boundaries, no guilt needed 
↳ Your time and energy matter 
↳ Protect them fiercely 

11. Rest without guilt 
↳ Recovery isn't a reward, it's part of performance 
↳ You can't operate at your best running on empty 

Mental toughness isn't immunity from hardship. 
It's the skill of navigating it. 

Which rule do you lean on most? 
Drop it in the comments. 

Repost if you know someone working hard to build resilience. 
Follow for more insights on leadership and mental toughness.

Leaders who claim, "I only do big things," miss out on power in the small stuff.

Jesus didn't wait for grand stage events. He washed feet, healed the sick in the margins, and ate with sinners. The smallest acts often carry the loudest message.

Don't undervalue the tiny daily deposits: showing up, listening, doing the work no one sees. These are the routines that build trust when pressure hits.

"But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves." Luke 22:26 ESV

Which unseen task this week could you lead with instead of waiting for drama?

How to Manage Performance - EchelonFront.com #leadership #EchelonFront

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