Mission

Mission is a B2B global marketplace of senior software engineers supported by best in class engineering management practice via the Mission Platform.
Our 3000+ members are based in 40+ countries (350 when I started). We work with 40+ partners located mainly in LATAM, Africa, US and Asia.
Main achievements:
- Grew the network of senior Engineers by 400% in 18 months,
- Negotiated and signed 30+ partnerships in strategic markets globally,
- Built scalable processes in sourcing, vetting and matching candidates,
- Team management and leadership, starting from scratch, of exceptional people located in different continents,
- Collected data points at all steps of our processes giving us more visibility and predictability in our operations.

Vice President, Member Operations & Partnerships

Modern Canada

- Member of the leadership team (top 50 leader at GDI Integrated Facility Services),
- Built from scratch a new and innovative franchise model targeting secondary markets in Canada including the legal agreement, definition of the service offering, the creation of an operational manual, identification and design of territories, identification and selection of systems to use (CRM, pricing, e-commerce platform etc.), franchisee profiles, go-to-market strategy, sales & marketing strategies etc.,
- Defined the offer that includes janitorial services, specialty cleaning services and a store (online and retail) for cleaning supplies and equipment distribution,
- Identified opportunities to improve revenue growth,
- Opened and lead a pilot corporate unit located in Hamilton, On,
- Implementation of the first franchisees,
- P&L creation and ownership.

Director of Franchising

Encore Travel

Member of the Executive team. Mission: lead and scale operations.
Main tasks:
- Team management of travel agents, team leaders, project managers,
- Put in place and monitored customer service satisfaction and customer experience through SLAs and KPIs,
- Implemented, scaled and improved processes using agile and 6-Sigma methodologies: online booking tools, offline solutions, back office tools, email technology etc.,
- Defined the operational strategy and structure,
- Supported Sales & Account Management teams in pre-sales: worked on pricing and overall finance for new accounts,
- Supported Sales & Account Management teams with the implementation of new clients,
- Trained new clients: built documentation and provided online and in person trainings, 
- Managed P&L.

Director, Service Delivery

Areas of expertise : business development, marketing, international expansion, partnerships.

Strengths : entrepreneurship, ability to start from scratch, international experience and network, e-commerce, negotiation, help businesses scale and grow exponentially. 

Clients : LE CHEMISEUR® (fashion), Bungalo.com (holiday rental), Oyatis (hospitality), Simplenight (travel)

Start up Advisor

Egencia, an Expedia company

Expanding Egencia's online & offline presence in Europe, the Middle-East & Africa (EMEA) via the development of strategic partnerships : 
- Identify markets where a partner is needed,
- Build the business model,
- Identify, audit and negotiate a deal with local partners,
- Responsible for the partners'​ contracts and monthly financial flow, 
- Owner of the P&L, 
- Identify opportunities to improve revenue growth,
- Lead local account management and operations,
- Support global sales for the partners' markets,
- Responsible for the local service delivered: +80 employees,
- Business owner of the expansion project across the region.

Key achievement: In a couple of years, we built a scalable business model with a network in +25 countries across EMEA only (started from zero) and we significantly increased our global footprint and international competitiveness through the win of major global accounts representing more than 30% of the EMEA business volume.

Director, Global Partners Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA)

Built scalable operations via strategic partnerships in 6 European countries (Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden). Responsible for the P&L, the client satisfaction, the customer service teams and the Egencia offer in those markets.

Operations Manager New Countries

Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Lead the implemention of global clients in several countries in Europe or globally.

- Supported Sales during the sales processes,
- Collected data and information once therom the Sales and Account Management teams once the agreement is signed,
- Built the team of people who will be involved in the implementation process including Country Leaders,
- Built the project plan with roles and responsibilities,
- Coordinated actions and timelines per market as per agreement,
- Sat weekly reviews with the Key Stakeholders: internally and on the client side.

International Project Manager

Managed the EMEA operations of global multinational clients, led a team of 40 persons. 3 direct reports: 1 project manager and 2 customer service supervisors.
Implemented the clients: conducted gap analysis in each market, identified requirements and specificities to make sure the Saas solution (online booking tool) meets the clients expectations and matches the contractual agreement.

eCenter Operations Manager Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA)

With over 15 years of extensive experience in business development, negotiation, international expansion, strategic partnerships and leadership, I have honed my skills in customer service and business operations. Leveraging data and technology, I specialize in solving complex business challenges, designing impactful and scalable processes, and delivering key outcomes that drive growth and value.

Currently serving as the Vice President of Member Acquisition and Partnerships at Mission, a global market network of senior software engineers supported by best-in-class engineering management practices, I have achieved remarkable milestones. In my tenure, I propelled the network of senior engineers by an astounding 400% in just 18 months. I successfully negotiated and closed 30+ strategic partnerships in key markets worldwide. I established scalable processes for candidate sourcing, vetting, and matching, fostering efficient operations. Moreover, I led a geographically diverse team of exceptional individuals, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

My expertise lies in scaling businesses from inception to generating revenue in the hundreds of millions. I prioritize customer-centric approaches in all aspects of my work, adeptly defining and executing ambitious plans even with limited resources. Data-driven decision-making is my forte, as I rely on analytics while also trusting my intuition.

I possess a unique ability to align, lead, and develop world-class teams, valuing team success over individual achievements. Transparency, meaningful communication, and the art of storytelling are integral to my leadership style, inspiring and motivating others. Continuous learning is my mantra, as I consistently strive to educate, improve, and motivate myself. I maintain composure in challenging situations and prioritize high-quality decision-making to drive organizational success. 

Let's connect and explore opportunities to collaborate and drive unparalleled growth together.

I find pleasure in meeting individuals and learning about their unique perspectives. If you're interested in discussing new business, scalability, or…. tennis and travels, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Stéphane Bâlon

Elevate Edge Consulting

► Design and execute strategic growth initiatives, enabling clients to achieve 3–20% revenue gains through operational optimization.
► Implement performance frameworks and KPI dashboards, improving decision-making speed and accuracy for executive teams.
► Lead business process and systems transformations, reducing costs by up to 25% and increasing organizational agility.
► Advise CEOs and boards on market expansion and scalability strategies.

Principal Consultant

BPS Technology, LLC

► Spearheaded operational strategy, successfully leading corporate expansion, manufacturing facility development, and multi-sector growth initiatives.
► Developed and successfully executed corporate vision, effectively leading cross-functional teams in R&D, operations, and supply chain.
► Led strategic M&A activities, acquiring complementary businesses and seamlessly integrating them into a cohesive operational structure.
► Achieved ISO 9001 certification for enhanced quality and regulatory compliance.
► Led the transformation and strategic scaling of an advanced materials manufacturing company, developing a proprietary chemical additive while consistently spearheading excellence initiatives across R&D, manufacturing, and supply chain functions.

Chief Executive Officer 

► Implemented ERP and data analytics frameworks for real-time decision-making.
► Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, vendors, and strategic partners to drive growth.
► Drove the acquisition of strategic intellectual property for the chemical manufacturing strategy.

Vice President of Operations 

FALCON Technologies & Services Inc.

► Developed KPI systems to track and optimize performance across departments.
► Transitioned core operations to SAP ERP, seamlessly integrating real-time performance tracking and data-driven decision-making.
► Launched operational training programs, standardizing best practices across multiple locations.
► Designed and launched a company-wide "Boot Camp" training program, covering QA/QC, operations, safety, and DOT compliance, ensuring teams adhered to operational and regulatory standards.

Director of Operational Excellence

► Created a accountability system for field operations, improving on-time project completion rates by 35%.
► Spearheaded a KPI-driven management system, aligning operational execution with strategic objectives.

South Central Regional Manager & Advisor

United States Marine Corps

► Developed leadership, operational planning, and process improvement expertise while overseeing mission-critical aviation operations and logistics.

Aviation Operations Manager (Sergeant)

I Help Professionals Put Their Passions to Work | Leveraging Leadership Capacity | Connections with a Purpose | SDVOSB | USMC VET

Results-driven executive with extensive years of leadership experience across operations, manufacturing, oil and gas, and industrial technology sectors. Proven track record of building, scaling, and optimizing businesses while driving revenue growth, operational excellence, and financial performance. Adept at leading cross-functional teams, executing strategic plans, and leveraging AI, automation, and data analytics to enhance efficiency. Skilled in M&A activities and executive recruitment within fast-paced, high-growth environments.

Areas of Expertise:
★ Concept to Commercialization | ★ M&A Strategy & Integration | ★ ERP & KPI System Integration
★ Business Growth & Scaling | ★ Supply Chain Optimization | ★ Strategic Partnerships
★ ISO 9001 Implementation | ★ Facility Development | ★ Regulatory Compliance
★ P&L Management | ★ Culture Development | ★ Process Improvement

Bravis Brown, MBA

Seems our post have driven interest in additional information.  Please see the details below! Feel free to reach out to us for any additional questions you may have.

Official launch is December 3rd @ 8:00 a.m. CT.

Veteran Executive | Fractional COO | Driving Scalable Growth for Manufacturing & Industrial Companies Through Systems, Automation & Servant Leadership

THE Manufacturing Forge Alliance

We’re committed to partnering with leaders who are rebuilding American manufacturing, strengthening the great companies here now and helping new ones scale with precision. If you're driving innovation, reshoring, and operational excellence, let’s collaborate.

The Manufacturing Forge Alliance Chapter of Success Champion Networking (SCN) kicks off December 3rd. 8:00 AM CST. 

Here's what we're building:  A Manufacturing Ecosystem where manufacturers don't get one specialist. They get a trusted team. Packaging automation. Finance systems. Workforce development. Process improvement. Technology strategy. All working together. Zero competition. Pure collaboration.

When a manufacturer walks into our ecosystem, they have access to everything they need to run leaner, automate smarter, and compete with offshore competition. That's the vision.

American manufacturers are fighting an uphill battle. Rising costs. Labor shortages. Fragmented specialist networks. Processes that bleed money.
But they can compete when they have the right partners helping them execute. That's what this chapter is about.

I'm honored to serve as VP alongside President Bravis Brown, MBA and our leadership team: Lisa A Thomas, PMP, ACP, Benjamin Karrasch, and Tolani Lawson, CPA. We're building something special here.
—————————————————————
🗣️ Manufacturing leaders looking to scale? You need to know about this.
🗣️ Service providers who serve manufacturers with non-competing services? We're looking for founding members.  

Visit our launch on Dec 3rd! Link in the comments.
December 3rd. Wednesdays 8-9 AM CT. Zoom. LETS GO!!
—————————————————————
P.S. I help #procurement and #supplychain pros become heroes saving their companies money through #packaging #automation #machinery and materials solutions. #WinTheDay

Automation isn’t about replacing people, it’s about elevating them.

Walking the floor at the Manufacturing Technology Series reminded me why I love this industry. Every booth, demo, and conversation centered on solving real problems, reducing dull, repetitive, and hazardous tasks while improving quality, capacity, and competitiveness.

The goal isn’t fewer people… it’s better systems.
It’s about giving skilled operators and technicians the tools to do higher-value work, the kind that drives growth and innovation.

Proud to see companies like UiPath, Standard Bots, and Techni-Tool pushing forward what’s possible in automation and AI. The future of manufacturing is already here, we just need to keep adapting, learning, and leading.

#Manufacturing #Automation #AI #OperationalExcellence #ContinuousImprovement #Leadership #SystemsCreateFreedom

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The Manufacturing Forge Alliance - SCN Chapter:

We will need a business focused on providing repairs and maintenance to manufacturing equipment, see list below.  Please make introductions if you know anyone in the spaces below.

Extrusion Press Service & Repair Companies
Furnace, Heat-Treat & Oven Specialists
Die Shop & Tooling Specialists
CNC Machine Service Providers
Industrial Hydraulic Service Companies
PLC / Controls / Automation Integrators
Metal Finishing System Specialists

All the Best,
Bravis Brown

Chris Hardwick 📦, Lisa A Thomas, PMP, ACP, Tolani Lawson, CPA, Benjamin Karrasch, Jason Boslow, Ashley R. Sanders, Ph.D., Gina Tabasso, Sarang Kamalakar, Donnie Boivin, Jessica Gruber

Can you relate to this?  I try to speak things into fruition, meaning I talk as if they are happening or that I am doing/taking action.  This creates a deeper obligation for me and drives commitment.  Obviously, there are times where I'm trying to drive things where I don't have ultimate control, when I miss goals due to that it is emotionally difficult for me.

Does anyone have some recommendations or other ways to look at this?  Again, looking to get it right, not be right.  I've run into enough emotional setbacks that I am seeking external perspective.

The Leadership Behind the Process - 30 Days of Discipline, Trust, and Systems That Work

Day 15: Innovation Through Accountability

One of the most overlooked truths about innovation is that it thrives under accountability.

This is true for vision and strategy as well.  I will do a video in the coming week identifying one of the many ways vision/strategies can positively support accountability in a simple application.

When people know their ideas will be tested, measured, and implemented through a clear process, they bring their best thinking forward.
When there’s no structure, ideas stay safe and invisible.

At one company, we created a system for employees to submit improvement ideas tied to measurable outcomes. Within six months, that structure generated dozens of cost-saving innovations and boosted engagement across departments.

Accountability doesn’t kill creativity, it validates it.

How do you make sure great ideas don’t just get shared but actually get used?

#Leadership 
#Manufacturing 
#ProcessDiscipline 
#TeamAlignment

That video I've been promising.

Strategy isn’t a poster, it’s how you run the business.
When your strategy, mission, vision, and values are clear and lived out day-to-day, they stop being words on a wall and start becoming the framework for how everyone makes decisions, communicates, and wins together.

The shift happens when every resource you’ve built, job descriptions, scorecards, onboarding plans, even bonus structures, connects back to why the business exists and how it grows.

A job description isn’t just a list of tasks anymore. It’s a direct link between what someone does each day and how the company succeeds.
That connection builds purpose, clarity, and ownership.

When that alignment is in place, everything changes:

Onboarding makes sense, people see how their role fits from day one.

HR stops chasing compliance and starts driving performance.

Reviews, bonuses, and growth conversations have context.

Everyone knows how their work supports the strategy and the team.

To make it stick, build these five tools:

A one-page strategy map that tells the story of your direction.

Operating principles that guide decisions under pressure.

Role scorecards that tie accountability to results.

A cadence map showing how the business runs week to week.

Onboarding and development paths that track back to strategy.

👇 In the video, I break down how to move your mission, vision, values, and strategy out of PowerPoint and into everyday operations so alignment isn’t a slogan, it’s a system that drives performance.

#Leadership #Strategy #Operations #Manufacturing #Culture #People #ContinuousImprovement #EOS #Lean

https://lnkd.in/gXEKhnd6

Open video: Videos | Library | Loom - 10 November 2025 on loom.com

Videos | Library | Loom - 10 November 2025

The Leadership Behind the Process - 30 Days of Discipline, Trust, and Systems That Work

Day 17: When the System Runs Itself (That’s the Win)

One of the most rewarding moments in leadership is when you realize you’re no longer the bottleneck.

I remember walking into a facility after being away for a week.
The production meetings started on time. The schedule updates were done. The metrics were current. No one had waited on me to move things forward.

That’s when you know the system works; when it’s not dependent on any single person.

It’s tempting for leaders to think being “needed” is a sign of value.
It’s not. It’s a sign the system isn’t finished. 

When people have clear expectations, documented processes, and decision-making authority, they don’t wait, they act.

Freedom as a leader comes when the business runs on systems, not on you.

Where do you still feel like the bottleneck in your business?

#Leadership 
#Manufacturing 
#ProcessDiscipline 
#TeamAlignment

The Leadership Behind the Process - 30 Days of Discipline, Trust, and Systems That Work

Day 19: Consistency Builds Confidence

Every great company looks boring from the outside, that’s a compliment.

Consistency is what builds confidence.
When teams know how decisions are made and what happens next, they move faster.

I once helped an organization that kept reinventing the priority every quarter, new product focus, new market, new messaging.
It was chaos disguised as urgency to market.
Once we committed to one go to market strategy, everything settled.

Productivity went up. Meetings got shorter.
Confidence returned.

People don’t need new every quarter, they need dependable.

Consistency doesn’t limit speed to market; it supports it.

How consistent is your business rhythm from week to week, quarter to quarter?

#Leadership 
#Manufacturing 
#ProcessDiscipline 
#TeamAlignment

The Leadership Behind the Process - 30 Days of Discipline, Trust, and Systems That Work

Day 20: The Next Generation of Leadership

The best sign of a strong culture isn’t the leader’s performance; it’s the next leader’s success.

I’ve seen too many organizations stall when a key person leaves because their systems lived in their head, not in the company.
That’s not leadership. That’s dependency.

Great leaders build people who outgrow them.
They create structure that doesn’t crumble when they move on.

The real legacy of leadership isn’t the title you held.
It’s the team that keeps winning long after you’re gone.

If your organization couldn’t thrive without you, it’s time to build one that can.

Who’s the next leader you’re preparing to hand the keys to?

#Leadership 
#Manufacturing 
#ProcessDiscipline 
#TeamAlignment

You ask what’s different about SCN, well see for yourself.  ⬇️ 

This aligns with what it takes to support a great culture at your organization as well.  Servant leadership, putting others first, having them be the agenda, call it what you want but at the end of the day you work with people you connect with.  

So don’t start with “what do you do.” If you can’t connect you won’t want to work together anyway.

(Bo-Veen) ✅️ Business to Business Network, B2B Networking, Badass Business Summit, Success Champion Networking. ➡️ Speaker, Networking Trainer, 🐐 Baby Goat Dad and 🧙‍♂️Wizard in Training.

Most people want networking to pay off right now.

But real networking doesn’t happen overnight.

It’s not about collecting contacts, it’s about earning trust.

Here are 8 unexpected ways to build a network that actually moves your business forward.

Networking is a long game

The Leadership Behind the Process - 30 Days of Discipline, Trust, and Systems That Work

Day 16: Building Leaders Who Own the Process

Early in my career, I thought leadership meant being the one who or could fix everything.

If a process broke down, I jumped in.
If a deadline slipped, I stayed late.

It worked, until I realized that by solving every problem, I was also owning every problem.

The system couldn’t scale because I hadn’t built people who could carry it.

That shifted my focus.

Instead of just teaching the process, I started teaching the thinking behind it; why we do it this way, how to spot drift, and when to make adjustments.

I watched team members start anticipating issues before they became problems.

They took ownership, not because they were told to, but because they understood the “why.”

Leadership that lasts isn’t about control.
It’s about creating clarity and ownership that outlives you.

If your systems still depend on you to run right, it’s time to start building the people who can.

#Leadership 
#Manufacturing 
#ProcessDiscipline 
#TeamAlignment

The Leadership Behind the Process - 30 Days of Discipline, Trust, and Systems That Work

Day 18: Clarity Creates Calm

Ever notice how chaos spreads faster than clarity?

When people don’t know what’s expected, they fill the gaps with assumptions.
That’s how confusion grows and why consistency starts with communication.

In one facility, production, maintenance, and QC each had their own version of “done.”
Schedules clashed. Priorities shifted mid-shift. Tempers flared.

We fixed it by doing something simple: aligning definitions.
We created shared language for what “ready,” “complete,” and “approved” meant across all departments.

Suddenly, what used to take debate took seconds.

Clarity doesn’t slow you down, it stabilizes everything around you.

When people know the plan, they stop reacting and start performing.

Where in your operation could more clarity replace more meetings?

#Leadership 
#Manufacturing 
#ProcessDiscipline 
#TeamAlignment

Mark Hernandez is #hiring. Know anyone who might be interested?

The Leadership Behind the Process - 30 Days of Discipline, Trust, and Systems That Work

Day 14: Systems Give Creativity Shape

Every creative idea eventually needs structure to become reality.

Without process, creativity is just potential.
With process, it becomes progress.

When my team develops a new workflow or layout, I always ask two questions:

How does this scale?

What does this replace?

Because innovation without elimination just adds clutter.

The best systems simplify while they improve.  When you build with intention, new ideas don’t pile on top of old ones, they replace them.

That’s how real progress compounds.  Creativity without structure fades fast.  Structure without creativity grows stale.  The win is in combining both.

How do you make sure improvement doesn’t turn into overcomplication?

#Leadership 
#Manufacturing 
#ProcessDiscipline 
#TeamAlignment

CEO @ SigmaPro | Injection Molding, Medical Device Manufacturing

Hey everyone, I cannot say enough about how critical this role is.  I truly believe the right person in this position can help our entire team be the best version of themselves and be a part of our company's upcoming growth.  

Because of that, I am very hopeful that this role can be filled by someone who I am connected with or who comes with a recommendation from within my network.  

If you know of anyone who would be a good fit for a startup environment with the key ability being to bring rigor to the role of Principal Engineer in a medical device manufacturing environment, please send them my way!

Otherwise, I'm going to be stuck sitting at a table in a high school gym with a single sheet of paper just hoping for the best.  (Office reference, iykyk)

Fort Worth, Texas, United States (On-site)

Job by SigmaPro Engineering & Manufacturing, LLC

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