About
I've sat in the seat you're in.
I run operations for CEOs of $10M–$100M companies. Founder, interim CEO and operating partner. The record is below.
I'm based in Houston and work nationwide.
Three seats, one way of working
I've been the founder-CEO who sold the company, and the interim CEO brought in to turn performance around.
I run daily operations and the weekly operating cadence across finance, sales, product and engineering.
I work alongside a CEO and own priorities with the team, rather than handing over a report.
The record
400+ employees9 countries · Confidential AI security leader
Executive employment
- VP & GM, INRIXTurned a business with operating losses to over $30M in revenue in 17 months.
- Founder & CEO, PersonaFounded the company and sold it. Acquired. See the operating results
Interim leadership
- Interim CEO, LaunchXFounder-founded. +85% EBITDA in 12 months, delivered with the LaunchX team. See the operating results
Operating partner and advisory work
- Operating Partner to the CEO (COO-level role)Operating Partner to the CEO (COO-level role) at a confidential AI security leader: runs daily operations and the cross-functional operating cadence across FP&A, Sales, Product and Engineering, supports the CEO and C-suite, and leads strategic initiatives including the M&A process with the bankers. Led an AI transformation across 400+ employees in 9 countries. See the operating results
- SixgillOperating role. DRW Capital, lead investor. Revenue +500% over 20 months; a $27.9M Series B closed. See the operating results
- Management consultant, Hearst Interactive Media See the operating results
Has installed EOS-style operating systems (quarterly rocks, weekly scorecards, weekly L10 leadership meetings) at more than seven companies of all sizes.
+85% EBITDA in 12 months as interim CEO.
Engagement questions
Why bring in Shawn instead of hiring a permanent executive?
A defined engagement bridges the search and ends with a written handoff. If the permanent role is clear, hiring may be better.
How does he work with the existing CEO and leadership team?
Partner and Fractional COO work alongside the CEO. Interim holds the seat. Responsibilities are agreed in writing.
What is the difference between advice and execution?
Advisor guides; your team executes. Partner owns priorities. Fractional COO runs operations. Interim holds executive authority.
What authority does he need?
Written decision rights define what Shawn decides, recommends or escalates to the CEO or board.
How will we know the engagement is working?
Agreed measures, quarterly rocks and a weekly scorecard. Board reporting is scoped upfront. No result is guaranteed in any period.
What happens when the engagement ends?
Written handoff to management or the permanent executive, agreed during scoping.
How are scope and time commitment established?
Every engagement starts with the 15-Day Operating Read. Scope, term, price, travel and start date are confirmed in writing.
Discuss a company
An introduction: your business, the numbers and the leadership team. Together we decide whether there's a fit. No diagnosis or prep.