John Knotts

Owner

Crosscutter Enterprises · San Antonio, Texas Area

Aug 2008 – Present(17 yrs 9 mos)

Operational Success Incubator. Expertise in strategic planning/transformation, change management, process management/improvement, organizational design/development, human capital planning, employee engagement, training and education, and strategic communication/marketing, with broad skills in information technology and facilitation.

Fractional COO

Crosscutter Enterprises

Aug 2008 – Present(17 yrs 9 mos)

The right time to hire a chief operating officer (COO) is just before trouble appears in your company. The reality is that most businesses realize they need a COO too late. A COO is quite different than any other employee in your company. If you cannot afford a fulltime COO that your company needs, then how do you move forward? You cannot keep struggling in your visionary role while being the full-time integrator. A fractional COO is a business professional with many years of experience who is willing to work in a temporary capacity, part-time, for an hourly rate that would typically amount to the same as hiring someone full-time. However, you can bring on talent with experience as a business owner, business coach/consultant, or former full-time COO without all the costs. Fractional COOs might get paid the same as a full-time COO, but they bring to your company much more. Plus, there are many other benefits to contracting with a fractional COO. When involved in a M&A, consider a Fractional COO, CFO, CMO, and CSO to come in and smooth out the transition and get the one company, made out of two (or more), functioning at top capacity.

Keynote Speaker & Podcast Guest -- Business

Crosscutter Enterprises · Anywhere

Aug 2008 – Present(17 yrs 9 mos)

A 20-year Toastmaster, working with ten different clubs in Europe and Texas, John is a very versatile speaker on many different business topics. His broad education and experiences have created a wide-array of speaking topics from Strategic Planning to Process Automation to Social Media. As a certified Master Speechwriter, he crafts presentations that engage and entice, while staying on topic and on time. Contact John to speak at your next event.

Author

Crosscutter Enterprises · Bulverde, Texas, United States

Aug 2008 – Present(17 yrs 9 mos)

Experienced Published Author. Books: - One Dead Marine - Overcoming Organizational Myopia Multiple Blogs Multiple Magazines and Newsletters Internal and External Corporate Products

Senior Coach

Gemba Academy LLC · San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area

Aug 2021 – Present(4 yrs 9 mos)

Coaching Lean Six Sigma and Lean Practitioners who enroll in Gemba Academy's training and certification programs.

Chief Operating Officer

Fine Print Farms · Bulverde, Texas, United States

Mar 2016 – Present(10 yrs 2 mos)

Responsible for overall operations at the premier equestrian destination in South Texas.

Co-Owner

Fine Print Farms · Bulverde TX

Mar 2016 – Present(10 yrs 2 mos)

Along with wife, own Fine Print Farms, an Equestrian Destination in the Texas Hill Country. Handle all the business strategy, operations management, and marketing for the business. Leverages Lean Management approach to continually improve the operation. Provides horse board, training, and conditioning. Run a horse breeding operation. Developing a formal Horsemanship Academy and Riding Academy. Has additional offerings like, leadership and team building; birthday parties, camps and kids clubs, wedding and photography venue, and much more.

Official Member

Forbes Coaches Council

Jun 2019 – Present(6 yrs 11 mos)

Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only organization comprised of leading business coaches and career coaches. The Councils allow for its members to write and publish with Forbes.

Advisory Council Member

Harvard Business Review

Nov 2023 – Present(2 yrs 6 mos)

As a member of the research community, I provide insight to shape the content HBR develops, and I enrich its understanding of perspectives on ideas from HBR and the wider world of management and leadership.

Owner

Whiskey Bid'ness · San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area

May 2019 – Present(7 yrs)

Nonprofit social networking group for people interested in business ownership and operations and like whiskey and cigars.

Business School Advisor

Hallmark University · San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area

Jun 2020 – Present(5 yrs 11 mos)

Advisor for the Hallmark University School of Business.

Board and Faculty Member

Executive Book Review · San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area

Oct 2019 – Nov 2025(6 yrs 2 mos)

Board and Faculty Member of Executive Book Review, which is a free program where the faculty present various books to an audience.

President, Program Director, and Founder

Reckless Rangers Veteran's Equitherapy · Bulverde, Texas

Jun 2016 – Nov 2025(9 yrs 6 mos)

Nonprofit providing free equine-assisted therapy to military service members and veterans with post-traumatic stress helping them to live full and productive lives.

President and Founder

Hill Country Eventing Foundation · Bulverde, Texas

Mar 2016 – Nov 2025(9 yrs 9 mos)

Hill Country Eventing Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of English Equestrian Eventing in the Texas Hill Country.

Advisory Board Member

Military Transition Roundtable

Dec 2021 – Nov 2024(3 yrs)

Business coach and advisor to the Military Transition Roundtable.

Contributing Writer

Industry EXPERT Magazine (Formally Authoritti5.0 Magazine)

Apr 2021 – Apr 2023(2 yrs 1 mo)

Contributing Writer for a magazine dedicated to Industry Experts.

Global Strategist

Global Business Playbook · Bulverde, Texas, United States

May 2020 – Apr 2021(1 yr)

Global business strategist and staunch contributor to the Global Strategist Team and the Global Business Playbook.

Chief Operating Officer

3Sixty Integrated · San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area

Nov 2019 – Mar 2020(5 mos)

Responsible for the daily operation of 3Sixty Integrated and reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The second-in-command of the company and the responsible integrator of the end-to-end operation of the company, working alongside Sales, Marketing, and Finance leadership. Leads the Program Management Office (PMO), Innovative Engineering and Design (IED) function, and the Installation, Service, and Support (ISS) function. Directly manages approximately 7 personnel and leads approximately 75% of 3Sixty's 71 fulltime and temporary staff. Additionally, responsible for integrating and improving Sales, Marketing, and Finance processes to deliver a seamless 3Sixty Customer Experience. Assists Sales, Marketing, and Finance in improving their own internal support processes as well.

Adjunct Staff

Hallmark University · San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area

Oct 2018 – Nov 2019(1 yr 2 mos)

School of Business: Advisor, Professor, and Course Designer. Currently teach Business Intelligence and Data and Analytics. Designed graduate courses for Strategic Cost Management and Creating and Leading Effective Teams.

Director Process Excellence

USAA · San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area

Aug 2017 – Feb 2019(1 yr 7 mos)

Coach and Consultant to USAA's 600-person HR Department. Led a highly dedicated and professional team of Process Engineers, Black Belts, and Contractors in the deployment of Experience and Process Management in USAA's Human Resources department.

Business Strategy and Planning Director

USAA · San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area

Dec 2015 – Aug 2017(1 yr 9 mos)

Strategic Planning Coach and Consultant to USAA's Bank. Hand-selected by a General Manager in the USAA Bank to drive the transformation of the Bank through successful implementation of a radically new operating model. Deployed 100% Agile Development, Experience and Process Ownership, and 100% Business Prrocess Management (called Execution Excellence). Led all the piloted efforts for the Bank as the model was rolled out. Instrumentaal in the conversion from Master Card to Visa. Assisted in the developmennt of the Human Centered Design, Beautiful Experience program, training, and awards.

Process Excellence Practice Lead

USAA · San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area

Jan 2014 – Dec 2015(2 yrs)

Process Improvement Coach and Consultant for all of USAA. Hand-picked to reengineer USAA's Process Improvemment Program. In six months, completely revanmped the program from stem to stern into Process Excellence. Was asked to be the Practice Lead for the program, ensuring an effective deployment. Completely transformed process imrpovement in USAA. Also, led the Lean Six Sigma Training and Certification programs. Recreated all existing training and created new classes, resulting in world-class programs. The previous certification program had successfully certified only 4% of the 800 students over the past 7 years. In one year, they succcessfully certified over 55% of the students.

Senior Process Engineer

USAA · San Antonio, Texas Area

Jan 2012 – Jan 2014(2 yrs 1 mo)

Executive Coach and Consultant. Direct strategic business advisor to the Assistant Vice President of Enterprise Document Services. Built end-to-end Enterprise Document Management in USAA, established a continuous improvement culture within EDS, and coached the entire leadership team. Also, brought a document management development project back on track that had gone awry for almost a year.

Business Analyst / Senior Strategist with United Services Automobile Association

DATAMARK, Inc. · San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area

Jan 2012 – Jul 2012(7 mos)

Providing strategic business coaching and consulting services in strategic planning, process improvement, leadership development, human capital, change management, and communication to the Executive Director of Enterprise Document Services (EDS) at the United States Automobile Association (USAA) and his leadership staff.

Co-Founder

Continuous Improvement Professionals · San Antonio, Texas, United States

May 2009 – May 2012(3 yrs 1 mo)

Continous Improvement Profressional (CIP) is a local nonprofit that provides free monthly connections for professionals that improve organizations. Founded in early 2009, UTSA adopted the program in early 2012 and still run it today.

President and Publisher

SAXtreme Magazine · San Antonio, Texas Area

Sep 2011 – Jan 2012(5 mos)

SAXtreme Magazine was a nonprofit promoting a fun, healthy, and adventurous lifestyle in and around San Antonio. This included indoor and outdoor activities covering hunting, fishing, sports, adventure, fitness, and health. In every issue, were interesting and captivating articles on each of these areas in and around San Antonio and the South Texas area.

Strategy and Organization Lead Associate

Booz Allen Hamilton · San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area

Oct 2008 – Dec 2011(3 yrs 3 mos)

Operated as a Strategy and Change Coach and Consultant to Executive C-Suite across the DoD and Federal Government. Led numerous engagements simultaneously and maintained 18 clients. - San Antonio Strategy and Change Center of Excellence Lead. - San Antonio Air Force Human Capital Market Lead. - Manage the Booz Allen Hamilton Strategic Planning Community of Practice. Provide organization and strategy consulting. Demonstrate expertise in analysis, design, and implementation; specifically including strategic planning, transformation, process improvement (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, and Business Process Reengineering), organizational redesign, and change management projects and work engagements (e.g., strategic plans, transformation plans, and business process improvement plans). Define key objectives, identify success factors, and comprehend constraints related to the client’s challenges to lead teams in developing and implementing strategies, processes, and methodologies that will guide the client to the future state. Support the organizational and process transformation. Current and past clients: Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE), Air Force Real Property Agency (AFRPA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 37 Civil Engineering Squadron (37 CES), 90th Information Operations Squadron (90 IOS), U.S. Army Environmental Command (USAEC), Installation Management Command (IMCOM), Army Sustainment Command (ASC), and 38th Cyberspace Engineering Group (38 CEG).

President/Program Manager

Air Force Sergeants Association

Feb 1993 – Dec 2008(15 yrs 11 mos)

Unpaid volunteer (near-fulltime) over the past 15 years. Held key leadership positions in Europe, in the U.S., and on the International Council. Established, tracked, and met goals internally and for over 200 locations and 120,000 members. Managed a broad range of special projects designed to positively lead and market the organization. Selected, led, managed, mentored, developed, and motivated hundreds of direct and indirect volunteer team members. Developed and maintained relationships and partnerships with internal/external stakeholders, customers, and suppliers. Developed and maintained budgets for non-appropriated resources and managed all resources. Program impacts base, community, organization, and Congressional levels partners.

Director/Program Manager

United States Air Force

Jan 1988 – Jul 2008(20 yrs 7 mos)

Retired Air Force E7/Master Sergeant (10 years Security Forces (Physical Security) / 11 years Manpower and Organization Internal Coach and Consultant). Key, hand-picked, leadership development, director-level program management position. Sets, meets, and exceeds program goals, objectives, policies, and priorities. Monitors/evaluates quality, performance, responsiveness, efficiency, and effectiveness of programs. Develops/maintains budgets. Manages all resources. Plans, directs, and coordinates all resource requirements, costs, and proposals. Performs quality systems management and identifies and implements continuous process improvements. Develops and maintains relationships and partnerships with stakeholders, customers, and suppliers. Selects, leads, manages, mentors, supervises, develops, and motivates team members. Positively markets the organization/program. Prepares, reviews, and presents top quality reports/presentations. Identifies/recommends best practices and maintains best practice clearinghouse. Consults with senior leaders on recommendations for resources, organizations, and management practices.

Various Leadership Positions

Nonprofit Leadership

Jan 1993 – Dec 2007(15 yrs)

Aside from the key nonprofit experiences, held leadership roles advising, mentoring, coaching, and consulting volunteers in the following programs: 1993 - 1995, Tri-Counties Make-A-Wish Board of Directors 1997 - 2006, Toastmasters International Leadership (ten clubs) 1997 - 2002, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Leadership 2003 - 2015, Home Owner Association Leadership