Executive Resume
Kenneth H. Johnson
1532 Virginia Avenue Libertyville, Illinois 60048
Phone: (847) 924-7259 Other: (847) 362-7954
Email: kjperegrine@aol.com
Leadership Profile
Senior Executive Leadership, Operations Turnaround, Mergers/Acquisitions, Corporate Legal Counsel,
E-Business Internet Solutions, Financial Administration, Strategic Alliances, Raising Equity/Debt
High-profile executive with a proven record of performance in providing business/financial leadership and legal
counsel to optimize profitability. Documented record of success in formulating creative strategic plans and
implementing operational, marketing and vital business culture changes. Sophisticated financial structuring skills,
including portfolio management and raising venture capital/private equity funding to finance growth. Excellent
knowledge of development and implementation of cutting-edge Internet-based tools and solutions to increase
operational efficiency. Unparalleled success in forging strategic alliances and partnerships to secure major accounts.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills enhanced by sound business savvy. Highly developed strategic
planning skills are ideal for organizations seeking a results-proven leader in enterprise-wide information technology
"transformation" situations, needing an innovative strategic vision and immediate, sustainable results given the
proven ability to execute.
Professional Experience
Illinois Institute of Technology “IIT”
Chicago, Illinois
Adjunct Professor, IIT Stuart Graduate School of Management
2004 to present
Lead designated higher-level graduate school classes for MBA and marketing and communications students enrolled
in Masters Degree and certification programs.

Teach courses in e-commerce, business strategy, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, and general business
operations. Current course explores the role of e-business and e-commerce in the networked and digital
economy.

Work directly with Dean Emeritus and Dean of Stuart School in developing marketing and alliance strategy for
MBA and marketing and communications department.

Proposed courses to be taught in the IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law Financial Services LLM program
include mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and other selected courses.
Staffing and Training, Inc.
Waukegan, Illinois
President/COO
2001 to 2003
Provided leadership to this growing company in the development of a rollout strategy to 20 additional sites
throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Prepared organization for remarkable growth opportunity
with an eye to securing venture capital or private equity funding to finance the growth strategy. Developed internal
support team/external professional services support resources in preparation for conducting planned acquisitions.
Kenneth H. Johnson
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Spearheaded the development of cutting-edge Internet-based tools and solutions that remarkably increased
efficiency across multiple functions including finance, payroll, tax/accounting and customer management, and
significantly enhanced incremental revenue growth, as illustrated in the following graph:
Efficiency and Revenue Growth
$2,000,000
$1,800,000
$1,600,000
$1,400,000
$1,200,000
$1,000,000
$800,000
$600,000
$400,000
2001
2002
Costs
Projected 2003
Revenue

Personally led the negotiation and formation of national strategic alliance agreement with a $10 billion global
competitor.

Secured capital for national and international rollout of offices in conjunction with our national alliance partner.

Conducted negotiations and developed structure for raising capital considering debt and equity under various
instruments including convertible notes and subordinate debt.
CSX Corporation
Richmond, Virginia
Senior Vice President, E-Business and Strategy
2000 to 2001
Led the development of the enterprise-wide e-business strategy and Internet implementation plans for this Fortune
500 company with $11 billion in annual revenue to develop a comprehensive Web-based strategy throughout its
various holdings. Identified overall e-business initiatives and priorities to drive efficiencies, improve service, reduce
costs and seek out significant opportunities for incremental revenue throughout its portfolio of businesses. Initiated
shipment- and asset-tracking system that significantly increased efficiencies.

Developed a world-class e-business strategy and transition plan that recommended the development and
implementation of Internet-related digital strategies and solutions for domestic and international holdings. The
following graph depicts the $100 million capital requirements over a five-year period and the anticipated cost
reductions/incremental revenue growth as a result of implementing the e-business transition plan:
Millions of Dollars
CSX Value Creation
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Year 1
Year 2
Capital Expenditures

Year 3
Cost Reductions
Year 4
Year 5
Revenue Growth
Conducted comprehensive industry analyses and strategic recommendations that provided a roadmap for the
first 180 days of my tenure. Collaborated with the CEO and the president to create an overall plan for mergers,
acquisitions, divestitures and restructuring of various disparate business units.
Kenneth H. Johnson

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Selected and trained a talented e-business team of internal transferees and outside consulting resources. Created
the e-business team, program management office and the e-business solution center from the “ground up”
without a formal budget. This was a groundbreaking achievement; there were no previous processes,
infrastructure or resources devoted to this discipline within the company.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Chicago, Illinois
Managing Director, Midwest E-Business Accelerator and Business Creation Services
1997 to 2000
Joined this world-class organization as a senior consultant and progressed quickly to become a key person for the
Midwest Strategy Group. Managed complex and exciting engagements for global companies while typically
working directly with “C” level clientele. Selected/advised all business start-up opportunities on growth and
maturity strategies, including IPO preparation, proposal development, and service and support for identified ebusiness opportunities nationally and internationally.

Created and developed the Midwest e-business accelerator and business creation services facility that became a
model for the global PwC e-business strategy practice.

Provided leadership for the PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”) e-business strategy group dedicated to strategy
and e-business for the Midwest Strategic Change Consumer and Industrial Products (“CIP”) management
consulting practice.

Led dot.com “start-up” selections for PwC business incubator and business creation services that created $24
million in annual revenue for newly launched Dutch company.

Led strategy group as part of a global team effort that resulted in one of the largest engagements won for the
strategy practice, Sulzer Medica AG at $14 million annually.
IBM Global Services
White Plains, New York
Lead Negotiator Outsourcing–Banking and Financial Services Industry
1995 to 1997
Led and managed IT outsourcing “deal teams” that proposed and won bids for engagements with domestic and
international banking/financial services industry clients. Transactions considered clients from various industries,
including manufacturing, banking and financial securities, oil and gas, utilities and paper products.

Negotiated information technology outsourcing and consulting services agreements including: a $200 million
system integration–Merrill Lynch, $530 million enterprise-wide outsourcing program–Washington Mutual, a
$300 million enterprise-wide outsourcing program and data center development–Georgia Pacific, an $87
million Year 2000 assessment–The Southern Company, a $250 million desktop management, help desk and
data warehouse–Citibank, and a $200 million enterprise-wide total outsourcing deal–LaSalle Partners.

Qualified strategic fit and profitability of proposed IT outsourcing engagements ranging in size from $200
million to $1 billion and played significant role in developing overall marketing strategy for $6.5 billion IBM
Global Services division.

Closed 100 percent of assigned engagements as lead negotiator; typical success rate was less than 50 percent.
Baxter International
Deerfield, Illinois
Vice President, U.S. Marketing and Strategy
1992 to 1995
Joined this world class medical products manufacturing, supply and services company as general manager for the
corporate strategy group and progressed through several positions to vice president within 13 months—quicker than
anyone else in the history of the company. Developed overall strategic marketing plan for the U.S. healthcare
market. Significant accomplishments included:
Kenneth H. Johnson
Page 4

Orchestrated the largest transaction in the company’s history—the “spin-off” of Allegiance Healthcare.

Directed corporate transition team in administering divestiture of $400 million diagnostics unit, Dade
International.

Key player in implementing a new $70 million central order processor for company and strategic outsourcing of
IT group, including selection of vendor to conduct “build out.”

Led project team in negotiating five-year contract for sales and distribution rights worth $180 million associated
with divestiture of the diagnostics manufacturing unit, retaining critical revenue and averting mass layoffs.

Negotiated a complex $8 million deal forming a strategic alliance with TSI International for the custom
development of an open EDI order-processing platform for the healthcare industry.

Participated in re-engineering product returns process for U.S. distribution division that yielded $17 million in
annual expense savings.
Allstate Insurance Company
Northbrook, Illinois
Director, Associate General Counsel
1986 to 1992
Served as Director and Associate Counsel for the Allstate Insurance property and casualty group. Key leader for
Allstate’s Political Action Committee, “ALLPAC.” Provided legal counsel to various internal and regional clients
for multiple-state critical legislation, regulatory and compliance matters.

Spearheaded key fundraising efforts for ALLPAC facility that exceeded expectations for funds target by $2
million.

Led regional team in developing no-fault insurance legislation that prevailed on merits and resulted in a
projected operating expense savings of $50 million annually.

Member of board of directors of key state guaranty funds including Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi that
administered operations for of insolvent insurance companies.

Key member of prestigious Washington D.C. Insurance Council.
Education

Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 1988-1991 J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management Master
of Management, Majors in Finance and Marketing

The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois 1980-1984 Juris Doctor. Class Standing, Dean’s List. Illinois
State Bar: Admitted May, 1985

University of Illinois 1976–1980 Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Professional Development
Ongoing professional development through seminars and workshops, including:

Northwestern University–Winning Strategies for e-Business Week, Mergers and Acquisitions and Valuation
Theory, How to Value and Finance an Acquisition, Strategic Financial Planning and Strategic Planning and
Leadership Conference.

Investment Management Institute–High Net Worth Roundtable–2001.

PricewaterhouseCoopers–Developed and led E-Business Conversion Course, Customer Resource Management,
Executive Technology “Boot Camp,” Core Skills for Guiding Groups, Enterprise Wide Resource Planning
(ERP), and Facilitation and Leading Teams.

IBM–IT Outsourcing across the Enterprise and Strategic Technology Solutions.

Baxter International–Product Pricing Strategy and Healthcare Marketing 2000.
Key Accomplishment Summary
Kenneth H. Johnson
Restructured Company and Scored a Major Alliance to Support Aggressive Growth
Situation:
Staffing and Training, Inc. provided services to the temporary staffing industry including temporary employees,
consulting services and outsourcing of human resources functions. The company had been in existence for eight
years and was experiencing declining profits and contraction in its traditional customer base. Company leadership
was in disarray as a number of key employees had recently departed. Significant changes needed to take place in the
business processes, which lacked efficiency. Another major problem was the lack of capital to fund the changes.
The anticipated need was $18 million over an eighteen-month period. The expansion considered creating an Internet
base staffing model as well as the expansion to other locations for its “brick and mortar” retail operations.
Action Plan:

Recruited a world-class management team, including the CFO, CIO and General Counsel.

Conducted comprehensive assessment of information technology capabilities and requirements for the
envisioned restructuring. The key aspects of the system were scalability and cutting edge functionality built into
the system based on my personal recommendations that represented gaps in the company’s previous business
process capabilities.

Defined current business process refinements and identified new digital technology solutions.

Conducted key meetings with venture capital, private equity and corporate venture groups to fund growth,
changes and alliance requirements.

Developed a comprehensive strategy to leverage industry relationships and pursue a strategic alliance with a
global industry company. Secured a formal alliance agreement with Manpower, Inc. that allowed the company
to become the national MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) alliance partner for selected accounts including
Abbott Laboratories, Baxter Motorola and Fleet Financial in 20 sites, including Canada and Puerto Rico.
Results:
The new management team was put in place in just over six weeks. The IT platform was developed and
implemented, repositioning the company to support its projected aggressive growth. Staffing and Training was well
positioned to take advantage of the proposed remarkable growth stemming from the alliance breakthrough.
Revenues grew by 60 percent over the next two quarters from implementing the changes according to the strategy.
S&T’s account base grew on average by $8 million per new account on an annual basis and 10 additional office sites
have been identified for the retail presence to support the anticipated growth.
Key Accomplishment Summary
Kenneth H. Johnson
Successful Turnaround of a Declining Operation
Situation:
The CSX Corporation had experienced declining profits and turmoil within its leadership management ranks for
more than five years. Its major business, CSX Transportation, was in need of reengineering to improve pricing
strategies, Internet business development, marketing, and general business processes. Many processes had not been
updated in over 30 years. The shareholders were becoming more vocal in their disenchantment with the company’s
performance and were demanding action.
Action Plan:

Developed and presented a comprehensive strategy to transition all major company processes over a three-year
period that received rave reviews from the board of directors, Wall Street analysts and shareholders. The plan
included comprehensive details for process improvement by introducing, adopting and creating standardized
structures for the organization.

Selected and personally trained key e-business transition team comprised of internal employees in e-business
strategy concepts and solution implementation skills. Developed an education module on e-business and
strategy for the top 200 management personnel to prepare for the significant changes that would take place.
Created momentum and engage the organization by providing structured forums, which would become the
infrastructure of the e-business change agents and was a precursor for existing corporate strategic initiatives
program.

Implemented various e-business strategy initiatives that were identified as “quick hit” opportunities resulting in
$3 million in internal cost savings during the first year of implementation.

Proposed development of high-level business case for highest return projects by working with business owners
to develop revenue opportunities, cost-saving strategies, additional benefits and implementation cost plans.

Directed company focus toward getting more involved in industry matters that would facilitate customer
satisfaction.

Volunteered for very aggressive personal deadlines and targets and “pushed” the organization to make the most
significant changes that would have major impact to existing processes to achieve improved customer and
employee satisfaction.

Provided the vision that enabled participants to understand the mission, roles/responsibilities and potential for
extraordinary success in implementing the transition strategy.

Developed phased approach to complete targeted initiatives, website and portal redesign.
Results:
The results of creating the e-business group and initial strategy were remarkable considering all of the dimensions
and elements considered above. The company’s earnings were stabilized and significant savings were realized
throughout various groups within the company. Implemented solutions saved the company $24 million over an
annual run rate from prior costs for various processes and groups including pricing, train management and Internetrelated digital solutions. The strategy was benchmarked against actual implementations from industry competitors to
illustrate the quantitative value of implementing the transition strategy. Within the first nine months of my
appointment and implementation of the initial phase of the strategic solutions, the stock price increased from $21 to
$34. Shareholders and analysts alike became more comfortable with CSX’s leadership and the proposed plans for
repositioning the company—in particular, the thought leadership surrounding e-business and the value that could be
created by implementing an effective e-business portfolio transition strategy.
Key Accomplishment Summary
Kenneth H. Johnson
Created Best-in-Class Model Used to Develop Future E-Business Facilities
Situation:
PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”), one of the largest professional services firms, needed to develop key capabilities
within its global organization to take advantage of e-business and business creation services. Clients were
requesting comprehensive services that could address e-business and strategy development as well as
implementation capabilities in conjunction with internal resources. PwC’s typical clients were Global 200
companies as well as middle market businesses interested in this suite of services. Appointed to the newly-created
position of Midwest Director of e-Business Accelerator and Business Creation Services that would offer services
including e-business strategy, IT, CRM, ERP, staffing, capital development, corporate governance, executive
recruiting and venture capital and IPO advisory services.
Action Plan:

Developed an e-business creation services incubator and accelerator module that would cover all aspects of a
client’s needs including corporate strategy, technology architecture, capital needs, business creation, structure
and governance. Clients could choose from an array of custom services depending on their identified needs
from initial start-up company to legacy “carve outs.”

Proposed overall strategy for global practice leaders including staffing plan, service capabilities, marketing
strategy and projected revenues, start-up costs and return on investment (ROI).

Mapped and recommended global cross-functional teams to support client efforts that included Europe, Canada,
U.S. and South America. Selected key members with certain skills from best-in-class strategy consulting group
to launch accelerator.

Using the approach and tools that were developed, a number of clients saw dramatic results in operational
efficiencies and value creation from engaging and hiring the Midwest accelerator and utilizing the developed
approach to “accelerate the time to value” for a number of notable clients.
Results:
The PwC Midwest e-business accelerator’s launch was notable in PwC’s history as this would become a key service
offering. The Midwest group under my direction was the “best-in-class model” used as the template for the
development of other e-business facilities at PwC including the West Region, the East Region and various facilities
in Europe. Designated as the global e-business strategy SME (subject matter expert). All documents and assets
developed to support the Midwest accelerator were shared and leveraged by the other regional groups to drive
standardization in all of our associated processes. The methodology, tools and solutions were placed on the global
Knowledge Sharing server for all practice leaders to utilize.
Key Accomplishment Summary
Kenneth H. Johnson
Personally Led Development of Solution Development Program (SDP-21)
Methodology for GM’s Worldwide Business
Situation:
General Motors, one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, was experiencing significant trouble with
its outsourced information technology group. This triggered GM’s decision to bring IT capability back in-house
under its own management. This was a daunting task as these functions had been handled by EDS, an outside
contractor, for ten years. Various systems and personnel had to be created and hired to support a global $100 billion
plus company while transitioning from the outsourced company and developing its own internal capabilities. The
company had lost market share consistently for the last decade and changes were taking place within GM key
leadership as high as the vice chairman level. This complex series of projects and initiatives had to be completed in
a seamless fashion so no significant interruptions to normal business operations would occur.
Action Plan:

Identified an appropriate implementation roadmap based on GM’s business and technical priorities.

Implemented business transition training for several thousand personnel through GM University, enabling the
GM organization to more effectively pursue its business objectives.

Made recommendations for state-of-the-art technology and solutions, particularly where new business processes
could be driven by technological innovation.

Devised a mechanism for IT governance involving key leadership and cross-functional ownership of the
projects and results throughout the organization.

Identified an appropriate organization structure, processes and related skill sets to develop and maintain the
architecture, and supporting the GM organization change plan through implementation and future support.

Designed the solution development program (SDP-21) methodology for GM’s world-wide business. The
program provided the detailed stages, phases, steps ands tasks to identify a proposed technology solution from
concept to development and implementation.

A new IT governance process was put in place that resulted in remarkable ease and efficiency in decision
making from the prior process including crucial executive “buy-in” and ownership.

Annual cost savings on procurement and architecture development of $50 million were enjoyed across various
divisions by centralizing procurement services and driving standards for IT solutions that all groups must
adhere to including project authorization.
Results:
The SDP-21 methodology was customized to provide GM with a robust approach for developing and deploying IT
solutions/technologies throughout its organization during the transition period. This program was a huge success for
the GM organization. The annual costs of the legacy approach and outsourcing agreement was approximately $8
billion. The estimate for the cost savings that would result from the new streamlined processes, decision making,
time-to-build and implementation of solutions was $1.8 billion, a remarkable accomplishment given the size and
complexity of the project and the size of the client in this instance.
Industry Insights
Kenneth H. Johnson
Identifying and Accelerating Growth in an Intensely Competitive Market
Accelerating “Time to Value”
The most successful companies know how to accelerate time to value. These companies are nimble and move at a
remarkable pace to execute and capitalize on opportunities. They have developed a template and a capability to
considerably shorten the time to “capturing the value” of any initiative. Less successful companies tend to study
things too long and stay on the sidelines while more capable organizations mobilize to identify and capture value.
Industry/Business Awareness
Understanding the company’s mission and business as well as what is feasible to generate new growth opportunities
can be vital to success. Many look outside the parameters of how others typically define their business model to
find new and distinct opportunities. This “out of the box” thinking allows for identifying company strengths and
extending its talents to other arenas. Many times successes result from an area that may not have anything to do
with the so-called “core business.”
Building a Brand Provides Business Impetus
The company’s brand image should be a constant focus. Surveying key customers to gain their insights can be a
valuable tool in building and maintaining a brand image. It can be a grave mistake to become too internally focused
on this key activity and lose touch with the very important impressions of key constituents—the customers. Zeroing
in on first identifying and then giving customers what they need will keep the momentum going.
Human Capital as a Valuable Asset
Hiring the right people and allowing them the freedom to exercise creativity in performing their duties provides a
great platform to identify new growth opportunities for companies. Many company cultures stifle creativity and
progressive thinking. The successful company will reward intelligent risk-taking and encourage dynamic people to
take the initiative without being told what to do. A cohesive team spirit provides people with the incentive to
excel—both the employees and the company will reap the rewards.
Understanding Company and Competitor Strategies
Employees at every level, whether leadership or front-line personnel, should have a comprehensive understanding of
the company, the vision and its strategies. Nearly as important is that they clearly understand and can articulate the
strategies of key competitors. It is the ability to provide superior products and/or services that will enable a
company to prevail over competition—without the knowledge of competitors’ offerings, it is difficult to
conceptualize and develop remarkable strategies that are distinctive within the industry. The primary goal is to
create a sustainable advantage in an intensely competitive market and “stay ahead of the wave.”
Stretching and Extending Business
In this dynamic and ever-changing marketplace, it is important to have key personnel always considering and
pursuing new opportunities. Rather than leaving the company’s future to chance or resting on its laurels, those
carrying this responsibility should have clearly defined roles and the freedom to explore and promote value-added
ideas on a systematic basis. The successful company will always be on the lookout for new technologies and
strategies to enhance existing products and services and therefore position itself to take advantage.
Industry Insights
Kenneth H. Johnson
Contemporary Leadership in a Demanding Market Economy
Leadership is Contagious
A good leader not only provides guidance, but gives others the capability and inspiration to lead. He or she can
manifest a presence and charisma that can engage and energize the organization and its people. Confident leaders
make for a confident organization. Key players are motivated by the examples set by their leaders and, in turn,
manifest self-confidence and creativity in carrying out their duties. Leadership is contagious—good or bad!
No Time for Politics
Many companies have suffered because of political infighting within leadership ranks. Circumstances may vary in
each company; however, leaders should make every effort to quell the political tendencies of human behavior.
Good leaders set the pace here. The organization’s time and energy is much better spent on rallying employees
around shared objectives and the understanding that everyone wins if your approach is right. If leadership is
constantly involved with intra-company politics and other petty distractions, it will show in the company’s
performance—the organization reflects the mindset of its leaders.
I Bet My Job on It!
Excellent leadership is contingent on the level of commitment invested. The proactive leader takes ownership in
his/her activities, recognizing the inherent accountability for leading the organization and executing agreed-upon
strategies. A good leader says, “Hold me responsible for those things that I can control,” “Evaluate my performance
on these specific metrics,” and “Don’t reward me if I didn’t accomplish what I said that I would.”
The Selfless Leader
A good leader does not look to garner all the credit and praise for the company’s accomplishments. It takes many
talented people to optimally run an organization—good leaders recognize this reality and are secure in their own
capabilities. A successful organization finds the best and the brightest to “push” and “stretch” the organization’s
capabilities and performance. This starts at the top or it doesn’t start at all.
Leadership that Knows What to Do
How many companies have leaders in name only? Many contemporary managers don’t really have the answers,
particularly in a tough business environment. Even when they recognize what needs to be done, they have a difficult
time orchestrating the necessary elements to effectively execute. The best contemporary leaders can understand and
execute under the most difficult of circumstances. You can’t fake great leadership.
Leadership Does Not Mean “King of the Hill”
It’s important for a company’s leadership to be in touch with the organization. In many organizations, the key
leadership positions itself in the “ivory tower” and is remote from the front lines. They wonder aloud with others in
the tower and ask, “What’s the morale like out there?” Effective leaders know what’s happening in their companies
and have their fingers on the pulse of the organization at all times. Great leaders aren’t afraid to get into the trenches
and do what’s expected of them—lead!