Vetted Chief Operating Officers

Gary Zimble

Screened

Executive COO specializing in healthcare operations, IT, and multi-site transformation

San Diego, CA32y exp

“Candidate indicated they have an active business plan and are working with an investor to raise capital, suggesting entrepreneurial experience and exposure to fundraising. The interview ended early after the candidate declined to discuss current startup details.”

Kent Hargrave

Screened

Executive Healthcare IT Leader specializing in enterprise strategy, cybersecurity, and clinical systems

Seattle, WA32y exp

“Candidate is not interested in entrepreneurship or founding a company and prefers working for others. Has limited familiarity with the VC/accelerator landscape, with indirect exposure through colleagues who pursued VC funding.”

Rocky Vienna

Screened

Executive Technology & Operations Leader (CIO/CTO/COO) specializing in PE value creation

10y exp

“Operations transformation leader with private-equity due diligence experience who rebuilt KIO Networks’ operating model using ITIL/COBIT/ISO 27001, stood up a PMO, and standardized tooling across countries—helping shift the business from co-location to managed services/cloud and improving EBITDA from -7% to +4% in 18 months. Also serves as a board member/mentor at EvoNexus and UCSD Rady, coaching founders on ICP, GTM, pricing, and investor readiness.”

Bill DeVinney

Screened ReferencesStrong rec.

Executive Hospitality & Food/Beverage Operator specializing in multi-unit growth and brand building

Hershey, PA30y exp

“Experienced hospitality operator and entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience, including building businesses for VC- and PE-backed companies. Now self-funding an RTD adaptogenic tea and seltzer startup in Pennsylvania and preparing to launch into the CPG market across retail and e-commerce.”

“Operations/people-ops leader who helped an industrial fabrication company (Carlucci) scale through a major contract by standardizing operations, rolling out iPad + barcode workflows, and building workforce planning/onboarding/succession systems—doubling headcount. Uses a structured 100-day diagnostic and KPI-driven operating cadence (dashboards, AOP, goal deployment, 9-box, DISC) and mentors founders/executives by translating operational detail into strategic decision-making.”

“Operations/program leader with experience supporting CEOs and scaling organizations through rapid expansion and multi-team initiatives. Implemented RACI + Asana-based execution systems and built board/KPI reporting cadences that improved executive decision speed and visibility across departments. Has worked across startups and in a foundation environment in C-suite-adjacent roles.”

“Operations and manufacturing leader with CEO/Chair turnaround experience who has built a greenfield robotics-focused manufacturing operation from scratch, including equipment selection, engineering org buildout, and ERP-based inventory/BOM/WIP controls. Strong cost-accounting/standard-costing orientation for diagnosing inefficiencies and optimizing pricing, plus a demonstrated mentorship track record and a Juran-based quality philosophy (build quality into the process).”

“Lawyer with hands-on NIL experience who works closely with high school and AAU basketball athletes and their families. Stands out for combining compliance guidance, player evaluation, and long-term trust-building— including converting skeptical parents over 18-month relationship cycles and helping families navigate difficult financial and recruiting decisions.”