Alan Arnette has an intriguing set of skills and experiences that combines 30 years as an executive in high technology, successful non-profit fundraising, and high-altitude mountain climbing, including Everest and K2.
He took early retirement in 2007 at age 51 from Hewlett-Packard for deeply personal reasons. His roles ranged from general management to marketing, R&D, and sales during his career, including broad international executive assignments.
After graduating with an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Memphis, he started his career as a computer sales representative in Dallas, Texas, where he advanced through several levels of sales management. Then, he moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado, with HP to hone his product development and marketing skills in the software business along with business development and strategic alliances. In addition, he was instrumental in integrating several major acquisitions into HP.
He took an international assignment in Europe, where he became the General Manager for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Consumer Customer Support organization, a $700M profit and loss responsibility with over 1,500 employees and thousands more in outsourced roles.
He returned to the US to lead a new business involving Managed Print Services before taking over the Digital Camera business, where he brought new life to quality and innovation. He was driving technology transfers in the mobile phone market when his mother's Alzheimer's worsened and his father passed away, at which point he took early retirement to oversee the last years of his mother's life.
That experience impacted Alan beyond description. He has become a globally recognized advocate for Alzheimer's causes. He took to new heights by climbing the highest mountain on each continent, the 7 Summits, in less than one year - a feat attempted by less than 10 individuals. Again, his motivation was on behalf of Alzheimer's causes.
He drove a global campaign during the 7 Summits campaign using his personal website, social media, leading-edge satellite communications, plus over 50 live radio and television interviews to reach 30 million people on behalf of Alzheimer's causes and research. He wrapped up his campaign with personal visits to key members of Congress to encourage Alzheimer's legislation and funding.
He continued to pursue his passion for alpine mountaineering with his Alzheimer's purpose by becoming the 18th and oldest American to summit K2 in 2014 at age 58. K2 is the world's hardest 8000-meter peak and the second-highest mountain on the planet. In addition, he has raised over $450,000 for Alzheimer's non-profits and reached 50 million people with his campaigns.
Today, Alan continues his Alzheimer's advocacy work as a successful inspirational speaker, blending his high-altitude mountaineering with his practical business experience with his passion for Alzheimer's causes. He frequently blogs on his site www.alanarnette.com and is a contributor to Outside Magazine on mountaineering subjects. He also serves as an advisor to technology startups.
In 2016 he founded Summit Coach, a consulting service that helps aspiring climbers worldwide achieve their goals. He works with clients aiming to climb a Colorado 14er, Rainier, Everest, or even K2 through a personalized set of consulting products based on Alan's 20 years of high-altitude mountain experience and 30 years as a business executive.
He lives in Colorado.
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Motivation for Opportunities
I offer tremendous energy, full
commitment with passion and experience.
I have run global P/L businesses over $500m, started new or turned around
businesses. Alan is acclaimed for outstanding leadership skills, has
proven expertise in social media and summited Mt. Everest, K2 and other
peaks to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer's Disease.
My experience as a technology senior executive involved global businesses
developing, producing and marketing high tech products. I have a unique
blend of skills in creating strategy and driving operational implementation
for complex systems resulting in delivering business results for both
startups and mature organizations. I took early retirement to oversee
the care of my mother, Ida Arnette, as Alzheimer’s took her life. As
a result, I was inspired to create a unique campaign where I reached
30 million people to raise awareness and research money for Alzheimer's
through climbing the highest peak on each continent in less than one
year - a rare feat.
ACHIEVEMENTS and SKILLS
START-UP FOUNDER
Co-Founder of MemoryBistro.com, an internet start-up in the social media
market. Involved in creating business plan, developing strategy and securing
funding.
GENERAL MANAGEMENT
Effectively developed annual operating plans and budgets for commercial
and consumer businesses including the establishment of sales, net income
and cash flow goals. Repeatedly met numbers in annual and quarterly operating
plan year after year as P & L responsibilities grew from $15 to $700
million.
MARKETING and SOCIAL MEDIA
Codeveloped and implemented extensive social media campaign around fundraising
using Facebook, Twitter, and dedicated websites while climbing the 7
Summits, including Mt. Everest. Extensive public speaking and media tours
during and afterwards to continue efforts.
Created a unique positioning program for software business relative
to other companies. This positioning allowed competitors to port their
software to HP hardware thus growing the hardware business while allowing
HP’s software business to grow unencumbered.
Drove new positioning for digital cameras through rebuilding relationships
with key industry influencers, aggressive training of sales force, high
quality product positioning and in-flight video for United Airlines.
OPERATIONS
Led dramatic improvement in manufacturing quality for digital cameras
through strategic approach with suppliers, focus on quality, cost and
schedule. Resulted in improved profits, more competitive cameras and
increased customer satisfaction.
Drove productivity increase in Pan-European Call Center as call volume
grew from 1,700 to 15,000 calls per day. Pioneered a unique multi-lingual
approach to multinational call center. Drove the aggressive use of Information
Technology systems to improve customer satisfaction and reduce costs.
BUSINESS STRATEGIES and DEVELOPMENT
Led global business development in mobile telephone market. Results
in propriety technology transfer and licensing to wireless carriers and
handset manufacturers.
Developed and implemented a three-point turnaround strategy for the
digital camera business. Based on quality, productivity and low-cost
manufacturing, the business delivered market-leading cameras and made
dramatic improvements in revenue and profit growth.
Led a refocused business strategy in the Professional Services business
in HP’s printing organization focused on selling services via outsourcing
to enterprise customers around the world. Resulted in 10X growth in accounts
and contract revenue: 3 accounts for $5m to 20 accounts for $200m 2000
to 2002
R&D LEADERSHIP
Drove new development process for Digital Cameras resulting in award
winning cameras and improved profitability. Instilled a strong sense
of quality into the organization and subcontractors along with strong
emphasis on cost control. Represented Digital Cameras at technical conferences
and industry forums resulting in improved market visibility and sales
for cameras.
Led software R&D for UNIX software development tools. Drove strong
improvements in process maturity using SEI model. Led strategic alliances
with major US and Japanese partners. Business grew at 41% CAGR to $20M
profitable revenue.
Led software development process improvements in several businesses,
which involved design reviews, code review, best practice sharing, knowledge
management systems resulting in faster time to market with improved quality.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Drove aggressive R&D and back-office automation through data collection
technology and SAP development - over $5m investment – for professional
services business. Resulted in reducing accounts receivable days outstanding
and improved customer satisfaction through more accurate billings
Drove comprehensive IT investment in call center operations. Knowledge
management and call tracking systems were developed and implemented resulting
in lower costs and improved employee productivity as the call volume
scaled to 15,000 calls per day from 30 countries
PHILANTHROPY AND ALZHEIMER’S FUND RAISING
Raised research funds through unique fund raising campaign involving
climbing Mt. Everest.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Summit Coach (2016 - present)
Consulting Service
Alzheimer’s Fund Raising (2007 - present)
Professional Speaker, Public Relations and Alpine
Mountaineer
Business Advisor at Rocky Mountain Innosphere (2014-2015)
Strategy, Marketing, Business Development,
Operations
Hewlett-Packard Company (1979-2007)
Executive Manager Business Development (2004-2007)
Digital Photography & Entertainment
R&D Director 2002-2004
Digital Cameras, Consumer Imaging & Printing, Fort Collins, Colorado
Professional Services General Manager (1999-2002)
Digital Workplace Services, Imaging & Printing Group, Boise, Idaho
Support General Manager (1995-1999)
Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), Product Support Division, Geneva,
Switzerland
Division Business Manager (1991-1995)
Software Engineering Division
Channel Marketing Manager (1990-1991)
Workstations Systems Group
Product Marketing Manager (1988-1990)
Mechanical Design Division, Ft. Collins, Colorado
District Sales Manager Sales (1979-1988)
Computer Systems, Dallas, Texas
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS, Memphis, TN
BSEE, Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering
Alan Arnette Video Presentations
Live Interview
This was a live interview with GoodNews Broadcast after my 7 Summits Climb
for Alzheimer's where I wanted to covey the importance of Alzheimer's awareness,
education and the need for research to a national audience.
Product Video
This was a product video used to introduce one of HP's Digital cameras
in 2004 and shown on United Airlines. As business and R&D Manager,
I drove the quality and feature set for this innovative camera at it's
time.
Everest, Denali, Aconcagua? What about K2? Regardless of your mountaineering goals, Summit Coach can help you prepare by selecting the best guides and gear and assisting with mental, physical, and emotional readiness. Alan Arnette has supported hundreds of climbers. Visit the Summit Coach website for affordable pricing and a wide range of customized services.
www.alanarnette.com is provided for informational purposes only and not for advice except through Summit Coach services. Please see the complete
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Alan Arnette has an intriguing set of skills and experiences that combines 30 years as an executive in high technology, successful non-profit fundraising, and high-altitude mountain climbing, including Everest and K2.
