Cross-Functional Operations Leader
Cross-functional operations leader with a Harvard Economics degree and PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago. I help organizations scale efficiently by combining commercial strategy, advanced systems, and team alignment.
I've led companies through rapid growth, international expansion, and large-scale transformation, delivering measurable financial and operational results. My focus is on building adaptable systems, integrating AI-native solutions, and aligning stakeholders around data-driven decision frameworks that drive financial performance.
Key Achievements Overview
Revenue Growth
As CEO of R.G. Brewton Inc., I didn't just manage growth—I architected it through systematic optimization, data-driven decision-making, and relentless focus on execution excellence. This section highlights my key achievements in transforming the company.
Growth Metrics
$75M
Scaled Revenue (from $27M)
178%
Total Growth over Five Years
7+
Domestic Locations Established
Strategic Expansion
Led successful international expansion into Mexico and Costa Rica, establishing a significant global footprint.
Established robust domestic operations across 7+ locations throughout the Southern and Midwestern United States, strengthening market presence.
Client Portfolio
Negotiated and secured 7-8 figure contracts with Fortune 500 manufacturers, building strong, lasting partnerships.
Significantly grew individual client relationships from $750K to $13M, through consultative partnership and operational excellence with clients like Boeing, General Motors, Tesla, Johnson Controls, and Harley Davidson.
This growth trajectory culminated in a successful company exit, demonstrating the sustainable value creation achieved through strategic automation, process optimization, and disciplined financial management. My proven playbook combines deep operational expertise with innovative technology implementation to unlock transformational growth while maintaining profitability—all accomplished without external investment, proving the power of strategic execution over capital deployment.
Manufacturing Excellence
As CEO of R.G. Brewton Inc., I partnered with Fortune 500 manufacturing and engineering teams to transform their production operations through lean methodology, custom tooling solutions, and systematic efficiency improvements. This section highlights my key achievements in production line optimization.
Production Optimization Metrics
25-40%
Typical Production Efficiency Gains
99%+
Client Service Level Maintained
Lean Manufacturing Leadership
Implemented comprehensive Kaizen projects with Fortune 500 manufacturing teams, leading cross-functional improvement initiatives that eliminated production bottlenecks and reduced cycle times through systematic waste identification and process optimization.
Designed and delivered custom tooling and engineering solutions that directly supported production line efficiency improvements, working closely with client engineering teams to develop specialized equipment and workflow enhancements tailored to specific manufacturing requirements.
Client Manufacturing Portfolio
Led production optimization projects for Boeing, General Motors, Tesla, Johnson Controls, and Harley Davidson manufacturing operations, delivering custom engineering solutions and implementing lean methodologies that achieved measurable efficiency improvements.
Partnered with client production teams to execute systematic Kaizen events and continuous improvement programs, establishing standardized work processes and quality control measures that sustained long-term operational excellence while reducing costs and improving throughput across diverse manufacturing environments.
Contract Negotiation
As CEO and chief negotiator, I leveraged deep operational expertise to craft agreements that balanced aggressive commercial terms with sustainable operational delivery.
Contract Value
$250M+
In combined enterprise contracts
Fortune 500
Strategic manufacturer partnerships
Negotiated and structured over $250M in combined enterprise contracts with Fortune 500 manufacturers, creating value propositions that resonated at the C-suite level.
Strategic Partnerships
Built strategic partnerships with global industry leaders including Boeing, General Motors, Tesla, Johnson Controls, Harley Davidson, and Group SEB (All-Clad).
Transformed transactional vendor relationships into consultative partnerships, requiring a sophisticated understanding of manufacturing operations, supply chain dynamics, and enterprise procurement processes.
Negotiation Approach
$750K to $13M
Single Client Relationship Growth
My approach combines analytical rigor with relationship building, managing complex stakeholder ecosystems across multiple time zones and cultures.
This expertise was gained through Harvard Law School's Program on Negotiation and refined through years of P&L ownership, resulting in expanded client relationships while maintaining favorable terms and protecting margins.
Each negotiation became a strategic opportunity to align our capabilities with client transformation initiatives, creating mutual value that extended beyond traditional supplier agreements.
System Design & Implementation
Enterprise Systems
Architecting & Deployment
Architected and deployed enterprise-scale systems for Fortune 500 manufacturers, significantly transforming operational efficiency.
ERP Implementations
Led comprehensive ERP implementations (Oracle NetSuite, Activant Prophet 21) affecting over 100 employees.
AI Workflow Automation
Pioneered AI-powered workflow automation solutions.
Performance Metrics
65%
Cycle time reduction with AI-powered automation
70%
Reduction in screening time
82%
Decrease in shipping errors
10x
Productivity improvements in critical business functions
Technical Innovation
Integrated Ecosystems
Designed integrated technology ecosystems connecting legacy systems with cutting-edge AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity), enabling real-time data flow and automated decision-making.
Custom Solutions
Built custom pricing intelligence chatbots and engineered knowledge management platforms, translating complex technical capabilities into practical business solutions that scale.
This hands-on implementation experience—combined with my analytical foundation from Harvard Economics and University of Chicago—ensures that every system I design delivers both immediate operational value and long-term strategic advantage.
AI Integration
Designed and deployed AI-powered business solutions that transformed operational efficiency across enterprise organizations. My approach goes beyond theoretical AI adoption—I engineer practical, production-ready systems that deliver immediate ROI while building sustainable competitive advantage.
AI Solutions
Automated Candidate Evaluation
Developed systems that reduced screening time by 70%.
Pricing Intelligence Chatbots
Created chatbots that accelerated quote generation by 65%.
AI-Powered Knowledge Management
Transformed static intranets into dynamic, conversational resources.
Performance Impact
70%
Reduction in candidate screening time
65%
Faster quote generation
4+
AI models seamlessly integrated into enterprise platforms
Technical Integration
Seamless System Integration
Solutions seamlessly integrated with existing enterprise systems through custom API development, ensuring adoption without disruption.
Multi-Model Deployment
Successfully integrated multiple AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google Vertex) with enterprise platforms like Oracle NetSuite, Salesforce and DataBricks.
Unified Workflows
Created unified workflows that enhance rather than replace human capabilities, maintaining governance and trust.
My unique position as both CEO and technical implementer allowed me to bridge the gap between AI potential and operational reality. This hands-on experience—reinforced by executive training from MIT Sloan and MIT CSAIL—enables me to guide organizations through AI transformation with confidence, ensuring every implementation delivers measurable business outcomes.
Core Strengths
Operating Strategy
Competitive operating and go-to-market strategy development with proven track record of scaling businesses efficiently
Team Orchestration
Cross-functional team leadership across regions and time zones, combining analytical depth with relationship-building
System Automation
Enterprise system and workflow automation expertise, integrating Python and Google Apps Script for enhanced efficiency
AI-Driven Scaling
AI-driven operational scaling using ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Meta LLAMA integrated via APIs
International Expansion
International expansion and P&L growth management across Mexico and Costa Rica markets
Manufacturing Excellence
Lean manufacturing, Kaizen implementation, and Six Sigma methodologies with proven results in production optimization and waste elimination
Current Ventures
Operating by John Brewton
Writer & Founder | January 2025 - Present
Where Business History Meets Operational Future
What 30K+ strategic minds explore weekly
- Decoding the future of business
- Delivering career-changing insights
- Challenging conventional thinking
- Equipping leaders to build tomorrow's companies
Drawing from
Business History
Economic History
Financial History
Technological History
30K+
Engaged Operators
Strategic professionals joining weekly
Recent Deep Dives
- The AI Imperative: Integrating advanced LLMs for business scalability
- Historical Market Cycles: Lessons for modern investment strategies
- Operational Efficiency: Beyond lean, towards adaptive systems
6A East Partners
Founder & CEO | September 2021 - Present
Operational Transformation Grounded in Timeless Principles
How Historical Insight Drives Modern Results
Providing strategic operating advisory and consulting services that leverage historical business patterns to inform cutting-edge solutions:
- Legacy System Streamlining: Modernizing aged infrastructures by applying proven change management principles.
- Growth Strategy Optimization: Crafting scalable growth plans by analyzing economic cycles and market shifts.
- Risk Mitigation: Developing resilient operational frameworks informed by past crises and successful adaptations.
- Strategic Talent Deployment: Aligning human capital with long-term objectives using insights from enduring organizational structures.
AI & Technology Integration
01
Custom AI Tools
Designed and implemented custom AI solutions using ChatGPT, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, and Meta LLAMA integrated via APIs
02
Enhanced Decision-Making
Significantly enhanced client decision-making processes and achieved 10x improvement in sales productivity
03
Advanced Analytics
Expertly employed Tableau and Power BI to deliver powerful, actionable analytics, transforming complex data into strategic narratives
04
Automation Integration
Integrated Python and Google Apps Script for enhanced automation, accuracy, and reporting efficiency across operations
R.G. Brewton, Inc. Leadership
CEO | January 2016 - August 2021 (Company sold to Stellar Industrial)
>$75M
Revenue Growth
Increased from $27.5M to over $75M, demonstrating significant market expansion.
61
Optimized Headcount
Reduced from 102 employees (at $32M revenue) while revenue grew to $75M, reflecting extreme operational efficiency.
<0.75%
Shipping Error Rate
Achieved through automated warehouse operations
10x
Facility Efficiency
Smaller than industry standard while maintaining operations
Built internal engineering teams, led custom ERP and real-time data warehousing projects. Expanded operations internationally into Mexico and Costa Rica, managing incorporation, compliance, trade regulations, and logistical complexities.
A Track Record of Excellence
1
Strategic Advisory
(Founder & Principal, 6A East Partners 2021-Present)
Provide C-suite and board-level strategic advice, focusing on operational transformation, digital innovation, and market penetration strategies for middle-market and Fortune 500 companies. Drive significant revenue growth and market share expansion through data-driven insights and technology integration.
2
Thought Leadership
(Author, Operating by John Brewton 2025-Present)
Author of 'Operating by John Brewton,' a forthcoming publication exploring modern operational efficiency, AI's role in business transformation, and leadership in an evolving technological landscape. Contribute to industry dialogue through publications and speaking engagements.
3
AI Strategy Consultant, 6A East Partners 2021-Present)
Lead AI strategy and implementation for enterprise clients, including developing custom AI solutions, optimizing machine learning pipelines, and integrating AI into core business processes. Deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, decision-making, and competitive advantage.
4
CEO, R.G. Brewton Inc. (2016-2021)
Scaled company revenue from $27M to $75M (177% growth), while reducing headcount from 82 to 61 employees. Expanded operations internationally, secured Fortune 500 contracts, and successfully led company to acquisition.
5
Director of Operations (2013-2015)
Reduced headcount by 40% while growing revenue over 100% through role specialization and advanced automation. Partnered with industrial psychologists to design specialized roles.
6
Operations Analyst (2011-2012)
Initiated company-wide task automation using macros and Microsoft Power Pivot, saving 200+ hours weekly and increasing profitability by 20%.
7
Sourcing Specialist (2010)
Developed strategic sourcing relationships with global OEM partners, enhancing sourcing efficiency and responsiveness.
Education & Certifications
Academic Background
- Harvard University - Bachelor of Arts in Economics (2004-2009)
- University of Chicago - PhD Program in Economics (2010-2012)
- University of Pittsburgh - Honor's College, Philosophy (2002-2003)
Professional Certifications
- Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation
- MIT Sloan Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy
- MIT: Designing and Building AI Products
Let's Connect
Contact Information
Phone: 703.462.3136
Email: john@6aep.com
Location: Washington, District of Columbia
Languages
Spanish: Professional Working Proficiency
English: Native
Top Skills
- Operational Strategy
- Financial Strategy
- Team Building / Org Design
- Leadership
Ready to transform your operations and scale efficiently? I share insights on business evolution and the AI-enabled future of work through my newsletter, Operating by John Brewton. Let's discuss how strategic operations can drive your organization's growth.
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Partner for Growth
Ready to unlock your organization's full potential? My operational strategy and AI integration expertise can propel your business forward. Explore how we can collaborate to implement cutting-edge solutions, streamline processes, and achieve sustainable growth.