Brad Hughes

About Brad Hughes

I’m an operations leader who helps organizations turn strategy into stable, repeatable execution.As a COO or Fractional COO, I design and run operating systems that scale without chaos or burnout.Whether as a Chief Operating Officer or Fractional COO, my role is the same:design and run the operating system that allows the business to execute without constant escalation, heroics, or burnout.Most companies I work with are doing many things right and still feel strain- Too many priorities competing for attention- Decisions bottlenecked at the top- Teams working hard inside systems that no longer fit- Leaders stuck firefighting instead of leadingI partner closely with CEOs and leadership teams to- Clarify priorities, ownership, and decision rights- Make work visible and manageable across teams- Reduce friction between strategy, execution, and delivery- Establish operating cadence and accountability that scaleMy background spans technology, operations, and large-scale change, but my focus is practical and grounded: how work actually flows, how decisions are made, and how leaders maintain control as complexity increases.I don’t install frameworks for their own sake. I design fit-for-purpose operating models shaped by the organization’s goals, constraints, and maturity.How I engageAs a COO: embedded leadership with full accountability for execution and operationsAs a Fractional COO: time-bounded, hands-on engagements (typically 6–18 months) focused on stabilization, operating model design, and leadership enablementThe goal in both cases is simple:Leave the organization clearer, calmer, and capable of sustaining results, without dependence on a single person.If you’re looking for an operator who brings structure without rigidity and momentum without chaos, we should talk.

Experience

1. Chief Operating Officer

   True North Agile Llc

   Jan 2014 — Present · Richmond, VA, US

   I help leaders navigate complexity with modern management methods that help restore clarity, confidence, and predictability.Blending business agility, systems thinking, and AI-enabled insight, I partner with founders, executives, and teams to reduce friction, improve flow, and design fit-for-purpose ways of working.Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all map, I serve as a compass - providing grounded, adaptive guidance tailored to your context, challenges, and goals.Drawing on the Kanban Method, flow-based agility, fit-for-purpose design, and AI strategy, I coach individuals and leadership teams to move from reactive to managed control, enabling greater clarity, collaboration, and sustainable performance.My approach extends beyond IT, supporting business operations, infrastructure, and regulated environments. I’ve worked with leaders and change agents across Fortune 200 companies in finance, insurance, healthcare, transportation, cybersecurity, and manufacturing, many of whom credit our work together with lasting career and organizational growth.Core Services & Expertise• Leadership and management coaching rooted in flow and systems thinking• Kanban Management Professional (KMP) training and applied learning• Flow for Leaders simulation - experiential training for executive teams• Fitness-for-purpose strategy and flow metrics coaching• Continuous improvement and feedback loop design• Coaching internal change agents and transformation leadsWhether guiding senior leaders through complex change or helping overwhelmed teams find their footing, I offer calm, pragmatic support tailored to your needs and culture.

Education

• University of Victoria

  B.Sc., Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering

• Royal Roads University

  CEC, Executive Coaching

  2014

• The George Washington University

  Masters Certificate, Project Management

  2012