Greg Hladik

About Greg Hladik

With more than 20 years of experience spanning higher education administration, municipal government, public-private partnerships, and small-business entrepreneurship, I work at the intersection of strategy, operations, and innovation. I also serve as an AI business implementation consultant, helping organizations translate emerging technologies into practical, scalable systems that improve execution, service delivery, and decision-making.My background blends artificial intelligence, smart mobility, business strategy, logistics, contracts, real estate, policy, and partnerships—with a consistent focus on building operational environments where people and systems perform at their best. I specialize in turning complex, highly regulated organizations into efficient, predictable, and customer-focused operations through thoughtful design, process optimization, and technology enablement.A recipient of three of our industry’s highest honors—Lifetime Achievement Award, Professional Excellence in Innovation, and Organization of the Year—I have led enterprise-level initiatives that transformed the areas I oversee into internationally recognized models for innovation and execution. This includes launching self-driving on-street shuttle programs, deploying an AI-powered parking and wayfinding platform, and leading the first global implementation of recycled plastic into asphalt parking infrastructure, among many others.I am particularly passionate about cross-sector leadership, aligning faculty, municipal partners, private-sector vendors, and internal teams around shared outcomes. My leadership approach emphasizes organizational effectiveness, financial stewardship, risk management, change leadership, and continuous improvement, ensuring that innovation is sustainable—not disruptive for disruption’s sake.Recognized through the Governor’s Executive Development Program and by regional, national, and international peers, I continue to focus on building resilient operating models that scale. My work centers on helping institutions and businesses adopt AI-enabled systems, entrepreneurial thinking, and disciplined operations to serve their communities better—today and into what’s next.

Experience

1. Entrepreneur

   British Swim School

   May 2024 — Present · Arlington, TX, US

   Owner-operator of a multi-location, service-based small business focused on operational excellence, customer experience, and scalable growth. Lead day-to-day operations while balancing strategic planning, financial oversight, talent development, and process improvement in a regulated, safety-critical environment.Built and refined end-to-end operating systems covering enrollment, scheduling, staffing, payroll, customer communications, retention, and performance tracking. Applied AI-enabled tools, automation, and data dashboards to improve decision-making, reduce manual work, and enhance responsiveness for families and staff.Partner closely with facility operators, instructors, vendors, and community organizations to ensure consistent service delivery, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Designed repeatable workflows that allow the business to operate predictably while supporting expansion into additional locations.This role sharpened my operator mindset—making real-time tradeoffs across people, systems, finances, and customer outcomes—while reinforcing the importance of disciplined execution, clear accountability, and continuous improvement.

Education

• The University of Texas at Arlington

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

• Oklahoma State University

  Bachelor's degree, Business Administration and Management, General

  2006

• Arkansas Tech University

  Master's degree, College Student Personnel

  2008