Kevin Noble

About Kevin Noble

I am a tech industry veteran with 18 years of cross-functional leadership experience. I started professional life with a masters degree in mechanical engineering, and soon transitioned into broader business roles.Today my expertise spans across hardware and software system design, operations, finance, manufacturing, and more. I have run large global teams and led complex transformation projects across numerous functions.In addition to my professional accomplishments, I am also a family man, with a wife, three children, and two rescue pitbulls. I am an avid reader, consuming over 100 books a year. I love staying active: rucking, running, weightlifting, and obstacle course racing. You\'ll frequently find me out in nature or in the kitchen cooking for my family.I am also a writer, sharing my hard-earned insights on leadership, mental models, and frameworks through my weekly newsletter,\"The Catalyst.\"Sign up for my newsletter here: https://kevinnoble.kit.com/

Experience

1. Founder and Managing Partner

   Group 18

   Mar 2025 — Present · Austin, TX, US

   Group 18 builds the financial and operational infrastructure that founder-led businesses need to scale - so the business runs on systems, not on you.Most businesses between $3M and $40M hit the same wall: the instincts and spreadsheets that got you here can\'t get you to the next level. Cash flow surprises despite strong revenue. Decisions made without reliable models. Operations that depend on the founder being in every room.We embed alongside leadership teams to build what\'s missing - financial models, forecasts, board-ready reporting, operational processes, team structures, and KPI frameworks. The work starts with giving you visibility into where the business is going, not just where it\'s been. Then we build the infrastructure that lets it execute at the next level of scale.20 years in finance and operations leadership, including leading teams of up to 135 people across transformation, scaling, and board-level engagements. I started Group 18 because the businesses that need this work the most - the ones between startup chaos and enterprise maturity - can\'t access it at the right price point or the right level of seniority.If your business has outgrown your infrastructure, let\'s talk.

Education

• Purdue University

  MS, Mechanical Engineering

  2004 — 2007

• Virginia Tech

  BS, Mechanical Engineering

  1998 — 2003

Skills

• Business Development
• Strategy
• Engineering Design
• Lean Manufacturing
• Start-Ups
• Supply Chain Management
• Requirements Gathering
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Product Development
• Operations Management
• Business Process Improvement
• Testing
• Process Engineering
• Management
• Business Strategy
• Data Analysis
• Six Sigma
• Project Management
• Purchasing
• Process Improvement
• Product Management
• Requirements Management
• Supply Chain
• Leadership
• New Product Introduction
• Cost Reduction Management
• Manufacturing
• Operations Improvement