Lucy Kalkman

About Lucy Kalkman

C-Level Executive | Private Equity Operating Advisor | Transformational Growth LeaderI am seeking C-level roles within PE-backed, private, or public companies, as well as an Operating Partner/Advisor position at a private equity firm. I collaborate with forward-thinking organizations to execute buy-and-build strategies, optimize operations, and drive transformative growth.• 25+ years of experience driving growth, operational excellence, and value creation across PE-backed, public, and private organizations.• Expertise in buy-and-build strategies, M&A integrations, and operational efficiency, scaling businesses from $30M to $800M while delivering 50%+ gross margins and 30%+ EBITDA.• Trusted advisor to leading PE firms—including Summit Partners, Charlesbank, Tiger Infrastructure, and NB Group—providing investment due diligence, market consolidation, and post-acquisition integration strategies.• Proven ability to identify risks, uncover growth opportunities, and implement scalable playbooks that maximize portfolio performance and accelerate high-value exits. Areas of Expertise: Private Equity Value Creation | Buy-and-Build Strategies | M&A Execution | Portfolio Optimization Operational Leadership | Multi-Site, Multi-State Scalability | Performance & Margin Optimization Revenue & EBITDA Growth | Cost Reduction | Procurement & Supply Chain Strategy Investment Due Diligence | Financial & Operational Analysis | Risk & Compliance Management Market Expansion & Customer Growth | GTM Strategy | Competitive Positioning Technology & Process Innovation | Automation & AI | Predictive Analytics & Data-Driven Insights

Experience

1. Chief Operations Officer

   Gak Properties, Llc

   Aug 2023 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   GAK Properties is a privately held small family owned company that provides complete integrated facility maintenance & management solutions to residential & commercial clients. Operational Leadership – Managed all day-to-day operations across corporate and field locations, including M&A, finance, sales, marketing, HR, process improvement, procurement, and customer service. Growth & Expansion – Drove 70% revenue growth, scaling to $25M in 24 months by entering new markets, executing aggressive business development, securing national accounts, and obtaining more favorable pricing on existing accounts. Profitability & Cost Optimization – Increased gross margins from 34% to 50%+ and EBITDA from 17% to mid-20% by tightening job costing, re-pricing unprofitable accounts, growing higher-margin recurring contracts, and renegotiating subcontractor rates. Vendor Network & Service Quality – Built a scalable subcontractor network through rigorous vetting and contractual accountability, improving service consistency, reducing jobsite issues, and supporting rapid market expansion. Standardization & Scalability – Implemented standardized workflows and technology-driven KPI tracking across business units, enhancing quality control, reducing response times, and enabling multi-market growth.

Education

• Northern Illinois University

  Bachelor of Science, Business Management and Administration

Skills

• Strategic Planning
• Operations Management
• Strategic Partnerships
• Leadership Development
• Customer Satisfaction
• Change Management
• Team Leadership
• Leadership
• Income Statement
• Program Management
• Project Planning
• Staff Development-Promotion