Mike Kaelin

About Mike Kaelin

GROWTH STRATEGY & EXECUTION OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT P&L MANAGEMENT CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT CHANGE & TEAM LEADERSHIP BUSINESS TURNAROUNDSAs an operations and finance Leader, I’ve built a reputation with CEOs and Boards for driving organizational change by creating a bold, compelling vision, and aligning business structure and teams to achieve the vision. A strategic thought partner to CEO and business unit peers, I am frequently selected to navigate uncertainty, solve problems, lead strategic enterprise-wide initiatives, and transform underperforming teams/business units. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently strengthened business unit P&L, finance, corporate development, supply chain, customer acquisitions, contracts, and facilities. I foster a positive, ethical work climate that attracts, retains, develops, and motivates a diverse group of top-quality, engaged employees.My multi-industry background ensures that mid-sized companies and large divisions have critical operational controls, administrative/reporting procedures, and people systems in place for expansion and sustainable growth. My background includes serving as CFO and CPA at “Big 4” public organizations. Career highlights: Partnered with CEO to build and execute a new growth strategy for a diverse portfolio of businesses that spurred a stagnant $750m organization to industry-leading 5% YoY growth for eight years running. Created and managed the corporate development and organizational investment framework enabling that growth. C-level executive proven in multiple industries and capable of serving as CEO, COO or CFO depending upon the organization’s needs. Assumed P&L leadership for multiple units that were not core to the portfolio and either grew, were sold or discontinued depending on the situation. Currently CFO for a $1B Contract Research Organization, direct finance, most operations, and a $10M division. Consolidated the decentralized finance function of a $150M IT services business into a world-class shared services organization. Transformed underperforming finance and operational groups in multiple companies into strategic business partners. Turned around a troubled supply chain of a $350M business unit from a liability into a competitive advantage by leveraging Lean Six Sigma techniques to improve metrics to best-in-company with 99% on-time delivery and less than $1K in inventory variance (down from $275K).

Experience

1. EVP & Chief Operating Officer

   RTI International

   Jan 2025 — Present

   In my role as EVP & Chief Operating Officer at RTI International, I have overall responsibility for adapting and executing on our North Star Strategy. This includes spearheading corporate functions such as strategy, development. innovation and our technology ventures team. I also have executive oversight of our commercial and laboratory science businesses which are critical components of our North Star Strategy.

Education

• Davis & Elkins College

  BS, Accounting & Finance

  1983 — 1987