“No one does a better job of combining strategic discipline with improved relationships. A remarkable synthesis
of the hard and the soft sides, both
necessary for success.”

—Jon Katzenbach, author of The Wisdom of Teams

Tom Curren

Hawthorne Consultants

1990–current. Founder and President.

For over 15 years, Tom Curren has been developing a successful practice in aligning top teams, improving strategy execution, and shifting organizational cultures. He works primarily at the CEO and Division President–level as a consultant, “thought partner,” coach, and facilitator. He works both individually and as a leader or member of small consulting teams.

He has done substantive work in media, oil and gas exploration, leisure products, health care, home building, financial services, retailing, travel services, and industrial products.

In addition to corporate work, Tom has helped a variety of nonprofits and governmental organizations align their leadership teams, clarify strategy, and take a comprehensive approach to performance improvement.

In addition to Hawthorne Consultants, Tom periodically partners with Blu Skye Consulting to implement business sustainability projects and with the Trium Group to improve executive team performance. He occasionally serves as a leadership trainer for Mobius Consulting.

McKinsey Change Center

1995–97, concurrent with Hawthorne Consultants

As a fellow at the McKinsey Change Center in New York, Tom helped develop leading-edge techniques to improve the implementation of major change initiatives. These techniques give equal weight to the decision-driven and behavior-dependent aspects of performance.

Marriott Corporation

1983–1990: Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning and Business Development
1981–1983: Vice President Corporate Planning
1977–81: Director, Corporate Planning

As the senior planning officer of the corporation, Tom contributed significantly to its long-term growth. Sales increased from $1 billion to $7.5 billion through the 1980s, with a compound profit growth rate of 17%. Tom was a member of the Finance Committee and considered one of the top 10 executives in the corporation.

  • Created and introduced Courtyard by Marriott, currently a $500+ million business and the most preferred brand in the moderate lodging market.
  • Developed a strategy to enter the time-sharing business. Marriott Vacation Club International is one of the company’s fastest growing businesses.
  • Initiated a strategy for Marriott to utilize its hospitality skills in the elderly market.
  • Created a manpower development strategy that linked with the real estate pipeline, permitted Marriott Hotels to expand from 20,000 to 100,000 rooms with no loss of operating effectiveness.
  • Recruited, developed, and managed a team of 15 business planners and 30 market research professionals.

McKinsey & Company

1973–77. Engagement Manager. New York Office Managed strategy and marketing studies for manufacturers and retailers.

Compton Advertising/Procter and Gamble

1971–73. Account Executive. New York City
Managed the Cascade account for P&G, successfully defending the brand in the face of increased competition.

United States Navy

1968–71. Supply Officer, Naval Station, Norfolk, Virginia.
Managed 120 employees. Operated off Vietnam on the USS Tappahannock.

Allen-Curren Electronics

1967–68. President and cofounder of an electronics company venture during business school.

EDUCATION

Wharton Graduate Division

University of Pennsylvania, 1965–67.
MBA. Top 10%. Director’s List. Major in finance and marketing.

Trinity College

Hartford Connecticut. 1961–65. Economics major. Dean’s list. Honors Thesis.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

  • Center for Study of Human Systems, 1988–94
  • Design and facilitation of large group interventions, 1995
  • Grid International, 2001
  • Dialogue Mapping, 2003
  • CoachU (1997) and BCoach (2004)
  • Spiral Dynamics, 2000-–03
  • Integral Institute (courses in leadership, business, integral life practice), 2004-5
  • Corporate Transformational Tools (Richard Barrett & Associates), 2005–07
  • Generating Transformative Change in Human Systems, Pacific Integral, 2006–08
  • Utilizing the Leadership Development Profile (Cook-Greuter), 2006
  • Polarity Management and Real Time Strategic Change, consultant intensive training, 2007–11
  • Certified Holacracy facilitator, 2008
  • Certified in the application of Cynefin’s methods of complexity theory, 2009
  • Certified Implications Wheel Facilitator, 2010

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