F.O.C.U.S. Resources' President/CEO and Founder

Audio Clip: Lea Strickland Introduced by Radio Show Host Tony Trupiano

Ms. Strickland is internationally recognized as a consultant, speaker, columnist, and author on the strategic, operational, and financial issues of businesses of all sizes. With over 20 years of experience in financial and operational leadership in Fortune 500 and Global 100 companies (including Ford Motor Company, Solectron, and Newell Corporation) to early and growth stage technology companies, in many industries, both service and manufacturing – electronics, automotive, textiles, software, consumer products, home products, pharmaceutical, biotech, life science, medical device, and more, Ms. Strickland has experience that is translates into bottom-line advice and results.

Publications:
Lea is the author of Out of the Cubicle and Into Business (2005), a guide for first-time entrepreneurs working on defining the business, and SBIR Business Basics (2007), and SBIR Quick Reference (2008), as well as co-author of Marketing Strategies (2008), One Great Idea! (2008). She was interviewed in the book The Ugly Truth About Management (2007) by Ruth King.

She has over 400 published articles, 50 workshops, and has numerous appearances in national publications and media including:

• Balance Magazine
• WCFO 1160 Radio Atlanta
• National Journal’s Technology Daily
• Entrepreneur Magazine (October 2005, May 2006, July 2006 and March 2008)
• Entrepreneur Magazine’s Be Your Own Boss Special Issue
• Entrepreneur Magazine Radio
• Business TV Channel
• Small Business Technology Magazine
• Carolina Newswire
• Business Leader Magazine
• Tech Journal South
• Business Advisor Online
• Local Tech Wire/WRAL.com
• North Carolina Journal for Women
• North Carolina Career Network Magazine
• North Carolina Small Business Technology Newsletter

She is also the publisher of three newsletters:

• F.O.C.U.S.™ on Business
• F.O.C.U.S.™ on SBIR Recipients
• F.O.C.U.S.™ on Commercialization

Speaking Roles:
She is a frequent speaker at international, national, regional, and local business events and venues including:

• Profitability and Sustainability – Monterrey, Mexico
• National Small Business Innovation Research Fall 2007 National Conference – Texas
• National Small Business Innovation Research Spring 2007 National Conference – North Carolina
• North Carolina State University Technology Incubator
• Virginia's Annual SBIR Conference
• Wake Tech Community College Fast Trak Program
• University of North Carolina Office of Technology Development
• North Carolina Small Business Technology Development Center
• Institute of Management Accountants Carolina Council and Local Chapter Meetings

Education:
Ms. Strickland holds an MBA in Accounting, Marketing and Human Resources from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Business Management from The University of Charleston.

Certifications:
Management Accounting
Financial Management
Business Management
Grants Management

Recognition:
Ms. Strickland’s honors include:
-- Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals (2003) -- International Who’s Who of Professional Management (1999) -- Outstanding Young Executive in the United States (1989)

Community Leadership:
She is a member of the Institutes of Management Accountants, The Association of Professionals in Business Management, the Financial Executives Networking Group, and many other local, regional, national and international organizations. She has previously served as Vice Chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustments for Cary, North Carolina (a quasi-judicial board).

Past Experience:
Ms. Strickland’s extensive experience includes Ford Motor Company, Newell, Solectron, and other manufacturing and service companies from startups to larger international firms. Her client list includes some of the leading early stage technology companies in the country in biotechnology, information technology, and other emerging industries. She has worked with over 100 companies since founding F.O.C.U.S. Resources in 2002.

As a financial leader, Ms. Strickland has been instrumental in obtaining funding from Deutsche Bank for a local technology growth company. She is also credited for saving over $30 million for a manufacturing operation and obtaining $97 million in funding for the expansion of that same facility. Her client and industry experience includes audit, banking, OEM automotive and tier one automotive manufacturing, electonics manufacturing, consumer products manufacturing, software, industrial textiles manufacturing, and many other industries.

In 2004, Lea was asked to be expand her consulting practice into working with government grant and contract recipients on compliance and financial control systems. The government funding-compliance consulting focuses on small technology, bio-technology, software, and bio-agriculture businesses transitioning from research and development to full commercial operations.

She has served as an expert panelist and speaker for the following community and business organizations:

Sustainability and Profitability Conference, Monterrey, Mexico (2008)

SBIR Spring National Conference, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA (2007)

SBIR Fall National Conference, Richardson, Texas, USA (2007)

Council for Entrepreneurial Development

In addition to her current client list, Lea (together with other business and community leaders) donates her time to establish affordable resource programs for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Upcoming books:

GRAB for Success

“For Lea, it isn’t about fitting the business to the method, it’s about finding the right approach for the business.” - G. M., Electronics Manufacturer

“Lea Strickland brought the knowledge and experiences we specifically needed for developing our Commercialization Plan....”  Justin Samson, President, Castle Technologies, Inc., Virginia, USA

“There is no substitute for the experience of a world expert like Lea & we strongly recommend her to anyone...” Peyton Anderson, CEO, Affinergy, Inc., North Carolina, USA

“I receive your newsletter as you send it out, and I find it to be invaluable reading.  I am the facilitator for the FastTrac entrepreneurial (www.fasttrac.org) course offerings through Midlands Tech here in Columbia (South Carolina, USA).”  J. Tom Ledbetter, Jr.  SC CED Executive Director

“I am a marketing and sales manager in Portugal and am challenged with sales and collections.  Your ideas and strategies are extremely well-planned and analyzed. I can put them to work immediately!” Alexandre Cabral, Portugal

“I found your article on competing…very interesting indeed. My name is John Magee and I own a small consulting firm based in Northern Ireland…After reading your articIe, I am now making efforts to join the same committees…If you have any further advice or information, I would be very grateful to receive it.” John Magee, North Ireland