Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
References
Hobbies and Interests
Community Service
Timeline
Generic
Gary Crookes

Gary Crookes

Tullaghan

Summary

I am a transformative leader with extensive experience as a Top-Level Executive, specializing in pioneering sales strategies and marketing innovation across diverse industries, ranging from Fortune 300 to start-ups. My career is marked by strategic roles where I've driven global growth, enhanced organisational culture, and achieved remarkable milestones, including doubling profits and expanding markets. I embrace servant leadership and relentlessly pursue value, rooted in an entrepreneurial spirit. I am deeply committed to people-centric community involvement and seek to leverage my dual South African/EU nationality to foster international collaborations and drive global innovations.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience

Work History

COO/CEO

Syscor
Remote
10.2022 - Current
  • Increased productivity by 50% using data-driven methodology, AI, and automation
  • Secured major SaaS partnerships and grew revenue by 40%
  • Implemented remote company best practices to enhance culture.

Founder

ShadowBall KasiTouch
Pretoria
10.2019 - Current
  • Transitioned an MBA thesis project into reality, impacting up to 3000 children in Pretoria annually/ Partnered with the government and South African Rugby Association securing funding from sponsors and the government.

Co-Founder

ShadowBall Academy
Pretoria
02.2016 - Current
  • Collaborated with experts to develop an innovative ShadowBall rugby skill training program, achieving a 266% skills improvement and a 300% revenue ROI for sponsors/ Collaborated with world Cup-winning coach Jake White to roll ShadowBall to the Japanese Rugby Federation/ Partner Western Province Stormers & Deaf Springbok team/ Strategic advisor to The Blue Bulls Rugby

Founder, Inventor

ShadowBall
Pretoria
04.2014 - Current
  • Invented a new type of rugby ball and established a product range with 45 innovative products/ Obtained 8 patents and international trademarks/ Expanded global distribution to Japan, USA, LATAM, and EU/ Led the merger & acquisition.

Chief Exploration Officer

Sherpa
Pretoria
11.2020 - 09.2022
  • Negotiated partnership with a government body for Bee Ware/ expanded the company product line/ secured market share leader in the strategic pest control market/ Developed and led a segmentation strategy for Connect-It, secured the company's first international distributor in the USA.

Co-Founder, Sales and Marketing Manager

Blueye Eyewear
Johannesburg
07.2008
  • Secured angel investment and distribution rights/ Developed a client base of 300 retail outlets/ Executed innovative retail brand strategies/ Successful company exit.

Special Projects Manager

Michelin Tyre Company
Johannesburg
05.2003
  • Awarded 'Salesman of the Year 2006'/ Promoted to regional Sales Manager/ Progressed to manage significant projects and teams, including serving as a country manager in Mozambique.

Education

Monday.com: Customer Success Pathway, Advanced Workflow Product Certifications -

12.2023

Amazon Web Services Technical Accredited partner -

11.2023

Higher National Diploma in Marketing -

WITS University, Witwatersrand Technikon
03.2023

Executive MBA in Sport Management -

Real Madrid Graduate School, Universidad European
05.2021

Certificate - Online Entrepreneurship Bootcamp -

MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
05.2019

Partner Elite Program -

Raizcorp
07.2017

MIT IP Deep Dive -

Brandan Burchard Experts Academy -

IRB Level 1 -

Skills

  • Strategic Leadership: Demonstrated as CEO/COO of Syscor, where I increased productivity by 50% and revenue by 40% using data-driven methodology and AI I have successfully led teams and strategic sales, such as my negotiation of a partnership with a government body for Sherpa
  • Innovation & Product Development: As the founder and inventor of ShadowBall, I innovated a new type of rugby ball and established a product range with 45 innovative products, along with obtaining 8 patents I also collaborated with experts to develop the ShadowBall rugby skills training program, which was turned into a business and resulting in significant skills improvement and ROI
  • Account Management Expertise & Relationship Management: Recognized as Salesman of the Year at Michelin Tyre Company, I have a proven track record in sales management, developing a client base of 300 retail outlets for Blueye Eyewear, and managing over 130 accounts with a retention and growth rate of 110%
  • Global Business Development: I've expanded global distribution to Japan, USA, LATAM, and EU, leading merger & acquisition efforts and securing the company's first international client for Connect-It
  • Strategic Marketing: My expertise is evident in executing innovative retail brand strategies that led to a successful company exit for Blueye Eyewear, and in playing a pivotal role in the go-to-market strategy of ShadowBall, which resulted in significant market creation
  • Operational Excellence & Automation: I've implemented remote company best practices at Syscor to enhance culture and used AI and automation to drive operational efficiencies
  • Community Involvement & Leadership: Through founding ShadowBall KasiTouch, impacting up to 3000 children annually, and partnering with government and sports associations, I have demonstrated my commitment to community service and leadership
  • Process Mapping, Improvement, and Automation: I am skilled in breaking processes down to the granular level, mapping them in tools such as Lucid chart, working with teams to collaboratively create or improve them, automating them with tools such as mondaycom, developing SOPs, and continuously improving outcomes
  • Critical Thinking and Active Listening: My approach to problem-solving is rooted in critical thinking, allowing me to analyze situations thoroughly and devise effective solutions Paired with active listening, I ensure comprehensive understanding and engagement with team members, stakeholders, and clients, leading to informed decision-making and fostering a collaborative work environment

Accomplishments

  • Increased Syscor's productivity by 50% with less staff and costs & promoted to CEO after 10 months at the company.
  • Played a pivotal role in the technological innovation and go-to-market strategy of the ShadowBall, resulting in significant market expansion and elite rugby skills improvements.
  • Sales and special projects management as well as salesman of the year for Michelin Tyre Company 2006 (Fortune 300 at the time)

References

References available on request

Hobbies and Interests

  • Passionate father of 2
  • Travelling
  • Running
  • Hiking
  • Cycling
  • Fishing
  • Competed in numerous triathlons, including Iron Man, mountain bike races, and running races

Community Service

  • Cell Group Leader, Choose Life Church (Jan-Dec 2023) & Sunday School leader, Choose Life Church (Jan 2021-Dec2023)
  • 4th Musketeer - Volunteer Hiking Group Leader (April2023)
  • Mini Sports Coach - Waterkloof House Preparatory School (2019 - 2023)
  • Dare 2 Love - volunteer and served strategist and executive council member for this national charitable organization.

Timeline

COO/CEO

Syscor
10.2022 - Current

Chief Exploration Officer

Sherpa
11.2020 - 09.2022

Founder

ShadowBall KasiTouch
10.2019 - Current

Co-Founder

ShadowBall Academy
02.2016 - Current

Founder, Inventor

ShadowBall
04.2014 - Current

Co-Founder, Sales and Marketing Manager

Blueye Eyewear
07.2008

Special Projects Manager

Michelin Tyre Company
05.2003

Monday.com: Customer Success Pathway, Advanced Workflow Product Certifications -

Amazon Web Services Technical Accredited partner -

Higher National Diploma in Marketing -

WITS University, Witwatersrand Technikon

Executive MBA in Sport Management -

Real Madrid Graduate School, Universidad European

Certificate - Online Entrepreneurship Bootcamp -

MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Partner Elite Program -

Raizcorp

MIT IP Deep Dive -

Brandan Burchard Experts Academy -

IRB Level 1 -

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Gary Crookes