Want to Understand Interim Management - Meet Glen Monigold

Client:

Electronic transformer division of a multi-billion dollar global organization

Office:

Pittsburgh BIM

The Situation:

Glen Monigold is the perfect prototype of an Interim Manager. An early retiree from a major aerospace company with years of senior management experience, Glen had a deep desire to continue to use his talents and skills to contribute, coupled with the ability to step into the breach and initiate positive change. Glen also had a short stint as an entrepreneur. As a physicist by education and training, Monigold spent most of his career with Boeing in St Louis retiring in the mid-1990s. Subsequently, he joined with old colleagues from Boeing to start a company that built small planes completely of composite materials. Unfortunately after 9/11, the market for airplanes declined dramatically ending his dream of continuing to build airplanes. After some consulting assignments and a demand from his wife to "get out of the house," Monigold said he learned about temporary senior management assignments from Boyden Interim Management and signed on. "I was looking for short-term assignments that would provide a professional challenge yet give me the time I wanted to enjoy semi-retirement," he said. In 2005, Glen registered in Boyden's Interim Management practice and agreed to take on temporary contract assignments. His first was a dandy -- all he was asked to do was take control of an industrial plant in the midst of great change, turn its fortunes around quickly and prepare it for sale. And he did just that. Working with Boyden, Monigold was assigned as the Interim President of a large manufacturing plant in southern Oregon. His predecessor was ill and had to leave the company and the parent needed an experienced manager to right the plant's operations as it was preparing to sell it to better align its products with its strongest markets.

The Challenge:

 “As with most organizations, even a temporary loss of leadership can hobble a team. In this case, the president’s illness and the cloud of uncertainty over possible new ownership caused everyone to be cautious,” said Monigold.

“But I saw clear evidence that the management staff was talented and committed to the plant and that the people on the factory floor were hard working and productive,” he continued.   “This plant is a major employer in the community and everyone recognized that keeping it strong and competitive would pay long-term benefits to everyone, worker and neighbor alike.”

The Boyden Solution:

 “While my assignment lasted 18 months, it was a very dynamic and positive situation for me and, I think, the company and the employees,” said Monigold. “All 120 of us who worked at the plant recognize that we did some remarkable things after pulling together and setting our focus.”

Among the “remarkable things” was setting 12 all-time records -- including sales and productivity – in the first 10 months of Monigold’s tenure.

‘We’re all proud that when the plant was sold, the new owners had a valuable property and high quality products to sell.”

“Interim management assignments are exciting and provide real professional satisfaction. It gave me a chance to contribute to making the plant and the business really reach a high level of productivity.”

“Glen represents the kind of Interim Executive Boyden Interim Management has succeeded in recruiting for our Interim Management practice,” said Cheryl A. Cavanagh, Managing Director of Boyden’s Interim Management Practice in the Americas. 

“He’s a first rate executive who has maintained the ambition of his earlier career. It’s a trait we look for in our Interim Executives that serves our clients well.”