Alderney Advisors, a Detroit-area business advisory firm announced that James J. Connor has joined the firm and will serve as managing director. Connor will oversee a range of executive-level strategic, financial and operational services for clients and adds considerable experience to the interim management and CEO-level expertise Alderney provides.
Connor brings more than 40 years of industry experience to the firm. In addition to extensive turnaround experience, he has held the positions of CEO or president of industrial companies for a combined 14 years and served as controller of a Fortune 500 company for five years.
“We’ve known and worked with Jim for a long time and we’re excited to add his expansive global and strategic expertise to our team,” said Alicia Masse, co-founder, managing director, Alderney Advisors. “His addition to the firm represents a strategic move that strengthens every area of our practice, especially our manufacturing consulting, M&A and strategic support capabilities.”
Prior to joining Alderney Advisors, Connor served as president and CEO, Tecumseh Products, where he oversaw 7,400 employees at 17 manufacturing operations, engineering centers and sales offices in North America, South America, Europe, Malaysia, India, and China. He replaced the management team, improved operating income, increased gross margin, reduced selling and administrative costs by $10 million (13%) and developed and successfully implemented a 5-year product road map strategy that significantly boosted enterprise value.
Previously, Connor was managing director of a regional advisory firm where he advised large- and medium-sized organizations in various industries during restructurings, liquidations, turn-around situations, bankruptcies and M&A activities. Additionally, he performed due diligence services for multiple private equity groups and was in demand as a speaker at various local and national conferences.
Before that Connor served as president and CEO of Newcor and vice president and CFO of Rockwell Medical Technologies. Earlier experience included service as president and C-level positions at global automotive manufacturing firms including T&N, Glacier Vandervell and JP Industries.
Connor has been responsible for and has ‘hands on’ experience in China, Brazil, India, Western Europe and Malaysia; and has conducted business and formed relationships in Japan, the Middle East and Australia.