Discover how to hire a COO in 8 steps to drive your business forward. Learn key hiring strategies and red flags to avoid to ensure a perfect fit.
Craig Nestler
Founder/GM with 12+ years experience building startups
I have over 12 years of experience as a founder and general manager in tech-enabled services and marketplace businesses, with a primary focus on mobility and healthcare. As a general athlete, I've brought multiple VC backed startups from 0-1 and beyond, through crafting and executing business strategy, running various GTM motions and streamlining operations. I love problem solving, building and nurturing teams, and getting things done.
Experience
Nomad Health
Director, Operations | General Manager
Sep 2022 - Aug 2024
Nomad is a late-stage venture-backed leading healthcare staffing platform for travel nurses and allied health professionals.
- Oversaw Allied Health business unit; grew annual revenue by 125% to $17m in 2023 and to $25m in 2024
- Achieved CSAT score of 87 and improved efficiency by 95% via CI tactics, performance management, QA and capacity planning
- Collaborated closely with Marketing to manage paid acquisition budget, resulting in 167% avg. MAU growth YoY
- Partnered with Product to identify gaps in user experience and inform product roadmap
- Led day-to-day operations across internal and clinician facing teams (20 team members) with P&L oversight
- Developed and implemented strategic plans, operating plans, and OKRs to align with business objectives
Zeelo
General Manager, North America
Aug 2020 - Jun 2022
Zeelo is a UK-based venture-backed smart bus platform for organizations, providing flexible turn-key and plug-in transportation programs for commuting, shuttles and school runs.
- Hired to launch the North American market and build team
- Drove and optimized go-to-market strategy across supply and demand
- Built national supply network of >100 transportation providers with thorough vetting procedures
- Negotiated MSAs with supply and clients to minimize risk and maximize gross margins
- Managed relationships and performance with supply network, earning NPS of 86
- Oversaw service delivery across North America, achieving 97% on-time performance
- Implemented complex sales process; winning $2m+ of business with $10m LTV and $11m in pipeline value
- Managed customer success function to ensure timely launch and success of programs, earning NPS of 50
Skedaddle
Co-Founder | Operations, Product, Business Development
Jan 2015 - Dec 2019
Venture backed mobility startup which focused on building a community-oriented and experiential mass transit network
- Grew ridership from zero to 500k+ across North America
- Established an organization of 35 people across product, design, engineering, marketing, operations, & finance
- Enabled over 11,000 people to attend the Women’s March in January 2017 from nine states
- Raised $4m in angel and institutional VC funding
- Designed and executed go-to-market strategies across supply and demand
- Oversaw product life cycle and designed product strategies of four products across web, iOS & Android
- Developed and executed business development strategy, a key early growth lever, and secured over 15 event partners such as Newport Folk Festival, Bonnaroo, & Tough Mudder
Smarsh
Account Executive
Feb 2013 - Dec 2014
Leading SaaS company that captures electronic communication for compliance and supervision in regulated industries.
- Selected to President’s Club based on performance in 2014
- Recognized as a top 3 performer for 2013 with 131% of revenue quota
- Managed over 100 accounts to facilitate any issues and up-sell additional services
Liquidnet
Corporate Strategy
Dec 2011 - Aug 2012
Global institutional trading network which connects asset managers to liquidity.
- Helped in developing a new business (“Private Shares”) that allows institutional investors to invest in private, high-growth companies (i.e. Dropbox, Foursquare)
- Sourced, maintained, and evaluated multiple partnerships to enhance the Private Shares platform
- Collaborated with the Founder & CEO on specific presentations regarding strategy of the firm
- Created a concise monthly report providing color on macroeconomic, industry, and competitive trends and distributed to the entire firm globally