Experts in AI strategy, small business optimization, and automation.

Jerry Quandt’s career is a story of consistent evolution, where strategic thinking, technological innovation, and leadership have converged to drive business success across diverse industries. Over more than two decades, Jerry has navigated the changing landscapes of marketing, business development, and emerging technologies, always seeking to create value and drive sustainable growth. From the early days of pioneering customer loyalty programs to leading the transformation of logistics and mobility, his career is defined by a commitment to driving innovation, developing high-performing teams, and positioning organizations for long-term success.

The Early Years: Foundation of Brand Strategy and Consumer Insight

Jerry’s journey began in the 1990s, where he gained invaluable experience working with Kroger and Dunhumby, both trailblazers in personalized customer loyalty programs. In this formative period, Jerry quickly learned the power of data in shaping consumer engagement and building brand loyalty. His work in the retail sector helped him develop a keen understanding of how brands could leverage customer insights to foster deeper, more meaningful relationships with consumers. His work with Dunhumby in particular, gave him firsthand experience in data-driven decision-making that would define his approach throughout his career.

Strategic Consulting: 

Shaping Brand Direction and Driving Operational Success

As his career progressed, Jerry’s expertise evolved, and he began consulting with major brands in the beverage and spirits industry, including Brown-Forman. In his role as a consultant, Jerry led high-level strategic initiatives to help brands strengthen their multicultural engagement and diversify their consumer base. Notably, his work with Brown-Forman led to the development of new strategies that not only revitalized key brand communications but also significantly boosted revenue. His ability to analyze internal and external factors, develop actionable strategies, and implement change helped the company achieve over 2% year-over-year growth for one of their base brands—a stark turnaround from a previous decline.

This work solidified Jerry’s reputation as a thought leader, adept at guiding brands through complex challenges and unlocking growth potential. In addition to his marketing work, Jerry’s strategic advice expanded to encompass a broad range of business operations, from organizational structure to leadership development, with a focus on improving internal processes and fostering innovation.

Leading Global Marketing and Transformation 

At BrandMuscle, Jerry took on a more senior leadership role, overseeing the development of cutting-edge SaaS solutions for consumer goods brands, particularly in the beverage alcohol industry. Under his leadership, BrandMuscle created customized point-of-purchase solutions for liquor and spirits brands, transforming how products were marketed and tracked at the retail level. His use of early-stage algorithms to track performance and identify discrepancies between national and local marketing strategies was a game-changer. This work led to a 30% increase in revenue over two years, positioning Jerry as an expert in marrying technology with brand strategy.

At Geometry Global, Jerry further refined his skills in global marketing, managing multi-agency teams across 11 international markets. Here, he led the transformation of British American Tobacco’s marketing approach, reframing their brand identity and ensuring consistency across diverse regions. His ability to navigate regulatory challenges, innovate within constraints, and execute complex marketing strategies helped British American Tobacco achieve 40% short-term growth over four years and 49% long-term share growth over 14 years. These achievements showcased Jerry’s ability to combine deep market insight with strategic agility, driving measurable results in highly regulated industries.

Advancing Technology Integration: 

Leading the Future of Logistics and Mobility

Jerry’s expertise has always been forward-looking, and as technology began to play a larger role in business transformation, he leaned into emerging technologies, positioning himself as a leader at the intersection of innovation and business development. At Valqari, Jerry led the team in developing AI-powered, automated drone infrastructure solutions that disrupted the logistics sector. His experience in Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), coupled with his knowledge of AI and robotics, allowed him to shape a strategy that not only improved operational efficiency but also enhanced customer experience. This was a transformative moment in Jerry’s career, as it represented the convergence of his operational acumen with emerging technologies that were shaping the future of logistics.

His role at Mobility Illinois (formerly ILAVA) was equally transformative. As Executive Director, Jerry built Illinois' first business-focused association to improve the Connected, Automated, Electric, and Shared (CASE) ecosystem. He collaborated with over 250 companies, 40 municipalities, and 10 academic institutions to lay the groundwork for the future of mobility in Illinois. His work in developing the REV Act, which secured incentives for EV charging infrastructure and workforce development, showed his ability to drive policy and innovation at the state level, creating long-term value for both public and private sectors.

Leadership Style: 

Innovation, Collaboration, and People-Centric Transformation

Throughout his career, Jerry’s leadership style has been centered around building high-performing teams, fostering innovation, and driving results through collaboration. Whether leading global teams at Geometry Global, guiding startups at QuandtMLeap, or working with cross-functional teams at Valqari, Jerry has always been committed to creating a culture of empowerment and inclusion. He believes in fostering an environment where team members are not just executing tasks but are aligned with a shared vision and inspired to deliver excellence. His ability to manage and mentor high-performing teams, set clear performance expectations, and foster a culture of accountability has consistently resulted in business growth and employee development.

In addition to being a strong team leader, Jerry’s success can be attributed to his ability to think strategically while also executing on the ground level. He’s equally comfortable at 30,000 feet developing high-level business strategies and aligning teams around a common vision—as he is in the weeds, solving day-to-day operational challenges and optimizing performance. His ability to balance both high-level vision with tactical execution has allowed him to deliver sustained, impactful results for enterprise level matrixed organizations all the way to SMB's, across various industries.

Looking Ahead:

 A Visionary Leader Ready to Drive Transformation

As Jerry looks forward to the next phase of his career, his passion for driving innovation and transformation continues to fuel his journey. With a robust background in leading diverse teams, integrating cutting-edge technologies, and managing complex market dynamics, he is poised to take on senior leadership roles that require a forward-thinking approach. Jerry's experience in brand strategy, marketing leadership, and operational excellence has uniquely equipped him to lead organizations toward sustainable growth and success in a rapidly evolving business environment.

Throughout his career, Jerry has demonstrated a rare ability to unite cross-functional teams, bridge strategic goals with actionable outcomes, and leverage emerging technologies to unlock new opportunities. His track record of driving growth, optimizing operational performance, and positioning brands for success in both established and emerging markets makes him an invaluable asset to any organization. Whether it's navigating digital transformation, refining organizational strategies, or inspiring teams to reach their potential, Jerry brings a powerful combination of vision, experience, and execution to the table. automation strategy small business optimization ai strategy