F.O.C.U.S. Resources' President/CEO and Founder

Audio Clip: Lea Strickland Introduced by Radio Show Host Tony Trupiano

Lea Strickland, MBA, CMA, CFM, CBM, president and founder of F.O.C.U.S. Resources (a business management systems consulting firm that addresses the total business through financial performance), has over 18 years experience in financial and operational leadership positions with various companies including four Fortune 500 and Global 100 companies. She has worked with established and emerging companies—private and public, US and foreign-owned. She holds degrees from The Ohio State University (MBA—Accounting, Marketing and Human Resource (Change Management)) and The University of Charleston (Bachelor of Science—Finance and Business Management with technical minors in Marketing and Accounting).

As a financial leader, Lea was instrumental in obtaining funding from Deutsche Bank for a local technology growth company. She is also credited for saving over $30 million for a manufacturing operation and obtaining $97 million in funding for the expansion of that same facility. Her client and industry experience includes audit, banking, OEM automotive and tier one automotive manufacturing, electonics manufacturing, consumer products manufacturing, software, industrial textiles manufacturing, and many other industries.

In 2004, Lea was asked to be expand her consulting practice into working with government grant and contract recipients on compliance and financial control systems. The government funding-compliance consulting focuses on small technology, bio-technology, software, and bio-agriculture businesses transitioning from research and development to full commercial operations.

Ms. Strickland was also asked to develop an “On-shoring” program to provide consulting services to technology firms in Europe and Asia seeking to locate, build, and operate facilities in the United States. These innovative tele-workshops are provided via telephone and Internet to companies prior to their establishing a footprint in the U.S. market.

In addition to her consulting services, Lea is a well-known and sought-after speaker, expert panelist, workshop leader, and author on start-ups, micro-enterprise, small business, financial systems, and business issues for companies of all sizes. Since 2003, she has had over 200 articles published in journals, newsletters, website expert sites, and magazines (print and Internet-based). Her credits include:

Credentials

Certificate Grants Management
Certified Business Manager
Certified Financial Manager
Certified Management Accountant
Master of Business Administration
Bachelor of Science

Books:

Co-Author, Marketing Strategies   2008
Co-Author, One Great Idea!    2008
Author, SBIR Basics- The Numbers   2007
Author, Out of the Cubicle and Into Business  2005

Newsletters and Publications:

F.O.C.U.S. on Business
F.O.C.U.S. on Commercialization
F.O.C.U.S. on Grants

Expert Columnist or Contributing Writer:

Carolina Newswire
Local Tech Wire
Tech Journal South
Balance Magazine
Business Leader Magazine
North Carolina Journal for Women
North Carolina Career Network Magazine
Small Business Technology Magazine

Area/Topic Expert:

Entrepreneur Magazine – Expert Citation – Got Money? Cash Flow    March 2008
Entrepreneur Magazine – Expert Citation – Business Financing Alternatives   July 2006
Entrepreneur Magazine – Expert Citation – Failed Business Relationships   May 2006
Entrepreneur Magazine – Be Your Own Boss – Expert Citation - 5 Ways to Start  October 2005

Media Appearances:

WCFO Atlanta Radio Show      June 2007
Business TV Channel Atlanta     October 2006
Entrepreneur Magazine Radio     September 2005

Lea has been honored with the several awards including: Outstanding Young Executive in the U.S. (1989), International Who’s Who of Professional Management (1999), and Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals (2003).

Currently, she is active in municipal governance, serving on the Town of Cary Zoning Board of Adjustments (2001 to 2006). She has served as an expert panelist and speaker for the following community and business organizations:

Sustainability and Profitability Conference, Monterrey, Mexico (2008)

VMI Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, USA (2005)

SBIR Spring National Conference, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA (2007)

SBIR Fall National Conference, Richardson, Texas, USA (2007)

Council for Entrepreneurial Development
Wake County (North Carolina) Community Colleges
Institute of Management Accountants
Graduate Women in Business National Conference (2002)
Executive Women Club
Fast Trac Programs
Small Business Technology Development Center (North Carolina)

In addition to her current client list, Lea (together with other business and community leaders) donates her time to establish affordable resource programs for entrepreneurs and small businesses. She is also co-hosting the North Carolina Capital Markets Exchange to aid emerging and growth businesses in obtaining growth capital.

Upcoming books:
Into Business Step-by-Step: Making the Key Decisions
Government Grant Accounting – The Business Requirements of Government Funding
Vision, Strategy, Structure - Results

“For Lea, it isn’t about fitting the business to the method, it’s about finding the right approach for the business.” - G. M., Electronics Manufacturer

“Lea Strickland brought the knowledge and experiences we specifically needed for developing our Commercialization Plan....”  Justin Samson, President, Castle Technologies, Inc., Virginia, USA

“There is no substitute for the experience of a world expert like Lea & we strongly recommend her to anyone...” Peyton Anderson, CEO, Affinergy, Inc., North Carolina, USA

“I receive your newsletter as you send it out, and I find it to be invaluable reading.  I am the facilitator for the FastTrac entrepreneurial (www.fasttrac.org) course offerings through Midlands Tech here in Columbia (South Carolina, USA).”  J. Tom Ledbetter, Jr.  SC CED Executive Director

“I am a marketing and sales manager in Portugal and am challenged with sales and collections.  Your ideas and strategies are extremely well-planned and analyzed. I can put them to work immediately!” Alexandre Cabral, Portugal

“I found your article on competing…very interesting indeed. My name is John Magee and I own a small consulting firm based in Northern Ireland…After reading your articIe, I am now making efforts to join the same committees…If you have any further advice or information, I would be very grateful to receive it.” John Magee, North Ireland

Lea’s hobbies and interests include writing poetry and short stories; reading; piano; community services—mentoring programs and serving on governance boards for Town of Cary (NC); and painting (oils, acrylics, watercolor, and mixed media) landscapes, seascapes, and portraits. She also enjoys spending time with family (especially her two nieces) and friends.