On this episode of Investors and Operators, Jordan sits down with Steve Cook, Executive Managing Director of LFM Capital based in Nashville. Together, they chat about:

how a life-altering tornado is the best thing that ever happened to him

effective leadership plus emotional availability

moving from large companies into the entrepreneur life

…and so much more.

STEVE COOK co-founded LFM Capital and brings to the Firm over 29 years of operating experience, having served in a variety of senior executive and functional roles in manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, technology and sales.

Prior to founding LFM, Steve was a Principal with TVV Capital (2010-2014), where he directed the portfolio value creation efforts of six portfolio investments, with a focus on operating improvements, management recruiting, leadership development training and performance. Steve also helped to identify investments and served in a leading role on deal negotiations. He also served on the boards of four TVV portfolio companies: INDCO, Critical Solutions International, Big 3 Precision Products, and Bigham Brothers.

Prior TVV, Steve was Chief Operating Officer of MFG.com (2009-2010), the world’s largest global online marketplace for the manufacturing industry, where he directed all functions, excluding finance and HR, for a global six-office (U.S., Asia, Europe), 250-employee, fast-growing company.

Prior to MFG, Steve spent 11 years as a Southeastern regional Senior Director with The Dell Corporation (1998-2009) serving in a range of executive roles that included GM Dell Nashville Consumer Business and Nashville Site Lead, Director of Manufacturing for Dell’s Nashville Campus, and Director of Dell’s Supply Chain Engineering and Demand/Supply Balancing.

Prior to Dell, Steve served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy (1989-1996), where he flew combat missions in support of Desert Shield and was selected to participate in test squadron flying test missions in all Navy/Marine Corps aircraft.

Steve received a BS in Electrical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, his MS in Electrical Engineering from MIT’s School of Engineering and his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management where he graduated first in his class. He has served for over 21 years as a member of MIT’s Leaders for Global Operations Operating Committee where he speaks to classes annually on executive leadership and career management.

Steve and his wife, Shannon, recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary and have three wonderful children, Alexis, Christian and Jackson. Steve and his family love to surf and water ski behind their boat, snow ski, SCUBA and kite surf. Steve also enjoys rowing and Crossfit.