MEET TEC CHAIRS

Biography:

Jerry has an extensive business background as a senior executive, Chief Executive Officer, and Board Member. He now uses this experience to assist executives grow their organisations and become better leaders.

Jerry spent the early years of his career with global conglomerate Tenneco. He held a number of increasingly responsible positions in their North American sales and marketing structure. His last position with Tenneco was as their Director of National Accounts where he led their client relationship efforts.

After his time at Tenneco, Jerry assumed a variety of roles with global packaging organization Scholle. Jerry was responsible for their North American Sales and Service Operations base out of Chicago. He was then appointed Managing Director of their Asia Pacific operations headquartered in Adelaide. This role made Jerry one of the three line managers leading a nearly US$500 million business.

Following a decision to relocate to Australia Jerry became involved with a greenfield start up business. He went through the birthing pains of raising capital and building the organisation from the ground up. Jerry has been the CEO of AMCHAM South Australia as well as peak industry body Defence Teaming Centre. In both of these roles, Jerry worked with SME/s, Corporate's and Government to grow the opportunities for businesses in these sectors.

Jerry has been on the boards of Seachange Technology, Scholle Industries, AMCHAM, and Time for Kids. In recent years Jerry has started Kleeman International which provides organisations with expertise in strategic planning, strategic human resources, and mentoring.

Specialties:

Jerry specialises in the SME marketplace.  He has worked with a wide variety of small and midsized businesses from start-ups, to family businesses, to pubically traded organisations.  Through TEC Jerry focuses on developing the leadership and management capabilities of his TEC members.  He provides a safe but challenging environment for leaders to reach their potential in both their business and personal lives.

Education and Associations:

Jerry has both an undergraduate degree in Business Management and an MBA from Northern Illinois University. He has undertaken significant postgraduate work including Strategic Planning at the University of Wisconsin. Jerry has completed the AICD Company Director course as well as numerous courses in coaching and mentoring senior executives.

Jerry Kleeman's TEC Group experience:

Jerry has chaired TECR 215 since 2004.  He has been the Chair of TEC 53 and Key 106 since 2006.