The Private Equity Podcast – Show NotesGuest: Otis Spencer Host: Alex Rawlings Episode Title: Lessons in Leadership: From Army Logistics to PE Operating Partner & CEO Success🎙 Episode Overview:In this episode, Otis Spencer, a former U.S. Army logistics officer turned private equity operating partner and CEO, shares a compelling journey of leadership, operations, and transformation. From managing global fuel inventories to spearheading Six Sigma-driven improvements, Otis outlines the key lessons that have shaped his value-creation strategy within private equity.⏱️ Time Stamps:00:02 – Introduction & Background Otis shares his 60-second journey from engineering student to Army logistics officer and beyond. He highlights the combination of technical training, leadership experience, and corporate exposure that prepared him for success in PE.02:25 – Transition to Private Equity After years in heavy manufacturing, Otis is recruited by an operationally focused PE firm—eventually becoming a portfolio company CEO with a successful exit.02:52 – The Four Common Mistakes in Private Equity<ol><li>Buying the Wrong Company – Avoid cyclical and capital equipment-based businesses.</li><li>Ineffective Diligence Process – Insist on a repeatable process and honest assessment of management teams.</li><li>Weak Board Construction – Build a working board aligned with the investment thesis.</li><li>Slow to Act Post-Close – Delay in correcting course can derail year-one goals.</li></ol>10:03 – From Operating Partner to CEO: Key Learnings Being involved in diligence and growth planning gave Otis an edge as a CEO. He highlights the misalignment between PE growth expectations and founder-led businesses’ readiness.13:22 – From CEO to Operating Partner: Reversed Lessons As a CEO, Otis learned the importance of setting culture, managing feedback loops, and avoiding micromanagement—critical insights he brings back into future operating partner roles.16:14 – Real-World Application of Six Sigma Otis explains the DMAIC framework and shares two standout Six Sigma projects, one delivering $1M in annual savings through material reduction, and another saving $500K in a plastics facility.20:29 – Kaizen Explained for Newcomers A practical walkthrough of how Kaizen events work—including team formation, shop floor involvement, and fast-track execution of waste-reducing improvements.23:16 – Lessons from Multiple Exits Otis outlines key ingredients for a successful PE exit:<ul><li>Logical, consistent growth (3–5 years)</li><li>Partnering with the right investment bank</li><li>Maintaining forecast performance throughout the process</li><li>Integrating bolt-ons strategically in inorganic growth scenarios</li></ul>28:50 – What Otis Reads and Recommends<ul><li>Wall Street Journal for daily insights</li><li>PitchBook Daily for PE-specific news and trends</li><li>Industry-specific publications when evaluating deals</li></ul>29:46 – How to Reach Otis Spencer 📧 Email: <a href='mailto:ospencer1@yahoo.com'>ospencer1@yahoo.com</a> 📱 Phone: +1 404-372-1778 🔗 LinkedIn: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/'>Otis Spencer</a>Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/</a> 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: <a href='http://www.raw-selection.com/'>www.raw-selection.com</a>

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

From Army Officer to PE CEO: 4 Mistakes Killing Portfolio Performance (Otis Spencer)

The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews