DREW THACKER

Drew Thacker has had extensive experience in managing and developing the growth of global companies such as Coors Brewing, Compaq Computer, Earthgrains, ConAgra, and Southwest Airlines. Well known for having completed the merger between oil and gas giants Exxon and Mobil, Mr. Thacker brings significant executive level, finance and M&A experience to the Funk Ventures advisory board.

Mr. Thacker has  almost 30 years of solid experience in executive level operations management positions including: Executive Vice President for the LTV, Vought Aerospace Group where he was instrumental in orchestrating development of the B-2 "Stealth Bomber", Vice President and General Manager, General Dynamics, Abilene Division where he led production operations for Cruise Missile and component production for F-16 programs; and Corporate Product Engineering for Northern Telecom and Hewlett-Packard, where he leveraged the integration of telecommunications with computing platforms.

His research and practice have focused on the links between technology, business strategy, and organizational development; on effective implementation of new processes in the workplace; and on the critical policy decisions senior management must address to exploit the business opportunities of globalization, process redesign, employee empowerment, and information technologies. His emphasis and results are on the positive impact on measuring and enhancing return-on-capital.

Mr. Thacker’s undergraduate degrees from California State Polytechnic University in Aerospace Engineering and Industrial Management have been augmented with advanced degrees from Cal Tech, Ph.D. Material Science; and Claremont Graduate University, MBA; where he studied under the guidance of Peter Drucker and has incorporated his "integrated management approach" into his firm's practice.