Meet the Leadership Behind Chief Executive Connections

Anush Naghshineh is a visionary leader whose expertise spans business transformation, sales, marketing, and consulting services. With experience working in both startups and Fortune 500 companies, Anush has consistently demonstrated his ability to push boundaries and lead organizations through innovative growth strategies. From his early days in technology to his most recent roles as a strategic business advisor, Anush has been a trusted partner to CxOs, helping companies navigate complex challenges and achieve remarkable results.

Throughout his career, Anush has driven business transformation by focusing on digital innovation and leveraging cutting-edge technologies like cloud, SaaS, and 5G. His leadership in developing enterprise solutions, leading global program management offices (PMO), and partnering with clients to align their business objectives with actionable strategies has had a significant impact across multiple industries, including IT, telecommunications, healthcare, and manufacturing. At Verizon, for example, Anush’s efforts in building strong CxO relationships and driving $24M+ in contract value resulted in strategic partnerships that advanced the company’s market position. As Chief of Staff to CEO at Corsearch, he managed M&A activities to disaggregated company and was instrumental in coordinating restructuring between BU & IT to reduce costs and increase EBITDA as part of the Avaya’s business operations.

Anush’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in his work as a co-founder of AGA Connection, where he developed a Facebook marketing application and secured a provisional patent. This innovation highlights his drive to explore new possibilities, blend technology with business strategy, and deliver forward-thinking solutions that add value. As a certified AWS Cloud Practitioner and a SAFE Agilist, Anush combines technical expertise with a strong business acumen, ensuring that his digital transformation initiatives are not only successful but sustainable.

In his leadership roles, Anush has been responsible for managing P&L, leading large cross-functional teams, and guiding companies through M&A processes. At Avaya, he led the global IT-PMO and digital transformation initiatives, playing a pivotal role in restructuring the company during a $4 billion disaggregation. His hands-on approach, combined with his ability to inspire teams and lead through uncertainty, has made him a sought-after advisor in both corporate and startup environments.

Anush’s approach to leadership is grounded in customer success and operational excellence. Whether he’s driving revenue growth through innovative sales strategies or improving customer satisfaction by enhancing service delivery, his focus remains on achieving tangible, impactful outcomes. As the Managing Partner of MPT Global Insights, he has provided strategic advice to startups and enterprises alike, guiding them on their journey toward business development, digital transformation, and long-term success.

As Anush continues to bring his wealth of knowledge to businesses worldwide, his top skills in business transformation, digital innovation, and customer success remain at the forefront of his work. His ability to deliver high-value solutions while fostering strong client relationships is what sets him apart as a transformational leader and trusted advisor in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.  

 Chris Spivey has built an impressive career in information technology, project management, and organizational leadership, earning a reputation for rescuing troubled projects and implementing large-scale transformations. With over three decades of experience, Chris is a proven leader, known for his ability to develop effective strategies and execute them with precision. His work spans multiple industries, with a focus on systems integration, compliance, risk mitigation, and process optimization. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to driving operational excellence and building teams that deliver successful outcomes.

Currently serving as a consultant with HireBetter, Chris leads clients through systems transformations, overseeing everything from solution selection to implementation. His ability to manage relationships with vendors and integrators ensures projects are completed on time and within budget. At HireBetter, Chris has helped various companies streamline their operations and improve performance, drawing on his extensive background in technology and process improvement.

One of Chris’s most notable roles was as Director of Systems Integration at CreateMe, where he led the selection and implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. His work in creating an application integration architecture and deploying middleware solutions significantly improved operational efficiencies. His leadership in this capacity demonstrated his ability to handle complex projects while fostering innovation and teamwork across departments.

In addition to his hands-on project work, Chris is also experienced in building and leading project management offices (PMOs). During his time at Tegra Global, he built and managed a PMO that oversaw multiple projects, including factory expansions, automation resets, and company acquisitions. His ability to coordinate teams and projects across multiple locations, including Central America, helped Tegra Global achieve its business objectives while maintaining operational efficiency.

Chris has also contributed to private equity-driven transformations, particularly during his tenure with CEC Entertainment. He led the integration of Peter Piper Pizza into CEC’s Workday ERP systems, completing the project in less than seven months—well ahead of schedule. His work on PCI compliance and credit card transaction encryption at CEC earned him praise for his heroic efforts in meeting board-mandated goals despite significant vendor challenges.

Throughout his career, Chris has been recognized for his creative problem-solving skills, his ability to build bridges across organizational silos, and his focus on continuous improvement. His experience in system implementation, internal control, and team building has made him a sought-after leader for organizations looking to improve performance and achieve operational excellence.

Dave Seligsohn is a dynamic and innovative leader whose career has been dedicated to driving business growth, fostering cultures of innovation, and leveraging strategic selling to deliver measurable results. With extensive experience in product and service optimization, business evaluation, and growth acceleration, Dave has consistently excelled in leadership roles, transforming organizations and empowering teams.

Throughout his impressive career, Dave has demonstrated a unique ability to diagnose complex challenges, develop actionable solutions, and lead teams to success. As Chief Strategy Officer at Accessology, he has played a pivotal role in delivering accessibility consulting services, including ADA Transition Plans and training, while driving strategic growth. As the founder and CEO of A2O Consulting, Dave partners with businesses to turn deficits into assets and ensure long-term viability through tailored strategies and solutions.

Dave’s impact extends beyond business consulting. As a member of the C-Suite for Christ Speakers Bureau, he uses his faith-based approach to inspire and motivate Christian business leaders to live boldly in their faith while achieving business success. His speaking engagements, mentorship roles with SCORE, and participation in Convene Speaker's Board showcase his commitment to empowering leaders, fostering innovation, and driving change.

Previously, Dave served as Chief Products & Services Officer at Traveling Coaches, where he led innovative talent development initiatives and organizational change strategies for law firms. His leadership at Alterity Solutions and ZeroedIn People Analytics further highlights his expertise in data-driven decision-making, operational growth, and learning and development strategies.

Dave’s tenure at Bluewater exemplifies his ability to create impactful partnerships, unify sales organizations, and deliver remarkable business growth. His roles ranged from Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships to General Manager of Analytics, where he embedded a “Decision Analytics” methodology, achieving a 230% increase in sales.

With a background as a Principal/Administrator at Plano ISD and a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech, Dave brings a holistic approach to leadership. He focuses on aligning business strategy with team development, innovation, and community engagement.

Dave Seligsohn’s commitment to creating data-driven, results-oriented cultures, combined with his faith-based leadership and dedication to mentoring, make him a sought-after speaker, consultant, and thought leader. His career is a testament to his ability to lead transformative change and inspire individuals and organizations to reach their full potential.

 David M. Williams, CSCP, CPA, CC, is an experienced and forward-thinking professional specializing in supply chain risk management, procure-to-pay processes, and cybersecurity. With a career spanning over two decades, David has built a reputation for implementing effective risk management frameworks, enhancing cyber awareness, and creating resilient supply chains that integrate finance and internal controls within a Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) framework. His deep expertise in both supply chain management and finance allows him to bridge these critical areas, driving operational success for organizations.

Throughout his career, David has demonstrated exceptional leadership, helping organizations optimize their supply chain processes. As a certified public accountant, he understands the intricacies of the financial side of supply chain management, ensuring that all processes align with organizational financial objectives. His strategic insights and practical solutions have delivered measurable results, including substantial cost savings and improved efficiency in transaction cycles.

David’s experience includes working with various enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, such as Infor FSM and Epicor Kinetic, where he developed and executed process improvement strategies to enhance supply chain resilience. Notably, he led the implementation of a custom eProcurement system that saved a major organization $2.6 million annually, reducing full-time equivalents from 90 to 30 while mitigating the risk of unauthorized spending. His focus on procurement transformation, strategic sourcing, and cybersecurity has set him apart as a leader in the field.

In addition to his technical expertise, David is a highly effective trainer and facilitator. He has trained over 300 personnel on supply chain processes, including requisitions, procurement, and inventory control. His approach to training, which incorporates hands-on learning and system testing, has consistently improved the efficiency and compliance of supply chain operations across multiple organizations. David’s ability to diagnose issues and implement effective solutions is reflected in his 32% average improvement in transaction cycle processing for several healthcare organizations.

David is a functional expert with good technical understanding of systems and processes. His deep understanding of cybersecurity has been instrumental in protecting supply chain processes from potential threats. Certified by ISC2 and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, David’s knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks has enabled organizations to safeguard their operations and maintain continuity even in the face of rising cyber threats.

With a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from The University of Texas at Arlington, David combines his academic background with practical experience to drive innovation and efficiency in supply chain management. His ability to implement supply chain and financial controls within a GRC framework has made him a trusted advisor to organizations looking to optimize their operations and mitigate risk.

David’s leadership in supply chain transformation, risk management, and cybersecurity continues to benefit organizations across a range of industries. His collaborative approach and commitment to excellence ensure that he remains at the forefront of supply chain innovation.

 David Turner is a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in the financial services and technology sectors. As Executive Vice President and CIO at Texas Trust Credit Union from 2018 to 2024, he led strategic IT initiatives that enhanced performance and profitability, improved systems management, cybersecurity, and compliance. His leadership ensured robust IT infrastructures and seamless project execution, driving the organization’s digital transformation and operational efficiency.

At Texas Trust Credit Union, David was the Executive Vice President / Chief Innovation Officer / CIO from 2018 to 2024. Under his leadership, the credit union saw significant growth in assets and improvements in IT infrastructure and cybersecurity. His strategic direction was instrumental in driving the organization's digital transformation and operational efficiency.

Before his role at Texas Trust, David served as Senior Vice President – Portfolio Management & Information Technology from 2015 to 2018, and Vice-President - Strategic Programs from 2012 to 2015. His contributions included managing high-risk programs and overseeing large-scale technology upgrades, which significantly boosted the credit union’s performance.

From 2010 to 2012, David was the Director Project Manager at Aegon / Clark Consulting, where he managed complex projects and drove strategic initiatives. Prior to that, he spent a decade in consulting, working with notable companies such as Ford Motor Company, Blackrock, Ernst & Young, and ADM, where he provided expert guidance on project management and strategic planning.

In the late 1990s, David joined UICI, Inc. as Chief Operations Officer of its administration services division, following the sale of his business analytics company to UICI. His expertise in developing project portfolio strategies and fostering stakeholder relationships was key in streamlining operations and enhancing customer experiences. David's extensive experience in enhancing business operations, solution design, and stakeholder engagement has consistently demonstrated his ability to address complex business challenges and drive digital transformations.

David Turner holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas, where he graduated with honors and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. He earned a Bachelor of Finance from the University of Texas at Arlington. Currently, he is working to complete his Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity from the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business. His commitment to developing future leaders has fostered a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within his teams.

 Dennis Cagan is a distinguished technology entrepreneur, veteran executive, and governance authority with over five decades of experience. He has co-founded over a dozen companies and served on 71 for-profit corporate boards, both public (10) and private. Currently, he consults as the Shadow CEO®, a Registered USPTO trademark. He provides management support to private company owners and senior management. 

As a Shadow CEO he delivers to his client's decades of ‘battle-tested’ experience in company management from initial incorporation to an acquisition or IPO. His wisdom helps clients to identify and mitigate numerous current and potential issues, and to take full advantage of opportunities. His in-depth s governance services and strategic guidance help the client to ensure that the company is properly organized to facilitate their long-term goals. He leverages best-of-class boards of directors, advisory boards, and knowledgeable corporate structuring to protect founders' equity. His Governance Forensics services can uncover hidden loopholes in corporate structures, allowing founders to retain or gain voting control of their companies.

Dennis is the author of the definitive book "The Board of Directors of a Private Enterprise" (2017), providing insights into board governance for privately owned companies. He is a successful tech entrepreneur, having co-founded his first computer software company in 1968. In 1976 he founded his fifth company and took it public on NASDAQ (ticker DJCC) in 1981 with over $40M in annual revenue. That company was #32 in the first annual publishing of the Inc. Magazine, Inc. 100 issue. In 1985 he founded a computer distribution company that generated $22M in revenue (@10% EBTIDA) in its first year in business.

Dennis operates within Caganco Incorporated, a C corporation established in 1984. Since that time, Dennis has been providing management consulting, mentoring, and Shadow CEO® roles primarily in the Information technology/computer services/ software/hardware/ systems, Internet, mobile, digital communications, and healthcare. More recently his clients have included nutraceuticals, construction, real estate, professional services, and more.

Dennis’ Shadow CEO consulting role originated in 1983 with his first management consulting client - AT&T Technologies (from '83-'85). In May 2013, Caganco officially launched a Board of Directors Practice. Before this, Dennis did extensive board development included as part of his regular activities. Since then, Caganco has helped at least 200 CEOs, with interim roles often resulting from board membership and stepping in to aid leadership. Clients have ranged from $2B in revenue down to 'back-of-the-napkin' start-ups.