About us / People / Joe Fenten

Joe Fenten

Fractional COO & Interim CEO | Trusted Advisor to Visionary CEOs

Expertise
Executive Operations

Industry Teams
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Role
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Location
Carolinas

Capabilities
Driving Profitable Growth, Strategy, Planning, and Alignment, Transformation Execution

Services
Acquisitions, Consolidations, Exits, Operational Excellence, Organization Alignment

 

Scaling Vision. Driving Execution. Delivering Results.

Joe Fenten is a battle-tested founder, disciplined operator, and strategic CEO who fixes execution at its core—eliminating bottlenecks, structuring leadership for scale, and designing execution systems that drive results.

As a Partner in TechCXO’s Executive Operations practice, Joe works alongside CEOs and investors to turn vision into action, align leadership teams, and build execution engines that create long-term scalability. Unlike many COOs who simply optimize, Joe is both the glue and the driver—aligning teams, executing strategy, and stepping into the CEO seat when needed.

Why CEOs & Investors Bring Joe In
* Scaling Without Breaking – Structuring operations to sustain rapid growth while protecting profitability
* Leadership That Executes – Aligning CEOs, teams, and decision-making to accelerate execution speed
* Investor & Exit Readiness – Strengthening operations to drive higher valuations and smoother transitions
* More Than Strategy—Execution That Sticks – Implementing scalable systems that continue delivering long after engagement

Proven Results Across Industries
Joe has helped companies across SaaS, luxury e-commerce, construction, staffing, professional services, manufacturing, hospitality, and tourism achieve:
* 25% improvement in operational efficiency without adding headcount
* 40% faster decision-making by implementing structured execution frameworks
* 83% ARR growth and 50% CAC reduction through scalable execution systems
* $2M+ in incremental revenue unlocked through operational optimization

Entrepreneurial Leadership Track Record
As the founder & CEO of South Carolina’s first craft distillery, Joe built an award-winning business and led it to a private equity exit. During COVID-19, he pivoted operations to sanitizer production, securing partnerships with BMW, Boeing, and Ace Hardware while driving record-breaking profitability.
* 200% increase in cash flow and 50%+ revenue growth (2021-2022)
* 80%+ production efficiency (OEE) and 90%+ employee retention
* Navigated a complex operational pivot that preserved jobs and sustained high profitability

Core Offerings
* Fractional COO & Interim CEO Leadership – Aligning operations and leadership to drive scalable execution and long-term growth
* Execution Optimization & Leadership Alignment – Helping CEOs build high-performance teams, decision-making structures, and accountability systems
* Process & Systems Architecture – Designing operational frameworks, performance metrics, and automation strategies for efficiency and scale
* Strategic Readiness & Exit Planning – Preparing companies for funding, acquisitions, and leadership transitions
* Execution Readiness Index (ERI) – Identifying execution gaps and measuring operational maturity
* Execution Readiness Index – A diagnostic assessment Identifying execution gaps and measuring execution maturity across People (leadership, accountability), Process (operational flow, efficiency), and Performance (KPIs, financials)

Credentials & Leadership
* B.S. Electrical Engineering, Clemson University | Certified Professional Engineer (PE)
* EOS Integrator | Fractional COO & Execution Coach
* Active mentor in South Carolina’s startup ecosystem

Beyond Business
Joe thrives on solving complex operational challenges, turning vision into execution, and scaling companies without the chaos. He’s just as comfortable in the boardroom as he is in the trenches, working alongside CEOs to build what’s next.
Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with his wife and two children—values that shape his pragmatic, people-first leadership style.

Client Testimonials

"Joe transformed our company by streamlining workflows across departments like sales and HR. He built scalable frameworks that boosted efficiency, saving us over 10 hours each week and helping with team alignment."

- Luke Johnson, Katalyst CEO

"Joe has been a breath of fresh air, bringing a much-needed level of structure, clarity, and direction to the chaos of entrepreneurship."

- Adam Anderson, Hook Security Co-Founder