Gus Valen, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner

Mr. Valen brings 15 years of experience to his Global 1000 and market leading clients in strategic planning, growth strategy and innovation. He advises clients in identifying and evaluating significant new-to-the-world growth opportunities. Mr. Valen has managed global innovation projects and has instituted marketing innovation with consumer goods clients through innovation process improvement, leveraging strategic assets through structuring alliances to access new channels and consumers and other innovative strategies. In addition, Mr. Valen had done extensive research in and consulted on how large, global organizations should organizing for innovation, leverage economies of scope and innovation coordination on a global basis. Some of the global multi-national organizations he has developed strategies for including Sara Lee Corporation, The Procter & Gamble Company, and Nestle S.A..

Mr. Valen has led extensive academic and practitioner research in the areas of growth and innovation strategy from which many of The Valen Group methodologies and frameworks have been based upon.   He is one of the thought leaders on the emerging health & wellness opportunities, particularly in consumer behavior and attitudinal drivers of consumption and usage. Mr. Valen has written and spoken on issues addressing strategic planning, growth strategy, competitive strategy, marketing strategy, channel conflict, entrepreneurship, venture investing and innovation.

Prior to founding The Valen Group, Mr. Valen co-founded a new business venture group at Whittman-Hart, a global strategy consultancy, advising corporate managers and entrepreneurs on accessing emerging technology growth opportunities.   Before consulting, he managed Fruit of the Loom's core underwear business where he had global responsibilities for competitive strategy.   He holds an M.B.A. in strategy and B.A. in economics and philosophy from Vanderbilt University and is an Entrepreneurial Fellow of Miami University of Ohio. He is also Board member of Main Street Ventures a local Cincinnati non-profit organization helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into established businesses.

Bob Hall, Vice President & Senior Manager

Mr. Hall brings 30 years experience consulting with global 1000 and market leading multi-national companies in the consumer product goods, retail and food & beverage segments. Mr. Hall is the Platform Development Practice Leader and manages execution excellence in growth strategy development for the firm. His experience has been in developing significant growth platforms outside the core business, new channel growth strategy, consumer segmentation, retail experience consulting and global brand strategy development. Mr. Hall's background and executive experience brings objectivity to implementing market strategy.   

Prior to joining The Valen Group, Mr. Hall was a Senior Manager in Cap Gemini Ernst & Young's Global Business Unit of the Consumer Products, Retail and Distribution practice in Chicago. Mr. Hall is a seasoned executive, having held positions as President for Apriori Consulting Advertising, consulting with advertising agencies and clients searching for new ad agencies; as Senior Vice President New Business Development for J. Walter Thompson working with Miller, Oscar Mayer and Kraft; and as Vice President for Leo Burnett Advertising.

He has experience consulting for companies such as Kelloggs, Best Buy, Ahold, General Mills, PepsiCo/Tropicana and Kraft.   He holds a BA and an MBA from the University of Illinois, Urbana.

Janna Markle, Vice President, Licensing

Ms. Markle brings extensive experience in licensing, merchandising, and product development with over 20 years of experience in consumer products, food, entertainment, and apparel.   Her expertise lies in developing strategic licensing programs, leading product development initiatives, and creating strategic partnerships.

Prior to joining The Valen Group, Ms. Markle's work encompassed building strategic licensing and marketing programs for well-known consumer products companies.   She was an AVP Licensing for Brown-Forman where she licensed the Jack Daniel's and Southern Comfort brands.   She was Sr. Director of Brand Licensing for T.G.I. Friday's where she pioneered strategic food licensing.   Markle was Director of Licensing for Lyrick Studios (now HIT Entertainment) and developed children's entertainment properties Barney and Wishbone, including successful retail initiatives.   Prior to Lyrick Studios, she was a designer and merchandiser for women's wear manufacturers and a trend forecaster for Cotton Incorporated.  

Ms. Markle was named as one of the "40 under 40" influencers by License! Magazine.   She holds an MBA with emphasis in marketing from University of Dallas, and a BS in Fashion Design from University of Cincinnati.   Ms. Markle has had advanced executive-level courses through Carlson School of Management and Harvard Business School

Interested in Joining The Valen Group?
See our recruiting section.