About
As hands-on and enabling leader my focus has been to create a high performing environment that brings structure, accountability, and empowerment to the teams I serve and work with. I bring best practices and practical experience to help companies grow, achieve goals, and create value for shareholders.
I have been successful in achieving 25% growth QoQ in various organizations, led major acquisitions all the way from deal origination, due diligence, financial modeling, and organizational integration, and managed over $25M P&L.
I SPECIALIZE IN:
➡LEADERSHIP: Led diverse 250+ operations team and 40+ person technical teams in 3 continents.
➡OPERATIONAL: Maximized team performance; created and executed KPI & data-driven environment
➡GROWTH: Creating actionable long-term strategies
➡STRATEGIC PLANNING: Executed organizational restructure, 3 acquisitions to support strategic goals, and raised over $10 M in Debt & Equity.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
✅ Oversaw management of $500 M+ Real Estate Portfolio
✅ Established new market in Southwest United States. $100 M+ in opportunities for Goldman Sachs
✅ Led over $100 M in acquisitions for Commercial Real Estate Development company
✅Overhauled operations to decrease inefficiencies by 34% in Unicorn Startup
✅ Led over 100 proposal meetings, resulting in $25 M awarded contracts. Clients included PWC, Unilever, Santander, Aero Mexico
Let's start a conversation: juan.m.castellanos@outlook.com
MORE ABOUT ME:
I was blessed to have the chance to discover my individual management style in a high risk setting as an Infantry Officer and Ranger. Mixing my passion of analyzed risk and problem solving, I transitioned into leadership roles in operations & finance in public, private, and startup companies. I'm a knowledge leader with exceptional emotional intelligence, unwavering resiliency, and determination in exploring and executing new business opportunities, implementing revenue strategies, and carrying out strategic vision.
EDUCATION 🎓
◆ MBA, Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business
◆ Bachelor of Science (BS), United States Military Academy
FUN FACTS ➤
◆ Native Spanish Speaker
◆ I have competed in multiple CrossFit competitions...not a podium finisher
◆ I have three dogs...don't ever have three dogs at once
◆ I was offered to go play professional soccer at the age of 16 in Argentina...decided to take my talents to Army Soccer
Ask me about
Work experience
- January 2022 – September 2022
Zeus Companies
Chief Operating Officer ◆ Oversaw $500 M+ Real Estate Portfolio ◆ Managed $25 M P&L ◆As a COO of Commercial Real Estate Development and Real Estate Lending company, was responsible for implementing new sales strategies for loan origination, cost reduction processes for loan operations, deal origination and negotiation for CRE, and capital raising for new deals. • Orchestrated merger of two company into one, reducing inefficiency by 30% • Implemented sales strategies to increase revenue 25% QoQ • Closed over $100 M in CRE deals • Raised more than $25 M in debt and $25 M in equity capital • Oversaw and managed $500 M+ real estate portfolio - January 2022 – July 2022
Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation
Established Sanchez Investment Company - July 2020 – January 2022
Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation
VP Business Development ◆ Operating Partner ◆ Increased Revenue 3x in 1 Year ◆As VP of Business Development and Operating Partner for the Private Equity arm of a Family Office, I led negotiations with over 70 companies for equity investments, conducted acquisitions of SMBs and acted as operating partner post acquisition. • Increased e-commerce portfolio company revenue by 200% • Strategized, hired, and retained 5-person marketing team • Managed $25 M investment fund - June 2018 – June 2020
Gympass
Sr Director Operations ◆ Led 40+ team in 3 Continents ◆ Unicorn Startup ◆As Senior Director of Operations for a Unicorn Startup I spearheaded operations, supervised a global team, orchestrated cross-departmental activities, and established proposal/contract review standards. • Fortified operational excellence to exceed 25% CAGR across all areas • Accelerated contract negotiations, minimizing the duration of contract signatures by 60 days • Played a pivotal role in 800+ domestic and global deals for the company, improving deal closure by 37% - July 2015 – June 2018
Goldman Sachs
Investment Manager ◆ Sourced $100 M+ Opportunities ◆ Opened New Market Area ◆As Investment manager I was responsible for new business, portfolio management, and asset allocation. • Created diversified portfolios with annual returns ranging from 6% to 9% • Designed multimillion-dollar cash management strategies for companies, increasing returns by up to 25 bps 
May 2006 – June 2014US Army
Infantry Officer ◆ Multiple Combat Deployments ◆ Led 250+ Team ◆As an Infantry Officer I was responsible for the health, morale, and welfare of my teams and their preparation for combat deployment within 96 hours. • Progressed ahead of peers to the rank of Major as 1 of 16 officers from 1250 candidates • Maintained accountability for the health, security, and welfare of 500+ soldiers and civilians, as well as the establishment of three operating bases in the most dangerous area of Afghanistan
Education
- 2014 – 2016
Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice University
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), MBA - 2002 – 2006
United States Military Academy at West Point
Bachelor of Science (BS)