Curtis D. Kuttnauer, BCA
Senior Partner
Traverse City
Office: (248) 896-8600 x300
Direct: (231) 922-9380
Email: curtis@teamgca.com
Curtis D. Kuttnauer
Curtis brings a mixture of large corporate America experience, with a life-long influence of entrepreneurial endeavors. While attending The University of Michigan, Curtis helped found Rent-A-Byte, a computer rental business. This entrepreneurial spirit comes from growing up in a family, where the family business spanned multiple generations. Curtis was the first in his family to have a successful career by taking a corporate path only later to return to the world of entrepreneurial achievements.
After graduating from The University of Michigan, Curtis joined IBM. There he spent 16 years in various sales and sales management roles, both in the field and at the corporate headquarters where he worked in a financial consulting role for corporate clients. During his years at IBM, Curtis maintained his entrepreneurial spirit by partnering with colleagues in the operation of three Hungry Howie franchises. While a franchisee, he learned the true lessons, both good and bad, of what it takes to successfully own and operate a small business.
After leaving IBM in 2000, Curtis founded Kuttnauer Search Group (KSG), a boutique executive search firm specializing in both the high technology and private K-12 education industries. KSG clients included early stage VC backed and established software companies, systems integrators, VAR’s (Value Added Resellers), consulting organizations and private schools. KSG places individuals from Senior Vice Presidents, to senior individual contributors, plus Heads of Schools for their educational clients.
In addition to his executive search engagements, Curtis co-founded Golden Circle Consultants to work with companies for the auditing & design of sales compensation plans so they align to specific business strategies and goals.
During the most recent economic downturn, Curtis saw a need to help small to medium-sized organizations control their operating expenses and he became a Principal with Alliance Cost Containment. By utilizing a proprietary methodology and organizational intelligence, Curtis was able to guide clients to lower operating costs through supplier selection and negotiation, group purchasing and vendor management.
Curtis’s cumulative experiences from the corporate world and his own business experience resulted in the co-founding of Golden Circle Advisors (GCA). An advisory group that provides assistance to owners of small to mid-sized interested in selling their businesses.
Curtis has long recognized the personal attachment individual owners have with their companies after years of hard work. He is able to work with clients to prepare their businesses for sale and market them to the most appropriate acquirer, whether an individual, a strategic acquirer, financial buyer
or a private equity group.
Most recently, Curtis became an active angel investor and is an active member of Northern Michigan Angels (NMA). NMA is focused on providing funding to early stage Michigan based companies so they can grow their businesses and increase employment opportunities within the state.
Curtis currently serves as immediate Past President of The Pathfinder School and was the President of the Board after its separation from Interlochen Center for the Arts. He also has served as Treasurer of Congregation Ahavat Shalom, Board Member of Temple Beth El and Treasurer of The Brotherhood of Temple Beth El.