Leeann woods
How I got here...
It's a winding story and path. Most people can't keep up. That's OK. It all makes sense to me (even though I still...everyday...question a lot of stuff!) And my varied background works out pretty well for clients (and hopefully YOU!). I've done a lot of things (seemingly disparate) that make for some pretty good (funny & not-so-funny) stories. AND that my background is filled with 'interesting' & varied experiences, well....I've seen a lot of things; been through a lot of things; LEARNED a lot of things! ALL to your benefit!
The backgrounder
Lee Ann Woods is the managing partner of CENTRIC Advisory Group. She is a business & management advisor, and marketing strategist. Her work with clients includes: strategic planning, operations assessment, market and competitive analysis, financial advisory, fractional management, product development support, marketing strategy development, product development & launch, mergers & acquisitions, and licensing. With a background in consumer goods, Woods specializes in: Food & Beverage Products, EcoAgro/Agribusiness, Biobased Products, and related Operations, Manufacturing and Packaging.
Woods’ career began in media, public affairs and public relations. She then moved into product marketing and national consumer goods product & brand management. Growing and managing multi-million dollar international CPG products, her work and experience grew to include: start-ups, turnarounds, management, and ownership.
Woods has been the investor/partner/owner/operator of six (6) companies – a national sports marketing firm, a national licensed sports apparel company, a regional specialty foods and commercial coffee roasting company, a European-inspired café in Dallas, a national CPG form/fill/seal & flexible packaging company, and a regional personal care products manufacturing & distribution firm. She successfully built and sold each company. As an advisor and consultant, Woods has led several mergers & acquisitions, and she has raised millions for clients.
Her many years of experience in national product development, marketing/sales, management, strategic planning, and licensing for companies, has included work with: Miller Brewing Co., 7Up, FootAction USA, NHL, Disney, Cadbury Neilson, Einstein Bros., Boston Market, BASF, Lotto USA, Bayer CropScience, Republic National Distributing Company, Texas Premium Foods, Jus-Made, Frito Lay, Sea & Ski, among others.
Professional Affiliations include: Food & Drug Law Institute, Association of Corporate Growth, Private Directors Association-Founding Member, Ethics Compliance Initiative, Food Processing Suppliers Association, DFW CPG, National Coffee Association, and Specialty Food Association.
Mentor/Advisor: THRIVE/SVG Ventures, Santa Fe Business Incubator, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and NMSU/Arrowhead Center.
Advisory/Board Seats: 1BLU ventures, chair; PassionOat, chair; Sagmor Foundation, director; 98th Meridian Foundation, director; Brown Pelican Society, founder & chair.
Woods has a BA in Political Science & Communications from the University of North Texas with honors, and a MA in Communications/Public Policy from Drake University, summa cum laude. She holds professional certifications in: ESG from the Corporate Finance Institute, and in both Intellectual Property and Regulatory Compliance from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
FUN FACTS:
I am a published writer and fine arts photographer; a one-time jazz studies major, I play at upright bass, piano & drums (and love all percussion); I also enjoy golf, tennis, cooking, culinary excursions, and being near/on/in The Ocean.