Professional Summary

Professional Overview

Rick Fountain is a seasoned operations executive with over 30 years of experience driving strategic growth and optimizing business performance across the retail and investment sectors. As the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of ImageMicrosystems and the Managing Partner at FMW Investments, he leverages his deep industry expertise to enhance operational efficiency, improve profitability, and position organizations for long-term success.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As the COO of ImageMicrosystems, Rick is responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations, including supply chain management, process improvement, and strategic planning. He collaborates closely with the executive team to identify and capitalize on new market opportunities, optimize resource allocation, and ensure the company's operational infrastructure supports its ambitious growth objectives.

Additionally, Rick has served as the Managing Partner at FMW Investments since 2006, where he manages a diverse portfolio of investments and provides strategic guidance to help portfolio companies achieve their operational and financial goals.

Career Progression

Prior to his current roles, Rick held several senior-level positions, including COO at Haynes Furniture (The Dump), VP of Service and Installation at Ride-Away/Mobility Freedom (Hasco Medical Inc.), COO/President at the "GoodGuys Home Electronic Stores" Division of CompUSA, VP West Division at CompUSA, and Sr. VP Technical Services at CompUSA. He also served as Sr. VP Store Operations at Federated Electronics earlier in his career.

Throughout his career, Rick has demonstrated a proven track record of driving operational excellence, implementing cost-saving initiatives, and leading strategic transformations that have resulted in significant improvements in financial performance and market share.

Academic Background

Rick holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with honors.

Areas of Expertise

Retail operations management

Supply chain optimization

Process improvement and streamlining

Financial analysis and strategic planning

Mergers and acquisitions integration

Portfolio management and investment strategy

Professional Impact

During his tenure as COO at Haynes Furniture (The Dump), Rick implemented a comprehensive inventory management system that reduced holding costs by 18% and improved overall profitability. At Ride-Away/Mobility Freedom (Hasco Medical Inc.), he spearheaded the integration of a new service and installation platform, resulting in a 25% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.

As the COO/President of the "GoodGuys Home Electronic Stores" Division at CompUSA, Rick led the successful turnaround of the underperforming business unit, driving a 35% increase in revenue and a 22% improvement in operational efficiency.

Conclusion

With his extensive experience, strategic acumen, and proven track record of delivering impressive results, Rick Fountain is a highly sought-after operational leader. In his current roles, he continues to leverage his expertise to drive sustainable growth, enhance operational performance, and create value for his clients and stakeholders.

Rick Fountain