About Terry
Terry Sutherland
Fractional Chief Revenue & Operating Officer (CRO/COO)
The Proper Group Executive
Terry Sutherland is a turnaround expert, growth accelerator, and exit strategist with more than 30 years of executive leadership across manufacturing, technology, distribution, construction, and professional services. As a Fractional CRO/COO, he partners with business owners, CEOs, and investors to restore stalled performance, scale revenue and operations, and prepare organizations for successful exits.
Terry began his career leading transformations at global enterprises in the HVAC and industrial sectors. At one global HVAC manufacturer, he restructured product development from a 7-year cycle to just 18 months, launching a market-leading product still in use today. He later scaled a $12M division into a $65M success story in just 3 years, securing long-term growth ahead of its acquisition during a major industry consolidation.
As Founder of Transforming Business Solutions (TBS), Terry has advised small-to-mid-sized businesses and private equity-backed companies through revenue turnarounds, operational restructuring, financial modeling, supply chain optimization, and exit planning. Known for diagnosing root causes quickly and implementing practical, measurable solutions, he has consistently delivered outcomes that accelerate growth and valuation.
Beyond results, Terry is recognized for his leadership and team-building. Across three decades, fewer than ten people have ever resigned under his leadership, with many following him across companies — a testament to his ability to build loyal, high-performing teams.
At The Proper Group, Terry leads engagements in turnaround strategy, sales and revenue acceleration, operational efficiency, and exit-readiness planning, while contributing to the firm’s intellectual property in growth frameworks and transformation systems.
Terry lives in Brentwood, Tennessee, and serves clients nationally and globally. He is passionate about helping organizations unlock sustainable growth while preparing for future success.
Comprehensive Offerings:
Turnaround & Growth Acceleration
- Rapid diagnostic assessments to identify revenue and profit constraints
- Turnaround roadmaps aligned with ownership, investor, or exit priorities
- Growth playbooks to scale sales, operations, and profitability
Sales & Marketing Leadership
- Development of revenue engines and sales strategies that expand market share
- Customer experience frameworks that increase retention and lifetime value
- Marketing strategy, competitive analysis, and go-to-market positioning
Operational Efficiency & Process Improvement
- Process redesign and workflow optimization to reduce costs and improve ROI
- Supply chain optimization, logistics, and procurement strategies
- Technology advisory to modernize systems and enhance scalability
Financial Advisory & Capital Strategy
- Budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling for growth
- Capital raising strategies (equity, debt, grants) and investor pitch decks
- M&A advisory, valuations, and transaction support
Strategic Planning & Exit Readiness
- Business plan development and review with actionable recommendations
- Market entry and expansion strategies to capture new opportunities
- Exit strategies that maximize valuation for sale, merger, or transition
Leadership Development & Team Building
- Executive coaching and mentoring for leadership teams
- Training programs to develop managerial, sales, and operational excellence
- Building accountable, loyal, high-performance teams
📍 Based in Brentwood, TN — serving clients nationally
🗓 Book a complimentary consultation
📧 tsutherland@theproper.group