FAQs

1 

What does Enduring Value Partners do?

Enduring Value Partners evaluates and steps into leadership mandates where boards, sponsors, founders, or owners need an experienced operator to lead through a defining moment. Before a mandate begins, EVP works with the relevant stakeholders to confirm the company’s inflection point, define the leadership work required, and determine the right role and fit.

2

Who leads Enduring Value Partners?

Enduring Value Partners is led by Geoff Kolander, a former NYSE-listed company CEO, Chief Legal Officer, public company board member, and speaker on leadership, governance, controlled companies, and value creation.

3

Is Enduring Value Partners a consulting firm?

No. Enduring Value Partners is not a consulting firm. EVP is a leadership platform built for situations where advice is not enough and experienced operating leadership is required.

4

What is a leadership mandate?

A leadership mandate is a defined role or assignment from a board, sponsor, founder, or owner that gives an experienced leader the authority, accountability, access, timeline, and success measures required to lead the company through its next chapter.

5

How does EVP structure a leadership mandate?

Every mandate begins with a direct conversation with the board, sponsor, founder, or owner. Together, we confirm the inflection point, define the leadership work required, establish the authority, access, accountability, timeline, and measures of success, and determine whether Geoff is the right operator for the situation. If there is alignment, EVP steps into the agreed leadership role and leads the work..

6

What level of authority does EVP require?

EVP accepts authority commensurate with the accountability of the mandate. Decision rights, reporting relationships, access, and governance are defined at the outset with the board, sponsor, founder, or owner. EVP is built for situations that require experienced operating leadership—not advice without the ability to lead.

7

What roles can EVP assume?

Depending on the company and the mandate, Geoff may serve as CEO, President, Executive Chairman, operating partner, transition leader, or board-level leader. The title is less important than ensuring the role carries the authority and accountability required to lead.

8

How does Lead-Build-Grow guide a leadership mandate?

Lead means placing executive judgment, authority, trust, and accountability at the center of the work.

Build means strengthening the governance, leadership, culture, and operating systems required for long-term value.

Grow means aligning purpose, strategy, capital, accountability, and execution to create enduring enterprise value.

9

Does EVP approach every inflection point the same way?

No. The mandate is shaped by the company and the source of complexity.

In a public or regulated company, the work may center on governance, regulatory judgment, stakeholder confidence, leadership, and execution.

In a founder or family-controlled enterprise, the work may center on succession, authority, professionalization, ownership transition, and preservation of legacy.

In a PE-backed company, the work may center on operating leadership, governance maturity, culture, execution discipline, and converting the investment thesis into results.

10

What companies does EVP work with?

EVP works with regulated companies, founder and family-controlled enterprises, PE-backed platforms, and boards facing leadership, governance, succession, regulatory, control, culture, or value-creation inflection points. 

11

Is EVP only for failing companies and are EVP leadership mandates always interim?

No.  EVP is not limited to or focused primarily on failing companies.  Rather, EVP focuses on companies that are often far from failing, but  recognize they are at an inflection point and in need of a specific type of leadership. EVP engages where opportunity and complexity meet. This includes companies facing growth, succession, governance changes, regulatory pressure, ownership transition, PE value creation, or leadership transition. Some mandates are time-bounded or transitional. Others may become longer-term executive, operating, or board roles. The structure and duration are defined by the needs of the company and the leadership work required.

12

What is Geoff Kolander's leadership style as described by those who have worked with him?

"I have known and worked with Geoff for over 20 years. He earned my father's confidence quickly, which was no easy task...Early in his career we witnessed Geoff's leadership qualities and ability to navigate challenges with calmness and integrity which were pivotal during difficult times...His sound judgment, combined with his compassion and fairness made him a true leader within our organization...Beyond his professional accomplishments, Geoff is a person of unwavering integrity, humility, and honesty...Consider yourself fortunate if you have the opportunity to work with him. ”

Tyler Merrick - 2024
CEO of Joyride Candy & Fmr President of Merrick Brand Pet Foods

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"As a former Governor of Oklahoma, an executive in the public and private sectors, and a member of several boards, I have had the privilege of working alongside many exceptional leaders. Geoff Kolander, whom I served with on the Board of Citizens (NYSE:CIA), is one of those leaders who stands out for his ability to lead with integrity, courage, and strategic vision... What I found most impressive about Geoff was his ability to lead with both a steady hand and a clear vision... Geoff had a remarkable ability to align teams, inspire loyalty, and foster collaboration... Geoff's leadership style, much like the best leaders I've known, is rooted in his ability to listen, collaborate, and lead by example... I hold Geoff Kolander in the highest regard.”
Frank Keating, Governor of Oklahoma (1995-2003)
October 30, 2024

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"I found Geoff to be an amazingly resilient individual who was willing to make great personal sacrifices for the good of the Company...he had an uncanny knack for developing and presenting alternative strategic solutions to the board to resolve the many issues that surfaced during his time at Citizens. Today, Citizens is on sound financial footing... That would not have been possible without Geoff's strategic leadership, persistence, and personal sacrifice all based on a foundation of the highest level of integrity.”
Terry S. Maness
Dean Emeritus, Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University
November 5, 2024

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​"I have known Geoff Kolander for more than eighteen years, having first met him when I joined Citizens Inc. as a director... I was immediately struck by his intelligence, work ethic, clarity in communication and integrity... Under his leadership, Citizens began a challenging and successful process of reshaping itself... Geoff Kolander is a forward-thinking executive with outstanding professional skills in many areas, including oral and written communication, interaction with colleagues, and exceptional legal and business leadership. I recommend him with great enthusiasm and no reservations whatsoever.”
Robert B. Sloan
Houston Christian University
November 13, 2024

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"Geoff has repeatedly proven himself, by his sound operational judgment, his farsightedness, his business acumen, and his commitment to legal compliance, to be one of the most valuable assets...  He has effectively worked with all levels of leadership, including the Board, the Company's officers and the various employment levels to ensure strategic focus on our core strengths and responsibilities to our customers and shareholders.”
Chip Davis
PRNewswire - Austin, Texas, February 13, 2020

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"I want to submit the strongest and proven recommendation possible for Geoff Kolander to any CEO or other C-level leadership role. I have given many years to follow and observe his career achievements, intellect, work ethic and personal/professional character. Having worked closely for many years with corporate, academic and political executives, I truly believe that Geoff has proven himself to be one of the top leaders...he is strong and bold with a professional tenacity and uncompromising value system...He gained the full trust and confidence of the whole Citizens board...Citizens would not have survived without him. Geoff thrives on a challenge and likes to take on the competition and play to win. Most of all, Geoff is a man of impeccable character and integrity..."

E. Dean Gage

Retired and Emeritus Executive, Texas A&M University

November 1, 2024

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