Meet the Founder

Robert J. Johannigman, MBA, CEPA

I founded RJJ Strategy Consulting  in 2019 to advise business owners and leaders seeking to strengthen their  

strategic and financial performance. 

I care deeply about our clients, their families and about helping them design a successful pathway to a brighter life after transition and a more valuable business on the way to their next chapter.

For nearly four decades, my overarching focus has been on impactful strategic planning and merger and acquisition initiatives, with specific attention given to driving successful execution at the corporate level to accelerate sales growth and profitability. I have held various leadership roles in a wide variety of companies and industries, including wholesale distribution, semiconductor and sensor technology, spectroscopy, electronic interconnect systems and mobile digital marketing. 

My experience also includes 20 years as co-owner and co-CEO of a third-generation family business. I grew up working in my family’s wholesale distribution business started by my grandfather in 1924. From an early age, I experienced first-hand the ups and downs of owning and running a family business. Through several successful acquisitions and internal growth during my 20-year tenure, our annual sales grew from $20M to over $100M and the company was successfully sold to one of our largest competitors.

Having since achieved my CEPA (Certified Exit Planning Advisor from the Exit Planning Institute) designation, I enjoy being able to share all the insights and information “I wish I knew then” with today’s business owners to help them grow their value and become transition ready.

I graduated from the University of Notre Dame, married and moved to Chicago to complete a master’s in Public Policy followed by an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago. I’m lucky to be able to say that my extensive career overlaps with what I would consider my greatest extravagance: international experience and travel with my family. I’ve lived in several countries outside the USA  and have considerable international sales and marketing experience in North America, Europe and Asia.