ABOUT US

We are a professional development association of Second-in-Command Executives: Chief Operating Officers, Operating CFOs, General Managers, Divisional Presidents, Operating CIOs, and Executive Vice Presidents. We serve with integrity, providing value to our Members, to our Member’s companies, and to our overall business community.

VISION AND VALUES

Mission
Professional development peer group expressly for the Chief Operating Officer and Second-in-Command Executive.

Vision
To provide a safe place where Chief Operating Officers and other Second-in-Command Executives find peer support, guidance and collaboration to help them in succeed in their jobs.

Peer Learning
Our members learn, grow, and become more effective as a result of their peers. They ask for guidance, exchange knowledge, share ideas and develop best practices – all within a community of peers that is safe and supportive.

Integrity
We strive for the highest integrity throughout all activities and events. Our member expectations are to ensure this same high standard with their COO Forum involvement.

​Respect
Respect is the cornerstone of peer-to-peer collaboration. Respect for our companies and our CEOs is paramount at the COO Forum.

​Confidentiality
Information resulting from involvement at the COO Forum falls into the doctrine of confidential information and is to be treated accordingly.

​Safety
We do not sell or prospect for business to and from fellow members​.

We are grateful for the contributions of our Chapter Directors, Members and Colleagues as we celebrate 17-years at the COO Forum serving and supporting Chief Operating Officers and Second-in-Command Executives. Our Chapter meetings throughout the U.S., the COOeForum, COO Forum LinkedIn Group, Chapter meeting hosts, and the many Thought Leaders who have presented and shared content around COO best practices will continue to support the entire COO community all over the globe.

 

OUR STORY

Our History
The COO Forum was founded in 2004 in the Greater San Francisco/Silicon Valley Bay Area by Bill Shepard. The association has become the professional development home for Chief Operating Officers and Second-in-Command Executives. The COO Forum recognizes the significant role the COO plays as the senior leader responsible for taking the company’s vision and delivering results.

Since its inception more than 17-years ago, the Chief Operating Officer  Business Forum has grown to more than 35 chapters throughout the United States and also internationally, with chapters in all regions of the U.S., as well as internationally in Sydney, and forming in Montreal and Frankfurt. To serve operating executives where chapters have not yet been established, we host up to four monthly Remote Zoom Meetings open to all members and one-time guests.

Our Organization

Founder & CEO:  Bill Shepard – Responsible for orchestrating the various business development efforts, supporting Chapter Directors, press relations, and overall leadership, growth, and vision for the association.

Executive Vice President: Laura Weikle – Works with Founder & CEO Bill Shepard to expand the COO Forum globally.  Responsible for developing new chapters, overseeing all new chapter launches and guides chapter directors in the early stages of chapter development. Manages the day-to-day operations of the association.

Chapter Directors:  Chapter Directors include individuals who lead local chapters. These individuals are senior-level professionals who provide local area leadership. Click here for a list of all chapter directors and locations.