Dr. Lanze J. Thompson, MBA, PhD

Biography​

​(view LinkedIn Profile for additional professional background information)

Dr. Lanze Thompson is a finance and strategic management executive and board member with over twenty-five years of experience at Fortune 100 companies consisting of Time Warner/CNN, Ford Motor Company, Alcoa, Con Edison, PSEG, and Philip Morris/Kraft Foods where he has held executive positions such as CFO, Vice President, and Controller. Dr. Thompson gained valuable operating experience as the President and COO of two start-up subsidiaries at PSEG and Con Edison where he was responsible for developing strategy, executing operating objectives, and delivering financial results.

Dr. Thompson is an effective business partner, operational specialist, and visionary leader with expertise in strategy, planning and analysis, forecasting, budgeting, operating metrics, M&A and divestitures, international business, and risk management. Dr. Thompson has developed new businesses in the areas of retail (home office, lighting, children products); energy (behind the meter energy solutions, marketing, trading, generation, storage); media (domestic and international programming, acquired programming, news bureau and affiliate alliances); and gaming (instant tickets, online draw games, coin operated amusement machines). 

Dr. Thompson possesses a keen global mindset with experience managing regionally dispersed and international operations (Canada, Mexico, South America, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa). Dr. Thompson is adept at supporting growth in revenues and profits, process improvements and cost reductions, managing capital and operating investments for the ultimate goal of improving cash flow and maximizing market/shareholder value. Dr. Thompson consults in the areas of finance, strategy, and business development for the energy, automotive, media, and gaming industries.

Dr. Thompson has published several business books; The Globalization Paradigm, Transcend from Management to Leadership, The Consumer Value Model, and Quarterly Profits vs. Long-Term Strategy. Dr. Thompson has taught online classes in Global Strategy and Risk Management for the University of Phoenix' doctorate and MBA programs. Dr. Thompson has presented at industry conferences and events such as Innovation Enterprise's FP&A Innovation Summit, MEXE's Concepts and Techniques in Financial Management, and GMSDC's Executive Leadership Series. Dr. Thompson has been an invited speaker at Georgia State University, University of South Carolina, Boston College, Pace University, and Clayton State. He has also been a pioneer in developing corporate initiatives in the areas of mentorship, recruitment, talent development, and retention.

Dr. Thompson has served on the Board of Directors for Clayton State University's College of Business, Alcoa Power, PSEG - Entertech, Con Edison Solutions, and Con Edison Communication. He currently serves on the Board for GlobalMindED, Emory Winship Cancer Institute, and Fulton County Workforce Development. Dr. Thompson has written extensively on strategies for effective Board Governance and the Roles and Responsibilities of The Board of Directors.

Dr. Thompson earned his Doctorate in Business from Pace University with concentrations in Global Marketing Strategy and International Business. He graduated first in his class and received Pace’s highest award for his dissertation on Globalization and Industry Consolidation. Dr. Thompson received his MBA from Boston College, concentrating in Strategic Management and Finance and he is a graduate of Colby College with a BA in Economics.