Meet John Collins

About John Collins

I've sat in the chair you're sitting in.

I spent 40 years in C-suite and CEO roles across data networking, telecommunications, and food and beverage distribution — in US and international markets. I've built businesses, sold businesses, led through growth and through difficulty, and managed teams across multiple continents.

When I decided what I wanted to do with the last third of my career, I knew I wanted to do something with genuine impact. Peer advisory and executive coaching is the answer to that — helping leaders who are exactly where I was, think more clearly, grow faster, and build something they're proud of.

This is a vocation for me. Not a corporate job. That means you get someone who shows up fully — and who tells you what you need to hear, not what's comfortable to say.

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40+ Years C-Suite ExperienceData networking, telecommunications, food & beverage distribution

US & International MarketsBuilt and led businesses across multiple continents

Western New YorkServing Rochester, Buffalo, and the surrounding region

Executive CoachPersonal coaching paired with every peer group membership

Founding Members WelcomeJoin now and help shape the group from the ground up

Career Background

The through line:

new market creation.

2024 — Present

Chair & Founder — Brooklyn Advisors

Building and leading peer advisory groups for business owners and executives across New York City and Western New York.

2025 — 2026

Vistage Chair & Executive Coach — NYC

Facilitated peer advisory boards and 1-to-1 coaching for NYC business leaders within the global Vistage network.

2016 — 2024

General Manager & BD Director — BakeMark / Valente

P&L ownership of a $25M NYC branch. Led post-acquisition integration of Valente Bakery Supplies into BakeMark.

2007 — 2021

Founder & CEO — Prova Systems / QIO Systems

Founded and scaled two technology companies — fleet telematics SaaS and wearable electronics — from initial specification to global market.

2003 — 2007

VP Business Development — Eleksen / BBC Vecta

Transformed Eleksen from £50K to £3.6M revenue. Built a new venture inside BBC's corporate arm from concept to VC pitch.

1992 — 2002

Director — Lucent Technologies / Radioscape / Bay Networks

International strategy and marketing across data networking, LAN, WAN, VoIP across the US, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Every role I've held has been a version of the same challenge: take something new, build the market, deliver commercial results. Data networking. Technology startups. Global telecom. Industrial distribution. The industries change. The fundamentals don't.

That breadth is what makes the peer advisory room work. I can engage credibly with a manufacturer's supply chain problem, a founder's succession question, a nonprofit CEO's board governance challenge, and a PE-backed operator's exit timeline — often in the same morning.

I'm not a specialist. I'm a generalist who's been in the room for every stage of company building — and that's exactly what a peer advisory chair needs to be.

40⁺

Years Operating

Global Experience

6⁺

Industries

Cross-Functional Intelligence

Continents

US, Europe, ME & Asia

Perspectives

A Track Record Built on Trust and Respect

A few words from the founders, investors, and executives who have built businesses, navigated transitions, and sat in the room alongside me.

"John is an extremely talented, intelligent self starter. He has strategic clarity on how to drive value into organisations, big and small — and his performance has always maintained extremely high standards."

Robin Shephard — Executive Chairman, Cornflake Ltd

"As an investor in QIO Systems, I was highly impressed with the extraordinary energy, commitment and enthusiasm John brought to his role. His involvement was a critical factor in my decision to invest."

Robert Meadows — Investor, QIO Systems

"John is a good team leader, down to earth and caring for every team member. He is generous in giving credit to team members who make contributions — a critical incentive to keep the team proactive."

Michael Hu — Data-Driven Decision Making, Procurement

"John is an energetic and resourceful executive with a great deal of vision and ability. He has been the main driver in creating and growing our business on both sides of the Atlantic."

Vassilis Seferidis — Founder & CEO

"John is a very motivating leader to work for — he has vision for what a company should do and is extremely driven, while still being approachable. A hard-working, intelligent, demanding yet fun colleague."

Alessandro Traverso — Serial Entrepreneur & Strategic Advisor

"John is a unifier and a collaborator. He's always striving to do the best thing for the company, and for everyone involved."

Joel Richman — Founder & Partner, Escalate PR

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Free Consultation

Not sure if this is the right fit? Let's find out together.

Hiring an advisor is a real decision, and you should feel completely confident before you make it. That's why every relationship starts the same way — a free 30-minute conversation about where you are and what you're working on. No pitch, no obligation. If it's a fit, we'll talk about next steps. If it's not, you'll know that too.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

I've sat in the chair you're sitting in.

The through line:

new market creation.

A Track Record Built on Trust and Respect

Not sure if this is the right fit? Let's find out together.

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