Bruce Werner

Bruce Werner is the Managing Director of Kona Advisors LLC, which provides advisory services to owners and investors of private and family-owned companies. With exceptional experience in finance, strategy, M&A, governance, and succession planning, Kona Advisors creates practical solutions to the most challenging corporate problems.

Mr. Werner is an experienced Corporate Director, leading businesses through periods of positive transitions as well as crises. He writes and speaks on boardroom issues of concern to private and family businesses. He is currently the Chairman of the Director Development and Referral Program for the Private Director Association. In this capacity, he has national responsibility for the coaches and students of this director training program.

In addition to his advisory work, Bruce has acted as a principal or consultant to several investment firms, with experience in running venture, private equity, hedge and real estate funds, as well as futures & options firms.

Mr. Werner spent 12 years at Werner Holding Co. in a variety of senior line and staff positions. He held executive responsibilities in the Climbing Products, Aluminum Extrusion and Insurance businesses. During his tenure the company grew from $180M to over $500M in revenues.

Prior to Werner Holding Co., he co-founded a technology company that developed proprietary products for the engineering workstation market. Early in his career he worked as an engineer for a Kleiner Perkins venture company.

Mr. Werner earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy with honors from Carnegie-Mellon University. Having earned an IBM Fellowship, he graduated from Stanford University with a M.S. degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering. Mr. Werner completed his M.S. Management degree at the MIT Sloan School.

You can reach Bruce at   847-910-2025   or   [email protected]