Joe Ghesquiere is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal’s (A&M) Corporate Performance Improvement (CPI) practice in Dallas. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and an MBA from Southern Methodist University.

In the Q&A below, Joe discusses how he’s drawn to the high impact work A&M does, his top three reasons for success and his active lifestyle. 

What led you to pursue a career in consulting? Were there any notable “ah-ha” moments that led you to that decision?

After 10 years with Lockheed Martin, a competitor began to recruit me for a director-level role. A former colleague, Will Lovis, had left Lockheed Martin five years earlier, so I reached out for his perspective. He suggested I take the opportunity to explore all options and took the time to share his experience at A&M. The growth potential and need to solve big problems quickly seemed like a great fit. After more than 10 years of consulting, I’ve grown to appreciate the flexibility it affords me and the entrepreneurial nature of choosing with whom I partner. 

Your primary areas of concentration are organizational design, footprint optimization, operational performance improvement and revenue enhancement. What influenced you to focus on these areas?

I have always been drawn to larger-scale corporate transformations, which typically entail organizational design, footprint optimization, operational transformation and elements of revenue enhancement.

Tell us about your experience in CPI and the skill sets you strengthened and/or acquired at A&M.

I latched on to the A&M data-driven approach quite naturally. I consider it to be a core tenant for any successful CPI consultant. Although project leaders instilled this in me in my early days as a consultant, I am always learning new ways to use data and information to drive business insights for our clients.  

You recently rejoined A&M in June 2022. What were some of your reasons for returning? What would you tell someone who has left and is contemplating coming back?

Our culture is centered around high-performing teams. I love the feeling of accomplishment you get from meeting aggressive challenges. I formed close bonds with many of the folks I partnered with during my first tenure at A&M and coming back felt like rejoining old friends.

What do you enjoy most about working at A&M? Do you feel that our core values – quality, personal reward, objectivity, integrity and fun – stand true? How so?

I’m drawn to the high impact work we do with the flexibility to make it work for my family. I get to have my cake and eat it too. The firm's core values drive individual accountability for delivering gold standard work and set expectations for how we partner with one another.

How does A&M differ from other consulting firms?
 
A&M is very entrepreneurial. There are countless opportunities to shape or build how you want to invest in business development, practice development or client engagements.    

Who do you consider to be your closest mentors at A&M?

I consider Will Lovis to be one of my closest mentors. I’ll even find myself playing out conversations with him in my head because we’ve worked together for over 20 years.

You’ve had an amazing career trajectory. To what do you attribute your success?

1. Focus on delivering gold standard work
2. Do what’s best for the firm – avoid a self-orientation
3. Build or find a high performing team to align with

What are some of your hobbies and passions outside of work?

I love to stay active with my two boys, Joey and Leo. We play hockey, ride mountain bikes, snowboard and love to cook together.

What are some fun facts about you?

I’ve always loved to race—racing motocross/cross-country, racing in the Texas German Touring Car Series, racing sailboats and maybe airplanes next.