Some History
There are plenty of people and companies you could partner with. While I’d rather focus on you and your business, a little background might help explain where I’m coming from—and where Propelrco is headed.
The short version? I’ve worked with a lot of businesses over the years. Most recently, I spent several years in a C-level role helping scale a large, privately held company into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. Along the way, I’ve optimized operations, expanded into new markets, driven acquisitions, and successfully integrated businesses across multiple industries.
If you want the longer story, keep reading.
Jeff Kirkham, Principal
I got my start tearing off shingles in the summers—hauling loads by hand so the real roofers could do their job. Early work and sports taught me discipline, teamwork, and what it means to earn it.
I worked my way through school, studied economics and Spanish, and got early experience with leadership consulting. That path led me to Houston, Texas and eventual work with Citi and Merrill Lynch, where I supported executives, managed portofios and handled high-stakes trades in fast-moving markets.
After the financial crisis, I shifted to work inside a business—joining Continental Airlines and later completing integration work across 126 airports and significant real estate transactions during the United merger.
Eventually, I moved back West and joined Savage, a family-owned industrial company. Over a decade there, I supported and led teams across hundreds of frontline operations—rail, trucking, terminals, and more—serving power plants, refineries, and manufacturers across the U.S., Mexico, and beyond.
By 2024, I’d helped to more than double the size of that business, integrated multiple acquisitions and led multiple functions at the enterprise level. It was time for the next chapter.
I started Propelrco to help business owners build on what’s working, solve what’s not, and move toward what’s next—without losing what made their business great to begin with.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-kirkham-173a5a7
Personal Life: To summarize—extremely blessed. My amazing wife and our six children are my greatest joy. In my free time, I enjoy boating, hiking, staying active, learning - including satisfying my itch for aviation - and finding ways to give back.