Executive Team

Biography

Prior to founding PRO, Phil was co-founder of The Lab (1999–2014) where he led the research behind an extensive database of best practice workflows, benchmark metrics and improvement solutions. He also led operations and developed the implementation methodology to deliver complex client engagements that cumulatively achieved over $2.5 billion in financial benefits.

Involved in over 350 projects over 35 years in consulting, Phil has been focused on delivering substantial benefits to clients, developing analytical and operational tools. He has enhanced consulting methods to deliver better consulting products for client needs and values. Phil has experience in the investment operations, insurance, banking, manufacturing, high tech and utilities industries.

Biography

Jim Duffy is a seasoned transformation leader and innovator in business process optimization with over three decades of experience across global industries. As Co-founder and Chairman of Process Research & Optimization (PRO), Jim has been at the forefront of designing and implementing customer and operational process strategies rooted in decades of research and best practices.

Throughout his career, Jim has guided organizations through major transformation eras—from crossfunctional re-engineering and ERP implementations to Lean Six Sigma and AI-driven automation. Prior to founding PRO, Jim held key leadership roles, including Senior Partner at Deloitte, where he launched national practices in eBusiness and Advanced Technology Strategy, and President/CEO of Benchmarking Partners, a pioneer in digital best practice modeling.

Jim began his career at IBM and went on to lead operations at Gemini Consulting and its predecessor firms. He holds a Master’s degree from Columbia Business School and has contributed to numerous corporate and nonprofit boards.

Biography

Andrew Reckner is the President of Process Research & Optimization (PRO). Andrew graduated from the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA, with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. Andrew brings over 20 years of highly successful sales, marketing, and operational leadership experience in business solutions and services. Andrew is a celebrated expert and leader in operationalizing go-to-market strategies, coaching business development, and solution architecture.

Prior to PRO, he was at Proudfoot and the GM of Manufacturing at o9 Solutions. Andrew was a Partner at The Highland Group. Andrew was a Co-Founder and Managing Director of Motum LLC, a revenue performance firm. As Managing Partner of the Philadelphia Practice for Tatum, LLC, he led a team to achieve more than 110% annualized revenue growth in the first six months. Before joining Tatum, Andrew served in leadership of the world’s top-ranked global solution sales consulting team at i2 Technologies, Inc. During his tenure at i2, he led teams focused on the utility, high-tech, CPG, telecom, retail, aerospace & defense, automotive, rail and manufacturing sectors.

Biography

Ron began his thirty-plus year career in financial services starting as a commercial underwriter, then internal consulting, and finance roles. He has held multiple senior management positions including running business units for Nationwide, Wausau, and AIG insurance groups. Ron led multiple turnaround efforts over the years, resulting in profitable outcomes for each company. Ron moved from commercial lines to personal lines at the end of his insurance career, leading AIG’s high net worth group, the Private Client Group, for four years of rapid growth and innovation. After a successful executive career in the insurance industry, Ron shifted to management consulting in 2015.

He was successful in leading client project teams, before assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer overseeing all client projects, finance and administration.

Ron Laconi is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, earning both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master in Business Administration (MBA).

Biography

Tom Lawlor is a seasoned consultant with over 20 years of experience in business development, analysis, and implementation across multiple industries. As a former banker, educator, and operations manager, he has directly sold, led or supported initiatives that have delivered over a billion dollars in global benefits.

Tom specializes in operational change design and management and has led major implementations in areas such as Retail & Commercial Channels, Shared Services, Demand Planning, Operations, Wealth Management, Mortgages, Client Onboarding, Collections and Product Development. Tom holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, graduating Cum Laude from The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.

Biography

Natasha Villar is the Director of Shared Services at Process Research & Optimization (PRO), where she leads HR operations, benefits administration, compliance, procurement, and contract governance. With over a decade of HR and operations leadership experience across the U.S. and the Dominican Republic, Natasha is recognized for her expertise in global recruiting, compensation strategy, and employee engagement.

Prior to PRO, she held key HR and operational roles in the energy, publishing, and consulting sectors, cultivating partnerships with universities and industry associations and driving high-performing teams. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Natasha combines an international perspective with strategic execution to deliver measurable business and employee success.

Biography

Richard brings over four decades of consulting experience, having crafted go-to-market strategies and outreach practices in the boutique management consulting sector, particularly targeting Fortune 1000 decision-makers.

As Co-Founder and Client Partner at PRO, he leads the firm’s market-facing outreach efforts and supports business development, client engagement and revenue growth. Earlier in his career, Richard held a senior marketing and business development leadership role at United Research / Gemini, where he created the Business Week CEO Conference—the genesis of the Fortune and Forbes CEO Round Table programs. He also held management and leadership roles at The Highland Group and the Institute of Management Resources.

Richard began his career in finance after attending Bryant University, working with American Express, Mutual Benefit and New England Life.