Corporate Value Creation: An Operations Framework for Nonfinancial Managers

About the Author

Lawrence C. Karlson has broad experience investing in and building the corporate value of companies of all sizes, both public and private, through both internal growth and acquisition. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Mr. Karlson served as CEO of Pharos AB, and after an acquisition, became chairman of Spectra Physics AB. Both were public companies listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange with operations throughout Europe and North America. Spectra Physics was a high-technology conglomerate with companies specializing in lasers and optics, laser scanning, precision distance and temperature measurement, navigation aids, and process weighing systems using a wide range of technologies. He also served as CEO and chairman of Berwind Financial Group (a leveraged buyout fund) from 2001 to 2005.

Since his retirement in the early 1990s, Mr. Karlson has served on numerous boards and led various committees, including audit, finance, corporate governance, and compensation committees in these organizations. He also has provided consulting services to a broad spectrum of companies in Europe and the United States.

Mr. Karlson currently serves on the board of directors of a number of public corporations, including CDI Corporation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (CDI–NYSE) ($1.2 billion engineering and temporary placement business); Campbell Soup Company, Camden, New Jersey (CPB–NYSE) ($8 billion worldwide consumer packaged goods company); and H&E Equipment Services Inc., Baton Rouge, ...