As a renowned thought leader and driver of corporate culture, Charles Layne has successfully led founder-owned and private equity-owned companies into record growth. His hallmark is building world-class teams that are focused on delivering the best in all areas, thereby creating predictable results.
An expert at helming SaaS, technology services, and software-enabled services led Layne to his current role of chief executive officer at GPS Insight, a SaaS and telematics firm. According to his staff, Layne’s talents encompass a multitude of arenas including business and channel development, IT and technology, sales tactics, mergers and acquisitions, go-to-market strategies, product development and cultural transformations.
Highly esteemed in the industry, Layne has won chief executive officer of the year from the Arizona Commerce Authority as well as multiple ASU Sun Devil 100 awards.
“Growing up in Phoenix and attending public school hardened myself and my motivation to be successful locally,” said Layne. “As a second-generation Phoenician, it was important for me to stay in Phoenix, drive change and expand our business community. With a focus on growth, development, and giving, it is a pillar of who I am.”
Giving back to others through mentorship is also a key part of who Layne is. He serves on multiple boards as a non fiduciary advisor and coach and currently serves as an investor and advisor for NeoLight, and as an advisor to GMI Technology, while serving in board roles for both Lumistry and the nonprofit STEP: Student Expedition Program that focuses on empowering low-income first-generation prospective college students to realize their full potential.
As a leader, Layne said that pace matters, noting that his superpower is the speed of decision-making and intense pattern recognition. He also believes that successful leaders must focus on developing their teams. “Creating a strong company culture that focuses on inclusion and teamwork with the ability to understand financial metrics to create growth and investment sectors is crucial as a leader,” he said.
When solving complex problems, Layne said that he is blessed to have an amazing team of professionals and investors who have immense experience and amazing pattern recognition. “We develop a ‘North Star’ strategy and push ourselves to check the decisions of our business intent against our five company core values,” he said. “If it falls outside of the rails, we tend to not action them, and if they do, we are heads down executing.”
If he could give his younger self advice, Layne said it would be to stay aggressive. “Do what the other 99% will not and demand excellence from yourself, your team, your customers and your investors,” he said.
