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About The Deer Ridge Group Network

I combine my personal experience with Deer Ridge Group proven processes and tools to create a customized approach specifically tailored to help you meet your business goals. You are the lynchpin of everything I do, with your needs and goals shaping my work. I specialize in helping you to fulfill your professional and personal goals. I understand these goals are often entwined.

  • Ken Erdelt

    Coach

    Deer Ridge Group LLC is a Business, Executive and Exit coaching practice. My passion is to help small, mid-sized and often family-owned businesses realize or recapture the vision and dreams they have for their business. As a Deer Ridge Group coach, I leverage my extensive background in all facets of business operations and leadership to help owners meet their goals by determining how to best utilize their time and resources.

    With my 35 years of corporate experience, and the world class Deer Ridge Group® systems and tools developed through nearly 30 years of helping businesses excel, we can make a difference in one of the most important segments of our national and local economy - the independent, small and mid-sized entrepreneurs.

    Complete Bio

    Corporate Leadership and Operational Experience.

    With more than 35 years of corporate leadership experience, I’ve led large outsourcing and client-facing operations in both Operations and IT. Over the final 16 years of that corporate tenure, I managed two major enterprise accounts, responsible for all aspects of performance, growth, and client relationships. Each account generated $50–$75 million+ in annual revenues and required oversight of thousands of employees across multiple functional areas.

    As Senior Vice President of Operations and later Senior Vice President of IT at a leading health insurance company, I led the integration of commercial and government operations into a unified business model. Acting as Business Architect, I developed and executed a four-and-a-half-year transformation program that merged departments, aligned technology platforms, and improved efficiencies. During that time, the organization grew from 10 million to 25 million members, streamlined operations, strengthening culture, and achieving significant cost savings while improving service outcomes.

    That experience taught me the power of strategic alignment, disciplined execution, and continuous learning. I’ve made my share of mistakes—but each one deepened my commitment to learning and leading with humility, clarity, and purpose.

    Business Coaching and Executive Advisory Practice

    In 2015, I transitioned from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, launching my business coaching practice. I discovered my passion in helping business owners confront and solve the complex challenges of starting, operating, and growing their companies. Drawing on my corporate background, I have developed programs that integrate structure, strategy, and accountability—helping owners improve performance, build stronger teams, and achieve sustainable growth.

    By 2024, I expanded my focus into Executive Coaching, supporting senior leaders as they strengthen their leadership presence, confront biases and blind spots, and cultivate cultures that drive performance and engagement. My approach blends strategic insight with personal transformation—guiding leaders to uncover what’s holding them back and equipping them to lead with purpose and confidence.

    Exit Planning and Transition Readiness

    Today, my primary focus is on Exit Planning and Preparation—helping Founders, Owners, and CEOs of privately held companies prepare for and execute a successful, value-maximizing, and graceful exit. Through The Pathway to Exit™ Program, I help owners assess where they are today, define where they want to go, and build the roadmap to get there.

    Prior to my roles in private industry, I served 9 years in the US Air Force.

    On a personal note, my wife Janet and I have two sons, Jake and Josh. We live in Ashland, MA. I also have two grown daughters, Jacy and Lauren that live in Austin, Texas.

    Areas of Expertise

    • Areas of Expertise

      Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

      • Strategic Planning & Visioning

      • Business Planning & Growth Strategy

      • Entrepreneurship / Start-Up Development

      • SWOT Analysis

      • Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis

      Value Enhancement & Exit Readiness

      • Exit Strategy & Value Builder System™ Implementation

      • Business Valuations (Value Builder & ProfitCents®)

      • Succession Planning & Execution

      • Organizational Change & Transformation

      • Operational Efficiency & Balanced Scorecards

      Leadership & Cultural Development

      • Executive & Leadership Coaching

      • Cultural & Organizational Assessments

      • Team Building & DiSC® Assessments

      • MasterMind Facilitation

      • Time Management, Productivity, & Soft Skills Training

      Marketing & Communications

      • Market Research & Target Persona Definition

      • Marketing Communications & Branding

      • Capability Statement Development

    Education and Certifications

    Western New England University

    Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business Administration and Management

    University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Business Administration and Management

    Certified Value Builder™

    The Value Builder System October 2015

    Professional Education

    LifeTime Trusted Advisors - Executive Coaching

    Digital Mentors - Online marketing and product sales

     

     

    Community and Volunteering

    Member, Past- Director, Rotary Club of Framingham, MA

    Member, Past-Director, Ashland Business Association

    Member, Past-Director, MetroWest Chamber of Commerce

    Adjunct Professor, Framingham State University, 2019-2020

    Veteran, USAF