Speaker, Impactful Leadership: Designing your Second (or Next) Act |
Scott Kucirek is a leader who transforms ideas into innovative businesses by communicating a unifying vision, acquiring resources and building high-performance teams. In February of 2024, Scott joined Hatcheri Foods as the General Manager of Early Stage Brands where he will work with a small team inside Hatcheri to identify and advise earlier stage, emerging food brands that are looking to accelerate their growth trajectory
From August 2010 to October 2023, Scott was the CEO at OCHO Candy, Inc. During that time he raised $25 million in investment to grow the business to over 20,000 points of distribution and $50 million in total sales. While scaling the business, he relocated the production facility 3 times, including building a $5 million, 25,000-square-foot state-of-the-art factory in West Oakland. To facilitate a quicker path to profitability, Scott led a successful search that resulted in a majority ownership sale of the business to Associated Brands Industries, Ltd., a strategic partner. After a 2 year integration period, Scott decided to depart to seek a new opportunity to grow a business that is making a difference in his community.
Before OCHO Candy, Scott spent two years leading the formation and creation of calREDD™, a statewide Multiple Listing Service (MLS) initiative sponsored by the California Association of Realtors (CAR). In his role, Scott built a team, vetted and selected a technology vendor, sold contracts to 15 state associations, and oversaw the implementation of the system, providing MLS technology to over 10,000 real estate agents. After establishing a viable business, Scott led the negotiations that resulted in calREDD™ merging with MRMLS to form the largest MLS in the state.
Scott was also the GM for Prudential CA, NV, and TX from 2006 to 2008. In his role, Scott led a sales force of 2,100 real estate agents in 47 offices in 3 states that completed $8 billion in real estate sales, generating $60 million in revenue. Scott streamlined operational processes and rationalized office management staffing, saving the Company over $3 million annually while still growing sales by 7.5% despite the overall market dropping 20%.
From 1998 to 2005, Scott co-founded ZipRealty, Inc., the first customer-focused, high-tech real estate brokerage, while finishing his MBA at the Haas School of Business. Serving in various roles, from President to Chief People Officer and EVP of New Markets, Scott was instrumental in raising $25 million in venture capital and leading the rapid expansion of the Company from two founders to over 300 employees in the first 18 months of operations. Scott was part of the management team that took the Company public in 2004 and served on the Board during his entire tenure at the Company.
Scott started his career as a Naval Aviator, working in various roles as a Naval Officer from 1989 to 1997. He is married with two children and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Bioengineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley. In his spare time, Scott competes in triathlons and trail running events and enjoys attending theater performances with his wife and family.
