---
title: 'Portfolio CEO Network: Commerical Distribution at American Operator'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/portfolio-ceo-network-commerical-distribution-american-operator-allen-town-9kzsx4x9nm0d'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Portfolio CEO Network: Commerical Distribution at American Operator

- **Company:** American Operator
- **Location:** Allen Town
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-07-11
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/americanoperator/2be64030-5eb6-46db-84de-88329c8112bb

## Job description

## ABOUT AMERICAN OPERATOR

American Operator exists to keep the American Dream alive through small-business leadership and ownership. We buy small businesses between $5M-$15M in revenue from retiring owners who want their life's work in the hands of leaders who care. We place experienced operators into businesses of retiring owners who want their life's work placed in the hands of leaders who care. Over time, our CEOs follow a clear pathway to earn significant equity in the business they lead.

## ABOUT THE ROLE

We’re actively interviewing CEO candidates for current and future acquisition opportunities. While timing varies by market and acquisition activity, selected candidates enter our CEO network and may be matched with opportunities as they become available.

For this role, we are looking for experienced operators who have led commercial distribution companies. This is an opportunity to partner with American Operator through the acquisition process, with the goal of stepping into a profitable, established business with a strong reputation, a loyal customer base, and an experienced team already in place. American Operator leads sourcing and due diligence, and the selected candidate will contribute industry insights during that process before stepping into the operating role post-close.

As CEO, you'll assume full responsibility for day-to-day operations and P&L performance. This is not a turnaround situation, it's an opportunity to build on a solid foundation set by the former owners. Your focus will be on developing and retaining a best-in-class sales force, driving customer acquisition and growth, and scaling the business to new products, customer segments and markets.

American Operator will be your partner from day one, providing strategic support, resources, and guidance while empowering you to lead independently. Most importantly, you'll have a clear path to earning significant equity ownership in the business you grow and lead.

## WHAT YOU'LL DO

- Own the company’s P&L with full responsibility for performance and day-to-day operations
- Step into a newly acquired business and build relationships with suppliers, customers, and employees
- Strategically add and cut SKUs to match customer preferences and provide upsell opportunities
- Lead high-impact initiatives to modernize the approach to inventory management and customer relationship management
- Travel to markets for sales rep coaching and customer relationship building
- Foster a culture of high accountability and performance
- Run quarterly board meetings with American Operator
- Partner with American Operator on strategy, budgeting, and growth planning

## REQUIREMENTS

- 7+ years of B2B sales leadership and coaching experience
- 4+ years of hiring and firing responsibility
- Experience owning company P&Ls and budgets
- MRO industrial sales background across commercial, healthcare, government, and manufacturing verticals
- Proven sales ability to navigate C-suite decision-makers
- Experience leading and developing a high-performing sales team in a relationship-driven business
- Ability to travel regularly to meet with sales reps and customers

## WHAT SETS YOU APART

- Sales management experience in a family-owned or private-equity-backed business
- History of developing an organization and culture that leads to strong employee retention and tenure
- Small business leadership experience (50 employees or less)
- Military leadership experience

## COMPENSATION

Base salary: $135,000-$175,000, plus 20% performance-based bonus opportunities, distributions, and meaningful equity participation beginning at 10% ownership, with the potential to increase based on performance. Total compensation varies by portfolio company, individual performance, and deal structure, and includes a comprehensive benefits package (Health, vision, dental).

## LOCATION

Our active markets include Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia. Relocation will be required if you are not currently in or near the market of the opportunity.

Ready to lead the next chapter? Before you apply, we encourage you to visit americanoperator.com http://americanoperator.com to learn more about who we are, how we work, and what our operators have to say about the experience. When you are ready, apply today to start the conversation.

## About American Operator

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: American Operator acquires small businesses from retiring owners and partners with experienced industry operators to lead as CEO, with a clear path to earn majority ownership.
- **Entity Type**: Private (backed by institutional investors; funding stage not disclosed)
- **Headquarters**: Austin, TX, USA
- **Founded**: Not publicly available
- **Founders**: William Fry (CEO, Founder)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Small business acquisition and operation (search fund / “acquire-and-operate” model)
- Target customers: Retiring small business owners (sellers) and high-capacity industry operators (buyers/CEOs); serves B2B/B2C across multiple verticals
- Mission or purpose statement: “Reviving the American Dream” by creating a new path to small business ownership for the next generation of hardworking Americans.

## Products & Services
- **Operate-to-Own Model**: American Operator funds the acquisition of a small business, partners with a proven operator to lead as CEO, and provides hands-on support and governance. The operator receives meaningful day-one ownership and can incrementally buy back equity until they become majority owner. [americanoperator.com](https://www.americanoperator.com/)
- **America’s Small Business Stock (future offering)**: The company is working toward a public offering that would allow everyday Americans to invest in a portfolio of small businesses, democratizing ownership. [americanoperator.com/about-us](https://www.americanoperator.com/about-us)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available
- **Key Metric**: Total funding not disclosed; recent acquisition of Greenway Painting (Jackson, MS) completed. [americanoperator.com](https://www.americanoperator.com/)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Board includes Joe Lonsdale (co-founder of Palantir, 8VC) and Baris Akis; advisor network of current and former business owners across multiple industries. [americanoperator.com/about-us](https://www.americanoperator.com/about-us)
- **Growth Signals**: Active hiring for multiple roles (VP of Investments, VP of Portfolio Performance, Business Development Associate); expanding portfolio with announced acquisition; building out advisor network for scaling across industries. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/american-operator)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Operate-to-Own Model**: Differentiates from traditional private equity by offering operators a clear path to majority ownership rather than permanent minority stake.
- **Hands-On Support**: Operators receive a dedicated industry advisor, governance structure, and access to American Operator’s back-office resources.
- **Local Focus**: Keeps businesses locally owned and operated, preserving community relationships and reputation.
- **Strong Advisor Network**: Experienced operators and former owners provide sector-specific guidance (home services, manufacturing, landscaping, painting, etc.).

## Strategic Focus
- Scale acquisition pipeline across multiple industries (home services, manufacturing, landscaping, logistics, etc.)
- Build a portfolio of enduring small businesses and work toward a public “small business stock” offering
- Expand the operator candidate pool and continue refining the operate-to-own playbook

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Tight-knit, mission-driven team focused on high-impact work; “your voice is heard, your impact is real.” [americanoperator.com/careers](https://www.americanoperator.com/careers)
- **Work Policy**: In-office collaboration at the Austin, TX headquarters (on-site work expected, with snacks and team connection). [americanoperator.com/careers](https://www.americanoperator.com/careers)
- **Benefits**: Comprehensive medical/dental/vision, 401k with company match, generous parental leave, flexible time off (“Use What You Need”). [americanoperator.com/careers](https://www.americanoperator.com/careers)
- **Growth Exposure**: Hands-on work with live deals, critical operations, and strategic portfolio support – ideal for candidates seeking fast learning and real ownership experience.
- **Values**: “Operator First,” “American Roots,” “High-Impact” – emphasis on building strong local businesses and supporting operators taking the bold step into ownership.

## Sources
1. [americanoperator.com](https://www.americanoperator.com/)
2. [americanoperator.com/careers](https://www.americanoperator.com/careers)
3. [americanoperator.com/about-us](https://www.americanoperator.com/about-us)
4. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/american-operator)

## Other roles at American Operator

- [Vice President, Portfolio Performance](https://feeny.ai/job/vice-president-portfolio-performance-american-operator-austin-da3y16dr8a6w) — Austin, TX
- [Vice President, Investments](https://feeny.ai/job/vice-president-investments-american-operator-austin-h3xqfv4zzysc) — Austin, TX
- [Portfolio CEO: Commercial Roofing Company](https://feeny.ai/job/portfolio-ceo-commercial-roofing-company-american-operator-boston-zd4bw9we3vtb) — Boston, MA
- [Portfolio CEO: Event Production and Rental Company](https://feeny.ai/job/portfolio-ceo-event-production-and-rental-company-american-operator-san-diego-ds3kvd7d948r) — San Diego, CA
- [VP, Operator Selection & Experience](https://feeny.ai/job/vp-operator-selection-experience-american-operator-austin-fc7vagczn1c8) — Austin, TX
- [Deal Sourcing Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/deal-sourcing-analyst-american-operator-austin-bs3ejt7w4bbk) — Austin, TX
- [Portfolio CEO: Tent & Event Rental Company](https://feeny.ai/job/portfolio-ceo-tent-event-rental-company-american-operator-philadelphia-wj48vz4nznjq) — Philadelphia, PA
- [Portfolio CEO Network](https://feeny.ai/job/portfolio-ceo-network-american-operator-united-states-v6mvggz17jm5) — United States