Kevin Seney's Blog

Kevin Michael Seney, M.B.A.
P. O. Box 262272 • Plano, Texas 75093
214.736.5000 • kevinseney@yahoo.com

C-level Executive

C-level executive with 20+ years experience. Expertise in start-up environments, securing venture capital, and public speaking. Proven ability to manage franchise development and operations, to lead development consultants, and to develop innovative business models. Demonstrated skill in financial and operational management, training / development of staff, and developing and leading high-performing, cross-functional teams.

Contract Negotiations • Franchise Development and Sales • Product Development • Product Marketing
Public Relations • Regulation Compliance • Risk Management • Sales • Sales Development • Start-Up Operations

Career Achievements

Granted franchise approvals for all 50 states for Bug! Realty.
Gained national recognition for company, using only $500,000 in initial venture capital.
Developed unique business model, new to the industry.
Made guest appearance at Real Estate Connect by Inman News, a national real estate conference for industry executives, and on CNBC’s Let’s Talk Franchise show.
Sold 5 local franchises and 1 regional developer license.
Opened 5 net branches in Southern California and additional net branches in Wyoming, and Arizona.
Grew rapidly and gained high level market exposure, utilizing a much lower capital base than our competition.
Developed net branch model, one of the first companies to deploy an operational web-based origination system.
Became one of the first companies to market real estate and financing direct to the consumer.

Professional Experience

CEO
Bug! Realty USA, Inc. San Francisco, California. 2004 – 2011.

Created original concept and business plan.
Recruited founding board members and angel investors.
Provided leadership to start-up operation.
Developed franchise business plan and registered UFOC in all 50 states, working closely with Francorp of Chicago.
Organized our first round of venture financing working with venture capital consultant and attorney.
Launched franchise system based on single-unit franchise sales. The following year, we registered and sold our first regional developer franchise in San Francisco.
Entertained offers from major national real estate conglomerates, including Berkshire Hathaway’s Home Services of America and Realogy, and reached a decision to move forward with second round of venture capital financing instead.
Spoke for several regional and national real estate conferences, introducing our model to the industry.
Appeared as guest on CNBC’s show, Let’s Talk Franchise.
Sold equity in the company; company continues to thrive as Dot Realty.

Selected Accomplishments

Closed 2 rounds of private financing.
Granted franchise approvals for all 50 states.
Gained national recognition for company, using only $500,000 in initial venture capital.
Developed unique business model, new to the industry.
Produced TV and radio advertising.
Made guest appearance at Real Estate Connect by Inman News, a national real estate conference for industry executives.
Made guest appearance on CNBC’s Let’s Talk Franchise show.
Sold 5 local franchises and 1 regional developer license.

Regional Vice President
CFIC Home Mortgage. Miami, Florida. 2006 – 2007.

Recruited and trained branch managers for southern California, Arizona, and Wyoming.
Identified local players capable of supporting a net branch.
Assisted each manager in recruiting and training their loan agents.
Managed production.

Selected Accomplishments

Opened 5 net branches in Southern California and additional net branched in Wyoming, and Arizona.
Recruited and trained sales group.

General Partner
Piper Coronado Aviation, LLC. Coronado, California. 2002 – 2005.

Acquired, financed, and maintained aircraft.
Developed, constructed, and financed aircraft hangars.
Leased aircraft and hangar space.
Developed fractional ownership shares.

Selected Accomplishments

Provided low-cost leasing of new aircraft to business owners.
Provided low-cost fractional ownership to business owners.
Provided hangar and ground services.
Liquidated all assets efficiently and profitably for investors and shareholders.

President / Chief Executive Officer
The Home Loan Store, Inc. Danville, California. 1995 – 2001.

Functioned as founder and CEO for start-up mortgage banking operation.
Negotiated leases for retail space, operations center, and capital equipment.
Recruited key managers and employees.
Obtained licensing and lending approvals through major wholesale lending sources.
Served as company spokesperson at industry events and public relations events.
Developed unique branding and positioning for the company.

Selected Accomplishments

Grew rapidly and gained high level market exposure, utilizing a much lower capital base than our competition.
Developed net branch model, one of the first companies to deploy an operational web-based origination system.
Became one of the first companies to market real estate and financing direct to the consumer.
Sold company to Union Trust in 2000 and remained as CEO during transition until January 2001.

Vice President of Sales
Plaza Home Mortgage Bank, FSB. Santa Ana, California. 1991 – 1995.

Education

M.B.A. in Finance and Information Systems. San Diego State University. Graduate School of Business.
B.S. in Molecular Biology. San Diego State University. San Diego, California.

Specialized Licensure

Private Pilot FAA License #2785118

Facebook | Kevin Seney Author of “midlife drive”

“The test of an adventure
is that when you’re in the middle of it, you say to yourself,
‘Oh, now I’ve got myself into an awful mess;
I wish I were sitting quietly at home.’
And the sign that something’s wrong with you,
is when you sit quietly at home and wish for adventure”

~ Thornton Wilder

I cannot remember, specifically what triggered the idea, but one day last January 2010, I was sitting in my RV, parked in my brother’s back yard of all places, and realized the obvious, “this thing has wheels.” My first thought was, “well, if I am going to live in a box, and it has wheels, I might as well point it down the road and go somewhere!” I was going stir crazy, and decided that a “road trip” might be the perfect cure, at least for the time being.

I tend to think big, no matter what I am considering, and just a simple road trip, to who knows where, was not “big” enough. The more I thought about the idea, the more it became clear that what I needed to do was go on a BIG Road Trip! Where? Well, who cares! I am sitting on my ass in San Diego, going crazy. It is winter. Why not head East to Florida!

That same day, I saw a news item, that the Space Shuttle was launching in March, and there were only a few more missions to go before the shuttle was retired. That was it! Now I had a destination. But, where from there? Why worry, just go!

So, I realized that if I was going to just head out into the unknown, and was thinking 3 to 6 months, and then thought even more, that I had better do some preparation, and get my RV in “expedition ready” condition.

I also got the crazy idea to start a blog, and tell my story as I drove, randomly around the country. “Why not,” I said? A friend had proposed a similar idea months before, but I never thought much of it, but I decide on “Midlife Drive” as the name for my blog. The random adventures of the “Midlife Dude!”

I was a bit slow at disconnecting myself from my comfort zone. Too much preparation, and multiple excuses. But, after a few weeks of procrastinating, one day I just drove away. February 23, 2010. Not much better prepared than I was the day in January, that I decided to go, but at least I left.

I drove all the way around the USA, from San Diego to Florida to Maine to Nashville, Dallas, Wyoming and on to Seattle, WA and back to San Diego. It took me 5 months, 5 days and 5 hours to complete the 15,003 mile trip! I lost my engine, I blew a tire, I camped in some pretty crazy places. I met hundreds of strangers, and many are now my friends. Overall, it was an amazing journey. Now, I am ready to tell my story.

Thanks for riding along with me…

Facebook | Kevin Seney Author of “midlife drive”

Facebook | Kevin Seney Author of “midlife drive”

Over the next 9 months, I will travel over 20,000 miles, around the USA in my RV, while writing my new book, “Midlife Drive!” When I departed on February 23, 2010, I only knew that I was headed East to Florida, to watch the Space Shuttle Launch on April 5. The people I meet, and the places I go, are unfolding WITHOUT a plan. My journey will be documented daily on my blog page http://midlifedrive.com, and also posted to this Facebook Fan Page. Please join in, and “ride along with me!” I hope we can meet along the way! KS

Click on the like below…

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kevin-Seney-Author-of-Midlife-Drive/279573357401?v=wall&ref=mf

And, if you have a moment, please share this link with your friends, on your own wall. We are having fun here! The more the merrier! Thank you!! KS

Facebook | Kevin Seney Author of “midlife drive”

www.midlifedrive.com

“The test of an adventure is that when you’re in the middle of it, you say to yourself, ‘Oh, now I’ve got myself into an awful mess; I wish I were sitting quietly at home.’ And the sign that something’s wrong with you, is when you sit quietly at home and wish for adventure” ~ Thornton Wilder

Facebook | Kevin Seney Author of “midlife drive”

Facebook | Kevin Seney Author of “midlife drive”

On the road again
Just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin’ music with my friends
And I can’t wait to get on the road again

On the road again
Goin’ places that I’ve never been
Seein’ things that I may never see again,
And I can’t wait to get on the road again.

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We’re the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin’ our way
And our way…

Is on the road again
Just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin’ music with my friends
And I can’t wait to get on the road again

~ WILLIE NELSON

Facebook | Kevin Seney for Wyoming Governor

Another year, another pair of dueling predictions from a pair of weather-forecasting groundhogs. The famous Punxatawny Phil, the fighting pride of Pennsylvania, and Staten Island Chuck, the mayor-biting whistle-pig from New York, don’t agree for the second year in a row. Will there be six more weeks of winter? Phil says there will be. Meanwhile, Staten Island Chuck is more optimistic, predicting an early spring. So, which rodent do you believe?

When I’m faced with a toss-up, I go to my go-to animal, Clucky the Predictin’ Chicken, who I just made up right now. He says there’s going to be six more weeks of winter, and he also says to go with the under in Super Bowl 2010.

Facebook | The Executive Praetorian Club

Philippe Baltz Nielsen Praetorian recently named Kevin Seney a “Platinum Praetorian Officer” to the International Executive Group “THE EXECUTIVE PRAETORIAN CLUB.” This group is an honorary social group of International Business Executives, Entrepreneurs, and Celebrities.

The history of the word “Praetorian” goes back to early Rome. The Praetorian Guard was formed by the emperor Augustus to help prevent assassins from reaching the emperor and murdering him as Brutus and his companions had murdered Julius Caesar. It was called by that name in imitation of the “Praetoria Cohors,” or select troop, which attended the person of the praetor or general of the Roman army.

Emperor Augustus made the praetorians a standing force after the battle of Actium in 31 BC. He divided them into nine cohorts (groups) of 500 soldiers each, just as with the regular legions. Augustus, in accordance with his general policy of avoiding the appearance of despotism, stationed only three of these cohorts in the capital, and dispersed the remainder in the adjacent towns of Italy.

The primary role of the Praetorians was to act as a bodyguard to the emperor and serve as a police force in the city. However, they did take to the battlefield when the need arose. Members of the guard received much higher pay than other soldiers. The scorpian appears as a symbol on much of the Praetorian equipment, possibly due to the fact that the birthsign of emperor Tiberius was scorpio.

Tiberius, under pretence of introducing a stricter discipline among them, assembled them all at the great Praetorian Camp [the Castra Praetoria] in Rome. In AD 23 this huge and strongly fortified camp was established in the eastern suburbs of the city by their notorious commander, Lucius Aelius Sejanus. Tiberius gradually gave much of his power to Sejanus, the commander of the Praetorian Guard.

Appearing in the Logo for THE EXECUTIVE PRAETORIAN CLUB is International Model and Praetorian Officer, Carol Fassler.

Facebook | Carol Fassler

Facebook | The Executive Praetorian Club

“It is not the function of the government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error.”

U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Robert H. Parker

TJ Casey, President

The Giving Back Foundation (GBF) is a Montana-based non-profit entity pledged to help ranchers and farmers nationwide whose lives and finances have been adversely impacted by natural disasters. “Ranchers and farmers have been the backbone of America by providing our food, clothing, and other necessities, and it’s time to give something back,” says T.J. Casey of Billings, Montana, co-founder and President of the GBF. “They’ve faced drought, fire, flash floods, tornadoes, blizzards and hail; and there is nothing more devastating to a rancher or farmer than to suffer loss of fields, pasture, livestock, grain, fence or winter feed.”

GBF has been active since December 2006 to alleviate some of those losses – from the Colorado blizzards to the Sweetgrass Creek wildfires, as well as through scholarships for farm and ranch freshmen going into agricultural education. Realizing that ranchers and farmers who have endured several years of drought, grass fires, flooding in some areas, and other natural disasters find their savings depleted and no money available when their kids graduate from high school and want to go to college, the Giving Back Foundation has extended those scholarships to the University of Idaho, Washington State University, and Montana State University.

The Giving Back Foundation hopes these funds will help ranchers keep operating under these difficult conditions. For more information about GBF or how you can help, please visit www.ranchersandfarmers.org, or call the Montana Stockgrowers Association at (406) 442-3420.

Facebook | Kevin Seney for Wyoming Governor 2014

Just today, The Wampler Foundation was informed that they will receive a video endorsement by Comedian and TV Talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres! Her video will appear on the Wampler Foundation web site by the end of the week, or early next! Steve Wampler has been so fortunate to already have the backing of Paul Reiser, Will Forte, Will Ferrell, and now Ellen DeGeneres! Please try to get all your Facebook friends to become fans of the Wampler Foundation! Their goal is to have over 250,000 fans within a month or two. Congratulations to Steve and Elizabeth Wampler!

Please become a Friend: Facebook | The Wampler Foundation

Or, better yet, Please Donate Here: www.thewamplerfoundation.org

Facebook | Kevin Seney for Wyoming Governor 2014