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(2017 - 2017)
(2017 - 2017)
2023
Focused on developing & aligning business strategies, prioritizing key initiatives, and targeting resource allocation to enable effective strategy execution across the organization. Leading the Enterprise Strategy & Planning team to deliver capabilities in the organization for strategic development, strategic planning, enterprise program management office (EPMO), business planning, and corporate venture. Managing Director of Ferguson Ventures, our corporate venture capital group that accelerates strategy and solves business challenges by collaborating with external innovators. Sourced, negotiated, and executed 14 startup investments and 3 investments into venture capital firms as a limited partner.
2020 - 2023
Senior Director at Ferguson with overall leadership responsibilities for Corporate Venture Capital. Managing Director of Ferguson Ventures responsible for leading the team through deal sourcing, investment execution, and implementing strategies driven from our portfolio. Ferguson Ventures' vision is to provide innovators focused on the Built World with the resources, industry expertise, and capital necessary to launch transformation in the construction and services industries that will create a better future for Trade Professionals. Ferguson Ventures invests in early through late stage companies that solve industry challenges and add value to our customers. A major focus is on construction tech and property tech. We will partner with startups, VCs, CVCs, universities and accelerators to enable this vision. Ferguson’s industry leading position, deep expertise, national footprint, and deep customer and vendor relationships will accelerate our partners’ ability to scale.
2017 - 2020
Founded and established Ferguson Ventures as the Corporate Venture and Innovation arm of Ferguson Enterprises. Defined the investment thesis, established governance process, created deal flow channels and executed seven investments. Enabled portfolio company success through driving go to market activities across the Ferguson business. Supported and helped to establish Innovation Labs in Atlanta GA & Newport News VA.
2017 - 2017
Responsible for providing focus, clarity, and direction around growing the adoption of Ferguson’s eBusiness solutions. Accelerating our ability to meet business group and customer needs by developing and implementing omni-channel business solutions. Developing areas of differentiation through innovative tools to keep our customers competitive in the marketplace.
2014 - 2017
Led a team of highly capable business development managers that focused on all Ferguson business units and field districts. Developed and executed sales strategies that delivered world class solutions directly into our customer's business.
2010 - 2014
Developed sales strategies and go to market plans to enable Ferguson eBusiness solutions to impact customers and grow their business. Established an eBusiness sales process and sales specialist network across the US that drove sales and revenue growth, operational efficiencies and provided a channel for Ferguson solutions to get to market.
2005 - 2010
Grew revenue and customer loyalty by enabling a smooth sales process for Ferguson customers. Focused on plumbing and commercial mechanical contractor customers across the DC Metro area.
2024
"Ferguson is committed to helping our customers design and build water-efficient communities," says Blake Luse, Managing Director of Ferguson Ventures. "We invested in Greyter to accelerate the adoption of innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce water consumption. They have created a revolutionary product, and together we'll help the industry build better, more environmentally friendly homes."
2022 - 2024
2020
2020
“PypeServer provides a great opportunity for Ferguson to continue to add value to the projects of our fabrication contractor customers,” said Blake Luse, Managing Director of Ferguson Ventures. “This investment aligns well with our goal of bringing innovative solutions to the construction industry. We look forward to continuing our journey with PypeServer and helping them scale using Ferguson’s industry leading position, national footprint, and deep customer relationships.” PypeServer lets CAD designers import pipe designs and spools directly into the PypeServer database. As updates and design changes occur, PypeServer automatically links them to the production part so the current design is always the one that's cut. If a part needs to be re-cut later, PypeServer will let you know if the design changed in the meantime.
2022
2022
757 Collab is a founder-focused organziation serving the Hampton Roads region and the Commonwealth of Virginia. 757 Collab’s inclusive approach supports founders in the earliest stages of development from ideation to commercialization with programming, place, network and access to capital.
2021
Limited Partner Advisory Committee member for Burnt Island Ventures who finds, invests in, and supports the best entrepreneurs in water.
2022
Pearl Certification changes the game for high-performance home value, making it visible today and decades from now to benefit homeowners and the professionals who serve them.
2022
2022
“We support innovation in the construction industry and invest in startups that enable significant productivity advancements to help our customers build better,” said Blake Luse, Managing Director at Ferguson Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Ferguson. “Augmenta’s approach in bringing Generative Design to the construction industry will drive efficiencies and help solve business challenges that our contractor customers are facing today. Ultimately, our investment in Augmenta will help skilled trade workers be more efficient on the jobsite and deliver environmental value by helping to reduce construction waste due to less jobsite rework.” Ferguson is a leading North American value-added distributor that provides expertise, solutions, and building supplies to plumbing, fire, HVAC, fabrication, and other trade professionals."
2019
Whisker Labs developed an IOT sensor for residential homes and commercial properties that senses arcing that could cause electrical fires. The sensor, "Ting", has been installed in thousands of locations and has demonstrated a remarkable success rate in helping keep homeowners safe and informed about the functioning of electrical devices in their home.
2020 - 2024
2020 - 2024
ConnectM went public in 2024. ConnectM provides insights and control to the operation of mechanical equipment via their Remote Performance Management (RPM) platform. Property owners can gain the insights necessary to turn capital expenditures into operational expenses by understanding which pieces of equipment are close to catastrophic failure. Property owners can then prioritize equipment needing service over a designated period of time. Service providers with access to ConnectM’s platform gain visibility of the problem before a truck rolls, saving time and money for everyone involved.
2020 - 2023
2020 - 2023
Payzer acquired by WEX in 2024. Payzer is a leading cloud-based field service management software provider based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Payzer provides two software products that help specialty trade contractors grow and manage their businesses. Payzerware, the company’s end-to-end field service management system, enables complete business management including schedule / dispatch, sales proposals and maintenance agreements. Payzer, the “all-in-one” financial tool, lets contractors accept payments, offer loans and provide a full range of payment and financing options for customers and employees — all via their mobile devices.