Keith Adams
Bartlett
Summary
Dynamic senior management leader with over 20 years of expertise in licensing sales, business development, and intellectual property (IP) management. Proficient in overseeing all aspects of disclosure review, patent preparation, and licensing—particularly in the software sector—while excelling in brand management, regulatory compliance, market analysis, and technology transfer. Demonstrated success in launching new licensing and sales initiatives and revitalizing underperforming operations. Transformative change agent with exceptional strategic vision and leadership skills, fostering a positive work environment and consistently surpassing company objectives through effective communication and organizational acumen.
Overview
45
45
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Partner
FrontPoint Intellectual Property Services, Inc.
St. Charles, IL
02.2005 - Current
- Orchestrated strategic initiatives aimed at cultivating partnerships to support overall business development and improve client engagement.
- Negotiated high-stakes agreements with key stakeholders, fostering strong relationships that contributed to long-term growth objectives.
- Orchestrated comprehensive market analysis to identify new opportunities for expansion and diversification within target sectors.
- Led negotiations for complex contracts, facilitating favorable outcomes that supported organizational goals and growth trajectories.
- Developed claims mapping and valuation on a patent assertion case related to commodities trading
- Produced and executed sales and licensing strategies in diverse technology fields including social networking software, heavy construction equipment, automotive suspensions, consumer products, energy generation systems and medical devices
- Provided portfolio analysis, directed patent development and provided competitive analysis, acting as Intellectual Property Principal for FedEx release of its SenseAware sensor-based logistics system
Licensing Specialist
Walgreen Co
Deerfield, IL
01.2024 - 03.2025
- Conduct regular audits of licensing documents to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Maintain detailed records of all licensing activities, ensuring accurate reporting and documentation.
- Review and update license applications, ensuring timely submissions to prevent operational disruptions.
Compliance Coordinator
Range USA
Cincinnati, OH
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Implemented compliance training sessions for store staff, enhancing understanding of regulatory requirements.
- Monitored firearm sales transactions to ensure adherence to state and federal compliance standards.
- Conducted comprehensive reviews of internal policies, aligning them with evolving industry regulations and best practices.
- Facilitated regular meetings with stakeholders to discuss compliance updates and address operational challenges effectively.
Director – Licensing
Honeywell Inc.
Phoenix, AZ
01.1999 - 01.2005
- Directed all aspects of IP management for $25 billion company’s avionics business with multiple locations worldwide. Managed staff of 16 licensing liaisons and 6 support staff. Scope of responsibility encompassed identifying licensing opportunities, brand management, business and product development, marketing, valuation, licensee screening, negotiation and preparation of licenses, and devising general IP strategy.
- Charged with turn-around of a non-performing asset. Created process to identify licensable properties and enforcement opportunities; hired and trained staff; identified and negotiated licensing contracts for use of IP. Generated new revenue of $360,000 in first year growing to $41 million within 5 years.
- Tasked with reducing R&D costs by licensing technology in fields outside company’s core business. Identified additional markets, contacted prospective licensees, negotiated and closed licenses that delivered $6 million in the first year.
- Recognized infringement of company’s intellectual property by several commercial display manufacturers. Over a 2 year period, produced claims mapping to prove infringement, and negotiated settlement of $27 million.
- Spearheaded innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning.
- Managed the negotiation and transfer of intellectual property used in an abandoned market. Finalized license, which yielded $12 million in licensing revenue.
- Tasked with turning around declining product revenue stream while maintaining customer satisfaction. Assessed, evaluated, and developed a new creative licensing strategy within 60 days. Successfully implemented strategy resulting in reversing declining revenue and maintain customer base.
- Identified under-utilization of software assets from a subsidiary operation. Through effective marketing and licensing, pushed software within 2 years to become an industry standard and allowed company to later sell the subsidiary for a $100 million premium.
- Negotiated license with a university for a portion of any revenue from research they developed in a key technology application. Additionally gained rights to use the resultant technology for company’s products.
- Recognized underpayment of royalties from an existing licensee. Performed audits which produced a $600,000 recovery of royalties and insured future compliance.
Intellectual Asset Manager
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
Chicago, IL
01.1987 - 01.1998
- Instituted the $5 billion company’s licensing function. Managed licensing support staff and directed patent prosecution by outside legal firms. Led company efforts to leverage intellectual property; managed the business development, valuation, marketing, placement, negotiation, and authoring of company licenses for software, mechanical, electrical/chemical engineering, multimedia, environmental, and telecommunications IP. Worked to establish joint ventures with other companies as well as technical foundations and universities.
- Challenged to assume control of a Fortune 500 company’s intellectual property portfolio and generate revenue. Revenues derived from that operation commenced in 1st year and doubled each consecutive year for the next 10 years, culminating in a license deal worth $40 million.
- Leveraged intellectual property from company to set up a consortium with an industry steering group. Within 3 years, the technology became the industry standard and produced a new stream of licensing income worth $350,000.
- Identified unused patents within the company’s portfolio and reduced patent maintenance costs and company’s tax burden by $250,000 through donation of the patents to a university.
Business Manager, Technology Group
R.R. Donnelley and Sons Company
Chicago, IL
01.1984 - 01.1987
- Controlled finances for a technology group comprised of 180 technical personnel from within the research and development, manufacturing engineering, and telecommunications units. Administered all patent and license revenue activity, including interfacing with patent attorneys and granting/maintaining licenses.
- Supervised appropriation of, provided financial justification and directed expenditures for company’s satellite system used for transmitting rotogravure page data.
Manager of International Development
R.R. Donnelley and Sons Company
Chicago, IL
01.1981 - 01.1983
- Drove the company’s international growth through acquisitions, joint ventures, and Greenfield set-up of print and print-related activities.
- Assumed leadership role in acquisition of a European printing company. Over 12 month period, analyzed the business’ equipment, product set, revenue potential, labor force, and foreign exchange issues. Successfully absorbed the company into other businesses which provided a platform for further expansion into Europe.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Pre-Law
Southern Illinois University System
Carbondale, ILTwo-Year Program Certificate - Publishing/Printing
University of Chicago
Chicago, ILSkills
- Revenue growth
- Strategic planning
- Operations management
- Financial administration
- IP portfolio management
- License negotiation and drafting
- License valuation
- Compliance
Timeline
Licensing Specialist
Walgreen Co
01.2024 - 03.2025
Compliance Coordinator
Range USA
01.2018 - 01.2022
Managing Partner
FrontPoint Intellectual Property Services, Inc.
02.2005 - Current
Director – Licensing
Honeywell Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2005
Intellectual Asset Manager
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
01.1987 - 01.1998
Business Manager, Technology Group
R.R. Donnelley and Sons Company
01.1984 - 01.1987
Manager of International Development
R.R. Donnelley and Sons Company
01.1981 - 01.1983
Bachelor of Science - Pre-Law
Southern Illinois University System
Two-Year Program Certificate - Publishing/Printing
University of Chicago