Today’s announcement that Retrofit has added CareerBuilder CEO Matt Ferguson to its Board of Directors is yet another example of what the Chicago tech community can do when we work together. What began as a simple “A-ha!” moment at a wellness resort has taken the weight loss industry by storm. The Chicago-based company has been instrumental in starting a movement in digital health aimed at combating America’s obesity epidemic.
It is a privilege to welcome Matt to our Board. He brings a wealth of strategic leadership experience that will position Retrofit to further meet client needs and our growth objectives.
For those of you that don’t know Matt personally (bio below), I consider him to be one of Chicago’s strongest technology leaders. Over the past decade, he and his team have built a force to be reckoned with in the global talent management industry. You see, CareerBuilder beat the odds to surpass Monster.com as the market-leader, amongst other achievements.
I’m proud to call him a friend. Matt will be instrumental in helping Retrofit meet our dual-objective: reducing healthcare costs for businesses across the country, and transforming lives in the process.
Retrofit, which recently raised $8 milllion in a Series A financing round led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson, delivers unrivaled results in the weight loss industry. The Wall Street Journal recently featured Retrofit as an example of new weight loss technology and how its innovative services are helping companies curb healthcare costs. More than 90% of Retrofit clients are losing weight.
Retrofit is a turnkey approach to weight loss designed to offer private lessons in nutrition, fitness and mindset to executives and corporate employees. The Retrofit program includes one year of data tracking, accountability and support. Clients receive wireless tracking devices, along with private lessons from a registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, and behavior coach via Skype videoconferencing. Our clients include Salesforce.com, Dolby Laboratories, Oreck, and Sagent Pharmaceuticals.
Matt says “I have witnessed the growth of Retrofit as it aims to lead the weight loss industry in combating America’s obesity epidemic in the workplace. I look forward to providing guidance and support as Retrofit positively impacts the lives of employees and corporate bottom lines.”
The formation of the Retrofit Board of Directors is integral to our success. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge on successfully scaling a technology-enabled services business. His experience in outpacing competitors in traffic, revenue, and technology innovation will be a great asset to Retrofit.
Here’s to the Chicago tech community working together.
Best, Jeff
p.s. We’re hiring software developers, research analysts, and a Chief Operating Officer. Let me know if you have an interest.
About Matt Ferguson
Ferguson took CareerBuilder to the No. 1 position in the online recruitment industry within five years. Focused on empowering employees and creating a culture of exceptional customer service, Ferguson has transformed CareerBuilder into a world-class organization that has revolutionized recruitment and job search. He set into motion an evolution that has taken CareerBuilder beyond being the largest job board in the nation to a company that offers a wide range of talent intelligence and consulting services. His ongoing commitment to delivering the greatest ROI to clients has driven dynamic growth that sets the bar for the industry.
Working with the nation's top employers on a daily basis, Ferguson is often called upon to provide insights on emerging trends, the impact of the economy on the job outlook, and advice for job seekers. He has appeared on CNBC Squawk Box, ABC World News, CBS Evening News, Bloomberg TV, the TODAY Show, FOX Your World with Neil Cavuto, Nightly Business Report and CNN Money, among other media outlets. In 2004, he was named to Crain's Chicago Business "40 Under 40" and ranked in the top ten list of Glassdoor.com's "Highest Rated CEOs." In 2007, Ferguson was recognized as the Staffing Professional of the Year by the Staffing Management Association of Greater Chicago, formerly EMA Chicago.
Ferguson first joined the company following CareerBuilder's acquisition of Headhunter.net, where he had been serving as senior vice president of business development. Prior to that, Ferguson developed strategic partnerships for DigitalWork.com. He also started two entrepreneurial ventures and practiced law at Baker & McKenzie. Ferguson has a B.S. from Indiana University and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and a law degree from Northwestern University.
