Blackpearl Group appoints new COO for US market growth

Blackpearl Group has appointed Christie Kerner as its new Chief Operating Officer to aid the company's strategic growth efforts in the US market.

Kerner brings over 30 years of experience in scaling businesses and has been noted for her roles in steering various companies towards significant growth and operational efficiency. The appointment is part of Blackpearl Group's broader strategy to bolster its market presence in the United States.

Nick Lissette, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blackpearl Group, stated, "The US is our primary market and local expertise is key to our success. To do this, we need to secure world-class talent with the chops, experience and proven ability to align company operations with trajectory." He further noted Kerner's ability to balance ambition with structured growth, emphasizing the importance of her leadership as the company continues its expansion trajectory.

Kerner herself expressed enthusiasm about her role, describing the current situation as a "launchpad" for the company. "We're sitting on a launchpad right now - our trajectory is set and my role is to refine our strategies, remove barriers and shape the rocketship for sustainable growth," she said. She outlined her approach to scaling the company, emphasizing the need to ensure that "the right people are in the right seats," and that there is alignment in priorities and disciplined execution.

Kerner's background includes an impressive track record in management and leadership, having served in various senior leadership roles across different sectors including startups, corporates, and academia. She notably shaped the growth-stage startup ecosystem in the US and guided companies towards significant revenue milestones.

She has also contributed to building and exiting multiple companies and has been involved with numerous growth-centric initiatives, including serving as the Executive Director of Student Entrepreneurship at Arizona State University and as an Entrepreneur in Residence.

Lissette commented on the alignment of Kerner's experience with Blackpearl's growth plans, acknowledging the company's earnings exceeding USD $11 million in annual recurring revenue and looking towards the next growth phase.

Kerner highlighted the evolving technological landscape, noting the potential for AI and emerging technologies to disrupt markets. "AI and emerging technologies can disrupt markets overnight," she remarked. "Success lies in building resilience and that's rooted in an ability to innovate on an ongoing basis."

Blackpearl Group's portfolio approach to product development has been exemplified by its AI-powered sales intelligence tool, Bebop, developed in a single quarter. Bebop offers SMEs competitive sales intelligence solutions, challenging existing platforms such as ZoomInfo and Kaspr. It follows the successful launch of Pearl Diver, a marketing intelligence platform aimed at reducing businesses' dependence on traditional advertising methods.

Kerner underscored the long-term vision under Nick Lissette's leadership, citing potential growth to a billion-dollar company and stressing the balanced approach to product innovation and consistent performance. "Under Nick's progressive leadership, we have the potential to be a billion-dollar company. Importantly, we're not building that success around a single product - we're creating a portfolio of solutions that balance high-risk innovation with consistent, long-term performance," stated Kerner.

Lissette concluded with enthusiasm for Kerner's appointment, saying, "Christie shares a belief that's been fundamental to our success so far: it's time to stop playing small. This appointment brings together ambition, strategy and the discipline to execute at scale and I'm excited to see its effects."