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    John Fox: Strategic Leader in Real Estate, Facilities, and Capital Operations

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    John Fox is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in real estate, facilities management, and capital project execution. He is widely recognized for his strategic insight, operational excellence, and transformative approach to optimizing real estate portfolios within life sciences, healthcare, and public sector environments. Known for his steady guidance and innovative thinking, John brings a unique blend of technical expertise, executive communication, and long-range planning capabilities that make him a valued asset to any board or advisory team.

    Throughout his distinguished career, John has served in leadership roles across high-impact organizations such as Labcorp, Covance, FORTREA, and most recently, Jefferson County in Wisconsin. At Jefferson County, he is currently leading a major transformation to centralize facility operations, implement proactive maintenance strategies, and build a forward-thinking capital improvement plan. His ability to harmonize decentralized systems and introduce data-driven decision-making has laid the foundation for greater organizational resilience and long-term cost efficiency.

    Previously, John served as Director of Facilities, Real Estate, Security & Fleet Management at FORTREA, where he managed a portfolio of over 80 properties and led a team of 55 professionals. Under his guidance, the organization implemented key technologies including Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), energy monitoring systems, and enterprise-wide security protocols. He also oversaw the operation of a 700-vehicle fleet and pioneered Quarterly Business Reviews that equipped business leaders with forward-looking capital investment insights. His work in this capacity not only enhanced operational performance but also delivered substantial savings and risk mitigation across the enterprise.

    During his tenure at Labcorp and Covance, John drove measurable real estate optimization initiatives that resulted in more than $12 million in cost savings through space reduction and consolidation strategies. He created global due diligence processes for mergers and acquisitions, developed sophisticated utilization metrics, and introduced a parity index to adjust for inflation and local market conditions. These tools empowered leadership to make better-informed investment decisions while maintaining alignment with strategic business objectives.

    John’s professional strengths are complemented by a commitment to team development, vendor rationalization, and the implementation of safety-first cultures. He has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to elevate fragmented operations into centralized, outcome-driven ecosystems. With international exposure through his work on corporate laboratories and clinical trial facilities, John is well-versed in global compliance, asset lifecycle management, and cross-border operational challenges.

    A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Stout with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, John also completed a leadership development program through Harvard Business School Online in 2021. He actively participates in professional organizations such as CoreNet Global and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), where he stays attuned to market trends, best practices, and strategic innovations in the field.

    John Fox is now seeking to apply his wealth of knowledge and practical experience in a formal board or advisory capacity. He offers a rare combination of operational expertise and strategic foresight—qualities that are especially valuable to organizations in life sciences, real estate, healthcare infrastructure, and capital planning. He is driven by a desire to contribute at the highest level, provide mentorship, and continue adding value to mission-driven organizations that prioritize innovation and operational excellence.

    Open to both nonprofit and for-profit governance roles, John is committed to using his skills to help companies navigate complex operational landscapes, enhance facility performance, and execute sustainable, cost-effective growth strategies.

    Character: John Fox demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a strong work ethic, consistently leading by example in both public and private sector roles.

    Knowledge: He brings over 25 years of deep expertise in real estate, facilities management, and capital planning across global, multi-site operations.

    Strategic: John excels at aligning facilities strategy with organizational goals, driving cost savings and long-term value through data-driven planning and operational transformation.

    Communication: He is a clear and confident communicator who effectively engages executives, cross-functional teams, and stakeholders through executive presentations and strategic reporting.

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    Sergio Quilici
    Sergio Quilici
    Sergio Quilici is a dynamic team player here at Leadafi, with a passion for accentuating the strengths and best attributes of those in his publications. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Marketing from the University of Nevada, Reno. As a creative designer he has a keen attention to detail and plays a critical role in the aesthetic appeal of our digital assets. When it comes to publishing he is a thorough editor. What drives him is being given the opportunity to showcase Executives in a way that is both visually alluring and textually compelling to the publications intended audience.