About

Thirty years in the seat.
Not in the classroom.

Chip Carlson has spent more than three decades in sales, marketing, operations, and distribution at the operating and senior executive level. Everything he teaches came from decisions he made himself, under pressure, with real consequences.

The Career

A career built in the room where decisions happen

2009–Present

President, CIMA International LLC

Founded CIMA International to provide advisory services across automotive aftermarket and industrial markets in the United States, Mexico, and Latin America. Over 15 years, consulted for more than forty companies, including multiple Fortune 500 organizations. Deep expertise across all 28 Mexican states with relationships across Mexico's top wholesale and retail automotive accounts.

2019–2024

VP of International Business Development, O'Reilly Auto Parts

P&L responsible for the integration and management of a 3,000-person international division for one of the largest publicly traded automotive parts retailers in North America, with sales over $16 billion. Grew the division from 19 stores to 65, from 1,100 to 3,000 employees, and opened a 375,000 square foot distribution center.

2015

Outside Advisor, Freudenberg & Co.

Engaged as outside advisor on a global filter study and potential filter acquisition for the global industrial conglomerate.

30+ Years

Operator Across the Full Stack

President, Vice President, General Manager, and Country Manager across automotive aftermarket and industrial distribution in the United States, Mexico, and Latin America. Every role was operational, every decision had consequences, and every lesson came from the seat, not a textbook.

Philosophy

Why this work exists

The three programs that carry the Talk with Chip name were built because the gaps they address are real, they are common, and they are almost never taught. Chip watched the same failures happen across hundreds of organizations before building the programs he wished had existed when he needed them.

Experience, not methodology

Nothing in these programs is borrowed from someone else's consulting practice. Every framework came from real decisions made under pressure with real consequences.

The altitude problem

Most executives who hit the ceiling are not underperforming. They are operating at the wrong altitude. The skills that got them promoted stop being sufficient, and nobody teaches them the new ones.

Applied, not theoretical

Every competency in every program is applied to the participant's real decisions, real team, and real organization. There is no simulation. There is no case study that someone else lived.

Ready to work together?

Three programs. One advisor. Thirty years in the seat.

See the Programs Get in Touch