Find a speaker / Craig Francisco

Strategy and Growth

Craig Francisco, Verified

5.0 out of 5 from3 organizer reviews

Former COO, 35 acquisitions. Helping leaders protect the one thing AI can’t copy: Judgment.

Keynote speaker, workshop leader, subject-matter expert, and retreat facilitator

Strategy and GrowthLeadership and CultureOperations and Execution

+2 more

AI and TechnologyExit, Succession, and Ownership

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Sending an inquiry is free. You confirm the date, fee, and terms with Craig before anything is booked.

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Speaking fees

Custom quote

3 sessions below

Formats

Keynote, Workshop, Experience

In person or virtual

Based in

Cleveland, OH

Travels internationally. Based in Cleveland Ohio, happy to travel anywhere for keynotes and workshops.

Organizer feedback

5.0 · 3 reviews

Read the reviews

Sessions and fees

Every fee below is published by Craig. Custom quote means Craig prices that session for your event.

Build the Advantage No Competitor Can Download

Custom quote

WorkshopHalf dayIn person

For entrepreneurs and business owners, CEOs and senior executives, executive peer groups, and boards and nonprofit leaders.

Everyone can rent the same AI, so generic tools make companies more alike, not more competitive. Craig shows the alternative through the architecture and a live demo of an AI system built on one company’s captured expertise. The room then works through exercises to find the knowledge their own advantage runs on.

A filter to judge any AI tool or vendor before spending a dollar.
A map of the expertise in their company that was never written down.
A first AI use case built on their own know-how, using Align. Capture. Deploy.

Session details and terms

Promotion: None proposed. Required purchases: None. Attendee follow-up: None.

Reclaim Your Judgment: Winning When Everyone Has the Same AI

Custom quote

KeynoteUnder 1 hourIn person or virtual

For entrepreneurs and business owners, CEOs and senior executives, and executive peer groups.

Every company now has access to the same AI, and the ones that lean on it hardest are starting to look the same. Drawing on 25+ years as an operator and 35 acquisitions, Craig makes the case that the advantage comes from the judgment AI can’t copy, and shows what it looks like to build on it. The room leaves with a filter they can apply to any AI decision on Monday.

Why renting the same AI as competitors makes a company easier to replace.
A filter to judge any AI tool or vendor before spending a dollar.
The first question to ask about where their company’s real advantage lives.

Session details and terms

Promotion: None proposed. Required purchases: None. Attendee follow-up: None.

The Advantage No One Can Rent: An AI Strategy Retreat for Leadership Teams

Custom quote

Retreat or experienceFlexibleIn person

For entrepreneurs and business owners, CEOs and senior executives, executive peer groups, and boards and nonprofit leaders.

A working session for a leadership team, not a talk. Craig opens with why generic AI makes companies interchangeable, then guides the team through uncovering the expertise their advantage depends on and where AI should build on it. The team leaves aligned on priorities and a first project, in a half or full day.

A shared map of the judgment that actually drives their company’s results.
Two or three AI use cases built on what only their team knows.
An action plan with owners and a clear first project, using Align. Capture. Deploy.

Session details and terms

Promotion: None proposed. Required purchases: None. Attendee follow-up: None.

About Craig

Craig Francisco has spent 25+ years as an operator and COO, leading 35 acquisitions across 12 countries and more than 1,000 leaders. He built and sold his own company, RōBEX, before founding Telios Technology Partners, which builds custom AI systems for mid-market companies.

His message: everyone can rent the same AI, and the companies leaning on it hardest are starting to look the same. Through his Reclaim Your Judgment keynotes and workshops, Craig shows leaders how to build AI on the expertise only their people have, so it strengthens their advantage instead of erasing it.

An approved Vistage speaker and host of the podcast At the Intersection, Craig speaks the way a peer would: candid, practical, and grounded in real deals.

“Everyone can rent the same AI. No one can rent your judgment. Reclaim it, and the advantage is yours.”

Media and books

Speaking video

Reclaim Your Judgment: Keynote Excerpt

youtu.be (opens in a new tab)

Related books, services, and programs

Consulting or advisorySomething else

Telios Technology Partners: Craig’s advisory firm builds custom AI systems for mid-market companies, starting with the expertise their people carry but never wrote down. A natural next step for leadership teams after a talk. At the Intersection: Craig’s podcast, where organizers can hear how he thinks before they book.

Learn more at teliospartners.com (opens in a new tab)

Organizer feedback

5.03 organizer reviews

Collected by Short List Speakers from organizers who booked Craig and published regardless of sentiment. How we collect feedback

What organizers mention most: Prepared, Engaging, and Adapted to the audience.

Before the eventCraig is extremely well organized and is on top of communications -- emails, calls etc.

During the sessionCraig is prepared and then some. He has deep domain expertise and that always shows when you get to Q&A.

After the eventQuick to get info out the door and follow-up on questions.

Steve · Hanson Inc & Bowling Green State UniversityAI Symposium

Before the eventCraig was very communicative, he had a solid agenda, and was extremely organized. He was one of the best speakers with preparation prior to a meeting.

During the sessionThe session was very professionally done. It was very interactive which is awesome. He allowed the group to interact as well which made the presentation more effective.

After the eventFollow up was his strongest part. He has helped numerous people after the meeting. I have received extensive compliments on his follow up from my Vistage members and the value he brings.

Kevin · VistageBuild The Advantage No Competitor Can Download

Before the eventCraig and I spent time before the event scoping the topics and helping him tailor his presentation for the projected audience.

During the sessionCraig knew the materials backward and forward. He was relatable and kept it interesting and relevant for the audience.

After the eventSeveral of my guests requested that I share Craig’s contact information with them for follow conversations.

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