Donald R. Cottle

Moraga, CA

My business experience

I have more than 45 years of diversified business experience in both line and staff management positions, including president/CEO of three companies and co-founder of four companies. I worked for both large and small companies, including the Dun & Bradstreet Group, R.H. Donnelley Corp. Altair Industries, C & O Enterprises, Krames Communication, Andonex, Forerunner Enterprises, Cottle & Company, Corporate Intelligence Resources and Vistage International.

I am currently serving in my ninth year as a director of a third- and fourth-generation family-owned and managed, real estate investment company. In this capacity, I have developed an expertise in family business management and dynamics. I have also served as a director on seven additional company boards, and as a trustee for a private high school.

My Vistage experience

I have served as a Vistage Chair for more than 19 years, with more than 11,000 hours spent coaching presidents, CEOs and other business leaders, and more than 5,000 hours facilitating Vistage group meetings. Formerly, I served as a Vistage new Chair coach and mentor; and as a Vistage Marketing Presenter at more than 100 marketing events. I have been a member of the Vistage Key Executive Program Chair Advisory Board for six years.

One of my most important duties as a Chair is to recruit diverse, experienced and smart members for my Vistage groups.

Also, since time is the most precious commodity of business leaders, a second vital role is to ensure that members receive the maximum return on their investment of time—both at our monthly meetings and during our monthly one-to-one sessions.

Finally, I am committed to learning as much as possible about each member’s business and industry, and to provide intelligent and informed feedback to their questions, issues and opportunities.

My Vistage groups

After starting and serving as Chair of two Vistage Chief Executive groups for many years, I presently lead two Key Executive groups. Members of both groups are widely diversified in terms of industry, age, experience, gender and education. These members are passionately motivated to grow, both personally and professionally.

Who is the “ideal” Vistage member?

A person who is highly motivated and deeply interested in professional and personal growth. A person who does not believe he or she has all the answers. A person who, in addition to using the advice and help from the group, has sufficient business experience and acumen to contribute tangibly to the collective wisdom of the group.

More about Donald R. Cottle

I have a B.A. in Economics, Philosophy and Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA from Harvard Business School (Marketing and Finance emphasis).

For ten years I have been a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors. I am also a graduate of two Corporate Governance workshops conducted at the association’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

For six years I served as a member of “The Partnership for a Drug-Free California,” a steering committee for the Governor of California.

I am the recipient of five Vistage Chair Excellence Awards and nine Vistage Gold Star Awards for high member retention, member development and Chair excellence.

My personal interests include physical fitness, golf, astronomy/astrophysics, reading, spending time with my extended family, and staying current in our environment of constant and exponential change.