Operations Executive, Consultant & Founder of Lean AI®
Most business problems are not technology problems.
They're process problems disguised as technology problems.
For more than three decades, Ryan Gartrell has helped organizations improve operations, eliminate inefficiencies, strengthen accountability, and build systems that scale. From small businesses to multi-million-dollar organizations, Ryan has earned a reputation for identifying operational bottlenecks, uncovering hidden inefficiencies, and helping leadership teams achieve measurable results.
As a Project Management Professional (PMP®), business consultant, author, and founder of Lean AI®, Ryan combines operational experience with practical technology strategies to help businesses improve performance without adding unnecessary complexity.
- Founder of Lean AI®
- Fractional COO & Operations Consultant
- Project Management Professional (PMP®)
- Author & Business Strategist
A Career Built on Operational Excellence
Three decades of operational leadership across construction, transportation, telecommunications, logistics, consulting, and service businesses.
Ryan’s career has never followed a traditional path.
Rather than spending decades inside a single industry, he built experience across transportation, construction, telecommunications, logistics, field services, fleet operations, business consulting, and entrepreneurship.
That broad exposure created a unique perspective.
While specialists often view challenges through the lens of a single industry, Ryan focuses on identifying the underlying systems, processes, and behaviors that drive performance regardless of business type.
Throughout his career, Ryan has led organizations with hundreds of employees, managed multimillion-dollar operations, overseen large fleets and field teams, implemented process improvements, negotiated major vendor agreements, and built accountability systems that improved both performance and profitability.
His work has always centered around a single objective: Helping organizations accomplish more with the resources they already have.
Professional Background
Ryan’s expertise is grounded in more than thirty years of operational leadership and business experience.
His background includes executive leadership roles, operational consulting engagements, process improvement initiatives, technology implementations, project management, organizational development, and strategic planning across multiple industries.
Professional Credentials & Experience
- Project Management Professional (PMP®)
- Professional Certified Coach (P.C.C.®)
- Founder of Lean AI®
- Shopify Expert Certified
- Google Ads – Measurement Certification
- Google Ads Search Certification
- Google Ads Display Certification
- OSHA 30 Construction Safety & Health Certified
- OSHA 30 Certified General Industry Certified
- Author & Business Writer
- Executive Leadership Experience Across Multiple Industries
Professional Philosophy
- Process Before Technology
- Technology should improve processes, not compensate for broken ones.
- Practical Over Theoretical
- Real-world results matter more than business buzzwords.
- Accountability Drives Performance
- Organizations improve when expectations are clear and ownership is established.
- Continuous Improvement
- Even successful businesses have opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Author, Speaker & Thought Leader
Ryan is also an accomplished writer whose work focuses on leadership, operations, business growth, organizational accountability, artificial intelligence, and process improvement.
His articles combine practical business insights with real-world experience gained from decades of operational leadership.
Ryan is currently authoring several books focused on business operations, leadership, and the Lean AI® Framework.
His writing philosophy mirrors his consulting philosophy: Practical advice is more valuable than theoretical perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ryan Gartrell?
Ryan Gartrell is an operations executive, consultant, author, and founder of Lean AI®, a trademarked business methodology focused on operational excellence and practical AI implementation.
What is Lean AI®?
Lean AI® is a framework that combines process improvement, operational excellence, and practical artificial intelligence strategies to help businesses improve efficiency and achieve measurable results.
What industries does Ryan Gartrell work with?
Ryan has worked with organizations in construction, transportation, logistics, telecommunications, field services, professional services, and other operationally intensive industries.
Does Ryan Gartrell provide Fractional COO services?
Yes. Ryan works with growing organizations that need executive-level operational leadership without hiring a full-time Chief Operating Officer.
How can I work with Ryan Gartrell?
Schedule a consultation to discuss operational assessments, process improvement initiatives, fractional COO services, Lean AI® implementation, and business growth strategies.
Ready to Improve Your Operations?
Whether you’re struggling with growth, operational inefficiencies, accountability challenges, or evaluating artificial intelligence initiatives, let’s start a conversation.
The best solutions rarely begin with software.
They begin with understanding how the business actually works.