John Lenich

Project Leader & Operations SpecialistEly, Minnesota

Combat veteran and former Accenture management consultant with a track record of leading complex projects and driving measurable results. Based in Ely, Minnesota, and available for stable roles — including remote or hybrid — as well as management continuity and succession support for businesses that want their work to continue in the community.

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About

After years leading complex projects and cross-functional teams at Accenture and serving as a combat medic and team leader in the Illinois Army National Guard, I chose Ely, Minnesota as home.

I bought property here, put down roots, and have been contributing hands-on to the community — including recent construction and housing-stability work for local families. I bring the same discipline, analytical rigor, and practical problem-solving that delivered documented efficiency gains during large-scale global programs.

I am now focused on stable, values-aligned opportunities in Ely and the surrounding area. This includes full-time roles in project management or operations, as well as providing management continuity and succession support for retiring business owners who want their life’s work to continue smoothly in the community.

I also maintain two local ventures: Causal Loop LLC (sovereign, bio-inspired AI systems built from a garage-based compute lab) and JRL Studio (heirloom reclaimed-wood functional art and furniture). These keep me grounded in real execution and long-term thinking.

I am equally open to remote or hybrid roles that value strong execution and clear communication.

Professional headshot of John Lenich
John Lenich

What I Offer

Clear capabilities applied to real organizational needs.

  • Project Leadership & Process Improvement

    Proven ability to lead complex initiatives, align stakeholders, and drive measurable efficiency and quality gains across teams and functions.

  • Operations & Team Coordination

    Experience coordinating large teams and contractors across multiple countries and high-stakes environments, with strong budgeting, resource management, and root-cause problem-solving.

  • Management Continuity & Succession Support

    Particularly interested in helping retiring small-business owners plan and execute smooth transitions — documenting processes, stabilizing operations, supporting the next generation of leadership, and ensuring the business continues to serve the community well. Practical, respectful, and focused on legacy preservation.

  • Hands-on Execution

    Comfortable moving between strategy and on-the-ground work. Recent Ely community projects and large-scale custom builds have reinforced a commitment to practical contribution and reliable delivery.

Experience Highlights

  • Accenture — Management Consultant / Scrum Master

    Led three cross-functional teams on a major Fortune 50 global SAP program, coordinating 30+ team members and hundreds of features and deliverables. Also led discovery and strategy work for Fortune 500 clients (including international eCommerce initiatives), built executive rapport, and delivered large process-efficiency gains through root-cause analysis and practical tooling. Recognized by leadership and clients for organization, thoroughness, and the ability to bridge technical, functional, and delivery work.

  • Illinois Army National Guard — Combat Medic / Team Leader

    Iraq deployment. Coordinated healthcare and operational support across teams and with thousands of soldiers and contractors in high-stakes environments. Awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

  • Recent Ely-Area Work

    Hands-on community support and construction projects focused on housing stability and practical problem-solving for local families.

  • Education

    M.S. Technology Management (Supply Chain focus), University of Illinois — GPA 3.96

    B.S. Agricultural Engineering, University of Illinois

Full professional history and references available upon request.

Recent Work

Selected proof of practical capability and local investment.

Causal Loop LLC

Sovereign bio-inspired AI systems designed for autonomy, ethical reasoning, and real-world utility. Built and operated from a high-performance compute lab in Ely.

causalloop.ai

JRL Studio

Heirloom reclaimed-wood functional art, custom furniture, and large-scale builds — including shuffleboard tables and dining tables — created with an emphasis on craftsmanship, durability, and local materials.

  • Workshop compute rack and server infrastructure supporting Causal Loop systems
    Workshop compute infrastructure supporting Causal Loop systems.
  • Custom shuffleboard table, completed and installed
    Custom shuffleboard table, completed and installed.
  • Reclaimed wood and materials staged for large-scale builds
    Material staging for large-scale builds.
  • John Lenich outdoors in the Ely area
    Winter in the Ely woods.

Ely Roots & Long-Term Commitment

I own property in Ely and plan to spend the rest of my days here. I am not passing through — I am invested in the community’s resilience, economic strength, and the well-being of local families.

Whether in a traditional role or through management continuity work, my goal is to contribute meaningfully and stay for the long haul.

Let’s Connect

I am happy to have an initial conversation with no obligation — whether you are hiring for a project or operations role, exploring succession or continuity options for your business, or simply want to talk about how my background might fit a need in Ely or remotely.

Ely, Minnesota — practical results, long-term commitment.