FSG People

At a Glance

The founding principals of the Futures Strategy Group have been working together for 16 years. Their combined backgrounds represent a rich blend of industry, consulting and academic experience that brings unique learning and perspective to their client engagements and relationships. Clicking on these names will show you a full biography.

Charles Perrottet combines a 19-year consulting career with deep experience in corporate strategy, planning, M&A, and investor relations. Charles previously held senior positions at Pfizer, Toro and Hasbro.

Charles (Tom) Thomas abandoned a promising university teaching career to become involved in futures consulting. That was more than 20 years ago. Tom is responsible for many of the critical scenario planning innovations that FSG applies to its work.

Peter Kennedy came to futures consulting via The Economist Group, where he previously led its Latin American research group. Peter has led planning and strategy assignments in Europe and Latin America, as well as in the U.S.

These three founding partners have recently welcomed two more partners:

Patrick Marren is a Finance MBA, with substantial scenario planning and strategy experience. He has worked alongside the founders of the Futures Strategy Group for 13 years. Patrick is a prolific writer who has been published widely on futures planning and competitive strategy. He has previously consulted to the U.S. Coast Guard, the intelligence community, and many Fortune 250 companies.

Thomas J. Buckley is an MBA with broad experience in both the private sector and the government. He played major roles in FSG scenario-planning projects before joining the firm as a principal in March 2006. Tom brings FSG hands-on expertise in strategy, business planning, process analysis, and technical design, as well as product and sales management.

The FSG principals are supported by a rich roster of associates, who contribute specific industry, technical or process expertise. Among these are:

Robert Avila is an economist and a long-term collaborator with the principals of the Futures Strategy Group. He brings to FSG’s scenario and planning work unique skills and insights in the areas of market modeling, business forecasting and competitive analysis.

Jack Clarke is an expert in national and homeland security strategy, stability and support operations, conflict management, and European affairs.  Based in Germany, Jack is a retired U.S. Army officer and is presently professor of Leadership, Management and Defense Planning at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies.

Cathy Johnson is an editorial and graphics professional, who has managed and executed large and complex document and publishing activities for more than 20 years. Her creativity and attention to detail are critical value-adds to FSG engagements. Cathy designed the highly regarded U.S. Coast Guard publication Evergreen: Creating and Sustaining Strategic Intent in the Coast Guard.

Kevin McDermott lends his keen interviewing, group facilitation, and communication skills to FSG scenario planning engagements. Most recently, his global affairs knowledge and insights were a critical contribution to Project Horizon. As a working journalist he has reported from abroad for publications including The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Economist and The Atlantic Monthly.

Maria Robotham is an expert in consumer market trends. She has more than two decades experience helping clients understand the attitudes, values and lifestyles of adolescents, adults and the elderly, and translating that understanding into effective market strategies. Maria, a psychotherapist in private practice, has contributed to numerous FSG market studies and scenario planning engagements.

Mark Safford is an accomplished public policy analyst and transportation expert who brings to FSG engagements some 30 years of government experience in market and trend analysis, forecasting and strategic planning. He played major roles in Project Horizon and FSG’s recent strategy work with NASA.

Gerard Smith is a brand and marketing strategist with experience in advertising, branding and global marketing. He has an extensive background devising strategic marketing solutions for some of the world’s largest companies.