Robert V. Rupp, President and Senior Partner

Bob Rupp is President and co-founder of The Renewal Group, helping owners and their management teams create an environment of stability and profitability in advance of strategically planned transitions. While closely held companies recognize the need to implement occasional changes in the areas of leadership, direction or control, many do not risk such changes or implement them successfully due to the company’s lack of refined business practices and their inability to fully maximize the potential of their people resources. The Renewal Group recognizes these issues and has developed an approach which has been effective in helping over 25 clients successfully work through these transitions since 2005.

Prior to co-founding The Renewal Group, Rupp led Appleton International, Inc. as their CEO and senior partner until their successful sale in 2004. Prior to joining Appleton, he had been President of American Finishing Resources, doubling their size from 1997 to 2001. This followed a successful 19 year sales and marketing career with the very innovative Shade Information Systems, an organization well known for its growth from a small Midwestern entrepreneurial company to a nationally publicly traded office products industry leader. He brings multiple perspectives from his experiences as a business owner, leader and sales/marketing professional.

Rupp is also Group Chair for TEC International, one of the largest CEO peer group and development organizations of its kind in the world. Rupp is also on the board of 4 for profit corporations in Wisconsin. He is also a member of the Council of Trustees for the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay and is on the Board of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. Rupp resides in Denmark, WI with his wife of 30 years, Jolyce and their two children.

Robert V. Rupp, Resumé

John P. McDermott, MBA, CPA, CPIM

John McDermott is a Partner in the The Renewal Group, a business improvement consulting firm. Their focus is to help leaders of privately held companies accomplish their objectives for long term sustainability and/or to pursue successful strategies that result in profitable and meaningful transitions. He believes in the concept of value added business processes and the rationalization of non-value added processes. In helping organizations prepare for improvement, this philosophy is put into action. McDermott is known for his success as a business owner, team leader and implementer. His knowledge of professional business practices and his personal reputation for integrity is well known and highly regarded.

Prior to joining The Renewal Group with Steve Van Dyke, former Chairman of Foth and Van Dyke, and Bob Rupp former President and CEO of Appleton International, McDermott was the VP of Operations at Magnum Products. Prior to joining Magnum, he had been CFO at Appleton International since 2001. This followed a successful career with Ernst & Young LLP where McDermott rose to the level of Senior Manager in their consulting business unit.

McDermott is currently the part time Director of Finance for a client developing a strategy for long term sustainable growth. In this capacity, he is able to improve the operational processes that are holding the organization back from realizing their growth potential. McDermott is currently on the board of 3 for profit corporations throughout Wisconsin. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

John P. McDermott, Resumé

In memory of our Co-Founder, Steve Van Dyke

The Renewal Group’s start was in large part inspired by co-founder Steve Van Dyke, former CEO and Chairman of Foth and Van Dyke International, who believed in the premise that all business owners should prepare in advance for important transitions. His passion for excellence, adherence to strong business values and desire to innovate for the long-term sustainability of the organization is present in everything we do. While Steve has passed on to becoming the Lord’s Director of Strategic Planning, his mark on the Renewal Group is indelible.