Somdal Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm based in Shreveport, LA that has offered design and planning services to clients since 1908.
Somdal Associates Prior to Cogent
Somdal Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm based in Shreveport, LA that has offered design and planning services to clients since 1908.
Somdal Associates Recommends
Somdal Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm based in Shreveport, LA that has offered design and planning services to clients since 1908.
Somdal Associates ROI
Somdal Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm based in Shreveport, LA that has offered design and planning services to clients since 1908.
Somdal Associates Working With Cogent
Somdal Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm based in Shreveport, LA that has offered design and planning services to clients since 1908.
Somdal Associates Discovery
Somdal Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm based in Shreveport, LA that has offered design and planning services to clients since 1908.
About Somdal Associates
Somdal Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm based in Shreveport, LA that has offered design and planning services to clients since 1908.
Somdal Associates
Somdal Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm based in Shreveport, LA that has offered design and planning services to clients since 1908.
Epic Machine
June 20, 2025
In January 2024, I stepped into the role of majority owner and President of Epic Machine, taking the reins from my father who successfully led the company for over 30 years. Though I’ve been part of Epic for two decades, owning a business is a completely different experience—one that brings a new level of responsibility, decision-making, and vision casting.
When Bret first stopped by in the summer of 2024 to introduce me to Cogent Analytics, I told him to check back in a year. At the time, I wasn’t quite ready—I needed time to settle into my new role and understand the weight of leadership from the top.
True to his word, Bret returned a year later. This time, the conversation hit differently. He spoke not just about business improvement, but about leadership confidence, strategic clarity, and turning vision into achievable goals. That’s when I realized—I didn’t have to do this alone.
Shortly after, Merlin spent two days with our team, digging deep into Epic Machine. He gave credit where it was due, recognizing the strengths we’ve built over the years, but he also shined a light on the areas that needed improvement. What resonated most was his ability to paint a clear picture: what things looked like now, and what they could look like with just a few key changes. That vision was powerful.
One week later, Nick arrived. Over the next five weeks, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. With the support of Cogent Analytics’ incredible team, we redefined our processes, forecasted our financials, created a meaningful budget, improved our quoting system, trained our sales staff, updated policies—and more.
Partnering with Cogent was a great decision. We now have a clear, actionable roadmap to reach our goals. We’re no longer operating on gut instincts or guesswork—we’re leading with intention and strategy. And perhaps most importantly, we know we’re not alone. Cogent is just a phone call away, ready to guide us whenever we need support. Their commitment to our success is real—and we feel it.
Epic Machine is on a sharper, stronger path forward—and I’m excited for what’s ahead.
Sincerely,
Melinda Keway
President & Owner
Epic Machine Inc.
EPIC Machine | Tooling for the Metal Casting Industry
Epic Machine has been manufacturing high precision machined components since 1979.
B&C Plumbing Letter
To Whom it may Concern,
When Cogent Analytics first called, we didn’t think much of it. Honestly, we assumed it was just another gimmicky sales pitch and politely brushed it off. But they followed up — not with pressure, but with purpose. And that persistence turned out to be one of the best things that’s happened to B&C Plumbing.
As new business owners, we were confident in our plumbing knowledge and our ability to serve customers well. But running the business side — that was a whole different story. We were juggling everything ourselves, from scheduling and billing to marketing and customer service. We knew we were working hard, but we weren’t always sure we were working smart.
Our Analyst Mr. Wade Rogers opened our eyes to what we were missing. From the very first in-depth analysis, he helped us see where the gaps were — in our processes, in our accountability, and in how we structured our roles. Things we didn’t even realize were holding us back became clear.
Then our onsite consultant Mr. Zack Al-Mahayni worked with us to build out real systems — not just ideas, but actual processes we could follow and rely on. Together with Zack, we established a digital footprint, put clear roles in place, and created a structure that could grow with us. We’re no longer flying blind. Now, we have visibility into our numbers, understand our labor efficiency, and can track the health of our pipeline week to week.
What used to be stress and guesswork is now handled with consistency. Dispatching is smoother. Team communication is stronger. And we finally have the time to focus on growing the business, not just keeping it afloat.
Cogent didn’t just “fix” parts of our business — they helped us rebuild our business foundation to launch us into a bright future. We’re still learning, still improving, but we finally feel like we’re building a company that can scale. Our team is more aligned, our clients are better served, and we as owners feel more confident than ever.
If you’re a small business owner — especially if you’re wearing too many hats and feeling stuck — we can’t recommend Cogent Analytics enough. They’ve changed the game for B&C Plumbing, and we’re grateful for the journey they helped us begin.
Shaun Towry
President and CEO
B&C Plumbing, Inc.
B & C Plumbing – Expert Plumbing Repairs & Installation
B&C Plumbing proudly serves the North Alabama community as a locally owned and operated plumbing company committed to reliability, craftsmanship, and exceptional service.
Dries Plumbing Letter
When Cogent Analytics first called, we didn’t know what to expect or what they were about. Like most business owners we’ve had our fair share of sales pitches. What followed wasn’t just a pitch, it was a process. From the initial cold call to our meeting with the RVP, to the analyst deep dive on-site, every step felt intentional, grounded, and focused on OUR business, not just generic best practices. By the time we agreed to bring a project director on-site, we knew we needed help, but we didn’t yet realize how transformational that would be.
We were running a successful union plumbing business with 20+ plumbers in the field. Work was steady, but growth had created complexity. Roles were overlapping. Firefighting had become the norm and even though we were busy, we weren’t building a sustainable business. We weren’t aligned within our business and processes lived in people’s heads. Accountability was inconsistent. Metrics were unclear or missing, and we were “winging it” more than we thought. And that showed up in delays, re-work, and stress.
We realized that we needed to clarify our brand, services, and customer promise. We said goodbye to vague selling points and now we know what makes Dries Plumbing unique and how to use it in our favor. We created clear roles, restructured leadership responsibilities, and worked on improving internal communications. And because of the changes, our team now knows who owns what and the why.
Before, we didn’t have real visibility into job costing, labor efficiency, or pipeline health. Now we track the right KPIs weekly and lead with data not guesswork.
Our scheduling, dispatching, and project handoff processes have been re-worked. We’re not perfect but we’re entirely more consistent than we were, systems are replacing stress.
This isn’t just about the work we’ve done. It’s about where we’re heading. We are in the early stages of Cogent’s LifeCycle phase now and getting ready to fully own and operate the systems we’ve built for the first time, we feel like we’re building a company, not just surviving a jobsite. We have clarity, we have alignment, we have the tools to grow without losing control, and we have a team that’s starting to feel empowered and not just employed. Because of all those reasons, we highly recommend Cogent to any other companies that feel the way we did.
Sincerely,
Ryne Wooden – President
Zach Wilson – Vice President
Dries Plumbing is a family owned business that has been serving central Illinois customers for over 80 years.
Dunning Industries Letter
To Whom It May Concern,
This was our second time working with Cogent Analytics, and it was a strong experience from start to finish. Elliott and his team showed up prepared, focused, and willing to work side-by-side with us to improve how we run the business.
Liu handled a lot of the tool training, and did a great job making sure our team actually understood how to use what was being built. Nicole now uses the CMS to track cash flow and manage our financial planning- something we didn’t have much structure around before, and it’s already making a difference.
We’re also working with Cogent’s marketing team to clean up and relaunch our website. It’s should be more functional now, matches who we are as a business, and gives us a better foundation going forward.
The biggest shifts are coming in how we measure and manage day-to-day performance. We’ve got real tools in place for pricing, inventory, and job costing. Instead of guessing or relying on gut feel, we’re looking at real numbers and making decisions with confidence. It’s changing how we price work and how we hold ourselves accountable.
What made the difference this time wasn’t just the tools-it was how everything came together around our people and how we run the business. Roles are clearer, expectations are better defined, and our leadership team is finally working in sync. We also set up for a proper business valuation as we start looking ahead at what it might look like to sell the company.
Sincerely,
Ben Dunning
President, Dunning Industries, Inc.
Dunning Industries is a fourth-generation company that began in 1917 as the Atlas Sand, Gravel and Stone Co. by Stewart Dunning and James Miller, a West Hartford contractor, were the original owners. Dunning Industries supplies everything from the original sand and gravel to hardscape and masonry supplies, custom soils, Landscape Mulch, playground safety Surfacing, nursery stock and more.
Herbert Roofing Next Steps
Roofing Company Michigan | Local Roofing Company | Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc.
Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc. is the premier, full-service Michigan roofing company serving Saginaw, Midland, Bay City and surrounding areas as well as Harbor Springs, Petoskey and neighboring towns.
Herbert Roofing Recommends
Roofing Company Michigan | Local Roofing Company | Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc.
Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc. is the premier, full-service Michigan roofing company serving Saginaw, Midland, Bay City and surrounding areas as well as Harbor Springs, Petoskey and neighboring towns.
Herbert Roofing Working with Cogent
Roofing Company Michigan | Local Roofing Company | Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc.
Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc. is the premier, full-service Michigan roofing company serving Saginaw, Midland, Bay City and surrounding areas as well as Harbor Springs, Petoskey and neighboring towns.
Herbert Roofing Discovery
Roofing Company Michigan | Local Roofing Company | Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc.
Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc. is the premier, full-service Michigan roofing company serving Saginaw, Midland, Bay City and surrounding areas as well as Harbor Springs, Petoskey and neighboring towns.
Herbert Roofing Prior to Cogent
Roofing Company Michigan | Local Roofing Company | Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc.
Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc. is the premier, full-service Michigan roofing company serving Saginaw, Midland, Bay City and surrounding areas as well as Harbor Springs, Petoskey and neighboring towns.
About Herbert Roofing
Roofing Company Michigan | Local Roofing Company | Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc.
Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc. is the premier, full-service Michigan roofing company serving Saginaw, Midland, Bay City and surrounding areas as well as Harbor Springs, Petoskey and neighboring towns.
Herbert Roofing Video
Roofing Company Michigan | Local Roofing Company | Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc.
Herbert Roofing & Insulation, Inc. is the premier, full-service Michigan roofing company serving Saginaw, Midland, Bay City and surrounding areas as well as Harbor Springs, Petoskey and neighboring towns.
Somdal Associates Letter
Over the past eight weeks, Somdal Associates has undergone a meaningful and invigorating transformation under the guidance of Cogent Analytics. Working closely with you and your extended team, we’ve made significant strides toward a more scalable structure, streamlined operations, financial discipline, and cultural alignment—all essential to achieving our ambitious goal of doubling revenue by 2027.
Navigating the challenges of a 117-year-old firm, providing guidance, and recommending changes requires overcoming significant inertia. You handled this with professionalism and tact, reflecting your strong intellect and personality. You quickly identified issues with workflow as well as operational inefficiencies and provided options to leadership for correction and improvement.
Both you and Mike Veach also helped with mindset and communication by coaching sales leaders on identifying client problems and concentrating on delivering solutions rather than just satisfying a need by delivering a product. This shift in mindset will allow us to transition from being a commodity to being an integral part of a client’s team. This change was key in winning several large contracts during the first few weeks of high intensity.
You and the Cogent team took an interest in staff members and their development. Your quick evaluation of strengths and weaknesses, along with actionable feedback, led to immediate positive results in areas like operations and recruiting. With your encouragement, we have made several changes by introducing new roles and responsibilities and challenging staff members to step into those roles and grow professionally. The results have been overwhelmingly positive.
Your decades of experience with companies, both large and small, provided valuable insights into management, staff retention, recruiting, finance, and forecasting.
We are happy to recommend Cogent to those who are looking for a rapid turnaround.
Sincerely,
Chris Elberson, Principal, AIA, NCARB
Somdal Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm based in Shreveport, LA that has offered design and planning services to clients since 1908.
Catalyst Construction Services Letter
May 15, 2025
Catalyst has been implementing the tools and procedures implemented after our first Cogent project for a little under a year. We decided to engage Cogent for a second discovery, thinking
we would not need a project for two years in a row. We quickly realized that we were still operating on a freshmen level and needed to move on to our sophomore year.
The discovery revealed some key inefficiencies that we have been experiencing due to a lack of tools to measure productivity. We engaged in a short 3-week project to get KPI tracking tools in
place so we can evaluate our performance internally. The entire team is excited to start implementing the new tools and reviewing their performance on a weekly basis.
The discovery also revealed that we have the capacity to handle more work than we are currently performing, but we lacked a structured sales program to bring that work through the door. With the guidance of Cogent marketing and business development staff we are in the process of creating our first structured sales plan.
We are all excited about tracking the benefits of these newly implemented tools throughout the life cycle. Hopefully we will be ready to graduate to the next level by this time next year.
Patrick J. Fernan
President
Catalyst Construction specializes in turning commercial spaces into functional, modern, and state-of-the-art environments.
Boatwright Land Surveyors Letter
May 5, 2025
Cogent Analytics,
Overall, my experience with Cogent Analytics has been intense, educational, and inspiring. The discovery phase forced me to reflect on the four years that have gone by since I
purchased the company. The things that I had wanted to organize, implement, and accomplish in my first several years resurfaced as I admitted that I had gotten caught up in the production of the
business instead of running the company itself.
The high-intensity period was ultimately different from what I expected. After the discovery and introduction to our project coordinator, I expected a “co-CEO” to create, implement, and pressure test a handful of operational changes that would set my business up to increase efficiency and revenue. We went through a change in project coordinator early in our engagement, and I realized that what I needed most as a CEO were tools and education to accompany them to achieve my vision.
By the end of the high-intensity period, I had new tools, custom-made for my business, to track operations, schedule tasks, and plan and report finances. Rather than merely completing a few tasks that have always been on my to-do list, I now possess a solid framework for managing my business effectively to achieve my objectives. I have a lot of work left to do to implement and test the strategies we have laid out, but I am also more inspired to reach those goals than ever before. Immersed in the daily operations of the business, I had lost some of the motivation that initially drove me to purchase it in the first place. Collaborating with Cogent Analytics has reinforced my passion for the work we do at Boatwright Land Surveyors, and by establishing realistic goals and outlining a clear strategy for achieving them, I am more inspired and focused than ever before.
Sincerely,
Jason Boatwright, CEO
Boatwright Land Surveyors
Home :: Boatwright Land Surveyors
Boatwright Land Surveyors is a full-service land surveying and mapping firm, proudly serving the state of Florida since 1983
Alternative Container Succession
Alternative Container strives to provide exceptional service and quality products. They provide quality cremation boxes, air trays, combination boxes, regular and custom sized rental casket inserts to funeral homes, crematories and casket manufacturers.
About Alternative Container
Alternative Container strives to provide exceptional service and quality products. They provide quality cremation boxes, air trays, combination boxes, regular and custom sized rental casket inserts to funeral homes, crematories and casket manufacturers.
Alternative Container Leadership
Alternative Container strives to provide exceptional service and quality products. They provide quality cremation boxes, air trays, combination boxes, regular and custom sized rental casket inserts to funeral homes, crematories and casket manufacturers.
Alternative Container Recommends
Alternative Container strives to provide exceptional service and quality products. They provide quality cremation boxes, air trays, combination boxes, regular and custom sized rental casket inserts to funeral homes, crematories and casket manufacturers.
Alternative Container Working With Cogent
Alternative Container strives to provide exceptional service and quality products. They provide quality cremation boxes, air trays, combination boxes, regular and custom sized rental casket inserts to funeral homes, crematories and casket manufacturers.
Alternative Container Prior to Cogent
Alternative Container strives to provide exceptional service and quality products. They provide quality cremation boxes, air trays, combination boxes, regular and custom sized rental casket inserts to funeral homes, crematories and casket manufacturers.
Alternative Container Discovery
Alternative Container strives to provide exceptional service and quality products. They provide quality cremation boxes, air trays, combination boxes, regular and custom sized rental casket inserts to funeral homes, crematories and casket manufacturers.
Star Tag & Label Letter
To Whom It May Concern,
It is with great enthusiasm that I write this testimonial in recognition of the outstanding contributions of Cogent Analytics in helping Star Tag & Label achieve its success plan. From the initial discovery process, led by the insightful Merlin VanGerpen, to the execution of key business strategies, the impact of Cogent Analytics has been transformational.
Merlin VanGerpen laid the groundwork for what would become a pivotal partnership with Cogent Analytics. His meticulous discovery process identified critical business challenges and opportunities, setting the stage for a strategic engagement that would drive growth and efficiency for Star Tag & Label. His dedication ensured that the foundation of our success plan was built upon informed, data-driven decisions.
A crucial aspect of this journey was selecting the right Project Director to lead the initiative. With the guidance of Cogent Analytics, we were fortunate to have Don DeHaven take the helm. His leadership, expertise, and vision perfectly aligned with our goals, ensuring that every step of the project was handled with precision and strategic focus. His ability to guide the team and drive key initiatives was instrumental in fostering collaboration and excellence.
Furthermore, Cogent Analytics played a significant role in assembling the ideal business development team. Their deep understanding of industry’s best practices allowed us to structure a team that was both innovative and results driven. With Alex Sobrino serving as our Business Development Specialist, we had an individual who brought in strategic insights and a forward-thinking approach to identifying opportunities, streamlining operations, and enhancing customer engagement. His contributions were invaluable in propelling Star Tag & Label toward new avenues for growth and success.
We are incredibly grateful for the partnership with Cogent Analytics and the substantial value they have brought to our business. Their strategic insight, dedication, and unwavering support have made a profound difference in our company’s trajectory. We highly recommend Cogent Analytics to any organization seeking to elevate their business performance with trusted advisory services.
Sincerely,
Patrick Pollifrone President
Star Tag & Label, Inc.
Since 1997, Star Tag & Label Inc. has been the go-to source for businesses seeking high-quality, custom label and tag printing solutions nationwide.
Alternative Container
Alternative Container strives to provide exceptional service and quality products. They provide quality cremation boxes, air trays, combination boxes, regular and custom sized rental casket inserts to funeral homes, crematories and casket manufacturers.
Custom Marble Inc Letter
April 17, 2025
Our experience with Cogent Analytics has been a very positive and beneficial one. Before the project began, it felt like we certainly knew about some of the things we were looking for help to solve. We found several more during discovery. Throughout the process, Cogent made clear the expectations and goals that were to be met.
Prior to the project, our 47-year-old manufacturing company had never been through a process like this. No other company besides the bank had ever seen our financials, we had 30-year employees who were never asked to report at a meeting. We were having trouble making money, recruiting, retaining good employees and offering competitive wages. The compensation plan on the factory floor didn’t match the company’s goals. Our work force was balanced with dedicated, long-time employees and a revolving door of new hires.
Agreeing to the discovery was a big step for us, and our analyst did a full company culture review interviewing all staff members at every level. Also during discovery was full financial review that opened our eyes to several areas where we were leaving margin on the table. After we agreed to a detailed project plan, they got to work the next day. We met our project director as well as several other offsite folks that were assigned to us immediately. We agreed further on addressing our company profitability, accountability framework, and added KPI controls.
Throughout the project, our project director, Zack AI-Mahayni, was the first one there and the last one to leave each day, while coaching and training our managers on how we are going to meet our goals. Each week, we had a comprehensive status update meeting that detailed what we had completed.
We studied the project plan and discussed next priorities. The final part of the project to be dropped in place was a brand-new compensation plan for our entire company. focused on gross margins, evaluation scores, and productivity. Management here had discussed implementation of a system like this for decades. Cogent implemented a robust system promoting buy in across the organization in about 2 months’ time.
We are very happy with work that the entire Cogent team performed for our company.
Matt Kraft
General Manager
Advantage Structural Engineers
During the 1st couple weeks of working with us, Elliot was able to identify organizational changes and leadership changes necessary to improve our productivity and future. Elliot listened to our endless streams of thought during our many discussions. Through this listening, Elliot was able to identify our pain points and understand directions we wanted to take the company that we could not clearly articulate or put into action. Elliot helped to define a vision and identify key personnel that would lead different roles within the organization.
Elliot quickly pushed and helped us learn how to review and utilize financial data. He dug into our accounting software and extracted data to build numerous pricing and budgeting spreadsheets. He broke down our income statements and costs to better understand cost of employee and overhead and taught us to view these financials in a different light and utilize them to drive growth. Elliot moved quickly in helping us to establish an investment strategy with cash, and provided a cash management excel program to assist understanding future cash flow. Through his review of the financials and employee interviews, he was able to find gaps in productivity and pricing that could help us increase revenue and profit.
Elliot coordinated marketing meetings with Cogent’s marketing team and helped us to understand the benefits of marketing. Elliot and the team listened to us and were able to create a marketing strategy that fits our company and industry.
More than anything, Elliot caused behavioral change amongst the firm’s leadership. We’ve always allowed the firm to run itself. I have been president for the last couple of years, but I did not take an active lead in the role. Through this behavioral change, I’m now dedicated to actively leading the company as the President. I am now reviewing financials, investing our cash, addressing outstanding AR, and setting goals and managing accountability for our employees. I’m driving initiatives within the company and delegating these tasks to others. Elliot identified some hard decisions that we need to make to create a better and more productive company and pushed us to move on those decisions.
Prior to Elliot’s engagement, our company was profitable and performing well, we continued to operate under status que. Elliot was able to get us to see the issues that needed to be addressed to allow the company to grow and thrive, rather than just be profitable and perform. Elliot has instilled a passion in the company leadership to positively grow the company and to help all employees within the company reach their maximum potential. We now have a leadership culture that embraces creativity, growth, and drive; and we are excited to see where the future leads.
I would recommend Elliot for a company that needs an infusion of passion and leadership with the organization. Elliot will orient the behavior of the leadership team towards driving vision and growth, while constantly evaluating the company to identify changes that need to be made to positively affect the company’s productivity and profit immediately and in the future.
Advantage | Structural Engineers
Advantage is a creative and experienced team of structural engineers that work with their clients to find workable solutions that take into account all aspects of the project.
Matik, Inc Letter
When my partner first informed me that Cogent Analytics would be conducting an initial business analysis, I was skeptical about the value of this investment in both time and money. However, I must admit that my skepticism was misplaced. The clarity, strategic insights, and process improvements that Cogent delivered have proven to be invaluable.
Engaging with Cogent Analytics has been one of the best business decisions we have made. In the fast paced world of daily emails, customer demands, and sales team priorities, it’s easy to overlook the bigger picture. The dedicated time spent working with the Cogent team provided us with crucial financial and procedural tools to manage our business more effectively. Their professionalism, commitment, and structured approach allowed us to optimize our operations and establish a clear path for future growth and profitability.
One of the most impressive aspects of this experience has been Cogent’s ability to deeply understand our company’s unique dynamics. Their team seamlessly integrated with us, working alongside us to develop and implement strategies that improved all facets of our business. Their collaborative approach was a key factor in the success of this initiative.
I would especially like to recognize the exceptional contributions of Lorenzo Arguello. His insightful discussions and hands-on training with our team have been instrumental in shaping a solid framework for both immediate and long-term success. Lorenzo’s guidance has not only enhanced our processes but has also provided our employees with valuable knowledge that will serve us well into the future.
I have gone from skeptic to strong advocate. This has been a transformative business experience. In life, we often encounter our limitations, and in business, acknowledging them can be even more challenging. Working with Cogent Analytics has helped us identify and overcome these blind spots, setting the stage for a brighter and more successful future.
I am truly grateful to the entire Cogent team for their unwavering
Sincerely,
Steven Leibin
President
Matik, Inc. is the leading North American supplier for premier European equipment used for acrylic/LED backlighting, commercial printing, converting, folding carton, labels, RFID and security tags, transdermal drug delivery and more.
Studio Architecture, P.C. Letter
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the exceptional services provided by Cogent Analytics. Our company, Studio Architecture P.C., engaged Cogent Analytics to assist us in optimizing our business operations and improving our overall performance. From the outset, their team demonstrated a deep understanding of standard business operations and gaps in these processes that needed to be addressed.
Cogent Analytics conducted a thorough analysis of our processes, identifying key areas for improvement and providing actionable recommendations. Their expertise in strategic planning, financial management, and operational efficiency has been invaluable to our success. The implementation of their strategies has resulted in improvements in productivity, efficiency, and our ability to assess the current position of the business.
Throughout the engagement, the Cogent Analytics team has been professional, responsive, and dedicated to our success. Their commitment to excellence and their ability to deliver tangible results have exceeded our expectations. We are grateful for their partnership and look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future.
I highly recommend Cogent Analytics to any organization seeking to enhance their business operations and achieve sustainable growth.
Sincerely,
David Wendling
Principal
Studio Architecture, P.C.
Studio Architecture creates timeless and enduring architecture that honors the past while looking towards the future. Their work is grounded in material honesty, environmental connection, and a deep commitment to engaging the human spirit— making a lasting contribution to the communities they serve.
Houston Fence Company Letter
February 26, 2025
Dear Cogent Analytics Team,
Since its establishment in 1952, Houston Fence Company has proudly served the Greater Houston area, building a legacy of exceptional craftsmanship and unwavering customer satisfaction. After dedicating over 30 years to this industry, I realized a long-held ambition by acquiring the company in 2016.
The subsequent eight years presented both significant challenges and remarkable achievements, culminating in a record-breaking revenue year in 2024. This period of growth, however, underscored the necessity for strategic restructuring to sustain our upward trajectory while ensuring optimal operational efficiency and a balanced leadership approach.
It was at this juncture that Houston Fence Company engaged Cogent Analytics. In particular, our partnership with Manuel Trevino, our Project Director, proved to be transformative. Mr. Trevino’s contributions extended far beyond the scope of traditional project management. He served as a dedicated mentor, a strategic advisor, and a trusted confidant. His counsel encompassed not only sound business practices but also invaluable guidance on personal leadership, contributing significantly to a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
Beyond his technical and managerial expertise, Mr. Trevino demonstrated an exceptional commitment to integrity and professionalism. He cultivated a collaborative environment, fostering mutual respect and trust. His dedication to excellence and continuous improvement has been instrumental in the advancement of Houston Fence Company. In fact, my wife has remarked, “It’s like you’ve got the old Thad back,” a testament to the positive personal impact of his guidance.
The implementation of Cogent Analytics’ strategies has yielded tangible results. We have achieved a significant alignment across all facets of our organization, enabling us to establish and pursue clear, ambitious goals. This strategic realignment has not only enhanced our operational effectiveness but has also revitalized our collective vision.
The initial phase of our partnership with Cogent Analytics has laid a strong foundation for future growth. We are now equipped with the tools and insights necessary to navigate the challenges ahead and achieve sustained success. The impact of Cogent Analytics, and particularly the guidance of Manuel Trevino, has been profound, and we look forward to a continued collaboration.
Thad Claytor
President
Houston Fence Company
Elite Fence & Gate Contractors in Houston, TX & Surrounding Areas.
Chipsco Inc. Letter
Cogent; clear, logical & convincing. It’s rare that I meet people who have the knowledge, time, and care for others, as well as the desire to want to leave their world a better place to offload their trials and tribulations as well as their successes for others. Equally as rare is when someone can look at themselves in the mirror and be humble enough to admit they are not doing themselves or their team justice because they are not the best version of the leader they can be. Underperforming as the leader has many ugly faces, the fear of our people going elsewhere, poor work culture, lack of buy-in and ultimately the realization from the team that their leader isn’t worth the difficult walk through the fire we call life.
Cogent was able to come in, identify the areas we were weak in and work with us to correct them. I am highly impressed with Lisa Richards. She has worked hand in hand with me as if I’ve known her my entire life. She is the hardest working person in the building. We have spent countless hours together as her passion for business matches mine.
The return on investment for this project will be less than a year. The tools they have built for us will help facilitate our growth from this year from 3 million/yr to 10 million/yr. We expect to be at 20 million by 2026. We would have imploded under our own weight had we not brought Cogent in to build a robust foundation with the systems necessary for scaling rapidly.
R. Brian Learn Jr.
President – Chipsco Inc.
For a combined 87 years, Chipsco and Champion Plastics have established a renowned legacy of delivering on time, precision tooling and functional plastics.
Starflex Fabrication Succession Planning
Starflex Fabrication uses cutting-edge technology and the latest processes to provide their customers with high-quality parts and components.
www.StarflexFab.com
Starflex Fabrication Lifecycle
Starflex Fabrication uses cutting-edge technology and the latest processes to provide their customers with high-quality parts and components.
www.StarflexFab.com
Starflex Fabrication Recommends
Starflex Fabrication uses cutting-edge technology and the latest processes to provide their customers with high-quality parts and components.
www.StarflexFab.com
Starflex Fabrication Financial Management
Starflex Fabrication uses cutting-edge technology and the latest processes to provide their customers with high-quality parts and components.
www.StarflexFab.com
Starflex Fabrication Working with Cogent
Starflex Fabrication uses cutting-edge technology and the latest processes to provide their customers with high-quality parts and components.
www.StarflexFab.com
Starflex Fabrication Prior to Cogent
Starflex Fabrication uses cutting-edge technology and the latest processes to provide their customers with high-quality parts and components.
www.StarflexFab.com
Starflex Fabrication Discovery
Starflex Fabrication uses cutting-edge technology and the latest processes to provide their customers with high-quality parts and components.
www.StarflexFab.com
About Starflex Fabrication
Starflex Fabrication uses cutting-edge technology and the latest processes to provide their customers with high-quality parts and components.
www.StarflexFab.com
Starflex Fabrication
Starflex Fabrication uses cutting-edge technology and the latest processes to provide their customers with high-quality parts and components.
www.StarflexFab.com
R.A.D Fabrication Letter
To whom it may concern,
I am so thankful for Cogent. The ease with which they came into our company and transformed our team is incredible. We now have a flow of business created by Cogent that I don’t think we could have come up with on our own. They took our vision of how we could work and made it a reality. The stress level of our entire company has been lowered. Instead of worrying about how we are going to make something work, we have a clear and concise procedure for each part of our complex business. Every employee is now more informed about who is responsible for each task. Gone are the days where three people are doing the same job at the same time without communication. We also all know the vision and the mission of our company because the leadership team help develop it and now own it. Where there was division, we have become a collaborative group, all working to the same goal, success!
I would recommend that you take Cogent up on the opportunity to come in and transform your business. Their team of professionals will come in and show you how to take your company to the next level. Rodney Bryner was an amazing Project Director and fit in so perfectly with all of us, he is now a member of our family. We are looking forward to the next phase of our partnership in lifecycle for our transformation efforts.
Thank you Cogent for everything you did and continue to do for all of us.
Best Regards,
Robert Daly
R.A.D. Fabrication, LLC
At R.A.D Fabrication they’ll give your job the attention and personal service you’ll come to expect and enjoy.
www.radfabrication.com
A&M Mechanical Services, Inc. Letter
Our overall experience with the discovery has been eye-opening. We have learned how little we knew about running a business and that we are going to have to work diligently to implement key changes to meet our objectives. I have compiled feedback from Phyllis and Allen and have included below my synopsis.
My personal experience through this process has been positive from start to finish. From the initial meeting with Dan Rover up to the final week of discovery. There are many things that we have known we needed to fix for years but did not know how to start. Cash Management, Budgeting, SOPs, defining responsibilities, and holding employees and ourselves accountable are issues that I have known needed to be addressed but didn’t really know how to start implementing. The financial tools that Cogent has provided will undoubtedly help streamline our office and make it substantially more proficient. In addition, this will enable us to better track data and eliminate guessing. I look forward to seeing the progress we will make from our investment with Cogent.
Allen’s Notes:
When first meeting with the Cogent Team, it was Dan Rover who introduced us to the service. Then we met Merlin, he scared me with his brutal honesty, but it is exactly what we needed. Though I was apprehensive I agreed, along with my partners, to move forward with the Cogent plan.
Then there was Kris, this person is a total professional. Her knowledge and command of everything is impressive. Her skill set seems to be tailor-made for this. The analysis of our needs and the processes and systems implemented will be beneficial to A & M Mechanical’s success.
Mike is our Cogent business development professional. Mike has provided us with tools to track our bidding success and ideas to drive sales. He has even identified a member of our team that we believe will be able to fill the role of driving more sales. This is something that I thought about, but Mike’s insight into how to implement it will help us move forward.
Phyllis’ Notes:
Billy Hardison was very helpful when our customer payments did not come through in a timely manner and our cash flow bottomed out. I was surprised that the payment could not be strung out differently. When talking to Merlin, he said if we did not have the money, we would be good as long as we paid something each week. This is a huge commitment for A & M and we always struggle this time of year. We were able to have payments pushed back a week, but Kris put a lot of pressure on us to come up with the money. I ended up borrowing money, which pretty much defeats the purpose of finding places to streamline.
The budgeting process and building a strategic plan was excellent.
CMS is a great tool, but it is very complicated. I was pleased when Tawnia was allowed to manually do the imputing. I know this will help her remember how to do this. I am looking forward to actively using this tool.
The structure this training brings to A & M has been needed for a long time. Having someone from outside looking in objectively is eye-opening for us all. We are committed to implementing the tools given to us. Having access to reach out when needed as well and Cogent follow-up is a powerful incentive to keep us on track.
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In closing, nothing easy is worth it and nothing worth it is easy. We know we have work to do, and it will not happen overnight. Cogent has provided us with the insight and tools to help us get to where we want and need to be, and we will persevere.
Matthew T. Price
A&M Mechanical Services, Inc. can handle all your heating service needs in Hermitage, Nashville, TN and the surrounding areas.
Commercial Heating and Air Conditioning Services
https://ammechservices.com/
Saffer Electric Heating Plumbing Letter
To Whom It May Concern:
Saffer Plumbing and Electric has recently completed its high-intensity phase with Cogent Analytics. Entering into this agreement was a leap of faith, as Cogent is not an inexpensive engagement-a point they made clear during our initial onboarding with our analyst, Kris. Kris invested significant time and effort to thoroughly understand both our financial situation and personnel needs. The picture he painted was grim but not entirely surprising. While some of our technicians were performing well, many were not, and morale was low. Kris helped us identify these issues and understand their root causes.
Cogent assigned Phil Athens as our project director, and upon taking on our company as his assignment, Phil took a deep dive into our operations, starting with our finances. He met with our key leaders, middle management, and, to some extent, our technicians to validate the initial findings. Phil introduced several technical tools that we are still learning to implement. Personally, as a CEO, the tools I received were more internal. Phil has guided me in developing as a leader in ways that have been both liberating and challenging. I’ve always struggled to balance being approachable with maintaining authority, which often resulted in micromanagement. Thanks to Phil’s guidance, I’m now far more comfortable delegating responsibilities and embracing my role as a leader. Even small adjustments, like dressing more formally and adopting a professional title, have contributed to this transformation.
The leadership team we have in place is strong and dedicated, and Phil helped us organize this group into a more cohesive and structured team. He established clear communication channels from the top down and created an environment where tough decisions can be made and implemented efficiently. With Phil’s help, we’ve built a system that allows us to pivot strategically to increase revenue while continuing to invest in internal development.
For the right business with the right mindset, Cogent Analytics is an excellent resource. Be prepared to grow and evolve in ways that may feel uncomfortable at times, but rest assured that the support you’ll receive from their team is exceptionally professional and deeply respectful of the significant investment you’re making.
Sincerely,
Chris Saffer
CEO and Master Plumber
Saffer Plumbing, Heating & Electrical is your plumbing service expert in Baltimore, MD, and the nearby areas in Baltimore County, Harford County, and Howard County.
Lumalier Letter
To Whom it May Concern,
The entire experience of working with our Project implementation partner Zack and the Cogent Analytics team has been first class. From our very first meeting with them, and the intense 8 weeks that followed, we were constantly learning and improving as an organization through better alignment around teamwork and our strategic goals.
As a small family run business, we were looking for a consulting partner that understood this dynamic and didn’t attempt to apply a “big business” corporate solution to our needs. What we got was a phenomenal team player that truly became one of the family while he was here with us through every step of the process.
From the teaching sessions where we learned new skills and techniques to manage the business, to the plethora of bespoke financial and sales tools that were built specifically for us, we have nothing but the highest compliments for Zack and the Cogent Analytics team and highly recommend them to anyone looking to give their company a leading edge in the market.
Sincerely,
Jason Price
General Manager
Lumalier is the trusted authority in advanced UV Germicidal Disinfection products.
www.lumalier.com
