THINKWAY® STRATEGIES - Key Persons


Larry McManis - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Founder
  • Member of the Small Business Committee for Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
ThinkWay was founded by Larry McManis in 2008 after 30 years in high level strategy roles at Kraft Foods which at that time was a $45B global consumer products powerhouse. He's the pioneer and developer of ThinkWay's strategy methodology and the ThinkPoints® web app for developing strategies, aligning the organization and tracking major milestones. Larry is an active member of the Small Business Committee for Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and a board member for the Chicago chapter of the International Association of Strategy Professionals (IASP). Larry started his career in various operations and research positions at Oscar Mayer. He advanced to positions leading major strategic initiatives at Oscar Mayer and then Kraft Foods before leading in various roles in Kraft global strategy. Besides his extensive strategic experience at Kraft Foods, Larry has helped an impressive array of clients including Mattel Toy Company, Saputo Cheese USA, Alliant Energy, Travero, Dane Manufacturing including Dantherm Cooling, Columbus Chemical Industries, KL Engineering, FIPCO (owned by Wisconsin Bankers Association), and other clients in manufacturing, transportation, financial services, furniture, as well as non-profit organizations. Larry grew up on a farm in rural Nebraska, received a B.S. from the University of Nebraska and his MBA from the University of South Dakota. He and his wife Cindy now reside in the Madison, Wisconsin area.