Executives
Thomas Wetherell
President & Founder
Innovatize, Inc.
Thomas Wetherell, President of Innovatize, Inc., is one of a select few western businessmen with truly deep and hands-on experience in the China market. More than just a frequent traveler or trader, Mr. Wetherell has lived and worked in China for 20 years, negotiated and established more than eight manufacturing investments, and managed large-scale operations with 2000+ staff members. Based on this experience, he has developed a strong intuitive understanding of successful business investment and development in China.
Mr. Wetherell meeting with Shanghai’s Mayor
Mr. Wetherell has a wealth of hands-on experience in manufacturing, marketing, and sales channel development (both direct channels and distributor-based networks, including Tier 1, 2, 3, and rural markets). In addition, he has successfully turned-around several poorly performing businesses in China.
In 2005, Mr. Wetherell was recognized for his contributions to the city of Shanghai by being awarded the coveted Shanghai Magnolia Award. He is a member of the Shanghai Yang Pu government “San Hui” business council and has been featured in numerous national and regional publications within China (see our media page for samples).
Receiving Shanghai’s Magnolia Award
In recent years, he has been invited to speak at numerous professional events and conferences including:
The 2nd China Branding Roundtable, The Economist
Speech Topic: New Fans, New Markets, And Reaching Them
Strategy—Exploring the Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets in China
Speech Topic: Five “Deadly Assumptions” about Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets in China
The 4th China CTF Conference
Honorary Chairman and Guest Speaker
Speech Topic: Setting up effective distribution in China
Motivation, Opportunity, Sharing—Executive Retreat, organized by Shanghai World Expo (Group) Co, Ltd and Shanghai Foreign Service Co, Ltd
Guest Speaker
Customer Centric New Product Development, Marcus Evans
Speech Topic: Understanding customer needs to effectively target your market
DSM China Leadership Summit
Speech Topic: Survival of the Innovators – Building Innovation in China
Prior to founding Innovatize, Mr. Wetherell held the positions of Managing Director for Henkel China Cosmetics & Detergents (consumer goods) and General Manager of Rexam Der Kwei Shanghai (B2B packaging).
Mr. Wetherell holds a bachelors degree from the University of California at Berkeley in Chinese language and an MBA degree in finance from UCLA. He currently resides in Eugene, Oregon and travels frequently to China.