WHO WE ARE

CommonWealth Growth Strategies, LLC was founded in 1999 as Commonwealth Sales Consulting by Alan McAnally, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and successful executive. After many years of impactful and effective consulting with leading companies, the business was diversified to meet the needs of greater demand and expanded with executive leadership. Rick Yaconis and Jesse Kamekona, both seasoned professionals at the executive level, now helm the company, renaming it CommonWealth Growth Strategies, LLC.

The new leadership and name reflect the mission to provide full-service growth analysis to organizations seeking positive, sustainable growth, and increased revenue through sales and retention of customers and clients.

We provide expertise in:

  • Sales process enhancement
  • Sales and incentive compensation consultation
  • Training and leadership development
  • Networking groups for individuals seeking to expand their skills and connections
  • Recruitment of top talent
  • Corporate meeting planning with team building activities

CommonWealth focuses on data and people to develop strategies that optimize ROI, organization leadership development, and building professional and driven sales teams.

Rick Yaconis, Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Yaconis has over thirty years of experience in executive leadership, sales management, and higher education. In two organizations over thirty years, Mr. Yaconis has held positions of Regional Director, Vice President of Admissions, Chief Admissions Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and most recently President and Chief Marketing Officer. He possesses proven expertise managing in both high growth and retracting environments.

Having started up over sixteen new campuses and an entire online division in a six-year period, Mr.Yaconis is savvy in building infrastructure, hiring outstanding leadership and team members, establishing training and development objectives, and managing profitability and key metrics in a large organization that, at its peak, encompassed over 1000 employees. Additionally, he is knowledgeable of all aspects of integrated marketing campaigns including traditional media, digital strategy, internal and external communications, program and product development, creative content, and public relations with an emphasis on community development. Finally, Mr. Yaconis developed a 501c3 non-profit entity that has grown by over 1000% in a five year period.

Jesse Kamekona, President

Jesse Kamekona has more than 25 years of experience in sales, including 20 years of service in the United States Navy, where he retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer.
Jesse led and oversaw the Navy’s transition to Achieve Global Sales, where he was a certified Master trainer and developed thousands of sales professionals in the process. He developed and implemented hundreds of selling guidelines and processes that have proven results in changing behaviors and increasing sales.

Mr. Kamekona most recently spent 11 years as Sr. Vice President of Sales, where he trained and managed over 200 sales professionals and 20 managers. He attended a wide array of sales and coaching courses and developed a philosophy of his own; one that gets results.