Sign In

Andy Halliday

COO LifeAID Beverage Co.

Professional Background

Andy Halliday, a dynamic leader with extensive experience across various industries, began his journey as the son of an Air Force B-52 Aircraft Commander. His upbringing in Tachikawa, Japan, during his high school years, provided him with a unique international perspective that has informed his career. After graduating from Dartmouth College with a BA in English and Education, Andy spent six years in the ski industry, where he rose to become the Director of Skiing at Sunshine Village outside of Banff, Canada.

In 1981, seeking to expand his business acumen, Andy attended Harvard Business School, where he earned his MBA with a focus on Marketing and Finance. This educational foundation laid the groundwork for his impressive career in specialty chain store retailing, spending 12 years at a notable NYSE company with 3,500 stores. Throughout his tenure, he honed his skills in profit planning and merchandising, ultimately becoming a division president, managing a diverse range of functions.

During a pivotal moment in the late 1980s, the company pivoted toward experiential retailing, leading Andy to become the President of the Entertainment Group, where he oversaw the acquisition of a fledgling chain known as Dave & Buster's. Despite facing industry challenges due to increased mall competition, Dave & Buster's successfully spun off as a public company. In the wake of this corporate restructuring, Andy was offered roles as a Senior Vice President at both Disney’s Imagineering unit and Simon Property Group, the largest mall real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States. Choosing to remain close to his sons from a previous marriage, Andy took on the role of co-President at Simon Brand Ventures.

Andy’s next career leap came in 1998 when he moved to Silicon Valley to become the first Vice President and General Manager of eCommerce at Excite.com — a significant player in the dot-com boom. Although the merger with @Home presented challenges, it led Andy to become the CEO of Contact.com, a contact management startup that sought to establish a social networking platform for professional services. Following the downturn of the dot-com bubble, Andy played a key role as the first Chief Operating Officer at In-Q-Tel, the venture capital arm of the U.S. Intelligence Community.

Over the next 15 years, Andy's entrepreneurial spirit shone through as he founded or led several startups, collectively raising $18 million in venture funding. His ventures included Contact.com, OurStory.com, TagVault.org, and the student-community mobile app, Erod. He also contributed to the success of various enterprise software startups such as Spoke.com, MerchantCircle.com, and Reply.com.

In 2011, Andy became an advisor to the co-founders of LIFEAID as they embarked on their funding journey. By 2015, when the FITAID brand gained traction in the CrossFit community and beyond, Andy stepped into the role of Chief Operating Officer at LIFEAID Beverage Co., which he describes as the best position of his career thus far.

Education and Achievements

Andy Halliday’s educational foundation is as impressive as his professional accomplishments. His studies at Dartmouth College culminated in a degree in English and Education, where he developed strong communication skills that would later translate into effective leadership and management abilities. Following this, his MBA from Harvard Business School equipped him with the theoretical knowledge and practical insights needed to thrive in high-stakes business environments.

Over the course of his career, Andy has exhibited a remarkable capacity for navigating and leading various sectors, from retail and entertainment to the rapidly evolving tech and venture capital landscapes. His role in pioneering experiential retailing at Dave & Buster's set a precedent for entertainment-based retail formats, while his contributions to In-Q-Tel highlight his strategic approach to innovation and intelligence.

His diverse leadership roles showcase an ability to adapt and thrive in multiple business models, ranging from traditional retail to disruptive technology. Andy’s knack for identifying growth opportunities has been a consistent theme throughout his career.

Achievements

Andy Halliday’s professional journey is marked by numerous achievements that highlight his versatility and strategic prowess. Notably:

  • Director of Skiing at Sunshine Village: Pioneered exceptional guest experiences during his tenure, significantly contributing to revenue generation in the ski industry.
  • President of the Entertainment Group at Edison Brothers: Succeeded in introducing and expanding the Dave & Buster’s brand, setting a new benchmark in experiential retail.
  • CEO at Contact.com: Blazed trails in the world of online contact management, illustrating a forward-thinking approach to technology solutions even before social media became mainstream.
  • In-Q-Tel: As the first COO, Andy played a critical role in bridging the gap between the intelligence community and innovative technology startups.
  • COO at LifeAID Beverage Co.: In this role, he has helped steer the company to remarkable growth, especially in the fitness sector, as the FITAID brand resonates with health-conscious consumers.

Andy Halliday’s extensive background is a testament to his unwavering dedication to innovation and excellence across industries. He continues to leverage his vast experience to shape and influence future generations of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Achievements

  • Director of Skiing at Sunshine Village
  • President and CEO at erodr, inc.
  • Free Agent! at Halliday Skunk Works
  • VP Content, Community and Paid Services at Reply.com
  • VP GM, Local Content Studio at MerchantCircle
  • CEO at CardioPrint Biometrics, Inc.
  • Founding Executive Director at TagVault.org
  • CEO at OurStory.com
  • Acting CEO at Kompolt and Company
  • Vice President, Business Development at Spoke Software
  • Co-founder at Open Field Software
  • COO at In-Q-Tel
  • President and CEO at Contact Networks, Inc.
  • VP GM ECommerce at Excite@Home
  • SVP Strategic Development at Simon Property Group
  • Group President at Edison Brothers Entertainment
  • President at Sacha London
  • VP Merchandise Administration at Edison Brothers Apparel Stores
  • **Director of Skiing and Guest Services at Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort

Related Questions

How did Andy Halliday's experience at Harvard Business School influence his career trajectory?
What key strategies did Andy employ as President of the Entertainment Group at Edison Brothers?
In what ways did Andy's role at In-Q-Tel impact the relationship between the intelligence community and startups?
How did Andy Halliday's leadership at LifeAID Beverage Co. contribute to the brand's rapid growth in the health and wellness industry?
What lessons did Andy learn from his time in the ski industry that have been applicable in his later ventures?
Andy Halliday
Add to my network

Location

San Francisco Bay Area