Kettering

What Kettering does

Kettering Executive Network, Inc. is a non-profit, invite-only executive networking organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 2001 and operated as a volunteer organization under the governance of a Board of Directors. The organization serves senior-level executives (Directors, VPs, and C-level leaders) across all functions and industries, with a stated membership criterion of $10M+ P&L responsibility, 25+ people, or top functional/advisory roles with at least 5 years of experience, and minimum compensation of $200,000 annually. Kettering has approximately 1,300 active and alumni members and reports 1,000+ vetted, sponsored service-minded executives in its community.

The core product is the membership program, which provides access to weekly Friday meetings with speakers, nine active Special Interest Groups (SIGs) covering topics such as Fractional Work, Sales & Marketing, Digital Transformation, Finance/Banking/Investments, Women, International, Executive Development, Business Lab, and Coffee Connections, plus a Signature Speaker Series held at the Buckhead Club and a Kettering Business Consultants matching program. The underlying technology is thin: Kettering uses Wild Apricot membership management software for directories, event registration, and communications, with no proprietary platform or AI capabilities. The onboarding flow is rigorous — prospective members must be sponsored by an existing member, attend at least two Friday meetings and one SIG event as a guest, complete an application, undergo interview and peer vetting, and receive Membership Committee approval.

Kettering's revenue model is built on three streams: recurring annual membership dues, recurring corporate sponsorship programs (three tiers with category exclusivity), and one-time application/guest fees. The organization operates as a volunteer-run nonprofit with 36 employees, no external funding rounds, and no parent company. Its geographic footprint is concentrated in Atlanta with some Southeast USA activity, but it does not claim global operations. The unifying differentiator is a "pay-it-forward" culture where members actively help each other with business ideas, introductions, mentorship, and community service, including an ongoing partnership with Year Up Atlanta for mentorship of underserved young adults.

Name

Kettering

Legal name

Kettering Executive Network, Inc.

Website

https://ketteringsuccess.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kettering Executive Network is an Atlanta-based, invitation-only non-profit networking organization for senior-level executives (Director, VP, C-level), offering guest-vetted membership, weekly Friday meetings, nine Special Interest Groups, and a Buckhead Club speaker series, funded by membership dues and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Kettering generates revenue through annual membership dues paid by accepted members. Members must pay dues to achieve full membership status after being accepted. The organization is operated as a volunteer organization with a Board of Directors coordinating activities.
2. Sponsorship Programs: Kettering offers three tiers of sponsorship programs for companies wanting to partner with the organization. Sponsors gain access to interact directly with Kettering members at more than 150 events annually. The sponsorship provides category exclusivity and opportunities to define offerings to the membership.
3. Application/Guest Fees: Prospective members pay an application fee during the formal membership application process. Guest attendees at Kettering events pay a nominal fee to attend.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kettering runs an invitation-only executive networking membership organization for senior-level executives (Directors, VPs, and C-level) in Atlanta, providing weekly Friday speaker and networking meetings, nine active Special Interest Groups, a Business Consultants matching program, and premium speaker series. Members are vetted and sponsored by current members, pay annual dues, and gain access to peer relationships, mentorship, business development referrals, and community engagement programs such as the Year Up partnership.

Product overview

Kettering is Atlanta's Premier Executive Network—an invitation-only professional networking organization for senior executives. The core offering is the executive membership program (1000+ vetted members) which provides access to weekly Friday networking meetings with speakers, nine Special Interest Groups (SIGs) covering topics from fractional work to digital transformation and finance, the Signature Speaker Series featuring premium speakers, and the Kettering Business Consultants matching program. The organization also operates community partnership programs including YearUp mentorship and Atlanta Food Bank volunteering. All offerings are unified by a 'pay-it-forward' culture where members actively help each other with business ideas, opportunities, mentorship, and introductions without expectation of return.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kettering Business Consultants (KBC): A program connecting Kettering members who operate consulting services businesses with other Kettering members' companies needing project-based services.
• Kettering Coffee Connections (KCC)

Products and services

• Executive Networking Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• 34% of members joined within the last year, indicating active membership growth

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, sustaining and minor.

• Year Up AtlantacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKettering has an ongoing relationship with Year Up Atlanta, a one-year intensive training program for underserved young adults ages 18-24. Kettering members volunteer as mentors for Year Up students during their corporate internships. The partnership supports Kettering's pay-it-forward culture and commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in the Atlanta community.
• Buckhead ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Buckhead Club is a partner venue for special event speakers and offers Kettering members one complimentary day pass per year. The partnership includes the 'Executive Speaker Series' held monthly at the Buckhead Club featuring in-demand speakers with networking and breakfast with both Kettering and Buckhead Club members. Located at 3344 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 2600, Atlanta, Georgia 30326.
• FranPursuitsustainingGTM or Marketing PartnerFranPursuit is a franchise consulting company and Kettering sustaining partner. They provide personalized guidance to candidates evaluating franchise business ownership opportunities across numerous industries, backed by 25 years of experience. Contact: [email protected], 770-462-0797.
• Merit Financial AdvisorssustainingGTM or Marketing PartnerMerit Financial Advisors is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm and Kettering sustaining partner providing comprehensive financial planning, wealth management, and tax-efficient strategies. They serve executives, high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners as fiduciaries. Contact: Ed Rodriguez, [email protected], Direct: 470-313-7683.
• Visiting Nurse Private Home CaresustainingGTM or Marketing PartnerVisiting Nurse Private Home Care is a Kettering sustaining partner providing experienced caregivers serving Atlanta and surrounding areas. They offer Remote Health Management for clients with chronic conditions and are affiliated with Visiting Nurse Health System and Hospice Atlanta. Contact: [email protected], 404-658-5800.
• Atlanta Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKettering members volunteer at the Atlanta Food Bank as part of community engagement activities. Kettering volunteers participated on Saturday, May 7th, 2022, supporting the organization's pay-it-forward community service mission.
• VLink SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor logo displayed on Kettering website sponsorship section.
• UHY AdvisorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor logo displayed on Kettering website sponsorship section.
• The O'Reilly Team Real Estate ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor logo displayed on Kettering website sponsorship section.
• RGPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor logo displayed on Kettering website sponsorship section.
• Jon BakerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor logo displayed on Kettering website sponsorship section.
• IntellinetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor logo displayed on Kettering website sponsorship section.
• Find FranchiseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor logo displayed on Kettering website sponsorship section. Anita Best serves as the Find Your Franchise Kettering sponsor and reports that more than half of her business comes from Kettering.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vistage Worldwide: Vistage is the largest CEO peer-advisory and executive coaching organization globally, offering monthly group meetings, one-on-one coaching, and speaker events for CEOs and senior leaders. Most directly comparable to Kettering's invitation-only, vetted executive networking model with structured programming and paid membership.
• Tiger 21: Tiger 21 is a peer membership organization for high-net-worth investors and executives with local groups, monthly meetings, and curated programming. Comparable to Kettering's invitation-only vetting, dues model, and senior-executive membership.
• EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization): EO is a global, peer-to-peer network of entrepreneurs with local chapters, member-sponsor-driven membership, forums, and learning events. Highly comparable to Kettering in chapter-based structure, vetted executive membership, and curated events.
• YPO (Young Presidents' Organization): YPO is a global leadership community of chief executives with chapters, forums, and exclusive member-driven programming. Directly comparable as a vetted, paid, peer-networking community for senior executives with structured chapter events.
• Chief Executive Group: Chief Executive Group runs invitation-only peer groups for CEOs and senior executives, combining private forums, retreats, and conferences. Highly comparable to Kettering's invitation-only C-suite networking and event-driven model.
• C12 Group: C12 operates peer advisory groups for Christian CEOs and business owners, with monthly meetings, speakers, and curated content. Comparable to Kettering in member-vetted forums, paid membership, and structured executive programming.
• Strategic Coach: Strategic Coach is a paid coaching and peer-group program for entrepreneurs and executives, with quarterly sessions and structured worksheets. Comparable to Kettering in serving senior leaders with paid, structured, peer-driven programming.
• The Alternative Board (TAB): TAB facilitates peer advisory boards for business owners and executives, with monthly member meetings and facilitated discussions. Comparable to Kettering's vetted, paid executive membership and structured peer engagement.

Emerging players

• GLG (Gerson Lehrman Group): GLG is a knowledge-sharing platform connecting executives and experts with consulting and learning opportunities. Comparable to Kettering as it monetizes vetted-executive networks, though it operates on a digital rather than in-person forum model.

Regional players

• BEX (Business Executives Experience): BEX runs invitation-only CEO and executive peer groups across multiple U.S. markets. Comparable to Kettering as a vetted, paid, peer-advisory network for senior executives with structured local forums.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KetteringExecs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kettering-success

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kettering