Q&A with our Founders
Clint Wood & Trip Bellard
Click to read how these stories aligned at the right place and time.
How did you meet co-founder, Trip Bellard?
During incredible circumstances – the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. I was managing the critical supply chain and after the…
During incredible circumstances – the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. I was managing the critical supply chain and after the leak…stopped, was asked to build a supply chain to demobilize the largest fleet in history. Think, over 17,000 vessels, all along the gulf coast, needing a multi-staged process, all integrated with the US Coast Guard. Trip and his team came in, circumnavigating our tech storm. Day one, we had no visibility, no technology, and no process … by day 14, they had digitalized our entire operation, deploying technology that is still in use today. I had never witnessed anything like that … they saved our butts!
When did you become aware of what you call “the real problem?”
In 2014, my brother (Jon Wood, Co-founder) and I had an outlier ROI from a development project in Columbus, converting an old..
In 2014, my brother (Jon Wood, Co-founder) and I had an outlier ROI from a development project in Columbus, converting an old warehouse into a micro-brewery and loft apartments. Obviously, my next question was, “where else can we do this?” My brother replied, “by the time we can answer that the whole trend will be over.” I was disappointed and couldn’t let it go. Understanding more about how to answer this question became my hobby.
Was there a Eureka moment?
It happened on April 17, 2019. I was heading the supply chain digital transformation for the world’s largest energy company…
It happened on April 17, 2019. I was heading the supply chain digital transformation for the world’s largest energy company. They had committed to being the leading digitalized energy company. We were participating in the most extensive digital benchmarking ever conducted, learning how more advanced industries turned data into extraordinary value. My team was continuously scouting disruptive technologies and discovered a “Knowledge Platform.” That was my lightbulb moment.
Why this core team?
That’s easy – it has a certain … edge. We brought together multi-dimensional trailblazers from more digitally mature industries –
That’s easy – it has a certain … edge. We brought together multi-dimensional trailblazers from more digitally mature industries – leaders who have thrived in some of history’s more stressful and fast-paced environments. Each team member can play multiple roles – they’ve ‘been there and done that’…deployed disruptive technology, led transformation, and delivered mega value. It allows this team to really understand our client’s challenges and quickly solve problems.
How did technology impact your military experience?
While stationed in Iraq, without going into specifics, we suffered preventable casualties and equipment losses. Cl…
While stationed in Iraq, without going into specifics, we suffered preventable casualties and equipment losses. Clearly, we were not receiving actionable, real-time intel. At the time, it seemed to be the status quo, and that, to me, was unacceptable. Ultimately, I was motivated to expand operational centric focus to better understand technology and how to enable more informed decisions faster.
What was your reaction when Clint called you about a commercial real estate idea?
I was a decade into a career in global oil & gas consulting and business development when there was an unexpected phone.
I was a decade into a career in global oil & gas consulting and business development when there was an unexpected phone call from Clint. He spoke about bleeding-edge technology that would transform CRE. The thought of disrupting commercial real estate was intriguing. After some due diligence, workshops with Clint, I jumped in and began the framework that is now CREOS.
In a world of endless digital needs, how did you determine which areas of CRE to impact?
A long history of disruption means coming across as quite ambitious. CREOS is no exception. Even bold initiatives ha…
A long history of disruption means coming across as quite ambitious. CREOS is no exception. Even bold initiatives have priorities. From the beginning, we leveraged previous experiences to prioritize, structure and create the next generation enterprise solution. Early partnerships with CRE experts clarified pain points and gaps in the market. Applying these insights, we saw an immediate and significant impact on cost and throughput. We established a culture that reduced the usual friction between technology builders and end users. This has forged alignment with market realities and shortened release cycles, critical enablers of digital transformation.
Based on your experiences what makes Trajectory different?
Hands down, our people. Trajectory is stacked with innovators from diverse backgrounds and experiences, ensuring a contin..
Hands down, our people. Trajectory is stacked with innovators from diverse backgrounds and experiences, ensuring a continuous challenging of the status quo. Group think just doesn’t happen here; everyone is accountable for pushing boundaries and delivering value. As a result, we have built a company, that like our product, is user-centric and shaped by strategy.