Executive Brief

MARK
SOLANO.

Revenue Leader: CRO / CGO / SVP-Scope Roles | Fintech, AI & SaaS

Mark Solano, Revenue Leader

"I've built a sales organization from nothing, run one carrying more than $40M in team quota, and been brought in to fix engines that were already big and quietly broken. In every one of them, nobody had written down what a real deal looks like, so the forecast was whatever the reps believed that week. That is the part I build."

I've spent 20+ years building revenue engines for fintech, AI, and SaaS companies, as a founding sales leader, an SVP of Sales, and now as a fractional CRO advising founders through Solano Advisory Group. I'm pursuing a full-time executive seat. The fractional work is the interim state, not the destination.

The numbers behind that claim

  • $150M+ in revenue owned or managed across 20+ years
  • $9M in ACV at 150% of a $6M quota as SVP of Sales
  • Enterprise book scaled from $11M to $70M, over 6x
  • $40M+ in managed team quota; win rates lifted from 18% to 30%+
  • Founding sales leader at a venture-backed platform: first BDR engine ($2M in new-logo pipeline per quarter), SI co-sell program with Deloitte, Capco, and Wipro ($1.2M sourced), largest Tier 1 client closed at $1.8M ARR
  • President's Club six consecutive years; 20-person team to 35% year-over-year growth

What I run

Pipeline math, forecast discipline, playbooks from scratch, partner motions, and an AI-powered commercial workflow I use daily. Not as an experiment. It is how the work gets done.

What I'm looking for

A full-time CRO, CGO, or SVP-scope seat at a fintech, AI, or SaaS company that sells complex products to serious buyers.

What people say.

"

As Mark moved from sales executive to senior management he brought a rare combination of strategic vision and operational discipline. Whether it was standing up territories from scratch, building a structured pipeline, or driving accountability in forecasting, Mark produced results. I'd strongly recommend Mark to any company looking to scale revenue in a disciplined, predictable way.

Bob Jensen

Sr. Director, Partnerships and OEM Sales Channels

"

Mark brings deep expertise in the banking and credit union space, and can translate that market knowledge into clear, repeatable go-to-market playbooks that help sales teams sell with confidence and consistency. Beyond the strategic work, Mark is a genuine team builder. Any software company would be lucky to have Mark leading their sales organization.

Christopher Cox

EVP & General Manager, Digital Engagement Solutions, CSI (managed Mark)

"

As VP of Sales, Mark wasn't inheriting an established organization, he was creating one. He developed the go-to-market strategy, built the sales playbook, recruited a strong team, and established the processes needed to create a repeatable revenue engine. From my perspective as CFO, what stood out was that Mark didn't chase growth at any cost. He understood that sustainable growth comes from disciplined execution and building the right foundation before trying to scale.

Ash Good

CFO, 3B Scientific | Apiture executive team

"

I'd strongly recommend Mark to any organization looking for a senior revenue leader, CRO, or go-to-market advisor who understands financial services technology, sales execution, and the operational discipline required to scale. He commands the full deal lifecycle, from market positioning to enterprise strategy to long-term customer relationships.

Hunter Broadwell

SVP & General Counsel, CSI

"

I first met Mark when he was one of the top sales leaders at Image Products, and years later, as CEO of Haberfeld, I was blessed to have him join us in a senior sales role. Mark is a passionate, knowledgeable professional who communicates effectively with prospective clients, and a person of high character.

David Furnace

Former CEO, Haberfeld

"

Mark brings structure, accountability, and calm clarity to complex situations. He knows how to build the systems, cadence, culture, and cross-functional alignment that make growth more predictable and scalable. I also watched Mark navigate the realities of a fast-moving, founder-led environment with a lot of skill. You have to preserve the entrepreneurial energy that built the business while introducing the operational rigor needed to scale, and Mark did that well.

Nick Lazo

Fintech, Payments & AI Executive | CRO

"

Mark's ability to bridge product and sales was obvious. He helped shape the go-to-market strategy, refined the value proposition, and built a repeatable process that let the company scale. I'd recommend him to any organization wanting to create scale and revenue predictability.

Craig Pawling

VP of Product, Apiture

"

While building and leading the sales organization, developing the sales playbook, and establishing many of the processes that would support future growth, he was also personally responsible for helping secure Apiture's first commercial client. It's rare to find a sales leader who can successfully operate at both levels simultaneously.

Mike Baker

Bank & Credit Union Technical Solution Design, Apiture product team

"

From the beginning, Mark approached the process as a true partner rather than a salesperson. He never delegated the relationship, stayed personally accountable, and focused on what was right for our institution. He treated our organization with the same level of attention that many vendors reserve only for the large banks.

Newton Gomez

President (evaluating a digital banking initiative at Cross River Bank)

"

Mark brought the structure and direction our team needed in a fast-moving, founder-led environment. He turned a lot of moving pieces into a clear plan, set expectations, and led from the front. As someone who reported to him, I always knew where we stood, what success looked like, and what we needed to do next.

Jeff Urdang

Founding Strategic Account Executive (reported to Mark)

"

I've worked with Mark on and off since 2005 across three different companies. Success isn't just about hitting a number. It's about building a team that can consistently perform, developing people, and creating accountability without losing the human side of leadership. If you're looking for a sales leader who can drive results while building strong teams, I'd recommend Mark without hesitation.

Barbara Sutton

Revenue Architecture & RevOps Leader (reported to Mark)

"

Mark is a complete hands-on sales leader. He understands how to build teams, create structure, and drive results, while never losing sight of the customer, the market, or the people doing the work. Most importantly, these are not just my words. I've performed multiple blind reference checks with trusted sources, and all concur on these points.

Eric Dunlop

Owner, 3 Strands Search Partners