Experience across the numbers—and the system behind them.

Karl’s perspective was formed inside operating companies, not only inside a finance department. His record includes part-ownership of a Portland/Seattle enterprise generating $100M+ in annual revenue, opening and building its Seattle market, later acquiring his partners’ interests, scaling the operation to $30M+ in annual revenue, leading teams of 200+, raising growth capital, evaluating private-equity acquisitions, and building and scaling businesses from $0 that collectively generated more than $200M in cumulative revenue. He also built and led the finance departments and operating systems required to support that scale.

Brand strategy is part of Karl’s company-building work, not an afterthought to finance. He connects market positioning and customer understanding with the full outward-facing brand: logos, typography, websites, packaging, sales and marketing materials, messaging and communications. His focus is how those choices work together to express the business clearly and consistently.

Through The Studio, a KSIG Advisors brand, Karl brings that brand and business perspective into collaborative engagements with Emerson Ohlemann’s branding, photography and content expertise and Stacey Ohlemann’s interior design and styling. Each project defines the right mix of specialties and responsibilities.

That background connects strategy to execution. Revenue quality, working capital, job cost, forecasting, capital, contracts, technology, and leadership are not separate conversations. They are parts of one operating model.

Today, Karl leads KSIG Advisors for interim and fractional CFO work and BlackBoxx.ai, his independent AI systems lab for internal research, development, and evaluation.

Curate Holdings is his venture-development and intellectual-property platform for exploring emerging technologies and selectively advancing concepts toward testable business opportunities. Concept-stage initiatives are distinguished from operational services.

As a full-time Roslyn resident, he also co-founded WeHeartCleElumRoslyn, SPC and maintains a documented record of community and civic involvement in Upper Kittitas County.

Karl completed MIT Sloan Executive Education’s Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy program in March 2024. His Advanced Certificate for Executives (ACE) in Management, Innovation & Technology remains in progress, and he is a CMA Candidate. His legal and commercial work centers on issue framing, contract economics, risk assessment, negotiation, and disciplined coordination of specialized outside counsel. It does not imply attorney status.

His technology work includes finance-system design, build-vs-buy analysis, technology ROI, cost-center and internal-recharge design, security and customization tradeoffs, AI-assisted development, and integration between financial controls and operating technology.

Short biography

Karl Ohlemann is a founder-operator and CFO with more than 25 years of experience building and leading companies across construction, infrastructure, and technology. His career includes leading teams of more than 200, scaling a business to over $30 million in annual revenue, and developing businesses generating more than $200 million in cumulative revenue. Through KSIG Advisors, he provides interim and fractional finance leadership focused on liquidity, operating performance, capital, and enterprise value. He designs, builds, and evaluates AI-enabled systems and automation, connecting business requirements with financial controls and executive governance.

Extended biography

Karl Ohlemann brings more than 25 years of founder-operator, CEO, and CFO experience spanning construction, infrastructure, real estate-related services, and technology. He helped lead a Portland/Seattle enterprise generating more than $100 million annually, opened its Seattle market, and later acquired his partners’ interests in a business he scaled to more than $30 million in annual revenue. Across ventures he has built and led, cumulative revenue exceeded $200 million and teams reached more than 200 employees. His finance leadership encompasses cash forecasting, working capital, capital formation, lender relationships, FP&A, operating controls, systems, and ownership transitions.

Today, through KSIG Advisors, Karl works with founder-led and growth-oriented businesses requiring executive-level financial judgment. Through BlackBoxx.ai, his independent AI systems lab, he develops and evaluates AI agents, integrations, automation, and governance controls. His broader involvement includes the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, National Small Business Association Leadership Council, and former board service with Washington construction-industry associations. His technology work builds on business-systems experience at Nike and strategy, innovation, and technology leadership at Macadam. Today, he translates operating requirements into working systems and tests their behavior, economics, and controls.

Full affiliations and leadership record →

What the Modern CFO Actually Does · Finance leadership beyond reporting.

Build vs. Buy · The economics and accountability behind technology decisions.

The Financial Architecture of a Turnaround · Liquidity, systems, and operating discipline.

“I would recommend Karl as one very knowledgeable and very experienced person to help lead your business in a positive direction!”

Dennis Bourdeau · Director of Corporate Development, Trident · Longstanding vendor partner · LinkedIn recommendation, June 2024

“His advice has been instrumental in my own career, guiding me through complex decisions with wisdom and insight.”

Kamran Mostofi · Owner / Broker · LinkedIn recommendation, June 2024

“He is a natural leader and others are drawn to his vision, leadership style, and the way that he connects with those around him.”

Erin Pratt · LinkedIn recommendation, May 2024

Excerpts from recommendations received personally by Karl; these are not represented as KSIG client testimonials. View LinkedIn profile →