William J. Butler,
Founding Principal

Based on more than twenty-five years of successful leadership experience, Mr. Butler has demonstrated the ability to take organizations to the next level of performance, and outperform their competitors. Prior to his current involvement with NEXT LEVEL Partners, LLC, Mr. Butler was an Executive Officer of Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) as Group Executive and Vice President – Danaher Business System. Mr. Butler joined Danaher in 1991 as its first Director, JIT Promotion, which ultimately evolved into the Danaher Business System. Following progressively responsible appointments in operations with Danaher's Hand Tool Group, Mr. Butler was appointed President, Gulton Graphic Instruments Division in 1996 and President, Jacobs Vehicle Systems in 1998. Jacobs, already known for its outstanding implementation of Toyota Production System processes, achieved record levels of performance in revenue and operating profit under Mr. Butler’s leadership. In 1999 Mr. Butler was appointed Group Executive, Industrial Controls with responsibility for Danaher’s Instrument and Control Companies in North America and Europe. In 2000 Mr. Butler assumed complete responsibility for Danaher’s Power Quality Business Platform. By 2002 Mr. Butler assumed additional responsibilities as Vice President, Danaher Business System and Vice President, Procurement.

Prior to joining Danaher, Mr. Butler was a Manager in the Management Consulting Group of Deloitte and Touche. Mr. Butler is a 1977 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a 1988 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute where he earned his Masters Degree in Engineering Administration.