Episode 6: CEO and HR: Strategic Partnership

Behnam Bakhshandeh is an accomplished business manager, known widely as a dynamic writer, speaker, personal and business coach and trainer. Implementing his skills as a passionate, visionary leader, he produces extraordinary results in record time. Behnam brings his broad experience and successful track record to each project, whether it involves personal development, implementing customer-focused programs, integrating technologies, marketing, redesigning operational core processes, or delivering strategic initiatives.

Before designing Primeco Education technology, Behnam led educational programs and later managed operations for a global education organization based in two major US cities. During this seven-year period, Behnam worked personally with tens of thousands of participants. He was accountable for expanding customer participation, training program leaders, increasing sales, and improving the finance department's efficiency and management of the overall operations for the staff and their team of over 400 volunteers, who together served an annual client base of over 10,000.

Behnam designed the Primeco Education technology in 2001. Since then, he and his team members have helped countless businesses and individuals not only achieve their goals, but also transform their thinking. His proven methodology is based on his extensive experience in business and human relations.

He consistently delivers and works with others to produce results beyond what was predicted or expected. This exceptional rate of business and personal growth is the result of his high integrity, unprecedented teamwork, open communication, and a contagious, unflinching commitment to excellence in all business operations, personal relationships, and professional interactions. Behnam is a shining example of how combining vision and goals with hard work consistently pays off beyond even the highest expectations. His work with businesses has resulted in successful team building, companies that grow through a shared vision, efficient process redevelopment, increased revenues, and work environments that support employee satisfaction and retention.

Committed to lifelong education, Behnam went back to school and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix.  He continued his graduate studies at Penn State University to earn a Master of Professional Study in Organizational Development and Change, which was immediately continued by his Doctorate in Workforce Education & Development with a concentration on Human Resources Development (HRD) and Organization Development (OD) in College of Education at Penn State. Behnam enjoyed expanding into psychology as an addition to his already strong background in philosophy and ontology. He particularly enjoyed and was inspired by Positive Psychology and the work of many psychologists who used the Humanistic Psychology approach for empowering and treating their patients. Behnam finds these two psychological approaches very similar to his own work, methodology, and approaches. Behnam is widely known for his commitment to making a difference in every life he touches.  He is distinguished in his field for delivering outcomes that leave all his clients fulfilled in realizing their dreams.  His rigor ensures that results are produced while his compassion and sense of humor bring a play to every working relationship.

Earning his real estate license when he was just a sophomore in college, Chris Heller rose to become the leader of the largest real estate company in the world - and didn’t stop there.

Early on, Heller was named Rookie of the Year in 1989 before becoming the top-producing agent in San Diego County and the No. 1 Keller Williams associate in North America. He has consistently set new records and standards across the industry for more than 30 years.

His leadership philosophy and unmatched track record in real estate has provided a springboard for outstanding contribution across many sectors. Heller brings his knowledge and experience to a variety of leadership roles, including advisor, board member, investor, coach, and mentor.

OJO is an Austin-based real estate technology company guiding more people to successful homeownership. The company’s platform for buying, selling, and homeownership meets people wherever they are on their journey, offering personalized guidance every step of the way. Through a bespoke combination of people and technology, OJO cultivates a deep understanding of individual needs and preferences, matching people with the right tools and trusted providers to equip anyone to unlock the abundant benefits of home ownership. 

As one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., OJO Labs placed 29th on the Deloitte Tech Fast 500 and 49th on the Inc. 5000. To date, the company has raised more than $140 million to fuel its rapid growth. CEO and Founder, John Berkowitz, has been named EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Central Texas and a top CEO by the Austin Business Journal and the company’s executives have won more than a dozen industry awards in the past year. OJO Labs is headquartered in Austin, Texas and has more than 700 employees globally with a presence in Chicago, Minneapolis, and San Mateo; and a large operations center in St. Lucia.