Ben K.

Ben Kozy

Columbia Business School Logo

Studied at Columbia Business School

McKinsey & Company Logo

Hiring Manager at McKinsey & Company

Available Monday at 4:00 PM UTC

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About Ben

👋🏼 Hi there! I'm Ben, a Californian (Los Angeles) born and raised in Texas (Houston) 📍 My path to-date has been military (Navy) ➡️ Capital One ➡️ Booz Allen Hamilton ➡️ MBA (Columbia) ➡️ Consulting (McKinsey) ➡️ Startup exec (COO) 💡 I feel fortunate to be at the point where I have an array of personal learnings (good and bad) that I can share with you in a way that arms you to be more prepared for a specific task or an important decision you'll soon be making 🤝 If there's one thing that sets me apart, in both working and coaching styles, I'd say it's candor: I believe being candid (and kind) is the best way to support someone who is looking to improve and/or make the most informed decision for themselves 📈 I look forward to connecting with many of you and to helping support your journeys!

Why do I coach?

🟢 While I didn't have a formal coach until a few years ago, I've been fortunate to have informal coaches/mentors over the years 🟢 As my career progressed, I was able to be an informal and sometimes formal coach to others 🟢 These interactions, where you're learning about others while improving their preparedness, outlook, or trajectory, are among the most energizing of any professional interactions I've had.

Work Experience

OpsRay Logo

Founder & Fractional COO

OpsRay

March 2026 - Present

OpsRay is an operations practice for PE- and VC-backed companies. Embedded operating leadership for businesses that need senior ops horsepower without a full-time COO. 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀: • Fractional COO: embedded part-time, ongoing • Interim COO: between leaders or as you plan for your first full-time COO • Project-based: defined scope, specific outcomes (e.g., procurement diagnostic) Operator, not consultant.

Airspace Logo

Advisor

Airspace

January 2026 - Present

Airspace Logo

Chief Operating Officer

Airspace

September 2020 - December 2025

Hiring Manager

🤖 AI-native logistics startup, where I regularly discussed, prioritized, and implemented AI initiatives for our internal teams and our customers 🟢 Led global operations across three continents, driving improvements in efficiency, service quality, and cost-to-serve 🟢 Built scalable processes and operating models that enabled substantial growth across multiple geographies, customer segments, and service offerings 🟢 Led a high-performing operations organization anchored in analytics-driven decision-making, workflow automation, operational scorecards, continuous improvement, and talent development 🟢 Partnered cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, and Revenue to translate customer insights into automated workflows and more consistent operational execution

Airspace Logo

Senior Vice President of Operations

Airspace

February 2020 - September 2020

McKinsey & Company Logo

Engagement Manager

McKinsey & Company

June 2017 - February 2020

Hiring Manager

🎓 Part of the "Recruiting" and "Cultivation" groups for 3 years ➡️ I administered over 100 interviews across dozens of MBA and undergrad campuses during interview season 🟢 Led large-scale operational transformations for industrial, logistics, and services clients, combining operational and financial analysis to unlock margin, throughput, and service-level improvements 🟢 Redesigned complex networks and production systems to eliminate bottlenecks, strengthen asset utilization, and improve overall reliability across multi-site operations 🟢 Directed cross-functional teams of consultants and client leaders, partnering closely with C-suite stakeholders to translate strategy into executable operating models and capability-building programs 🟢 Built capacity, production-planning, and workforce models that improved operational stability and optimized resource allocation in manufacturing and logistics environments 🟢 Delivered end-to-end performance-improvement programs, driving process standardization, waste reduction, and enhanced operational effectiveness for global clients 🟢 Developed strategic sourcing and should-cost models for an industrial client, strengthening negotiation leverage and improving procurement and vendor-management discipline

McKinsey & Company Logo

Associate

McKinsey & Company

July 2015 - June 2017

McKinsey & Company Logo

Summer Associate

McKinsey & Company

June 2014 - August 2014

Booz Allen Hamilton Logo

Senior Consultant

Booz Allen Hamilton

August 2011 - July 2013

Capital One Logo

Business Analyst

Capital One

July 2010 - August 2011

US Navy Logo

Naval Officer

US Navy

May 2008 - July 2010

Commissioned and service selected submarines. Was medically discharged after graduating from Nuclear Power School.

Ben was also given offers to work at

  • Boston Consulting Group Logo

    Boston Consulting Group

Education

Columbia Business School Logo

Columbia Business School

MBA, Decision, Risk, and Operations

2013 - 2015

Nuclear Power School Logo

Nuclear Power School

Graduation Certificate, Nuclear Engineering

2008 - 2009

United States Naval Academy Logo

United States Naval Academy

BS, Systems Engineering

2004 - 2008

Ben K.

Ben K.

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