About
A firm built on direct involvement.
Howard Strategic Partners is a Knoxville advisory and operating firm founded and led by Brian Howard. The work spans the strategic, operational, technology, reputation, and government affairs matters that move a business. The firm also operates companies of its own.
Our approach is defined by direct involvement. We work alongside the people running the business, bring real judgment to the decisions that matter, and stay through implementation.
On select opportunities, we invest in and acquire companies on our own account, and we operate the businesses we have built ourselves. That experience is what makes the advisory work different.
Hands-on guidance and real capability, with the operator experience to back it up.
Strategic Advisory
Strategic guidance for owners, executives, and boards on the decisions that shape the business. A regular cadence with the decision maker, strategic assessments, and on-call availability between sessions.
Fractional CTO
Technology leadership for businesses that need a real CTO in the room without carrying one on payroll. Architecture, vendor selection, security, data protection, and team leadership.
Operational Problem-Solving
Diagnosing what is not working in the business, designing the fix together with the leadership team, and staying involved through implementation. The deliverable is a business that runs the way it should.
Reputation & Digital Risk
OSINT research, data broker removal, online reputation work, and executive privacy hardening. The cleanup most leaders do not realize they need until they see what is actually out there.
Government Affairs
Regulatory navigation, procurement and government contracting, coalition and stakeholder work, and the political and agency relationships that move a decision in the right direction. Local and regional focus, with selective state-level engagement.
AI Solutions
Custom AI strategy and application development. Agents, RAG systems, workflow automation, and AI integrations built for the specific operational problems in front of the business.
Operating Partnerships
For a small number of clients, an advisory relationship grows into an operating partnership where we step in alongside the leadership team and share in the outcome. Selective, and always built on an existing relationship.
Companies We Operate
Howard Strategic Partners owns and operates businesses on its own account, including a Knoxville-based web, design, marketing, and social media company. The operator experience is what makes the advisory work different.
Our Philosophy
We work across sectors because real judgment and disciplined operations are not industry-specific. Our work spans technology, professional services, hospitality, food and beverage, real estate, creative services, and beyond. We go where we can do real work for the client.
We do not pretend to be everything to everyone. Where a matter calls for capability we do not have in-house, we bring in trusted partners and stay accountable for the outcome. Every engagement we take on comes with active involvement and the operator experience to back it up.
Brian Howard
Brian Howard has spent nearly two decades building and operating businesses, in roles where the outcome has been his to deliver. That experience is the foundation of Howard Strategic Partners.
He is the co-founder and CTO of Votive, where for the past several years he has built the software and infrastructure that long-term care facilities across the country rely on to meet federal CMS reporting requirements, track infection control through CDC and NHSN, and stay ahead of the regulatory expectations that govern the industry. The work spans software, custom hardware including the visitor kiosks deployed inside facilities, and a growing AI practice covering staff scheduling, resident health prediction, and an AI-powered CMS regulation library.
He is also the founder of Alicorn Ink, a Knoxville design and marketing studio that builds websites, brand work, and digital content for companies, nonprofits, and individuals. His operating background goes back to 2007, when he started running businesses while still in college, and includes work in injection molding manufacturing before founding Alicorn Ink in 2018 and co-founding Votive in 2019. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering, culinary arts, and hotel, restaurant, and tourism management.
Brian grew up in West Knoxville and lives there now with his wife and son.
More at brianwhoward.com
Community
Knoxville is home. We are committed to the long-term growth of the communities where we operate, and we invest leadership, time, and capital into local organizations and initiatives that create economic opportunity. Building stronger businesses and stronger communities is the same work.
Learn about our philanthropic work