Making it Possible

ValueLink 540 provides strategic business advisory services to companies searching for answers to their challenging obstacles. We focus on helping clients find new and innovative solutions that fit inside current systems, budget, or capacity constraints. We have experience in driving significant non-core revenue streams when existing revenue channels are strained. Through additional marketing techniques we can build a revenue approach to deliver against the annual plan.
We have deep expertise in digital marketing, mobile, social, eCommerce, distribution strategy and implementation, customer data collection and utilization, branding, advertising, loyalty, innovation, and co-branded credit card programs. We also have experience in opportunity assessment, acquisition due diligence and post-acquisition integration, corporate governance, organizational leadership, and corporate culture.

Areas of focus include customer intelligence, product development, customer engagement, loyalty, and customer experience. We have expertise in the use of technology to build and drive your digital, social, and business results. We understand distribution and other business challenges and how, digital, eCommerce strategies, customer experience initiatives, CRM/data strategies, revenue and marketing growth strategies can work together to build positive results.. We believe there is always a path to a solution and we are determined to find the answer for your success!

The company was founded by Kevin Krone, a recognized expert in leadership, business, marketing, revenue generation, as well as the original architect of the direct-to-customer travel-distribution model.

Kevin Krone

Founder and CEO

Kevin Krone is an accomplished and innovative global executive with a proven track record of building and enhancing one of the United States’ most admired brands, driving rapid revenue growth, developing effective customer-friendly ancillary products, and creating and implementing the travel industry’s most successful direct distribution models. Krone is a well-known expert on travel industry distribution and the power of authenticity and transparency on customer loyalty. Kevin has been recognized in his role as Chief Executive Officer as well as one of the “World’s Most Influential CMOs” by Forbes, One of the Top 50 CMOs to Watch in 2015″ by Boardroom Insider, among other awards and recognition. Kevin is a highly requested speaker and has addressed audiences world-wide on successful marketing, distribution, and leadership practices.

Most recently, Kevin Krone served as the Chief Executive Officer for Builder Homesite, Inc., where he led the transformation and reinvigoration of this home-building industry stalwart. Serving on the Board of the company since 2018, Kevin transitioned into the CEO role in 2022 at a critical time for Builder Homesite. Focusing on operational efficiencies, product innovation, and new revenue strategies, Builder Homesite emerged as a strong and healthy competitor in the housing and real estate technology space. Builder Homesite was successfully acquired by Zonda Homes in 2024 and remains an industry leader.

Previously, Kevin served as the vice president and Chief Marketing Officer for Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV), where he led the global marketing strategy for Southwest Airlines, including digital, mobile, eCommerce, social business, and distribution strategy, advertising, branding, loyalty, customer data and CRM, product development, promotions, customer insights, and sales. Kevin joined Southwest Airlines in 1992. One of Kevin’s early projects was to lead the development of southwest.com, the airline’s web site. Today the site he built and developed for over 20 years is now selling approximately $18 billion in air sales. In addition, the site has a large distribution business of other travel products, driving Kevin’s knowledge of distribution into all categories of travel. Southwest Airlines has grown from $1.4B in revenue when Krone joined the company to nearly $20 Billion in 2015!

Board Memberships/Corporate Governance

In addition to deep experience in running a large organization, Kevin Krone has experience with Corporate Governance. Krone joined the Board of Directors of UpLift, Inc. of Sunnyvale, CA, in December 2015. UpLift, Inc. has a unique platform to drive effective marketing and customer acquisition campaigns through the use of the UpLift proprietary payments tool suite.

Previously, Krone served on the Board of Directors of HomeAway (Nasdaq: AWAY) from April 2013 until the company was acquired by Expedia Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE) for $3.4 Billion in December 2015. Krone served as Chairman of the Nominating & Governance committee. 

Honors/Recognitions/Awards

• The World’s 50 Most Influential CMOs; Forbes 2014
• Top 50 CMOs to Watch in 2015; Boardroom Insider 2015
• Top CSOs Ranking; ExecRank 2014
• Marketer of the Year, Runner up; Advertising Age 2010
• Advertising Innovation and Leadership Award; AAF 2010
• Marketing 50; Advertising Age 2008
• Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing; HSMAI 2006

Andy Allmann

Sports Marketing, Experiential Marketing, Branded Entertainment

Andy is a marketing executive with over 34 years’ experience building brand affinity through National and Local Sponsorships and Partnerships. Andy created and shepherded the world-class Sports Marketing function at Southwest Airlines, connecting the brand to the passions of their customers.

As the Director of Experiential Marketing and Sponsorships for Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, Andy led the strategic development of Local and National Sponsorship investments to increase brand value across the Southwest network, domestically and internationally. In his role, Andy was responsible for all elements of sponsorship portfolio including the identification, negotiation, implementation, and continuous improvement to drive business results and foster brand loyalty for one of America’s Most Admired Companies.

In his 30+year history with Southwest, he led the creation of the airline’s first sports sponsorships and the first league partnership deals including the NFL, NBA, NHL. While Andy was growing Southwest market presence through these strategic relationships, he quickly ascending to be the leading expert for Sports Marketing and Sponsorship development for Southwest and in the Industry.

Andy achieved industry-leading results for the Southwest brand and is well known and respected for his thought leadership in the Sports Marketing, Sponsorships, National Partnerships, and Experiential Marketing arenas.