We are part of The Trust Project.
Years with organization: 16 years (but in the industry for 18)
Years in current position: 16 years
What you do in your own words: I am the visionary for our family of companies. I help set the vision and purpose of each organization, I create opportunities for growth, have key conversations with industry leaders, and consider how our organization can fit into the future of our respective industries and continue to add value to our team members as we grow.
Hobbies: Spending time at the lakes, pheasant hunting, watching sports, and reading
Family: Wife, Maria and Red, a yellow Lab
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What was your first job?
Dairy Queen to fund my first investment property at 16 years old.
What is the best way to build a great team?
Start with the WHO and not the experience in the role. Culture and values as well as attitude and mindset are the most important to us.
What is the best advice you would give to a learning leader?
Just start. You will fail and fail again. Fail forward and never give up! Nobody that succeeds does it the first time, and nobody does it alone. Surround yourself with talented people, set a vision, and get out of their way!
What’s the most important risk you took and why?
To take my hands off the steering wheel and allow others to run the companies so I can stay where I am best and create the most opportunity for our people. Typically the order is "I run it > WE run it > THEY run it and eventually > It's THEIRS." I have chosen THEIRS and it's been a great decision for all of us.
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Favorite leadership book?
“The Traveler's Gift” by Andy Andrews
