Vistage Member Excellence Awards

In the world of oil and gas, Cody Sutton drills down a champion business strategy, ambitiously expanding Guide Energy Solutions. “Challenges sometimes give us our best opportunities,” he shares. With sights set on South Texas and Louisiana, he hopes to expand his two-location operation, grow his team from 30 to 50 and drive revenues upwards of $150 million.

Just 15 years ago, Level Legal was a just startup – aiming to provide clients with world-class service. Flash forward to today, with a handful of original employees and over 500 team members, the company delights hundreds of clients while maintaining an average NPS of 74. As former mayor of Tyler, TX, Joey pulls from his experience to make Level Legal delightful.

As a third-generation CEO, Nathan Potter helped grow revenue from $130M to $400M in his last 10 years by strategically prioritizing customers and team members. While enjoying this success, Nathan realized the right buyer would be able to scale DW faster than he could, so he changed roles and sold the company. Now, he supports the acquirer with M&As — applying what he learned in his selling journey.

Serial entrepreneur Brett Goodson transformed a startup into a $15M brand, drawing inspiration from natural interfaces or riparian zones. Brett studies the opportunities that appear where disciplines meet. These are evaluated in depth using a method marketing approach to understand solutions to customer problems.

Pete Tortorelli drives scientific progress by impacting lives daily. Specializing in sample preparation devices, Omni’s innovations span applications such as newborn drug screening to a groundbreaking 95% accurate saliva-based COVID-19 test. Under Pete’s leadership, sales have doubled in the last five years. Now part of Revvity, Omni remains dedicated to addressing scientific discovery and health needs.

CT Darnell Construction, led by President Travis Darnell, defies the construction industry’s negative stereotype. Travis prioritizes trust, fostering long-term relationships. To circumvent the unpredictable nature of the business, he diversified into fast growing cloud-based data center construction, and boosted profitability by exiting under performing market segments.

Since its 2005 inception as a U.S. Navy contractor, defense contractor Vadum has evolved, forming key partnerships with industry leaders like Raytheon and Lockheed. CEO Aaron Walker drives rapid growth by deploying technology and machine learning to interpret dynamic data from tactical sensors. Recent years have seen remarkable 20-30% annual growth, with revenue increasing from $6M to $17M and headcount rising from 40 to 80.

From Boston to Miami, THS National renovates multifamily properties across the eastern US. With revenue growth of $100M+ in the last few years, Brian Higgins, CEO, attributes this success to the incredible, service-minded people who work for THS. In the next five years, he aims to expand the business beyond $250M+, and to compete and win on a national level.

Leaving finance behind, Erik acquired a small solar company driven by a desire to benefit the planet. After selling that company to a large hedge fund in 2014 he started a fund to invest in renewable projects. Fund assets soared from $15M to $200M, and Erik is set on a trajectory to $1B in capital. Leading with a culture of innovation, he fosters learning from mistakes, framing challenges as opportunities for improvement.

After the patriarch of family-owned business Blanchard Machinery Co. passed away, Brad Fultz stepped up as interim CEO to keep the company on an upward trajectory. “We had 750+ families who depended on us to keep going,” he shared. He has a people-centric leadership approach, aiming not only to be the best equipment dealer, but also the best place to work in South Carolina.

Fresh out of college Skip Norris took the helm of his father’s company, The Building Center. At the time he took over as president, it was a $25M business. Today, he has grown it into one of the largest independent building supply businesses in the South, with revenue exceeding $250M — a 900% increase. On top of that, his team has increased from 150 to 400 through a handful of mergers over time.

With 44 years in the medical industry, John focused on putting the “care” back in healthcare. Leading an institution that sees 50,000 emergency room visits, has 82 beds and an 80-acre campus with three medical office buildings, he leaned on harmony and kindness to help the hospital thrive. His influence extends far beyond the walls of the hospital, extending his services to neighboring communities via free clinics.

For four consecutive years, Alert Protective Services had a 400% employee turnover rate. That all changed when Jared Wasserman was promoted to CEO. By prioritizing an open-door culture he cut employee turnover down to 2%. Jared also put his passion into sales and scaling the security company, increasing sales 300% annually from $1M to $3.2M by balancing his market segment,  creating higher valuation.

From the Beatles to Travis Scott to the Symphony Orchestra — as the premier merchandise for the music industry, Culture Studio creates it all under Rich Santo’s leadership. The company has seen 66% growth in the last year alone and aims to have a two-day ground ship anywhere in the U.S. With locations in Chicago and Daytona Beach, they plan to expand to Los Angeles for coast-to-coast reach.

Felicia leads Prairie States with a visionary approach. Drawing on her high-stakes ICU nursing experience, she shapes a workplace culture centered on respect and compassion. She fosters longevity in her team while embracing fresh talent for added vigor. Felicia’s strategic thinking propels the company’s growth in a competitive marketplace with advanced IT and analytical tools to enhance client experiences.

Dave’s legacy is evident in NAI Hiffman’s remarkable growth, expanding fourfold during his 18-year tenure. Originally Chicago-based, the company now spans 27 states with 260 employees. Dave’s leadership drove diversification into property management, lease administration, project management, and medical office facilities. Now, Dave is in the process of a transition, with a new president coming on board.

Under Ryan Sberna’s leadership, Eagle Eye Power Solutions experienced a 200% surge in employees, facility size, customer base, and revenue over the last three years. Sustaining this success involves  building a robust foundation—hiring the right people, cultivating the right culture, and establishing the right approach. Ryan also strives to continually empower his employees and the community.

At the age of 10, Corey began his journey at A&J Mobility, crafting screw buttons for wheelchairs. He now leads the company, upholding his father’s vision and prioritizing the goal of serving people with disabilities. Corey articulates his aim: “to be the best at what we do,” which involves expanding services to include automobile repairs and staying vigilant about auto trends for optimal vehicle availability.

Since 1990, Brian Raffel has led Raven Software with the mantra “move or die.” And in the world of video games and rapidly changing technology, this can make the difference between becoming a hit or a miss. To create stability for his company, Brian aligns Raven with strategic partners bringing his 475 employees more resources to bring their visions to life such as developing the Call of Duty series, valued at $27B.

Steve helped grow the company by 10 to 15% each year by promoting and educating its electroplating customers on safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives to, e.g. cyanides, hexavalent chrome and solvents. Now, Steve shares his passion and wealth of experiences lecturing students on applied electrochemistry and entrepreneurship and also coaching business start-ups as a SCORE mentor.

Second-generation leader, Chris Amato, has embraced the legacy of CMM Custom Homes. Over its 40-year journey, Chris’s innovative approach melded the company’s proud heritage with modern design sensibilities and helped the company see annual growth rates of 100% each year. He also expanded his team from 15 to 35 members which serves as a testament to his ability to structure and empower employees.

Bill has been a catalyst for change, both financially and culturally. He grew company revenue from $47M to $62M by focusing on steady growth and leveraging pandemic-induced disruption to reevaluate company fundamentals. He aims to create a network of future leaders and enable employee leadership development. “ I want them to feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves,” he shares.

Since 1989, John Merola has transformed his family tile business in Brooklyn into a leading supplier, collaborating with major players like Home Depot. Starting with a team of 12, Merola Tile Distributors of America now boasts over 125 employees, with sales soaring from $4M to $40M. John is redefining success with a newfound emphasis on communication and collaboration, shifting away from gritty independence.

Ralph Anderson goes beyond leaving a business legacy; it’s about lasting positive change. Following the sale of his real estate business, he dedicates his time to running Lexington Capital Management and to philanthropy, supporting causes like animal welfare and social change. Actively contributing to RWJBarnabas Health’s fundraising board, Ralph applies business insights to give back.

As the first female CEO of Goodwill Industries Nebraska, Tobi Mathouser has made her mark with rock-solid statistics. Just last year she facilitated 150 job placements, recycled 5.7M pounds of clothes and invested nearly $2M in revenue toward mission programming. Looking ahead, Tobi aims to expand career services to her team, fostering growth within or beyond Goodwill starting next year.

Dennis Fenderson, founder of PSC Construction, champions a deliberate approach to company growth — believing in the adage that slow and steady ultimately prevails. Focused on excellence over sheer size, PSC achieves 10-15% annual revenue growth and a 60% sales surge in the last three years. Dennis aims to swiftly share his 35 years of hard-earned expertise, empowering them to assume greater responsibilities.

Brad Baumler founded Concrete Technologies 23 years ago with four employees, expanding to include CTI Ready Mix and other construction divisions. In the past decade, the company has nearly tripled in size, reaching 350 employees and $110 M in revenue. He plans to expand regionally and venture into the Midwest while empowering his team for ownership and decision-making, fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Kevin Harberts, a pioneer in integrating automation and robotics, led Kryton Engineered Metals to become a top-tier metal manufacturer, achieving $22M in annual revenue. In December 2022, he orchestrated a successful transition to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), making all employees owners and establishing a lasting legacy of shared empowerment.

Camp Waldemar was founded as a place for girls to grow spiritually, mentally and physically. Once a camper herself, Meg has maintained traditions while implementing new and relevant programs. This year she’s introducing a mindfulness program and a family camp designed to connect families over a shared vision. Meg attributes her success to the people she works with and a strive for excellence.

As president of a third-generation, family-owned HVAC company, Trey has worn every hat in the industry. During the pandemic, Trey led the company to success with over $36M in revenue, 200+ employees, 15 offices and expansion outside of Texas. Not only has he fostered financial growth, but he prioritizes his team through initiatives like the “Tip Jar” – an extra financial incentive for employees.

“I want to build better leaders from the ground up”. Ed Trevis started Corvalent Corporation 30 years ago after immigrating to the U.S. with only $140. As co-founder, CEO and president, the 2023 Lifetime Achievement winner has grown his company to nearly $20 million with over 60 employees. More recently, Ed has successfully led the hardware focused company into the industrial IoT software business.

What started as raising chinchillas in their family home, Edstrom Industries grew into one of the largest manufacturers of purified water distribution systems. Seeing an opportunity for growth, Arthur Edstrom partnered with a private equity firm, recruited a Life Sciences CEO and became Avidity Science. Now on the board of directors, Arthur’s focus is merger and acquisition strategies.

Over the past 2 years, Christa has spearheaded an astonishing growth trajectory at Alliant Consulting, seeing 53% growth in 2022 and YTD growth of 86% over the previous year. And in putting her team first, retention rates drop to less than 1% and the time to train and onboard team members has been cut from 6 months to just 3 weeks. Looking forward, she aims to expand globally including U.S. territories and Canada.

Under Ron’s leadership, Flux Power transformed from a $1M industrial operation to a business with over 130 employees, 65,000 sq. ft. of space and revenues of $70M. Leveraging the shift from traditional acid lead to lithium-ion battery packs, they continue to spark growth in a niche field. In the future, he wants to expand Flux Power beyond North America and gain interest in South America and Europe.

Brad Lupien, CEO of ARC, bridges the opportunity gap for underserved California youth. In a decade, he boosted revenue by 395%, bought out a partner, and expanded the number of students served to 26,000. His team grew from 100 to 850, achieving 70% growth during the pandemic, retaining 100% of staff. Now, he looks forward to nurturing his veteran team and sustaining his hard-earned growth.

As president of  Biotechnical Services, Phil Parker navigated significant financial challenges after he suffered an embezzlement. His sheer determination not to let the business fail, not to let his employees down is his legacy. He kept all of his employees and together they salvaged the business! Now, BTS is poised to have a nationwide presence and continue on the course Phil led.

After leaving the “Big Four,” Meghan Hovee ventured off on her own to provide a different type of accounting firm. What she discovered as CEO of Hovee & Co. was that her peers — other small business owners — were underserved in the accounting world. In setting her sights on helping others like her, she has grown revenue 4.5 times and increased her headcount by 400% over the past few years.

The Waldinger Corporation is growing like a sprout and Derek Hileman has no plans to slow down. With Derek as president, the group acquired and integrated nine companies, growing to 14 markets in 7 states. With a goal of becoming a $300M division, he is passionate about growing a strong leadership team to get there with the slogan “The Best in the Midwest” to keep that idea at the forefront of employees’ minds.

After selling Centriq Training in 1996 and buying it back five years later, Kevin leveraged this unique situation to provide opportunities to others. As president, he works with about 1,500 hiring partners to help place graduates in the cybersecurity and web development fields. “We’ve got an accelerated skills training program that is hands on with project-based learning that leads to employment,”.

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Dr. Merrie Jo Pitera became CEO of Litigation Insights at the start of the Great Recession, and on the heels of unexpected tragedy. Her dedicated leadership continues to ensure the premier litigation and trial consulting firm and its clients achieve success.

Brad is a transformative leader, combining strategy and heart as the CEO of New Castle Lawn and Landscape. Under his leadership, the company experienced remarkable growth, increasing revenue from $700,000 to $10 million and expanding the employee count by 10 times. Recognizing the intrinsic value in everyone, he sponsors employees via the H-2B program, empowering them to chase their American dream.

Karen’s leadership philosophy is based on the idea of preparing and cultivating herself and her people, and tending to prepare her team for the battles of our business and life — a dynamic she calls “the Gardener and the Viking.” Under her dynamic leadership, the company has embarked on a journey of expansion, entering new markets and leveraging cutting-edge technology, resulting in 20% growth this year.

Leading a 167-year-old firm demands a unique leader like Chris Jagel. His global upbringing fuels his commitment to diversity as CEO of Harris Beach. Recognizing and empowering his team has led to remarkable success, with profits up 30% in the past four years. Their future centers on client service, expanded offerings, and a culture of growth.

Just 10 short years ago, Encorus Group was a small engineering services company with 15 employees. During his tenure as President and CEO, Joe Lowry has continuously grown the company into a leading testing and engineering firm which now boasts a team of almost 100. As a self-proclaimed reluctant leader, Joe surrounds himself with smart people, places trust in his team and empowers them to excel by removing obstacles, allowing his team to shine.

Being a champion of advanced manufacturing has helped MOD-PAC Folding Cartons & Stock Packaging consistently grow two-to-three times the industry standard. Under Dan’s leadership MOD-PAC has invested heavily in the world’s newest technologies allowing them to deliver on their customer promises. They make boxes for some of the biggest brands in America and next year will mark their 143rd year in business.

As former President and CEO of family-owned Isaac Heating and Air Conditioning, Raymond Isaac’s vision to double sales every decade not only became a reality but was achieved in shorter, faster intervals. By 2021, Isaac had grown into a $70M enterprise, resulting from an unwavering commitment to strategic vision and execution. Today the company boasts $150M in revenue, coupled with a healthy EBITDA.

Suzette grew Indigo Asset Services from serving one family office client to 10 clients in 15 states and over the past three years grew revenue by over 300%. Suzette plans to create a more balanced portfolio, positioning the startup for its next stage of maturity. She is dedicated to mentoring and developing future generations of leaders, giving back to the industry that has given her so much.

Just a decade ago, Ripple Effect Communications had around 15 employees. Now, the organization is bustling with over 200 employees and revenue of $19M. CEO Amy Bielski explains the accomplishments stating, “I definitely contribute it to our willingness to take pauses along the growth journey, to invest in infrastructure, to make sure we’re ready for the next phase of growth.”

Joanna, CEO and self-proclaimed Chief Troublemaker of her company, is a leader who sees an opportunity and acts on it. At the start of the pandemic, when clients started canceling projects and conferences, Matrix Group created an event technology platform from scratch using cloud-native technologies. This expert choice not only saved her business, it also generated $1.5M in revenue its first year.

The 80s: known for big hair and shoulder pads. But for Ashok Thareja, it meant something bigger: the birth of A&T Systems, his company for nearly four decades. Just within the past five years, he saw 80% growth. Beyond financial success, Ashok’s passion lies in nurturing employees, with many rising from beginner ranks to lead. A&T is now 100% employee-owned, ensuring continuity and team investment.

As Point Equity faced challenges with soaring interest rate hikes, Justin Coupe made a strategic shift, securing a pivotal partnership with Sacramento’s largest private homebuilder. By implementing a cost-cutting plan, they reversed their losses and stabilized their company within just six months. On top of that, the company still supported philanthropic efforts for foster children in the area.

Kurt fashions himself as an orchestra conductor in his leadership journey. In the 40-year history of PBS Reno, he’s made great strides in keeping up with technological trends and maintaining flawless financials — doubling revenue since he joined the station in 2009 to $6.25M and operating completely debt-free. The station provides in-classroom educational workshops to over 126,000 local students.

After taking over his family business at 35 years-old, Dave remained triumphant through challenges such as a fire at his business, the death of a leadership team member and a cyber-attack. Through all of that, he grew revenue from $8M to $60M – a 650% increase! With eyes on the future, Dave envisions expansion into commercial markets and strengthening his current clientele in the Central Valley.

As former CEO of Cambria Solutions and current Managing Partner at BarronKent, Robert led Cambria to boast an impressive 31% average growth rate in 17 of the last 18 years. This performance earned them a spot on Inc Magazine’s “10x Club,” an honor reserved for the fastest-growing private U.S. companies, recognized ten times. Their growth also helped lead to a successful exit in 2022.

Growing up on a farm, CEO of American Plastic Molding Corp. Alan Myers, learned to create order out of chaos. And when it came to leading his company, he swiftly navigated challenges by transforming setbacks into opportunities for efficiency and innovation. His ESOP’s shareholder value increased by 40%, revenue surged 29% and profit increased 151% on average over three years.

Joe Dougherty is the fourth-generation leader of his family’s civil contracting firm, Louisville Paving Co. And throughout his tenure, he’s achieved his big, audacious goal and grew the $8M company to over $250M — a 3,025% increase. As for the future, he aims to improve everything from technology to personnel to profit margins, all to ensure the fifth-generation leaders will have a smooth path forward.

As CEO Taylor Advisors, Todd Taylor strategically grew his company by prioritizing  customers, sales and talent. Under his leadership, the company saw a 450% increase in revenue with figures growing from $2M to $11M during his time with Vistage. After putting his company on the market, he found the right acquirers and was able to retain his team, add more employees and keep his former client base.

Nick Francis got his start filming the journey from London to Mongolia in an old Mini Cooper. Now, as CEO of Casual Films, the innovative founder has tripled sales from $6.3M to nearly $20M and expanded the company internationally, operating across seven countries.  Nick’s journey isn’t just about business, the Casual Academy makes filmmaking accessible to students from diverse backgrounds globally.

Yi Yang began his journey with Summit Engineering as a project engineer in 2001. Since then,  in 2018, he became CEO of the firm and has demonstrated strong financial acumen and a clear vision. In this short time, he’s projected to nearly double annual revenue of $6.5M in 2016 to a projected $12M by 2025 and also initiated the company’s first comprehensive internship program, developing engineers of the future.

Patrick Bormann, CEO of ClearPath Business Advisors, redefines business mergers & acquisitions. He aids owners in forming healthy, sellable companies and pledges 25% of their success fees to nonprofit organizations. With this donor-advised fund structure, he drives change, boasting a 420% valuation increase, 185 closed M&A deals, and 93% client return rate.  Looking to the future, he aims to develop leaders to help ClearPath to continue to thrive.

Mike Scribner transformed BCCI Construction Co., achieving impressive growth. Revenues were $48M in 2002 when he took over leadership and set an ambitious goal to double revenue every five years. He succeeded, reaching $500M, a 941% increase, by diversifying sectors and securing tech giants like Google as clients. After 45 years, he decided it was time to pass the torch and explore other interests.

A contrarian leader, Reid’s goal is to transform the fitness industry with nutrition. As CEO, he leverages health insurance funds to offer free nutrition coaching to gym members, collaborating with more than 250 gyms and +50 dietitians across 39 states. With a $4.2M run rate in revenue in his 2nd year and a revenue goal of $12M annually next year, Reid is poised to level up the industry.

After taking over her father’s company, Lori – and her sister Traci — continued a commitment to diversity. Women represent 1/3 of the workforce, holding positions in all areas. “It’s more than just intentionally trying to hire women, it’s about creating an inclusive workplace culture and promoting manufacturing careers to all”.  And her vision is successful, seeing a 30% increase in sales last year.

As owner and founder of The Line Up, Debra Erickson leads her company with strategy, service and sequins. Her custom dance costume company handles every aspect of the business, from design to manufacturing, all within the USA. To demonstrate her care for her team, she’s instituting an ESOP and, most recently, her company closed out 2022 with a 20% increase in revenue and record-breaking sales.

Scott Landes is a leader who has not only made an impact on Rhino Market and Protection Systems, but on the utilities industry as a whole. Scott transformed what was a small sales rep agency into a thriving organization with nearly 100 employees and revenues exceeding $12M at time of sale. Moreover, he created a trade show company with the mission of helping the industry become safer and more efficient.

Shannon Scherr sets the bar high for her team and empowers them to meet her there.  As president of IDM Tooling, she’s doubled employee count and seen 400% company growth since she joined in 2017. With an eye on the future, she aims to continue her company’s growth, by expanding into the assembly and fulfillment segment, aiming to enter big box retailers and scale even further.

With 30+ years of experience, Craig Crock co-founded Southwest Solutions Group, a leading B2B storage efficiency company. In this, he also established SWSG University, an e-learning platform for employees with self-serve resources. With 100% ESOP, the team embraces a culture of ownership and empowerment, enabling the company to aim for $100M in revenue by 2025 with 10% net income.

Craig Wietz leads data behemoth, First Rate Inc. With $2T in assets, 400 customers and $2M accounts the company is focused on innovation to unlock even greater efficiencies. Most recently, they skillfully completed two acquisitions using specific criteria to expand First Rate’s offerings and maintain its culture. In giving back to the community, they donate 10% of revenue to employees’  team member’s charities of choice.

After 45 years at Womack Machine Supply Co., Mike Rowlett achieved a business owners dream by successfully selling his company. From an entry-level salesperson to CEO, this philosophy remained: “If we take care of our people, our people will take care of the business.” Fostering a culture of selflessness, care, integrity, and optimism, he achieved a 117% revenue growth from $84M to $203M in just six years.

While in college at the start of the new millennium, Jon Bach seized the momentum of the digital age and created Puget Systems. The company crafts high-performance computer workstations for creators, designers, and scientists. Now with $32M in revenue and a team of 65, Jon is investing in new geographies and new products — including AI, storage, servers, and on-premises services.

When Mona Veiseh took on the role of CEO, NuWest Group annual revenues were $30M and with her visionary approach, she guided it to an impressive $300M+, making an impact on healthcare staffing in regions as far as Guam. Her focus on talent development led to remarkable retention rates and exceptional customer satisfaction, and the company experienced a 500% revenue growth YoY from 2020 to 2021.

As Ankrom Moisans’ visionary leader, Dave has fostered very high client retention and employee satisfaction rates. His 100% ownership ESOP plan fosters team morale and prosperity, and he aspires to double the company’s size in four west coast offices. Leveraging diverse industries like housing, hospitality, senior, office, and healthcare, Dave ensures steady clientele and abundant design prospects.

After founding his company, Connor coined “Get three bids, just make sure one of them is Valentine Roofing,” creating a household name in Seattle. He’s not just a boss; he’s a good neighbor. He created the “Peace of Mind Program,” offering a free roof, every quarter, for families in need. Recently his company sold at close to 6x EBITDA after achieving $27M in revenue with 115 employees.

Recently, Jeff Smith was facing a crucial decision. Acquire a competitor or grow organically for a new revenue opportunity. The acquisition would immediately gain a foothold, but with challenges, or grow it organically at a slower, steady pace. Elite chose to grow it organically. “I have complete confidence in our team and in our processes.” Elite is poised to grow an additional $10-$15M in 3-5 years.

Leveraging Bartlett Wealth Management’s rich 125-year history, Holly is working towards building the pipeline of the future for the next 125 years. She launched a program called WEinvestTM that makes the wealth management industry more accessible to women of all backgrounds by fostering an intimate learning environment. “We are planting seeds today that will grow into the giant oak trees of the future.”

As the COO for the fourth-generation Shepherd Material Science group of companies, Ric is passionate about developing strong teams. He consistently gleans insights from thought leaders and business experts and intentionally brings those ideas to fruition. “My two most important roles as a leader are to build and maintain trust with customers and team members and to create organizational clarity,”.

As founder of Adam & Son Auto Repair, Dan Adam supports his community through his business, which is the first and only social impact auto repair shop. He began by donating 80% of proceeds from oil changes to local organizations and eventually started The Stranded Motorist Fund. To date, the fund has donated over $130,000 in repairs to domestic violence victims, single parents and others in need.

Christina Russell considers herself a true CEO: Chief Executive Optimist. With three beauty companies under her belt, Christina is at the nexus of trends sweeping the industry. As president of Woodhouse Spas, she expanded and grew her corporate office team by 370% to support the growing needs of the company’s expanding footprint, which now spans nearly 800 locations across two brands.

As founder of East Daley Analytics, Jim’s company provides comprehensive, fact-based intelligence to clients and investors in the energy industry. Jim’s journey began with the realization that greater transparency was needed in the energy financial market. After 26 years, he was on a great team that brokered a nine-figure sale. Jim continues to scale businesses and help simplify complex markets.

Sarah’s people-first attitude drives her passion and vision for the firm and their 850 employees. BerryDunn’s culture focuses on the importance of developing engaged employees and strong client relationships, which leads to quality work and client loyalty. Working to enhance the firm’s culture, Sarah sponsors a workgroup focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility.

As founder and CEO, Heather has received numerous accolades, including the 2022 WPO 25 Fastest Growing Companies in North America, 2021 MaineBiz Woman to Watch, USWCC Growth Master award, and the MRRA Most Innovative Business. Her business also consistently ranks on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies with seven wins in a row out of the company’s 10-year existence.

In an era defined by fierce competition and rapid change, Sr. VP of Cherry City Electric, Joe Janssen emerged as a true visionary leader, achieving remarkable success in both business growth and fostering harmonious relationships within the organization. Cherry City witnessed an extraordinary transformation, expanding its revenue from $58M to $82M, representing a remarkable 36% growth in a single year.

Robert built a team from scratch at HoSt Bio-Energy Systems from virtually nothing to more than 20 people by the end of this year. And within a year, his team of dedicated professionals transformed the company’s sales to a staggering $50M, with a backlog of over $20M. With an increase in global climate consciousness, his company is set to increase revenue by 200% in the next few years.

As a third-generation leader, Malcolm takes satisfaction in nurturing the company’s values and helping people develop their capabilities. He works hard with his team on setting clear goals, determining how to reach them and then holding each other accountable for results. Malcolm says the best investment he made was “stepping back from being busy, looking at how I’m leading and figuring out what we want the company to be.”

Over the past 18 years as president of PAE Consulting Engineers, Inc., Paul Schwer led  the firm to become an industry leader in growth and sustainability. On the growth front, PAE’s revenue skyrocketed 15X from $5M to a staggering $75M. And in the world of sustainability, the firm boasts 111 LEED Platinum buildings, 60 net-zero energy buildings, and 18 Living Buildings.

After he helped grow a software company into a 150-person division of a Fortune 500 company, selling the company twice and achieving “best places to work”, Timothy Tannert followed his entrepreneurial spirit and embarked on helping others achieve their vision via EOS. Within the first year, he helped over a dozen clients exceed their goals and make a difference for their teams and communities.

In just eight years, Dale Buckwalter achieved some incredible statistics. Leveraging thorough research, he helped grow 3 Rivers Capital from three to 12 portfolio companies, increasing EBITDA by 1540%, increasing revenue by 1150% and creating about 1,100 new jobs. His private equity fund focuses on helping small businesses grow and under Dale’s leadership, 3RC is leading by example.

Franklin Interiors president Ralph Dallier met leadership challenges head-on. From bringing his company out of bankruptcy to surviving the pandemic, all while fostering a culture of shared prosperity. On top of that, when remote work threatened his office furniture sales profits, Ralph created a strategy for diversification by expanding services into healthcare and education. This year, his company is on target to have another significant year of growth over the pandemics years.

When her laboratory was closed after 23 years of life-saving research, Dr. Janet Stout seized the opportunity to launch Special Pathogens Laboratory as a private company fueled by purpose. Janet’s groundbreaking research led to paradigm-shifting discoveries for safer water systems and her business acumen resulted in an 1122% increase in revenue. Under her leadership, the recent sale of SPL to Pace Analytical Services ensures the legacy continues, bringing us closer to ending Legionnaires’ disease.

As the President of Hobbs and Company, Inc. Ed Collison doubled his company’s revenue from $8M to $16M in two years despite the pandemic’s challenges. He strategically identified new partnerships and looks to expand his services to EV charging stations in the future. Ed reified his commitment to his team by paying them even during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Mike Ghesser expertly aligns his personal and professional values to provide employment opportunities to disabled individuals, incorporate braille on every product, and continually seek improvement as a team, speaking to their unwavering commitment to excellence under his leadership. On top of that, Mike grew revenue by 150% during his time as a Vistage member.

Patty Leuchten started her career as a clinical research associate. In the decades since, her intentional, people-centric approach to building a values-based company has enabled her to attract and retain top talent, while also benefiting employees through a change of control structure that shares financial success. On top of that, she helped forge the way to create the largest clinical trial consortium in the pharmaceutical industry.

President of PTR Baler & Compactor Co., Mike Savage made a critical decision in selling the 116-year-old company. Mike took into account current employees, vendors, customers, and company shareholders throughout the divestiture process. PTR Baler & Compactor Co. continues to experience rapid sales growth and are handling over 55,000 service calls annually. This is a testament to his thoughtful and balanced approach towards the sale.

Chris Hanslik, the 2023 Impact Award winner, is the Chairman at BoyarMiller law firm and Vice Chair of Houston Coalition for the Homeless. Chris believes leaders need to show up and lead with empathy. In his business, he is passionate about developing his people and helping them be successful. Likewise, in his community, Chris aims to help people prevail, helping over 25,000 secure permanent housing.

Annette Zimmerman, president and CEO of PrimeWay Federal Credit Union, and 2023 Leadership Award winner, is in the business of enabling dreams. During her tenure as a first-time CEO, Annette has tripled the organization’s assets, and in 2022 increased loans by 14%. She is passionate about paying it forward and encourages her employees to do the same – partnering with a local women’s shelter to share resources.

From Poland to Singapore to Brazil, Eivind Johnsen, CEO of Entrion, is shaking up the energy industry. After saving his company from contracting 75% during the last gas and oil bust the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award winner grew from $2M to $12M. In 2026, Eivind plans to launch a new foundation design for offshore wind turbines, to accelerate offshore wind and the energy transition to a low carbon energy system.

Founded in his own home 35 years ago, 40,000+ construction professionals across 4,000+ companies now use Mike Rydin’s HCSS software each day. Voted a “Best Place to Work in Texas” for 14 consecutive years, HCSS is powered by the Lifetime Achievement Award winner’s people-first, “growth is fun” ethos.

The 2023 Impact Award winner for the Los Angeles region embodies servant leadership. Lena Wilson, CEO of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, leads a nonprofit for community members ages zero to 2. These services include outpatient care, foster services, education and residential programs. Lena was able to secure more than $18M in funding by diversifying funding sources and revenue streams.

As a trailblazer, 2023 Vistage Leadership Award Paul Rahimian prioritizes investing in his people. When the construction lending market came to a standstill in 2020, the Parkview Financials CEO hired industry veterans to bolster his reputation in the industry. Doing this not only expanded Parkview’s geographic footprint from coast to coast, but grew loan originations from $386M to over $1B.

Dan Mollura is skilled at balancing both humble beginnings and family traditions as the second-generation president of Vinyl Technology, Inc. The 2023 Lifetime Achievement award winner leaned on agile leadership to navigate a sudden loss of half of his staff. Exploring the best options for innovation, he increased efficiency and is now the sole supplier of Advanced Technology Anti-G Suits for the Air Force.

Troy Rankin, 2023 Legacy Award winner, attributes our success in selling Farwest Corrosion to three key qualities: a talented team of professionals, having a strategic vision, and knowing what we wanted in a financial partner. With over four decades of full-time tenure at his family business, Troy and the Farwest team grew the company and navigated economic and regulatory challenges along the way.

Moving the company forward and energizing his entire team to follow him in driving profitability, president of Ace Mart Restaurant Supply, Jonathan Gustafson, is the 2023 Impact Award winner for the San Antonio region. Transitioning in to lead his family’s third-generation business can be a challenge, but he has quickly gained the respect of family shareholders and employees.

Our 2023 Vistage Leadership Award winner is Matt Musgrove, CEO of Tejas Rental Equipment! Matt has held nearly every position in the organization, giving him keen insights into what creates success. From a one-store operation to a multi-location company, Matt has grown Tejas Equipment Rental to become one of the largest, privately owned companies in the national equipment rental business.

Congratulations Tony Liberto for winning the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award for the San Antonio area. As CEO and president of Ricos Products Co, Inc., the fourth-generation business owner has continued his family legacy with honesty, integrity and strategic decisions. Under Tony’s leadership, his company has increased revenue by 128% from $74.8 million to $170.6 million with EBITDA up 667% – so far.

One moment that is unforgettable for Tom Thill,  the 2023 San Antonio Legacy Award winner and CEO of AmeriVet Veterinary Partners, is selling his business for $1.6B – an impressive feat in a very contested space. Building on that excitement, Tom’s plan is now to continue ramping up growth through M&As and recruiting more veterinarians by becoming their employer of choice.

Windy City Equipment CEO and Impact Award winner, Josh Zolin, left his Hollywood career as a stuntman and took his talents to more-than-successfully lead a business. Based in Arizona, Josh became CEO of what is now a 20-year-old family business. Not only did he rise to the challenge of a CEO – he flourished, doubling the company’s overall revenue in just two years.

A little over 10 years ago, Leadership Award winner Marc Erpenbeck saw a need for leadership at a local company after a client passed. He made the most of the opportunity as president of George Brazil by investing in a people-focused culture. Under his leadership the company was named a top place to work four years in row, and also won the Social Responsibility Award in Arizona.

Invest in your people. Invest in outside professionals. Invest in your education and learning. These three ideas helped Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Michael Popovich successfully lead Scientific Technologies Corp. for the last 34 years. As CEO of a healthcare company, he seized the opportunity to support the CDC and U.S. Navy with vaccine needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After three decades in the employee benefit arena, founder and former CEO of Jeff Griffin sold JP Griffin Group in December of 2021. During the entire process, the Legacy Award winner shared the process with those in his group and his Chair. When he continued to hit his goalposts for success well before time, he decided he was satisfied and ready for a new chapter.