Vistage Member Excellence Awards

In the last 15 months, Impact Award winner Chad Walior, owner and President of Mastercraft Electric, has acquired two companies and doubled his team. Reflecting on leading this change through COVID, Chad says, “We don’t get to determine when the opportunities come. Surround yourself with as many smart, good people as you can … then have confidence that together, you’ll do whatever you need to do.”

“We walked in and it was rough, there was no technology, there were boxes of papers everywhere. And all I could see was opportunity,” reflects Leadership Award winner Sam Thomassen, owner and CEO of State Roofing. Acquiring the 50-year old company in an industry he knew virtually nothing about, Sam transformed it into a new, visionary working model — with growth focused inward on his people.

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Bruce Wanta founded Spectrum Controls 38 years ago, and has ranked on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing U.S. companies seven times. “A leadership philosophy that inspires me to keep climbing is to never stop taking risks and challenging myself,” he shares. In his 30-year Vistage tenure, Bruce has grown his company from $4M to $42M, and quadrupled his staff.

Impact Award winner Mathias Ihlenfeld, CEO of woom bikes, navigated many challenges brought on by the pandemic to lead one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S. — and among the largest direct-to-consumer brands in its space. All the while, Mathias never loses sight of supporting the community or woom’s mission of “inspiring children to fall in love with cycling.”

After serving the Boys & Girls Club for nearly 25 years, Leadership Award winner Misti Potter took the helm as CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) in 2017, overseeing 28 clubs and four outreach programs. Under her leadership, the BGCAA ranks in the top 1% of all BGCs today, serving more than 12,000 youth annually. Driven by her passion for the cause, she has helped to raise $100M+ for the cause throughout her tenure.

A visionary entrepreneur, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Joe Woskow, CEO of Thrive360, has founded several successful businesses. His current venture recreates and enhances the in-office experience with healthcare professionals through a mobile app and immersive VR platform to reduce business pain points. A 12-year Vistage member, Joe wants to provide access to mental health support for all.

“We are a company of high-level doers learning how to become strategic leaders,” says Impact Award winner Nic Accomando, president of second-generation family business NAPA Transportation. Driven by his father’s legacy of providing a better lifestyle for truck drivers, Nic has seen a growth rate of 7x since beginning his tenure with NAPA in 2008. Today, NAPA employs more than 500 hard-working team members.

Leadership Award winner Steve Stramara took over as president and CEO of The Seltzer Group in 2017. The company has since doubled top line revenue, Steve’s vision and direction driving 14% growth in 2020, 19% growth in 2021, and a year-over-year retention rate of 96%. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Steve says the one word that describes his mindset looking forward is “possibility.”

Over her 10+ year Vistage tenure, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jessica Meyers, founder and CEO of JEM Group, has grown her business from $8M in revenue to a projected $47M. Named one of the “Best 50 Women in Business” by the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development, Jessica says it’s now her responsibility to “take what I’ve learned and help that next generation of female leaders fulfill their business goals.”

Dr. Stephanie Gripne, CEO of Impact Finance Center, is Colorado’s 2022 Vistage Impact Award winner. When the pandemic first hit, Stephanie put the brakes on business-as-usual with other community leaders to raise $28M for Colorado nonprofits and small businesses. “As a leader, I‘ve aspired to create an organization where we do work we love with people we love,” she says.

Leadership Award winner Chris Alcorn, president of Alcorn Construction, has created a high-performing culture that made Alcorn Construction a great place to work, winning Denver Business Journal’s “Best Place to Work” award four consecutive years. With this year’s revenue forecast of $100M, Chris has more than tripled his top line over the past 5 years — all while maintaining culture and improving gross and net margins.

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Carrie Meek, Chief Growth Officer for Anchor Peabody, says an experience pivotal to her leadership climb is previously helping to save her family’s 100-year-old business. After bringing the company back from the brink, she helped secure its sale and maximize a return for 44 family owners. “It forced us to roll up our sleeves and get creative,” she reflects.

Known for his tenacity and creativity in making the impossible possible, Impact Award winner Alastair Sanderson, COO of LFA Machines, opened a second location of his U.K. business in the U.S. five years ago, and has since driven growth to over $11M. “I think what makes LFA unique, is its genuine commitment to the individuals that work inside its ecosystem,” he shares.

In his 35+ years of experience, Leadership Award winner Danny Espino, Owner & President of CESG, has climbed from industry apprentice to — as of 2020 — company owner. Assuming control just as the pandemic hit, Danny reflects, “Construction never really stopped. The way we approach construction changed.” As owner, he’s rebuilt CESG from the inside out, instilling a relationship-based culture of excellence.

Over 39 years, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Keith Bell has led Intex Electric from a one-man organization to a team of more than 300, growing the business 500% during his time at Vistage to $100M in sales. In addition to his CEO role, Keith is a Texas State Representative and serves as a member of the Texas Sunset Commission. “For me, it’s just about making a difference,” he shares.

Impact Award winner Daniel Kuchlik, Owner & CEO of American Dry Cleaners and American Restoration Solutions saw revenues down 80% in March of 2020, losing his father and business partner the following month. With laser-focused vision for the future, Danny persevered to increase volume and profitability by 3X.

Celebrating 25 years of business in 2022, Leadership Award winner Brian Wainwright, President & CEO of The Wireless Experience, has led TWE from mom-and-pop to top-rated East Coast AT&T retailer. The Great Place to Work-Certified powerhouse expanded to 85 locations across five states in 2021.

“You have to create your own future,” says Lifetime Achievement Award winner Judy Paul, CEO of North Square Restaurant and the Washington Square Hotel. With 28 years as CEO, and 25 years as a Vistage member, Judy has persevered through COVID’s deep personal and professional toll to return to 70% occupancy.

As an airline pilot, Todd Ford felt he was too far from home, too often. In 2010, he took action, founding NoDa Brewing Company and carving a path through largely uncharted territory in North Carolina. Amid the adversity of 2020, NoDa increased sales by 6%, with a projected revenue increase of 35-40% in 2021.

When Leadership Award winner Constantino Lannes assumed the role of CEO in 2003, Sennebogen was a $2M company with four employees. It will close this year at $290M and 84 employees, a multinational powerhouse that stayed open through the pandemic to support essential businesses and the thousands they employ.

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Juergen Seybold was a 24-year-old blue collar worker in Germany, when an engineer offered him a life-changing opportunity. Today, Juergen is President of Lutze, Inc., a once breakeven company now generating $50M. “Without education, I wouldn’t be at this level,” he reflects.

“I challenge anyone in a leadership role to find ways to help somebody every day,” says Impact Award winner Chris Ferris, President & CEO of Fidelity Bank and NOLA Lending Group. Recognized by CityBusiness as a “Money Maker,” Chris has driven record profits and helped save 25,000+ jobs through PPP initiatives.

Leadership Award winner John Christian Williams founded JCW Creative at just 19 years of age. At 23, it was on the verge of bankruptcy. In the 3.5 years that followed, John has turned JCW around, hitting $3M in revenue and building a 27-person team. “If you’re looking for a finish line, you’re not going to get there,” he says.

Leadership roles on 100+ boards. Featured in 100+ publications. $5M+ raised for charity. “Jennie’s accomplishments and recognitions are hard to keep up with,” Chair Arthur Mears shares of Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jennie Campbell, CEO & President of Stewart Steelwood Investments.

“Accountants don’t want to change,” Impact Award winner Don Murphy shares. “The pandemic made us change.” CEO and co-founder of BMSS, Don guided 200 employees through a seismic shift to remote work, while supporting clients and reinventing company culture. “We’re a better firm now,” he reflects.

Guided by a philosophy summed up as “It’s not how tough you are, it’s how long you’re tough,” Leadership Award winner Duane Donner, founder and CEO of Founders Advisors, faced the pandemic with clarity that inspired his team and served his customers.

CEO of HGH Hardware for 38 years, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Raymond Holcombe has grown the business to $25M, acquiring Sherwood Industries, weathering the Great Recession, and reinventing his company in the face of COVID. “When you get into a crisis situation, you’ve got to act quickly,” he shares.

A high-ranking Army veteran, Impact Award winner Nick Crosby brings battle-tested leadership skills to work every day as co-owner and CEO of iResQ, a national technology repair company. Nick’s vision includes more than company growth — he is dedicated to building a team of future leaders.

As founder of Charlie Hustle, Leadership Award winner Chase McAnulty channeled a passion for vintage T-shirts into a thriving brand. At first skeptical about assuming the role of CEO, Chase has grown his business and earned the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious 2021 Mr. K award.

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.

When COVID cancelled fundraisers and threatened 50% of his budget, Impact Award Winner Brian Roy, executive director of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis, quickly adapted the 90-year-old nonprofit’s model and created new services for children with disabilities.

Leadership Award Winner Mark Tipton grew an idea — building a landscaping business management software platform — into an industry leader. Founder and CEO of Aspire Software, Mark’s recent achievements include driving a five-year growth rate over 1,000% and leading a successful acquisition and sale.

Lifetime Achievement award winner Brian Osborne began his 30-year career with Christy Industrial Holdings as an introverted engineer. Today, he is a servant-leader CEO focused on the big picture. “You can’t ever believe you are finished growing,” he shares. “Reward only comes to those who take risks.”

“Lifting others up helps to lift ourselves up as well,” reflects Impact Award winner Kevin Forristall, president of TS Banking Group. Through the pandemic Kevin processed company-saving PPP loans, led a bank acquisition and a wealth management acquisition — all while helping homeschool his four children.

Leadership Award winner Todd Lemke launched Omaha Magazine 38 years ago, pioneering online community sites that serve as a model for publications nationwide. Todd’s unflinching dedication through the pandemic ensured his company not only stayed afloat, it won eight Great Plains Journalism Awards.

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jim Shaffer, Owner/CEO of hospitality provider, Counterparts and Co-founder/Chairman of nonprofit, 402 Arts Collective, transformed a year of social distancing into a year in which people could be seen and heard — an inspiration to his team, his Vistage group and his community.

“We’re making history right now,” reflects Impact Award winner Ality Richardson, CEO of i3 Verticals’ i3POS – West Coast Division, and cofounder of Sober Life Recovery Solutions. Described by Vistage members as a “force of nature,” Ality has led her division of i3POS to unprecedented success.

When Leadership Award winner Steve Hammock began his career with Watkins Wellness Corp. in 1982, it was a small hot tub manufacturer. Today, Steve is president and “Communicator in Chief,” leading the $500M+ company of 3000 employees worldwide, serving customers in 1,000+ retail locations in 50 states and 70+ countries.

Under Lifetime Achievement Award winner Brian Rott’s leadership, Cart Mart Inc. has seen massive growth and expanded from one location to seven. SDBJ’s “Most Admired CEO of the Year” in 2020, Brian is on pace to grow his business by more than 1,000% in the 15 years he’s been a member of Vistage.

Impact Award winner Dylan Jeffress is a start-up CEO who has led Marie Veronique to 7X growth of the company’s top line while instilling a culture of integrity. “We’re doing this because we believe in it,” he shares, with a vision of translating nature’s genius into superior skincare.

With an innovative, relationship-based approach to sales, Leadership Award winner Michele Lex, President and CMO of The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley, has taken the business from $18.7M in 2015 to $29M in 2019 (a 54% increase), rebounding with a solid growth pattern after the slowdown of 2020.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about people,” reflects Lifetime Achievement Award winner Bill Campbell, President of Marbill Management Corp. A 30-year Vistage member, Bill has had two successful careers while prioritizing balance of work and family — and giving freely to his community and Vistage group.

“My advice to a leader: Know who you serve and put your whole heart into serving them,” says Impact Award winner Michael Showalter, CEO of Health e(fx), now an Equifax company. Health e(fx) has continued to grow under Michael’s human-centric, selfless approach to leadership.

“Every morning, I wake up and think, what can I do to make this a really great place to work?” shares Leadership Award winner Matt Bergmann, CEO of Laketown Electric Corporation. With an inspiring dedication to building a culture people enjoy being a part of, Matt has grown LEC from 12 to 130 employees.

“You’ve got to see the problems others can’t see,” reflects Lifetime Achievement Award winner Dan McKeown, President & CEO of The Specialty Mfg. Co. A visionary leader, Dan has led disruptive change through adversity, playing the long game while ensuring his mission and his people weren’t lost along the way.

“She challenges us all to be the best we can be,” a Vistage peer shares of Impact Award winner Holly Moore, Founding Attorney/CEO of Moore Family Law Group. Building her practice from scratch in 2008, Holly not only retained her staff through 2020, she expanded and hired three additional attorneys.

Leadership Award winner, Doug Staley, President of Hunsaker & Associates has 44+ years of experience in the civil engineering industry. With H&A from 1980, Doug, along with his partners, led the firm through the Great Recession and now through the current pandemic, turning H&A into a sought-after employer of top talent.

In 1985, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Wayne Tesch, Co-Founder of For The Children, had a vision of providing hope to foster kids in Costa Mesa, CA. Today, with the support of 20,000 volunteers, his nonprofit has helped more than 136,320 children in 43 states and eight countries.

From his grandmother’s garage to 230 employees. 109% growth over the last three years. Six strategic acquisitions in the last two. And this only scratches the surface of Chris Shafer, CEO of EKC Enterprises’ achievements. “We’re just trying to become the best company we can be,” the Impact Award winner shares.

Leadership Award winner James Beckwith, President & CEO of Five Star Bank, guided his business through an IPO in 2021 and was named Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce “Businessman of the Year” in 2020 — but he counts his greatest achievement to be his growth as an empathetic leader.

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Leon SooHoo founded his family business, Paradyme Sound & Vision, in 1976 — serving thousands of customers across four decades. A first-generation immigrant, Leon attributes his enduring success as a leader to childhood teachers, traditional upbringing, and ethics.

With an insatiable curiosity, a charitable spirit, and a deep desire to improve, David Constantine’s Impact Award is well earned. Principal of DCI Insurance in Chicago, David not only grew his business during the pandemic, he retained every employee — helping to lift his community along the way.

Leadership Award winner David Petersen has led NAI Hiffman/Hiffman National as CEO for 14+ years, growing it from 30 to 270+ full-time employees, with offices in 22 states. Under his leadership, the company has been repeatedly recognized as a top place to work by The Chicago Tribune, Crain’s and Daily Herald.

Chicago’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jeff Gradek is a lifelong learner committed to development. As President of Filter Services and Mission Filtration, Jeff invests in training and has led his company to become one of the largest air filter distributors and service companies in the nation.