Vistage Member Excellence Awards

Impact Award winner Jeff Van Pevenage joined Columbia Grain Intl. LLC as an intern 32 years ago. Now CEO, he oversees 450 employees in 65 locations across 6 states, fostering a people-first company culture. “I love spending time at my facilities, connecting with employees and cultivating their growth,” Jeff comments. Under his leadership, Columbia Grains added 100 employees and $300M in assets last year.

Leadership Award winner Dale Lemmons has worked at Signature Transport, a family business, for 33 years. “We see challenges as opportunities,” he says. Under his leadership, driver turnover fell below 30%, employee compensation is up, and overall accident rates were halved. Despite hardships in the transportation industry, revenue tripled over the last 4 years and Dale’s workforce grew by 50%.

Impact Award Winner Hannah Steiman has helped Peak Support become a leading disruptive player in the outsourcing industry. Since 2019, the company has built a sales and marketing function from scratch, grown revenue and headcount by 6X, added several seasoned executives, and earned a Great Place to Work certification. The COO’s next “peak” – remaining best in class while breaking revenue goals.

Fourth-generation Catania Oils CEO and Leadership Award winner Joseph Basile began working at his family’s company at age 13, moving from the production line to the C-suite. His father taught him to “never be satisfied,” and since joining Vistage five years ago, he made significant processing and technological improvements to the family company. Still not satisfied, Joe’s planning a national expansion.

Lifetime Achievement Award winners Bob and Chris Yard built a team learning culture so strong, customers tour Mercury Wire to see it. Yet these second-generation, family-owned business leaders— and 15-year Vistage members— seek more. The brothers say, “At Mercury, building better cables is what we do; building a better approach to business is what we’re about”.

Talk about making an impact! As CEO of Be Well OC, Moncrief has led the charge to make compassionate mental health care accessible for all Orange County residents, including those who struggle with homelessness and addiction. This 2022 Impact Award Winner is building hospitals, working with law enforcement and creating partnerships across the County to ensure “Optimal health and wellness for all of Orange County.”

“I love the process, the people and I love what I do,” says Chris Kuran, President of Waterstone Faucets. Clearly it shows. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Kuran built the company into a leader of innovation, design and customer service. He’s recently led its expansion, created a top executive team, and greatly improved production — all of which make him our 2022 Leadership Award winner.

Marie DiSante co-founded CDF Labor Law in 1994 when law firm leaders primarily were men. She’s helped lead the firm’s growth to five offices, established a thriving culture and laid a strong foundation for the next generation of leadership to carry on CDF’s excellent reputation in the industry. With 28 years of success, 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award winner says, “be collaborative and be quick.”

He mowed the company’s lawn at 18. Today, Impact Award winner Darrin Peterson is the first non-family president in Marvin’s 110-year history. He helped guide the business through a recession and a pandemic, doubled its size in five years and, along the way earned the respect of Marvin leaders, colleagues and business partners by listening deeply. “I don’t need to have the right answer,” he says. “We need to have the right answer.”

Most exercise physiologists build muscle; Luke Carlson also builds leaders. During the pandemic, the CEO of Discover Strength and Vistage Leadership Award winner grew his company 35% and retained his team while much of the industry atrophied. In 2022, Luke launched his first two franchises — with plans to open 20 by 2023. Flexing an inspiring servant-leadership style, Luke shows his true strength.

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jaime Gmach founded Evolving Solutions 26 years ago with an employee-first culture that made it a 2022 Top Place to Work in Minnesota. “One word that describes my mindset moving forward is growth,” he shares. In his 11-year Vistage tenure, Jaime, who is also CEO, grew his company from $71M to $150M, created an off-shoot company, Keyva, and nearly doubled the size of his team.

Pennie Burnham, Nycote® VP North America, is LA’s 2022 Impact Award winner. A renowned speaker and advocate for women in the aerospace industry, she stays devoted to her passion for learning. She’s helped her company expand into new space products and spearheaded creation of an antiviral coating to fight COVID-19. “No matter how frustrating the challenges, we never gave up,” she says.

Leadership Award winner Allen Rodriguez has been in the legal industry for 2 decades. One of few Latinos in LegalTech, he founded ONE400 in 2013 to address inequitable access to justice, a problem facing 80 million Americans. Today, he is striving to reach 1,300 law firms with innovations so they can help fulfill unmet legal needs. His leadership mission is about “bringing out the best in people.”

Running four manufacturing companies and on the board of two other tech start-ups, Impact Award Winner Chris Simuro, president of Fabric Sources International, steps in and steps up. From coaching high school basketball, to leading meetings and empowering others, Chris consistently makes a difference. A beloved peer and friend, Chris says, “Never ask someone to do something you aren’t willing to do yourself.”

Under Shannon Russo’s leadership, Kinetix has filled tens of thousands of positions, navigated the pandemic’s hiring challenges and is on par for its most successful year. With soaring CEO approval ratings and Kinetix consistently earning industry awards, Shannon is well deserving of the 2022 Vistage Leadership Award. She’s always striving to leave her team and clients “better than I found them.”

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Shawn Corbett, CEO of Southeast Roofing Solutions, took over the family business in 1997 when his grandfather died suddenly. An industry leader by every metric, Shawn has tripled revenue since 2010, significantly improved profitability and opened a second location. “When facing challenges,” Shawn says, “I try to widen my perspective— and seek wise counsel.”

By thinking like her Fortune 500 partners, Impact Award winner Elissa Sangster turned a nonprofit into a savvy agent of change. As CEO of Forté Foundation, Elissa grew the women’s leadership accelerator revenue and partnerships by 25% since 2019 and saw women’s MBA enrollment rise from 28% to 42%. In doing so, she became a catalyst for women’s success stories – and a model of one.

Leadership Award Winner Zach Marr succeeds by asking questions differently. When the pandemic hit, Zach didn’t ask whether to keep his 90-year-old family-owned music store going; he asked how to keep it growing. By shifting sales online, the Alamo Music Center CEO restored revenue within two months and saw record growth the following year. Next up: Questioning the industry – so he can reinvent it.

Jeff Berding wanted to give his town something to rally around – and the ambitious head of Cincinnati’s first major league soccer franchise met his GOOOOAL! The 2022 Vistage Impact Award winner and co-CEO of FC Cincinnati grew a lower-league soccer team into an MLS franchise, expanded in a financially precarious market, built “the best soccer stadium in the country,” and showcased Cincinnati’s winning spirit!

Whether it’s taking the reigns as CEO, navigating a merger during the pandemic, or adopting four daughters, 2022 Leadership Award winner and Learning Grove CEO Shannon Starkey-Taylor knows how to get the job done. As a result, she’s not just growing her business, she’s cultivating relationships and creating partnerships that meet multi-generational needs — inspiring everyone around her.

Passing up the “fast climb,” Lifetime Achievement Award winner and JBM Packaging CFO Dan Puthoff favors patience and grit. He overcame tumultuous turnover by wearing many hats and is most proud of his company’s push toward employing citizens returning from prison and developing environmentally sustainable packaging solutions. His humility converts naysayers into advocates. As he seeks to be his best, Dan elevates everyone around him.

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.

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.