What Is the Climb?
Endless. Limitless. The Journey of a Vistage leader is life-long.
The journey to true leadership isn’t easy. Like climbing Denali, K2 or Everest, it’s the challenge of a lifetime. It’s for those with enough grit and commitment to do what only a few can do.
While each CEO’s journey up the mountain is their own…They don’t have to do it alone.
While your next leadership peak is yours to define, our process helps you get there.
Vistage knows this climb.
CEOs Living a Life of Climb
These CEOs know what it takes to Live a Life of Climb. Explore their stories.
Michael Russell
Chief Executive Officer, H.J. Russell & Company
Michael’s father, Herman, founded H. J. Russell & Company over 50 years ago as a plastering business. The company grew into the nation’s largest African American-owned construction-services company — defining the Atlanta skyline with iconic structures including the Olympic Stadium, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and the Georgia World Congress Center.
Learn how Vistage helped Michael achieve some tremendous goals in continuing a legacy.
JC Maldonado
CEO, BizGro Partners
While pursuing a law degree by night, JC Maldonado founded a mergers and acquisition company by day. Now, BizGro Partners is at $240M in annual revenue with 1,200+ employees and a market value upwards of $350M. JC joined Vistage in 2019 because he wanted to be around other entrepreneurs, partner with them and learn from them.
Ryan Hogan
CEO, Hunt a Killer
Hogan, the CEO and co-founder of Hunt a Killer, has used great stories to grow revenues at his company from $132,000 in 2016 to more than $27 million in 2019. This year, revenues are on track to exceed $50 million.
Mike Rydin
Founder & CEO | HCSS
With 400 full-time employees and about 4,000 contractors across North America, HCSS plays a critical role in helping to build the backbone of this country. The company surpassed $100 million in annual revenue in 2020 and continues to grow, expand and thrive.
Braydan Shaw
6th Generation Owner, Burns 1876
Braydan Shaw is the 6th generation owner and president of Burns 1876, a 146-year-old western retail and manufacturing company — the longest-running family-owned business in the industry. With all that responsibility comes some unique challenges and Shaw is not about to let anything slip on his watch. In a family business like his, Braydan points out that it’s easy to have blinders on and to continue doing things the way they’ve always been done — which is one of the reasons he joined Vistage.
Shaun Castillo
President, Preferred Technologies
A West Point graduate, Shaun Castillo exited the Army in 2005 with no formal business education but with a strong desire to start a company with his dad, an entrepreneur. They founded Preferred Technologies, a security integration company. Learn how Castillo formed “instant trust” with his group of peers and learned how to openly discuss his weaknesses and ask for help.
Apolonia Rockwell
Founder & CEO, True Safety Services
Vistage helped Apolonia Rockwell build a strong foundation in her company that has been the engine for growth, attracting top talent and cultivating a positive culture with people who share the same core values.
Darren James
President, KAI Enterprises
With 400 full-time employees and about Darren James leveraged several leadership roles to affect economic and social change in his community. When he was introduced to his peer group and CEO coach in 2015, he knew it was exactly the kind of support he needed to take his company to the next level.
Vassar Byrd
CEO, Rose Villa Inc.
Vassar Byrd had the vision to create an elder living facility different than anything she had seen. Her Vistage group helped her think through decisions, vet ideas, and gain her footing. Today Rose Villa is a nationally known, state-of-the-art community with several net-zero energy neighborhoods and in the final phase of a $166M expansion. Vassar’s staff is fully empowered, allowing her to focus on the big vision — to grow and evolve.
Chairs Leading Your Life of Climb
Over 550 Chairs across the United States bring their own experience as individuals, hand-selected and rigorously trained using Vistage’s proven peer advisory process. These Chairs know what it takes to lead other CEOs on their life of climb. Explore their stories.
Robin Stanaland
Houston, Texas
Vistage Chair since 2006
Robin spent years leading companies, but nothing was more rewarding than guiding CEOs to their highest peaks.
Peter Schwartz
Washington D.C
Vistage Chair since 2005
Over 15 years of guiding CEOs, Peter has seen normal people accomplish the exceptional. The triumph of spirit over circumstance.
Guillermo Hysaw
Irvine, California
Vistage Chair since 2017
Guiding CEOs is a calling that found Guillermo; it’s the culmination of his life experience.
How to Live a Life of climb
This leadership path has been traveled by 100,000+ top performing business leaders for more than 60 years. It requires a daily climb, constant rigor and a commitment to growth. But the journey is well worth the effort, for it will bring you to peaks you never thought possible.
The journey to true leadership isn’t easy, it’s the challenge of a lifetime. It’s for those few with enough grit and commitment to climb outside their comfort zone. While each CEO’s journey up the mountain is their own...They don’t have to do it alone.
Time to up your game and perform at your peak with the 7 laws of leadership in this PDF guide.
- Time-tested truths that make good leaders exceptional
- Attributes that accelerate growth and success
- Common leadership pitfalls to avoid
- A leadership challenge to accompany the guide
You make decisions.
Vistage helps you make smarter ones.
We’re excited that you are interested in taking the first step towards becoming a Vistage member. Please fill out the form below. If there is a program in your areas that matches, a representative will reach out to answer any questions and discuss the next steps for joining.