Chief Executives Working Together

The Executive Committee

The President's Forum

The KEY Executive Program

Meet Our Members

Our success is based entirely on our Members' accomplishments, so we're delighted to share these stories from the trenches on how our programs have made a difference in their lives and businesses.

"The $10 Million CEO Meeting"
Kell Williams, president, Wheeler Consolidated Inc. (now retired)

His TEC group made him reconsider a decision to sell a business without an outside negotiator. Two years later, the division he planned to sell for $25 million brought $35 million. "That was a $10 million meeting -- my TEC group helped me see things I couldn't see on my own," he says.

Restaurant CEO Scores Big
Chuck Winship, Beef O'Brady's, Tampa

His TEC group helped smooth the transition from a big corporation to a fast-paced start-up. "With TEC you get a group of experienced, intelligent advisors to help you through the decision-making process," he said. "TEC brought big-company expertise to my small-company setting."

Growing Leaders Who Grow Companies
Bill Dillard, Mechanical Services, Inc.

An acquisition that doubled the size of his commercial heating, ventilating and air conditioning business forced Dillard to step back and look at his business through the eyes of impartial observers. "Given my managerial experience at the time, I would have to say the group helped save the company," he said.

"No Money, No Mission"
Samira Beckwith, Hope Hospice, Fort Myers

A cancer survivor who helped pioneer hospice care, Beckwith is a leading advocate of promoting good business practices within the not-for-profit sector. "My TEC group challenges my assumptions - at times it's uncomfortable but it has made me a better leader and my organization is much stronger."

CEOs Help Heal Publicly Owned Company
Mike Earley, Metropolitan Health Networks (MDF), West Palm Beach

With help from his TEC group, Earley refocused strategies at publicly held Metropolitan Health Networks, boosting stock prices from less than 10 cents to more than $2.00. "TEC is a great resource for CEOs," he said.

CEOs Saved My Business
Jerry Messerman, Design Options, Tampa

After shooting down plans for a multi-tiered product line, his TEC group helped Messerman craft a marketing strategy for upscale office furniture that sells in good times and bad. "If you are an entrepreneur and do not have a sounding board like TEC, you may stumble. The collective wisdom of the TEC group helps you avoid mistakes."

"They Keep Me on Track"
Ben Waldshan, Data Warehouse Corporation, Boca Raton

Tough questions about his business plan from his TEC group kept Waldshan on track for growth that's earned DWC a spot on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies twice in seven years. "They offer insights I couldn't get anywhere else."

Blue-Collar Roofing Business Runs Like Fortune 500 Corporation
Mike McEnany, McEnany Roofing, Tampa

A blue-collar business doesn't need to run like one - when its owner is a Member of TEC. Innovations like TQM and a tight focus on profit margins helped McEnany increase revenues from $5 to $12 million. "TEC exposed me to a higher level of business," he said.

Turning on the Lights for Electrical Contractor
David Collins, Davco Electrical Contractors, Lake Worth

Combining his streets smarts with expertise in business and finance from fellow TEC Members and Chair Jaynie Smith helped Collins rescue Davco from the verge of bankruptcy. The light came on for Collins when he realized he was working 95% in the business - and only 5% on it.

Continuing Education for CEOs
Mike Vorse, Manpower, Palm Beach Gardens

With his TEC group and Chair behind him, Mike Vorse's on-the-job education helped him double revenues and increase profits eight times. "This is the best thing I've ever done for myself," he says. "Accountability to the group was a big motivator."

The Power of a CEO Group
Craig Kobza, The Aerial Companies, Naples

While TEC groups often help save businesses, sometimes they help save lives. Kobza's son had been diagnosed with a terminal heart condition but doctors couldn't agree on a plan of action. Finally, they scheduled open-heart surgery on the child, even though he might not survive it. At the urging of Chair Barbara Monti, Kobza brought the issue to his TEC group, which insisted that he explore other options. New opinions led to an alternative surgery and his son is now an active young man. "They made me think and focus when I was having trouble organizing my thoughts."

The TEC Process Works
Josh Horenstein , Gulf Atlantic Equipment Company, Jacksonville

"“TEC lets me see new ways to lower costs and increase sales, so profitability has risen dramatically.”

The TEC Process Works
Steven Boyer, A Job for You, Pembroke Pines

When a county agency had a change at the top – right about the time their contract for on-site staffing services was about to expire – Steven Boyar, president of a Job for You in Pembroke Pines, knew he was facing a critical situation. “They were going to severely cut back on our services until we were offered the opportunity to be solely responsible for digitizing hundreds of thousands of confidential documents taking up an enormous amount of space in county offices and warehouses.”