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)
Kell's Vistage 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 Vistage group helped me see things I couldn´t see on my own
Growing Leaders Who Grow Companies
Bill Dillard, Mechanical Services, Inc., Orlando
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."
CEOs Help Heal Publicly Owned Company
Mike Earley, Metropolitan Health Networks (MDF), West Palm Beach
With help from his Vistage group, Earley refocused strategies at publicly held Metropolitan Health Networks, boosting stock prices from less than 10 cents to more than $2.00. "Vistage is a great resource for CEOs."
Brouillette: Working Mother's Best Company
Shannon Brouillette, CFO Strategic Partners, Orlando
Running a business and raising two young boys doesn't leave Shannon Brouillette, president and founder of CFO Strategic Partners, any extra time for things that aren't important. Vistage has helped her focus on the critical issues so her company can continue to grow 50 percent a year, without compromising their values.
Helping Restaurant Grow: From Local Chain to National Force
Dean Lavallee, Park Avenue BBQ and Grill, Palm Beach County
Dean opened nine restaurants in the first 18 years he owned Park Avenue BBQ and Grill in Palm Beach County. With the help of his Chair and Group, he's now looking forward to opening 400 restaurants over the next five years.
Blue-Collar Roofing Business Runs Like Fortune 500 Corporation
Mike McEnany, McEnany Roofing, Tampa Bay
A blue-collar business doesn´t need to run like one - when its owner is a Member of Vistage. Innovations like TQM and a tight focus on profit margins helped McEnany increase revenues from $5 to $12 million. "Vistage exposed me to a higher level of business."
Vistage's Value Adds Up For CPA
Terry Aidman, Aidman Piser and Co., Tampa Bay
When Terry Aidman first joined Vistage, he was running an accounting firm he had co-founded with a handful of professionals. More than a decade later, he’s directing the Florida operations for one of the leading regional CPA firms in the Southeast – and still counting on Vistage to help him make critical decisions. “Vistage is more important than ever,” says Aidman who built Aidman Piser and Co. into one of Tampa Bay’s top accounting firms before selling it to Cherry, Bekaert & Holland (CB&H) in May 2008. Now Aidman leads the largest regional CPA office on Florida’s west coast.
Restaurant CEO Scores Big
Chuck Winship, Beef O´Brady´s, Tampa Bay
Chuck's Vistage group helped smooth the transition from a big corporation to a fast-paced start-up. "With Vistage you get a group of experienced, intelligent advisors to help you through the decision-making process. Vistage brought big-company expertise to my small-company setting."
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 Vistage group challenges my assumptions - at times it´s uncomfortable but it has made me a better leader and my organization is much stronger."
CEOs Saved My Business
Jerry Messerman, Design Options, Tampa Bay
After shooting down plans for a multi-tiered product line, his Vistage 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 Vistage, you may stumble. The collective wisdom of the Vistage 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 Vistage 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."
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 Vistage 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 Vistage 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. Accountability to the group was a big motivator."
The Power of a CEO Group
Craig Kobza, The Aerial Companies, Naples
While Vistage 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 Vistage 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 Vistage Process Works
Josh Horenstein, Gulf Atlantic Equipment Company, Jacksonville
"Vistage lets me see new ways to lower costs and increase sales, so profitability has risen dramatically.”
Vistage Helps Member Seize a Half-Million dollar opportunity
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.”
Peer Power - Better Than an MBA
Don Ilkka, Don J. Ilkka, DDS, Central Florida
After 22 years as a successful dentist in Central Florida, Don Ilkka was ready for a new challenge.
“I wanted something more; I was looking for that buzz again.”
Vistage Connections Help Absolute Achieve Goals
Rick Linton, Absolute Consulting, Inc., Navarre
Rick Linton was in a quandary most small businesses would be glad to face: his profitable company could barely keep up with the demand for its services. The challenge was financing that growth in an industry where even blue chip invoices are typically paid months after services begin.
Talley Tackles Business World With Help from Vistage's SG Team
Darryl Talley, Sentry Group, Lakeland
After retiring from an extremely successful career in the NFL (most notably by helping the Buffalo Bill's win a record-setting four consecutive Super Bowls), Darryl Talley is hoping to achieve that same high level of success in the business world.
Vistage Helps Printer Grow in Challenging Times
Don Mader, Southeastern Printing, Stuart"
The industry is changing, but its not going away..." says Mader. "Vistage challenges its Members to embrace change and adapt to it, and holds you accountable to position yourself in a market that's sustainable - or to reinvent yourself if it's not..." Revenues for Southeastern Printing tripled to $38 million after Don became president of the company.
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