Steve Linkhart, CEO of CalFoods Logistics, believes that he possesses one quality that sets the tone for CalFoods Logistics. “When we hire a new team member, there are clear responsibilities that need to be accomplished. Once we hire, train, and let that person take the ownership of the job, we allow them to do their job,” he explains.
A disruptive business and opportunity stem from identifying voids in a specific industry or marketplace. Patrick Michael, Founder & CEO of L.A. Estate Rentals, incorporated a company before Airbnb that dealt with marketing, managing, and representing the finest luxury homes in Los Angeles during the 2008 recession.
Melanie Koerperich’s desire to help people is a driving force behind her. The CEO of Milrich Virtual Professionals is always looking out for other people, even ahead of herself. She is a generous and compassionate, and extremely organized individual who believes in the tenet of “always be learning.”
Keeping a small business going is not for the weak of hearts. While 80% of businesses with fewer than 500 employees make it through Year 1, says the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, just 70% are still functioning at the end of the second year. By the time they reach the five-year mark, just half of the small companies are still in business.
Uniquely qualified, Kathleen Bodenlos has worked her way up to the executive level in both large corporations and world-renown museums, borrowing best practices from both. Her experience has afforded her a sound business acumen coupled with a very creative mind that can envision and implement new exhibits, programs, and partnerships.
Laurel Werner, Founder, President, and CEO of Kilimanjaro Technology Foundation (aka KiliTech), a non-profit 501(c)3 that provides water for schools and vocation training for women in Tanzania, is an inspiration to other women with her leadership, passion for children’s education, and adventurous spirit. KiliTech operates in Tanzania and Laurel’s innate boldness and bravery helps her run a non-government organization (NGO) in Africa.
A forward thinker, Joshua D. Rogers is always focused on the future. His vision was to introduce a smart, sophisticated approach to investing and wealth building. Since founding Arete Wealth in 2007, he’s done just that. Joshua’s brought an endowment-style of asset allocation to a broader audience of investors.
Jose Ramon Riestra Jr., President & CEO, Empire Management Group, says data analytics, planning, customer focus, and technology implementation are the most critical skills adopted by the company throughout the years that transformed the business and made them who they are today with a strong focus on the future. For the pioneering leader, planning is key to success, but any plan is wasted without good people.
Jordan Tinney, Superintendent/ CEO in Surrey School District, has been described as accessible and open. The reason is simple, he is an engaged listener and tries to value what people say and to incorporate it into the school district’s culture.
It is not every day that you meet someone who is as technically gifted in Finance and Accounting as he is in Technology. But such was our luck when we went in search of the Top 20 Dynamic CEOs in the United Kingdom.