1. What have you found most challenging as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise?

Always evolving to keep ahead of trends and business swings. If you stop growing you are done.


2. How did you become a CEO or executive of a large enterprise? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I’ve been in the culinary industry since I was sixteen. I’ve learned from every leader I worked under to better myself and move up as I learned. I’m more on the small to medium enterprise size however the message is the same. You need to keep growing inside and be a mentor and leader to your employees who are in my opinion the key to success.


3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I’m a go go go type A personality. Don’t need much sleep, wake early, go to bed late, try to always exercise, take some time to myself to meditate and try to fish on occasion to keep my mind and body sharp.


4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

People First, would not say it’s recent, however it’s key to success. Especially today, more than ever.


5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Daring Greatly, shows you how to put yourself into vulnerable positions, be able to laugh at yourself in front of others, and show we are all human. I read it often. Was given to me years ago by a CMO at a large company I worked with.


6. How do you build leadership capacity in a large enterprise?

Trust and empower your people. Allow mistakes and discus what happened and how to avoid. Employees turn into leaders through this technique in my opinion.


7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise so far?

That being around different people from all over the world and listening to there stories, engaging with people, and culture helps stretch the mind. It allows you to think and behave differently. Going back to my people's first philosophy.