I am a third generation leader of the family business. I am the husband to Ashley and the father to Bennett, 8, and Vivian, 5. We manufacture reed switches and proximity sensors in Chickasha, OK and electromagnetic filters in San Diego. I earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma then returned to the business. The summer before my final year at OU, I worked on a manufacturing process, solved a significant problem, so my dad asked me to come back immediately after graduation. I started at the beginning of the manufacturing process at the back of the facility. I was responsible for engineering surrounding the electroplating process. Over time I began solving process and product problems throughout the entire plant, even outside the manufacturing functions. As I became more involved with higher level decision making, I realized that we were a bunch of engineers trying to make business decisions. Thus, I needed more education regarding business, which is why I earned an MBA from Auburn University. This degree was completed through a distance program while I continued to work full-time for the family business. In 2009 I was promoted to Vice President of Operations, and I became responsible for the entire business operation. Then in 2013, we purchased Genisco Filter with the plan that I lead that organization the same way I was leading HSI, which is when I officially obtained the title of President.

Along the way, I realized that my leadership abilities needed to grow, motivating me to participate in every leadership development opportunity I could. There have now been many such as Leadership Chickasha, Oklahoma Community Institute’s Citizens Academy, Leadership Oklahoma Class XXV. I also sought positions where I could serve and learn simultaneously such as Chickasha Economic Development Council, Chickasha Public School Foundation, Chickasha City Council. Currently, I serve on several statewide initiatives including State Chamber of Oklahoma, i2E (Innovation to Enterprise), Oklahoma Works Key Economic Network Champion for the South-Central Region, Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness, and Potts Family Foundation all which support business and education. These provide an opportunity to give back a portion of what I have been provided either financially or in expertise, but also a chance to learn effective leadership strategies or see a few ineffective techniques.

Ultimately, I am a business leader trying to figure it out. I find myself constantly striving to be better. My overall goals are firmly in place, prioritizing the success of my family as well as the success of our business. Therefore, I am on this journey to lead our business into prosperity while raising a family. In addition to just being a business leader, I hope to make a positive impact on the world around me, starting locally within my city and state. This blog is about that journey. What am I struggling with? What would I love to know? What did I learn or feel I have figured out for the moment? What ideas do I have that may make the world incrementally better? I hope that by sharing this journey, it helps you to live your version of the best life possible.