Scaling Impact - Vistage Member Excellence Awards

Scaling

Impact

SANDSTONE GROUP, INC.

Larry Moon, Chairman & CEO

Lifetime Achievement Award

Self-assurance that shaped their team, their culture, and their community.

Alison Pidgeon

CEO

Move Forward Counseling

Lancaster, PA

CE 8616, Chair: Kirsten Yurich

Vistage member since 2023

Impact Award

“Owning your own business challenges all your weaknesses, and it’s the best personal development course you could ever go through.”

When Alison Pidgeon stepped away from her role as a director in a large health system in 2015, she set out to redefine what a mental health practice could be—one that treated clinicians well, delivered exceptional care, and remained financially strong. This led to her launching Move Forward Counseling, an outpatient mental health private practice, growing it from $30,000 in first-year revenue to $7.4 million by 2025. Today, she leads 80 employees across eight locations in Pennsylvania, has maintained a

Amy Shaw

President & CEO

Nine PBS

St. Louis, MO

CE 8859, Chair: Dennis Hummel

Vistage member since 2023

Leadership Award

“I believe joy is the great differentiator in leadership.”

As public media navigates a changing media landscape and financial uncertainty, Amy Shaw is strengthening Nine PBS as both a trusted community institution and a place where people can thrive. The first woman to lead the organization in its more than 70-year history, Amy has guided Nine PBS through the loss of federal funding without layoffs or salary cuts, even as many other stations had to make these hard decisions. Her recent capital campaign has drawn strong support, and 10,000

Andrew Grunloh

CEO

Grunloh Building

Effingham, IL

CE 4477, Chair: Jonathan Jones

Vistage member since 2025

Impact Award

“Your company can only grow as fast as the leaders and culture you develop.”

When Andrew Grunloh and his brother Patrick took over the day-to-day operations of their family’s construction business in 2019, Grunloh Building was generating roughly $4M in annual revenue. Since purchasing the company in 2021, they’ve grown revenue to $45M, and increased staff from three non-family employees to 26. By focusing on employee development and expanding outside the company’s historic central Illinois territory, Andrew and his team have brought in over $100M in new business since the start of 2026. His

Connie Pisani

CEO

Amaracon Testing & Inspections

Hicksville, NY

CE 13119, Chair: Fenella Kim

Vistage member since 2025

Impact Award

“You have to exhibit the leader that you want to be, and other people will see that.”

Connie Pisani is a civil engineer by trade who spent years in the field before her employer sold to a larger firm, leading her and her business partner, Mara, to start Amaracon Testing & Inspections in 2015. As the company began to grow, Connie found herself working in the business rather than on it, leading to her implementing changes to the organization. She began aggressively hiring, investing, and building a leadership team, and moving the company onto EOS. Under her

Daniel Angel

Owner & President

Lodging Source, LLC

McLean, VA

CE 8908, Chair: Todd Girvin

Vistage member since 2024

Impact Award

“If you explain the why and get people to buy in, then the process and rollout become a lot easier.”

Daniel Angel built his early career in investment management, analyzing businesses and markets. But he always envisioned becoming an operator and building something of his own. This led him to acquire Lodging Source, LLC in 2023, a lodging services company focused on extended stay project travel. As a first-time CEO stepping into a small, established team, Daniel worked to build trust while growing the business and maintaining its culture. Since 2023, Lodging Source has experienced minimal turnover, grown from roughly

Denise Treadwell

President

AirMed International

Birmingham, AL

CE 5168, Chair: Drew Wright

Vistage member since 2023

Leadership Award

“Stay grounded in your mission, your focus, and your strategy — and never forget about your people.”

In 20 years, AirMed International has provided the highest level of critical medical care, completing nearly 33,000 life-saving missions across 150 countries on six continents. As President, Denise Treadwell brings her experience as a former emergency and trauma nurse to lead a global operation where presence, trust and calm under pressure are non-negotiable. She’s guided the air medical transport company through complex trials, including major fleet transitions and a rigorous IPO process. Throughout it all, Denise is anchored to the

Vistage allows you to come outside of your shell, be vulnerable and have growth within yourself, maybe become a whole person instead of thinking of yourself as just a CEO.

John Cadwalader

Founder, Chairman & CTO, Worldwide Innovations & Technologies, Inc.

Lenexa, KS

Lifetime Achievement Award

Dustin Morrison

President & CEO

Western Telematic, Inc.

Irvine, CA

SB 2265, Chair: Mark Murphy

Vistage member since 2009

Lifetime Achievement Award

“We can always learn a lot more from others than we can on our own.”

Dustin Morrison began his career at Western Telematic, Inc. (WTI), the family business his father ran for 33 years, serving as VP of Marketing before succeeding his brother as CEO. For 62 years, WTI has served the IT infrastructure market, becoming a trusted leader in remote out-of-band network management and standing apart as the only company in its industry to manufacture its products entirely in the United States. Their culture is equally distinctive, with one employee recently retired after 45

Elaine Balady

President & CEO

The Assurance Group

Maywood, NJ

CE 3497, Chair: Jeannette Hobson

Vistage member since 2009

Lifetime Achievement Award

“The more I embraced my authentic self, the better leader I became.”

Early in her career, Elaine Balady acquired The Assurance Group, an insolvent staffing firm at the time, and built it into the multi-office, multi-disciplinary organization it is today. In 2008, she took on another challenge, stepping in to lead a struggling client company, DMI, an FDA-approved beauty and cosmetics manufacturer. Over the next 16 years, she transformed DMI into a $100M business that sold at a 14.75x multiple in November 2024, all while continuing to lead The Assurance Group. Since

Ellen Wood

CEO

vcfo, Inc.

Austin, TX

CE 3722, Chair: Bill LaRosa

Vistage member since 2014

Lifetime Achievement Award

“Issue processing and the perspectives from my group have helped me course-correct many times and stay focused on what matters most.”

Ellen Wood’s leadership journey began when she was promoted at 18 to manage a team of adults in the grocery store where she worked during college, sparking her confidence as a leader. As her career progressed and she stepped into a CFO role, she experienced firsthand how difficult it was for leaders to access experienced executive guidance when they needed it most. This led her to co-found vcfo in 1996, pioneering the concept of fractional executives. Now in its 30th

Eric Casciaro

CEO

Quantum Solutions, Inc.

Columbia, IL

CE 3844, Chair: Jonathan Jones

Vistage member since 2016

Lifetime Achievement Award

“You don’t have to figure everything out alone or solve every business problem completely. You just have to keep moving forward.”

Eric Casciaro first recognized leadership in his father’s hardware store, where he learned that ownership doesn’t eliminate accountability—it means accepting more of it. He carried that principle into his engineering career at Quantum Solutions, Inc., where he served in nearly every role before becoming CEO in 2015. Since becoming a partner, Eric has helped Quantum grow its business tenfold, recently reaching a $15M revenue peak. For Eric, the more important story is how Quantum has grown: through long-term customer partnerships,

Fred Perry

Vice President

H2H Blinds

Lawrenceville, GA

CE 5973, Chair: Shaun Bradley

Vistage member since 2021

Leadership Award

“It's all about providing opportunity and security for your team.”

In 2014, while interviewing for a GM role at what is now H2H Blinds, Fred Perry learned a lesson from the company’s former owner that still guides him today: Leadership is about creating opportunity and security for people, not just earning a profit. Fred became a partner two years later and stayed on after the company sold in 2018 to Installed Building Products (NYSE: IBP) leading H2H Blinds. IBP is a publicly traded platform operating 230+ specialty trade businesses across

Glenn Strebe

CEO

Air Academy Credit Union

Colorado Springs, CO

CE 97, Chair: Karen Meenan

Vistage member since 2005

Lifetime Achievement Award

“Do what is right, not what is easy.”

When a crisis hits, Glenn Strebe doesn’t ask what’s easiest—he asks what’s right. That mindset has defined his tenure as CEO of Air Academy Credit Union, where he has led with authenticity and a people-first mindset. Guided by the credit union philosophy of people helping people, Glenn has led through moments of uncertainty by extending support when members needed it most, including loan deferrals and paycheck advances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the organization serves more than 44,000 members, manages

I felt like I started my leadership journey without really being prepared for it or trained for it. There was a lack of confidence. My group really gave me the confidence that I am the leader of this company and I can do this.

Susan Davis

CEO, Donsuemor, Inc.

Alameda, CA

Lifetime Achievement Award

Gordon Bernhardt

Founder

Bernhardt Wealth Management

Falls Church, VA

CE 3643, Chair: Peter Schwartz

Vistage member since 2009

Lifetime Achievement Award

“Lead ethically. Advise wisely. Empower legacy.”

Born and raised on a Nebraska farm, Gordon Bernhardt built his leadership foundation on hard work, accountability, and service to others. After founding Bernhardt Wealth Management in 1994, he spent his early years working in the business before realizing that sustainable growth required him to grow as a leader as well. Over time, he intentionally built a culture rooted in ethics, trust and making an impact—principles he later distilled into six words: “Lead ethically. Advise wisely. Empower legacy.” From 2009

Jennifer Jackson

CEO

Heartland Counseling Services

South Sioux City, NE

CE 8751, Chair: Stacy Harmelink

Vistage member since 2023

Impact Award

“Always be curious and don’t assume.”

Jennifer Jackson’s leadership journey began at 15. The loss of her father introduced her to therapy and set her on a path into behavioral health — one that eventually brought her full circle to her hometown of South Sioux City, Nebraska, where she now leads Heartland Counseling Services. As CEO, Jennifer has grown the organization from $2M to $15M over 14 years, tripling its size in the last five alone. Under her leadership, Heartland earned designation as one of just

John Cadwalader

Founder, Chairman & CTO

Worldwide Innovations & Technologies, Inc.

Lenexa, KS

CE 3771, Chair: Jeff Hutsell

Vistage member 2011-2026

Lifetime Achievement Award

“Perseverance is key.”

From a basement start-up, John Cadwalader built Worldwide Innovations & Technologies into a global company whose products reduce radiation exposure for physicians by as much as 95%. Today, their products are used in more than half of U.S. hospitals and in over 35 countries. With a 20-year track record of consistent growth and profitability, John remained committed to building a strong culture, resulting in minimal employee turnover. Along the way, he extended his impact beyond the business by hiring employees

Jordon Allard

CEO, Founder & Owner

ASPIRE Therapy & Wellness

Louisville, CO

CE 5395, Chair: Steve Sager

Vistage member since 2024

Impact Award

“When faced with adversity, challenge yourself to ask: What could be the gift in this situation?”

An occupational therapist by background, Jordon Allard traces her leadership roots back to her early years, serving as a leader on sports teams and learning grit and a work ethic from her father. In 2021, she co-founded ASPIRE Therapy & Wellness to bring a fresh approach to therapy services for senior living communities—just four months postpartum and in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. After buying out her co-founder and becoming full owner in 2023, Jordon led the company through

Kathleen Maxwell

CEO

Maxwell Roofing and Sheet Metal

Nashville, TN

CE 5203, Chair: Honor Belew

Vistage member since 2017

Leadership Award

“The CEO’s job is to create the vision and then get out of the way.”

When Kathleen Maxwell looks out across Nashville, she can point to landmarks her family’s company helped roof, from the L&C Tower to the Frist Art Museum to the airport’s Concourse D. Kathleen is the third-generation CEO and first female majority owner of Maxwell Roofing and Sheet Metal, a 70-year-old commercial roofing and sheet metal contractor serving Middle Tennessee, Northern Alabama, and Southern Kentucky. Since taking over in 2021 amid COVID-driven material shortages and extreme inflation, she’s guided the company to

Larry Moon

Chairman & CEO

Sandstone Group, Inc.

Milwaukee, WI

CE 10005, Chair: David Hildreth

Vistage member since 1986

Lifetime Achievement Award

“Hire for talent over industry experience.”

When Larry Moon joined his family’s manufacturing business in 1980, he was tasked with relocating and scaling a small acquisition from scratch after moving it to Milwaukee. Larry then stepped into a leadership role at Lakeside Manufacturing and modernized an aging, tradition-bound operation into a systems-driven organization. In 1998, he and his siblings split the family enterprise into two parts, with Larry continuing to lead Lakeside and Multiteria. Under him, Lakeside’s on-time shipping has risen into the 90th percentile, while

Vistage gave me confidence and the courage to implement business practices that support my mission. Through the support of my Vistage group, I’ve stayed on the path and not lost my way.

Pamela DonAroma

Founder & CEO, Futures Inc.

West Hartford, CT

Leadership Award

Laura Walsh

CEO

Ingenio

Walnut Creek, CA

CE 3684, Chair: Erin McGrath

Vistage member since 2016

Leadership Award

“Leaders come in all forms, and the key is finding a voice that’s authentic to you.”

Founded in 1999, Ingenio is on a mission to make spiritual wellness an essential part of modern self-care by connecting customers with trusted spiritual advisors through its digital marketplaces. Laura Walsh leads that mission since joining the company in 2015 and working her way up to COO, fueling growth that helped drive a 17x return for investors. That success led Ingenio’s private equity owners to move her into the CEO seat at Lumens, another portfolio company, where she led a

Matt Hohmann

CEO & Owner

Anchor Distributing

Minneapolis, MN

CE 4244, Chair: Dave Heine

Vistage member since 2012

Lifetime Achievement Award

“Don’t let perfect get in the way of good enough.”

Matt Hohmann grew up on a small beef farm in a Southeastern Minnesota town of just over 300 people. That upbringing shaped what his peers describe as his “go-giver” mentality, always willing to raise his hand to help others and doing whatever is necessary to get the job done. He joined Anchor Distributing, an e-commerce distribution company serving manufacturers, in 2005, when the company had only eight employees and $4M in revenue. He was later named CEO in 2008 and

Mitsugu (Mits) Matsusaka

President & CEO

Nissin International Transport U.S.A., Inc.

Phoenix, AZ

CE 5770, Chair: Fred Carpenter

Vistage member since 2013

Lifetime Achievement Award

“If you don’t ask the right questions, the answers don’t matter.”

In 2012, Mitsugu (Mits) Matsusaka became the first locally hired president of Nissin International Transport U.S.A—a company that is a 100% owned subsidiary of Nissin Corporation of Tokyo, Japan. That milestone marked a turning point for both the company and Mits’ leadership journey. Operating at the intersection of Japanese and American business cultures, he built trust across both while growing the organization. Within 10 years, he helped grow revenue from $105M to $140M, and operating income increased from $1M to

Pamela DonAroma

Founder & CEO

Futures Inc.

West Hartford, CT

CE 5874, Chair: Jeff Bauer

Vistage member since 2019

Leadership Award

“Be fierce in what you believe in.”

At a time when institutions were widely believed to be the safest solution for people with disabilities, Pamela DonAroma had the courage to confront bureaucracy, challenge convention and advocate for deinstitutionalization. Having grown up with multiple deaf relatives, Pam set out to create opportunity, visibility and equality for people with disabilities, resulting in her founding Futures Inc. in 1988. Under Pam’s leadership, Futures has pioneered community-based education and built mission-driven enterprises including retail stores and cafés that create meaningful employment

Paul Faletti

President & CEO

NCM Associates

Kansas City, MO

CE 5700, Chair: Larry Hawks

Vistage member since 2023

Leadership Award

“Hire for attitude over capability.”

When Paul Faletti stepped into leadership at NCM Associates as a young CEO, he inherited an organization founded in 1947 — with decades of tenure and deeply established ways of operating. Under his leadership, the 250-person company, which provides benchmarking, business intelligence, and peer group services across over a dozen industries, has doubled in size over the past five years and experienced significant long-term growth. At the core of that growth was a deliberate cultural transformation: resetting the company’s mission,

Richard Spradley

CEO & Founder

Whooster, Inc.

Buda, TX

CE 4943, Chair: Ed Stillman

Vistage member since 2016

Leadership Award

“You can’t sell trust externally if it doesn’t exist internally.”

Long before leading a mission-driven intelligence company, Richard Spradley was an 11-year-old working beside his father, a contractor, learning to operate heavy equipment. By 14, he had purchased his own tractor and worked after school and on weekends—experiences that instilled the work ethic and responsibility that later shaped his approach to building several technology companies. In 2015, Richard launched Whooster, delivering intelligence data and the OWL Intelligence platform to help investigators make faster, more accurate decisions in high-stakes environments. Grounded

Roddey Player

President & CEO

Queen City Homestore

Charlotte, NC

CE 98, Chair: Will Byron

Vistage member since 2025

Lifetime Achievement Award

“If you’re not looking for opportunities, just think about all the things you can miss.”

Roddey Player took over Queen City Homestore in 2008, with revenue down roughly 75% due to the recession. He spent years rebuilding it into a powerhouse Carolinas retailer. When COVID hit, he stocked up on inventory before anyone else did, and the business doubled. With every challenge came achievement, and across his tenure, he has continued to give back by helping pack more than a million meals for No Child Hungry while working with other charities across the Carolinas. With

Susan Davis

CEO

Donsuemor, Inc.

Alameda, CA

SB 642, Chair: Julie Reinganum

Vistage member since 2007

Lifetime Achievement Award

“There are so many talented people around you, and when you let them do what they do best, it creates wonderful results.”

A degree in French literature may seem like an unlikely credential for a CEO. For Susan Davis, it was the beginning of a remarkable career at Donsuemor, the original American madeleine baker. She joined the company in 1987 as a part-time baker and later stepped in to help run the business when the original owner passed. As CEO, she’s grown the company from $1M in revenue to over $60M, while winning and retaining marquee customers including Costco, Starbucks, and Peet’s

Tom Luersen

President

CoralTree Hospitality

Greenwood Village, CO

CE 5435, Chair: Dayna Milne

Vistage member since 2021

Leadership Award

“The more responsibility I’ve had, the more I’ve realized how much I still need to learn.”

Tom Luersen’s leadership has always been guided by a simple question: Am I proud of the work I’m doing? Early in his career, he walked away from a higher-paying role managing a large portfolio because he wanted to make a more positive impact — a choice that shaped how he has led since. As President of CoralTree Hospitality, Tom has grown company revenue over tenfold and expanded to over 50 properties nationwide. Just as importantly, he treats culture as more

Tony Griffin

Co-Owner & Co-Founder

Griffin Masonry, Inc.

Charlotte, NC

CE 5456, Chair: Tim Gustafson

Vistage member since 2022

Leadership Award

“You first have to be a leader of yourself.”

In 1990, Tony Griffin and his brother Scott started Griffin Masonry with $500, and the proceeds from the sale of a coon dog. Thirty-six years later, they’ve grown it into Trowel Craft Group, a family of 10 companies employing more than 650 people across 13 states, with Griffin Masonry alone running more than 45 crews across the Carolinas. For years, those 10 companies operated as separate silos, each running on its own. They built Trowel Craft Group to change that,

Vanessa Bechtel

President & CEO

Ventura County Community Foundation

Camarillo, CA

CE 5360, Chair: Carlos Aguinaga

Vistage member since 2023

Impact Award

“Embrace the moments that test you, because that's the only way you learn who you are.”

Some people’s path to leadership may begin as early as high school. For Vanessa Bechtel, it started at age two, when generous leaders funded a preschool violin program that opened doors for her — a college scholarship, her first job — and left her wanting to pay that same generosity forward. That desire led her to nonprofit leadership and, in 2015, into the role of president and CEO at the Ventura County Community Foundation, where she’s grown philanthropic assets from