With leadership, Marc hits all the right notes — whether steering Simcona Electronics or co-producing one of the nation’s top jazz festivals. Marc learned the value of humility and listening from his father, Simcona’s founder. In 2012, he bought out his family partners, becoming the sole owner. His vision propelled growth, expanding manufacturing capabilities by adding a 30,000 sqft facility focused on power solutions and renewables. He preserves a family-like culture by personally sending thank you and birthday cards to employees and conducting surveys to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

For the Zupec family, Campanella & Sons, Inc. is their name, and excavation and sitework contracting is their game. Founded by her grandfather 70 years ago, Suzanne joined the business in 1985, becoming President in 2000 after purchasing it with her siblings. Suzanne ensures employees feel like family, nurturing a culture where multi-generational families thrive. She fosters the notion that you do not always have to do things right, but you have to do the right thing. Her “winter huddles,” empower her team to share strategic ideas.

Danny’s journey from an "Apprentice Electrician" to CEO and owner of one of the larger independent electrical contractors in the Texas/California markets is a testament to his exceptional leadership. Starting his business in 2004, he navigated significant challenges, including acquiring two electrical contracting businesses and buying out his partners along the way. Despite many challenges, Danny’s strategic leadership and commitment to his team has led to 21 years of growth while creating a stellar reputation in the markets CESG serves.

With a foot in both the for-profit and nonprofit worlds, Becky is helping make students’ educational dreams come true. Starting her career in real estate and software sales, Becky’s path led her to International Scholarship and Tuition Services, drawn by the company’s mission of making it “fun and easy for people to be their best.” As CEO and owner of this 100% women-owned enterprise, she has successfully navigated acquisitions and fostered a culture of trust and respect, with their core values spelling “GROWTH.”

Ed Barry learned the value of servant leadership very early on from his father, an elementary school principal in a low-income area. “For my dad, it was always about how do you help others and how do you set an example,” he shares. Embracing this ethos, Ed took the helm as CEO of Capital Bank in 2012, aiming to create a flourishing organization where employees had a voice and felt empowered to contribute. With Ed’s guidance, the bank has transformed from a $400M entity with 65 employees to a $3.3B company with over 400 employees, marking 700% growth in 12 years.

From packing office supply orders in the family basement to leading Iowa’s largest family-owned office products and furniture company, John Kenworthy never loses sight of his people-first philosophy. John led the company to 76% growth from $55M in 2015 to $97M in 2024, powered by four acquisitions, product expansion and new markets. Making culture his passion project, he centered on employee growth with stay interviews and Dream Manager–inspired career paths, sustaining engagement through the Great Resignation. He’s elevated overall performance by modernizing their mission, vision, and values, implementing Predictive Index and reshaping the organization.

Ask Dan Rootenberg what matters most at Spear, and he’ll tell you: culture. For Dan, culture is a garden — nurtured with care. He has grown Spear from a single practice in 1999 into New York’s #1 physical therapy provider. When the pandemic shut down New York, Dan turned crisis into opportunity — opening new locations, hiring top talent, and rebranding to reflect the heart of Spear’s work. With a 25% CAGR over 25 years, Spear now spans 70+ locations, employs 1,000+ team members and treats over a million patients annually. Beyond scale, Dan invests in people through the Future Leader Program, while equity partnerships give employees a stake in the business.

As CEO of the Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association, Jerome Hoban has navigated economic disruptions, shifting politics and a pandemic to make the venue not just sustainable, but indispensable. His leadership has grown the number of annual events hosted at the fairgrounds from under 200 to over 320, transforming it into a hub for cultural programming, emergency response and food distributions while hosting over 400,000 people at the annual summer fair. He also spearheaded the creation of the Alameda County Fair Foundation, advancing the next generation’s agricultural literacy.

Dave’s passion for leadership stemmed from playing team sports and led him to success off the field when he founded HVAC Distributors, Inc. He has grown the company from its original location to 14 locations across 5 states, increasing headcount from three to 183 employees and exceeding $130M in revenue. Dave fosters a positive culture through their 24 defined behaviors, including “take time to celebrate success,” ranking them among the “Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania” four times in the last decade. His philosophy focuses on hiring the right people who “get it, want it and are capable of it.”