Vistage Chair since 2020
I built a jet-setting global executive career that spanned six industries and three countries. I led accounts with annual revenue from $40 million to $100 million — and played a key role in scaling businesses with revenue
Turns out, traveling the world and executing multibillion-dollar deals was exciting — and stressful. The pressure took its toll. In 2018, I underwent triple bypass heart surgery, which became a wake-up call.
After my heart surgery, I took 18 months off to reset my life. I thought: “What should I do with this gift of life? Do I do one more turnaround and make a couple million dollars — or recognize that the whole world conspired to help me reconsider what I want moving forward?”
During this time of deep introspection, I was contacted by someone from Vistage who asked if I had ever considered becoming an executive coach and working with CEOs through their toughest challenges. I immediately knew that the opportunity was a godsend.
Becoming a Vistage Chair is the second act of my life. It is my way to give forward by creating an ecosystem of growth-oriented, compassionate, intellectually humble and nimble leaders.
In March 2020 — just weeks into the pandemic and with in-person meetings prohibited — I held my first group meeting via Zoom. I opened the meeting with three slides that read:
1. Nobody goes down on our watch.
2. Crisis is a terrible thing to waste.
3. War room to beat COVID-19.
Today, I Chair four groups that collectively represent organizations generating more than $3.5 billion in annual revenue.
Being a Vistage Chair lets me help CEOs in the trenches. Connecting with 50+ leaders every month is a great way to impact society. And I fully relate to them because I was there myself.
Today my life is fully balanced. I get to help CEOs grow beyond their expectations and my own. And, at the same time, I get to enjoy good times with my wife and visit our now-married children around New York City. There is never a dull day.
