Shep has been CEO of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee since 2021. He previously worked for Federations in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati; in Ohio he was CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati for 16 years. Prior to Federations, Shep, an attorney, worked for a Washington, D.C. law firm that worked for nonprofit clients. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Shep talked about building community consensus even when it seems super-difficult, hiring good people and not micromanaging and leading with a clear vision.

3 Takeaways:

1. (07:45) Create a compelling vision and give people the experience they are looking for
2. (11:45) If you have made up your mind, move forward
3. (15:45) Attach your ego to the whole organization

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Shep Englender, CEO, Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

(06:10) Growth and turnaround in Cincinnati

(08:10) How do you get people on the same page?

(09:20) Who are your mentors?

(11:30) The importance of clarity

(13:40) Leadership advice

(14:55) What do you look for in leaders?

(16:45) Overcoming setbacks

(18:00) What is coming up in 2025?

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Ian Schmoyer has helped lead the homebuilding company he founded eight years ago, Christopher Alan Homes, to become both one of the largest privately-owned homebuilding firms in Lee County and a top 100 firm nationwide. The company, with a focus on amenable and affordable homes, builds in Charlotte and Lee counties in Southwest Florida and Palm Bay on Florida's East Coast. On this episode Ian and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about the genesis of Ian’s core hiring rule: never hire jerks. They also talk about his mentors, like his dad, and his views on a hot button issue: housing affordability in Florida.

3 Takeaways:

1. (09:10) Culture is the most needed thing in business today
2. (11:40) Your word is gold
3. (14:40) A lot of successful people kept it simple

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Ian Schmoyer, Chairman, President & CEO, Christopher Alan Homes

(06:25) Why did you get into obtainable housing?

(08:00) What defines Christopher Alan Homes' culture?

(10:10) What leadership characteristics are important to you?

(11:30) Leadership advice

(12:20) Ian’s mentors

(14:00) Book recommendations

(15:05) Overcoming setbacks

(16:30) Magic Wand solution to affordable housing

(17:45) Christopher Alan Homes in 2025

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Greg Slater has had a 30-year career in highways and transportation, the last three or so in Tampa as CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority. Before that he was the Maryland Secretary of Transportation. His current organization, THEA, recently approved a $752 million work plan, which will include projects for safer streets and congestion relief. On this episode Greg and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talked about one of his key advice nuggets for young people: say yes to every opportunity and create your own luck. They also talked about his mentors and what he looks for in leaders.

3 Takeaways:

1. (12:30) Always be a student
2. (20:00) Be a force multiplier, someone who makes everyone else better
3. (23:30) The path forward is never a straight line

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Greg Slater, CEO, Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority

(05:00) What is the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority?

(06:25) About Greg’s career, becoming Secretary of Transportation of Maryland

(12:15) A little luck and taking on roles others will not

(14:15) Attacking a job with a large leadership role

(16:45) Mentors

(19:10) What do you look for in leaders?

(20:55) Dealing with setbacks

(24:10) What is coming up in 2025?

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.