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Larry Puddister
Co-chairman, Board of Directors, Pennecon Limited Chief Executive Officer, Newcrete Investments Partnership Inc.
“The most successful leaders and companies are the ones who find a way to make work fun — not just for themselves, but for everyone around them too.”
Larry Puddister’s footprint at Pennecon — a full-service construction company based in St. John’s — is heavy indeed. Over the past decade under his leadership, annual revenues have grown from $92.6 million to $347 million. Somehow, he has also managed to find time to turn Newcrete into a leading producer of construction aggregate, precast concrete and masonry products.
Building up Given the current oilinduced economic slowdown in Newfoundland and Labrador, it would be understandable if Pennecon stalled production too. Understandable perhaps, but unacceptable to Larry. Which is why he’s looking westward for potential partnerships and projects, even as he continues to position Pennecon as the go-to contractor for local mega-projects. With significant investments in “early radar screening”, he’s often on first base before competitors are even aware a project’s in play.
Embracing the rocks of ages Says the construction tycoon: “The people at Pennecon – all 1,100 of them – make the company the industry leader it is, and I have been lucky to have them by my side. They’ve inspired the culture that makes this an employer of choice.”
Gregory F. Roberts
CEO & Owner
Mary Brown’s Inc.
“We have taken the best practices in our industry and coupled them with what best practices ought to be. That’s why we’re the fastest-growing franchise system in Canada.”
Greg kick-started his entrepreneurial career in Newfoundland in the late 1990s with credit cards and bootstraps. Today, he has expanded from his original solitary gas station enterprise to a range of business concerns that includes food services, retail, technology and health care. His flagship Mary Brown’s Famous Chicken and Taters franchise will expand to 200 outlets, in Canada and Turkey, within the next five years.
Setting a plate for leadership His growth strategy can be succinctly summarized as contrarian: while his competitor Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) work from frozen-to-fryer, Greg has opted for fresh-from-scratch product. And while traditional QSR franchises make their money by charging high and paying low, Greg is working toward better compensation for front line workers. And where many QSRs are failing at customer service, Greg is determined to surpass customer expectations.
Order up This multifaceted business owner believes in making the future manifest in the present. “By taking the largest gamble of my life and doing it … It’s an amazing feeling.”
Brent Scrimshaw
President & CEO
Atlantic Lottery Corporation
“The best leaders have clarity of vision. They see into the future and where they want/need to take their organizations.”
As Brent likes to say, his career has been centered on building “passion brands”. And by that he means products that have a “rich, emotional connection” to customers. As Atlantic Canada’s chief purveyor of gaming products, he also advocates innovation and change in an industry that’s facing foreign competition, declining product relevance and technology that doesn’t meet player needs.
Playing the long game Turbulence notwithstanding, Brent has managed to steer his firm into the black. “While the company achieved a net profit turnaround in Fiscal 13/14, we look more to our trajectory of profit growth in the traditional ticket lottery business and sales growth in the emerging eGaming sector as indicators of strategic importance.”
Scratch and win Brent and his team are aggressively moving to restore their supremacy in product lines and delivery. Gaming systems are being replaced, products are under reconstruction, new games are under development and technology is being upgraded. With 100 per cent of ALC profits being invested in public service programs, any operational improvements will eventually lead to a win-win for all.
Ken Shea
President & CEO
East Coast Credit Union
“Good leaders cheer you on when things are going well and makes sure that they share the credit for success.”
Ken heads one of the largest credit unions in Atlantic Canada, with 17 branches and 134 employees with current assets tripping over $380 million. Since coming on board as president, in 2011, he’s had much to do with this growth. But he places his real value in the fashion of his leadership. “The true essence of leadership is in the doing and this is what makes teams commit to the goals that create long-term success,” he says.
Building the balance sheet of service Over the past four years, Ken has motivated his employees by creating a compelling vision. He has integrated both staff and member-owner functions to create a seamless line of communications and service. One result was that East Coast was recognized as one of the top places to work in Atlantic Canada in 2012 and again in 2013.
Factoring the pay-it-forwards Ken believes that “an individual who is engaged will work smarter to deliver that ultimate balance to stakeholders.” Spoken like a true, fiscal cheerleader.
Ian D. Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership
“Answer this: Under what conditions do people choose to give the best of themselves, wholeheartedly to an endeavor?”
As the CEO of one of the world’s most successful seafood companies, employing 1,400 people, Ian Smith has a unique take on his role in the mix of global competition that laps daily at his corporate doorstep in Bedford, Nova Scotia. “My service in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve has had the most influence on me as a business leader,” he says. “It taught me the principles of servant leadership — character, competence and teamwork.”
He’s in the navy now Since assuming the helm of Clearwater in 2010, this former infantry officer has only enhanced the company’s position as a processor of marine protein the world over. His leadership measures are clear: “In the workplace, it’s by employee engagement. In the marketplace, it’s by customer satisfaction and brand strength. As an individual, it’s about achieving work-life balance.”
The main catch Ian is proudly declarative about his biggest accomplishment. “It’s leading Clearwater to five consecutive years of top performance in an industry without compromising my standards, integrity or family life.” Aye, aye, Captain.
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