Construction Specialties Canada

When Rick Morris learned he would be taking over the Canadian operation of Construction Specialties Inc. (C/S), he knew he was in for a challenge. “Having worked at the company for 30 years”, he starts, “I knew I had the experience to make things work, but I didn’t come from a management or executive background.”

Rick climbed the ranks of C/S through engineering, research & development, and manufacturing management roles – an unlikely path for a Chief Executive Officer. Despite his experience and impressive track record of performance in those roles, Rick was unsure about the new position. “That transition from manager to executive may seem small in the eyes of many, but everything changes for you – the pressure, responsibility, scheduling, relationships with employees, and even family life. I had heard about those things, but never imagined the transition would impact my life the way it eventually did. I needed a way to make sure I was adapting to the changes and staying on track. My company, family, and job depended on it.”

Rick’s U.S. counterpart, based in New Jersey, recommended a CEO peer group, but Rick wasn’t sure what he was getting into. “It sounded like a support group, and I didn’t know if I had the time to spend on anything that might distract me from my role as CEO.” To please his colleague, though, Rick took the meeting with a CEO Global Network Group Leader to learn more.

“I wasn’t so much nervous as I was unsure about what it entailed, but my first meeting with a Group Leader opened my eyes to a new world of self-improvement, growth, and learning that I hadn’t yet found in other resources.”

Today, Rick can’t imagine his life as a CEO without the backing of CEO Global Network. “Before I joined, I worried about spending that half day each month not at my desk or in other important meetings. I now look forward to that day, and even schedule trips around it. The chance for me to openly discuss the challenges I’m facing is something I can’t get anywhere else. More importantly, the opportunity to get honest feedback from a dozen other business leaders is invaluable. I’ve made some of the most important decisions of my life with the help of CEO Global Network. My employees, family and friends realize that.”

Rick continues to lead the Canadian operation for Construction Specialties with the confidence and support of CEO Global Network. He’s managed to have several record years in sales performance, launch new product lines, and grow his business faster than imagined, all with the input and guidance of his CEO Group and CEO Group Leader.

“Taking a chance on an opportunity for improvement and growth like that was the best decision I ever made. Together, with the help of CEO Global Network, I’m making more confident decisions, developing new capabilities in leadership, and achieving outstanding results.”

This is just one of our many success stories.

Each and every one of our members has a similar story of how CEO Global Network has helped when it comes to making better decisions. Interested in learning how you can take the first steps towards your own success story as an Executive?

Click here to contact us.

Tony Martino

Tony brings excellent business and leadership experience to our team as the founder and president of JTX – Journey to Excellence, and through the long and successful career he enjoyed at Xerox Canada Ltd. Tony held significant senior leadership team roles during his career at Xerox Canada Ltd. As Vice President – Business Operations & […] Learn more.

As a Member of CEO Global Network, I am exposed to a “brain trust” beyond that of myself and my management team alone. Because of this, I am able to look at challenges from multiple angles that would likely not have been considered prior to being a Member.