Unfamiliar with Vistage? As a Vistage Chair, I work with CEOs, Business Owners and Key Executives to increase their effectiveness and enhance their lives. We meet monthly in peer groups and also have one-to-ones resulting in more authentic leaders, higher-quality decisions and better results. We are joined by world class speakers and subject matter experts from across the US to present half day in-depth explorations of C-Level business topics. From time to time I'll mention special achievements of Vistage Members. Hope you find this section of the newsletter of interest. -PH
David Blittersdorf, a Member of Vistage since 2006, was first a wind measurement guru and after 22 years stepped down as CEO of NRG Systems to start-up AllEarth Renewables, a company dedicated to the development, manufacture and deployment of residential-sc ale, grid-connected renewable energy systems - in particular, the dual-axis, ground-mounted AllSun Tracker. This product is designed to produce 35-45% more energy than standard roof-mounted solar systems, thereby making it more valuable.
AllEarth Renewables recently was in the news with the announcement that a new, easy shipping configuration of its AllSun Tracker won "Top Products of 2013" from Solar Power World and was also one of eight products to win "2013 Top Products" by Electrical Products and Solutions.
"We take a lot of pride in our company's engineering and lean manufacturing. This palletized tracker system was designed with our growing network of nationwide solar installers in mind, allowing them to both get our tracker quickly and make their installation jobs easier," said David Blittersdorf, president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables.
In August 2013, David hosted our monthly meeting in beautiful and we had a special tour of his 10MW, four-turbine Georgia Mountain Community Wind Farm, another one of his renewable energy projects. David has such a passion for renewables. look at this photo of our members' visit - what a gorgeous view. We could see all the way to New York State.
Some think peer advisory groups are all work - not always!
AT OUR JANUARY MEETING, we had the privilege of acknowledging Jean Horstman's 5 year Vistage membership aniversiary. As CEO of Interise, Jean told us of how the organization has changed since she first became a Vistage Member. From a fledgling organization of 2.5 people, it has now grown to over 15 full-time staff and 40 contract instructors, and now reaches 500 entrepreneurs in 37cities a year. By the end of 2014, over 2500 small employers will be in the Interise network. Collectively, businesses that availed themselves of Interise's "StreetWise MBA" program during the recession created jobs at 10 times the rate of the private sector as a whole.
As one of Interise's graduates said:"The 'StreetWise MBA'™ is the most exciting, informational and eye-opening program I have ever participated in. The benefits for me and my company have been immeasurable. I can now move forward in growing my company with direction, poise and confidence."
Laurie Cote, President & CEO
Congratulations Jean on your stellar leadership!
I hope you've found this newsletter helpful. If you'd like to learn more about The Holberton Group and our executive coaching and business advisory services, or whether a Vistage Peer Advisory Group can help your organization, please send an email to [email protected].