CEO Profile: Edward D. Barlow II
Born and raised in Richmond, Edward D. Barlow II is President and CEO of Atlantic Corrugated Box Co., Inc. He attended Mills Godwin High School and received his undergraduate degree in Marketing Management from Virginia Tech in 1990. As a boy, Edward spent summers and extended holidays working for the family business learning the art and science of creating quality corrugated products. After graduating from Virginia Tech, he joined the firm full time and, in 1991, began purchasing the operation from his family. In 1992, Edward succeeded his father as President and CEO of the company. Today Edward owns the business, which is located in the City of Richmond, employs 25 people, and specializes in the manufacture of corrugated packaging and display products for a wide array of industries.
What makes your company unique?
Flexibility. Our employees recognize that every business is different. We develop a true understanding of our client’s businesses, and this allows our team to provide product and service catered to their particular needs. Our philosophy is simple: Quality products and extraordinary service — every customer, every time.
In your opinion, what are the most important characteristics of a good leader?
Integrity and accountability. Integrity is the basic building block for any good leader. It allows a good leader to remain accountable for his or her actions and decisions. It promotes fairness and consistency, and encourages an individual to lead by example. Integrity is essential in maintaining trust among your employees and your clients, and supports growth and prosperity within your organization.
What’s the best business advice you’ve received?
I credit my father with offering long-lasting advice and instilling core values I use to guide the business today. My father taught me not only to only make commitments I could keep, but to have the wherewithal to deliver on those commitments with extraordinary service. He also encouraged me to run a debt-free business, which has proven to be essential in tough economic times.
I can’t get through the day without…
Exercise or some type of activity that relieves me from the daily grind.
Best Virginia business dinner
Old Original Bookbinders
Guilty pleasure
Pizza
Name 3 things that made you happy this week
A close friend of mine was recognized and honored by the Valentine Richmond History Center. Not only did it make me happy, it inspired me.
I had a great workout yesterday — then ruined it by eating a pizza from Pie in the fan. Enjoyed every moment!
Our business was awarded a significant contract this week in the tobacco/packaging industry that will have long-lasting implications for our employees and associates. We are truly blessed.
Tell us about a rewarding on-the-job experience or moment.
I recently had a client request the development of a counter top display to both structurally and graphically enhance and sell his product in a retail setting. This client had significant experience with typical packaging products used for shipping purposes, but had no history or experience with point-of-purchase displays. Despite our daily communication, the client became increasingly agitated and dissatisfied with the amount of time it took to develop each phase of the product. He showed clear signs he was losing faith in the project and in our ability to deliver on our commitment. When the finished product delivered to his facility on time, he immediately opened the units to inspect his counter top displays. He and his entire staff were so thrilled with the final product that he took the time to call and leave a message praising our team on a job well done — along with an apology for doubting our abilities. His message was articulated so well, I saved it. I know there will be an occasion when I need to rejuvenate my team, and this message will be the perfect antidote. And though his voicemail was reward enough, as it happens, we’re designing his floor display now. Icing on the cake!
What’s your biggest challenge as a CEO?
It goes without saying that tough economic times are challenging to most CEOs, myself included. Today, I consider that to be my biggest challenge. In better economic times, I become stagnant and forget to challenge myself — especially in the area of accepting or embracing change. Occasionally I face challenges in dealing with personality conflicts among employees. This is a challenge I wish I could do without entirely.
How do you define success?
Balance. Striking a healthy balance between business, family, and community affords an individual the ability to deliver his or her best. Ultimately, this will provide success in whatever it is that’s being measured.
There’s a front page story about you — what’s the headline?
I would prefer not to be on the front page, but tucked away in the business section being recognized for an achievement in business or community involvement. If I had to be on the front page, maybe it would say, “Ed sold the business and moved to Italy, even though he never learned the language.”
Daily reads
Richmond Times Dispatch
RichmondBizSense.com
Snack craving
Apples and bananas
First job
Dishwasher at L’Italia Restaurant
CEO Profile: Kaye Crenshaw
Kaye Crenshaw started her career in the financial services industry where she enjoyed the flexibility of sales and helping people with their financial challenges. This also allowed her to be available for her two young daughters. She always enjoyed making an impact on people’s lives. Kaye opened Mobility Center of VA in 1994, and since then has been able make a difference in her customers’ lives every day. She and her 25 colleagues spend their days “making it easy for those who have it tough,” by providing equipment and services to the disabled community. Their products include wheelchair accessible vehicles, driving aides, elevators, stair-lifts, porch-lifts, and ceiling lifts.
With the aging of the baby boomers, Mobility Center is poised for growth as people will require home modifications to be able to stay in their homes. Ninety percent of homeowners over the age of 65 say that they want to remain living in their homes as long as possible. Mobility Center can also help seniors remain mobile with vehicle modifications, scooter lifts or even a new vehicle. Mobility Center is unique in the industry because they provide both home and vehicle modifications. This year, Kaye’s husband Lee has opened a sister store in Norfolk called the Ability Center. The Ability Center provides “Mobility products for your home, auto, and lifestyle”
Kaye has been a member of the Virginia Council of CEO’s since 2005. She tells us that the Council has been a resource for information and has provided an opportunity to get strategic help from some great friends and advisers. Quite simply, VACEOs has helped her grow!
With her two daughters working with her at the Mobility Center, Kaye’s business is a place she can call home, where they make a difference in people’s lives every day. When not at work, you can find Kaye spending time with Lee, enjoying her three grandchildren, and traveling whenever and wherever she can.
CEOs Comment on Job Growth
Several Virginia Council of CEOs members offered comments in a March 5 Richmond Times Dispatch article on the small drop in the unemployment numbers. David Gallagher, President of Dominion Payroll Services, said that his firm had grown in 2010 and expected to add more employees in the next few months. Gallagher said that his firm’s clients are hiring more than they are terminating, and that growth is picking up.
Mike Meyer, CEO of NetSearch Direct, reported more talk of hiring among his company’s clients, as well as steady growth at his own company. In the Virginia Council of CEOs’ and Robins School of Business Ecnomic Outlook Survey from January 2011, more than half of the CEOs surveyed indicated that they would be hiring in the first quarter of 2011.
Commenting on data from Council members showing flat employment in 2010, Council Executive Director Scot McRoberts was quoted:
What I am hearing now in 2011 is that people are starting to hire,” McRoberts said. “There is that pent-up demand. They have grown a bit and now they need to add people.”
Inc. 500|5000 Winners Gather
The Inc. 500|5000 Conference is next week up in D.C., and we are proud to recognize the companies from the Richmond area who will be honored among the fastest growing privately held businesses in America!
It seems that CEOs of fast growing companies tend to be a part of the Virginia Council of CEOs! Ten of the sixteen companies are led by VACEOs member CEOs. The Council will honor all sixteen at a luncheon in Richmond this week. Bravo and congratulations to all!
Apex Systems
Astyra Corporation*
Capital TechSearch*
CapTech Ventures
Dominion Payroll Services*
Hunton & Williams
McGuire Woods
Meadows Urquhart*
Morton Consulting*
Rainbow Station*
Robinson Radio*
Taradel*
TECHEAD*
Wheat Systems Integration
Williams Mullen
Zooom Printing*
* indicates that company CEO is VACEOs member
New Brand Identity for VACEOs
Follow the leaders
It’s the new tag line that helps us explain the key benefits of membership in the Virginia Council of CEOs: helping small business leaders grow and profit through the shared wisdom of peers.
At today’s quarterly luncheon, Chairman Ray Lepper introduced a new brand identity for the Council, including a refreshed logo, tag line, colors and style.
The centerpiece of the presentation was the premiere of a 5 minute video that tells the story of the Council, using the words of our members. Thanks to the “fearless fifteen” for going in front of the camera for us! The video can be viewed at our web site. The web site is being built out over the next few weeks, so check back often!
Earlier this year, focus groups and informal conversations were conducted with our members and a common theme emerged — the person at the helm of a small firm frequently has no one to confide in and bounce ideas off of. The Council has filled that role by providing venues like the Roundtables, Quarterly Luncheons and an Annual Retreat where experiences and ideas are shared in a setting of confidentiality and respect. As we like to say, it doesn’t have to be lonely at the top.
Special thanks to:
Susan Hogg and the team at Circle S Studio for developing our new brand identity and leading the team.
Mike Meyer and the team at NetSearch Direct for their work on the website and SEO.
Fred Moore and the team at Big River Advertising for conducting focus groups.
Rob Collins Productions for shooting and editing our video.
Red Amp Studios for music in the video.
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