When I joined Katahdin’s CEO Collective, I was new at the helm of a growing company, STARC Systems, and had no idea what was ahead of me. The pandemic was an unexpected boom for us. I recognized the crucial need for strategic guidance.

Fourteen years ago, I stepped up as CEO and joined the Katahdin Group’s CEO Collective, aiming to transition our business from founder-led to professionally managed. Since joining, our company has grown significantly.

I was in a tough spot. I was appointed as the leader of W.F. Young, a 130-year-old, 5th generation animal health business. I’d worked at the company for 28 years and had turned down the top spot in the past, but this time was different.

I’d been running the Boston-based ad agency Allen and Gerritsen for 25 years when I joined the CEO Collective. I’ve always embraced being a challenger of the status quo, but wanted to take the company to the next level.

In April of 2020, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, I was facing an uncertain future. My company’s orders had dropped by 80% overnight. I wondered how long this would go on and what I could do to make sure we didn't go under.