Transition Stories

Clay Spitz's journey from his family's pest control business to merging multi-million dollar companies offers a unique perspective on leadership. In this episode, Clay shares how he turned a struggling branch into a success, only to find himself navigating the complexities of corporate acquisitions. His experience integrating 100 companies in just two years provides invaluable insights into the challenges of merging diverse business cultures. Clay's straightforward account of the mistakes made and lessons learned during major transitions will resonate with leaders at any stage of their careers. Join us as we explore the human side of M&As and discover why exterminating distrust is as crucial in the boardroom as it is in pest control.
About Clay Spitz:
Clay Spitz started his career in a family service business which was eventually sold into an industry rollup. He has considerable experience as a marketing, sales and operating executive in companies ranging from midsize privately held to Fortune 1,000 corporations. Spitz has been a senior executive at Terminix International, TeleCheck International and Olshan Foundation Solutions and has owned his own business. Clay joined Chief Outsiders in 2010 as one of the very early members of the firm, and rose to Managing Partner and then COO.  He is now forming Wise Path Advisory to help other executives achieve their highest potential through coaching, advisory and board service.
Links from this episode:
Clay Spitz on LinkedIn
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders

Creating a workplace that feels like home while embracing discomfort for growth - these seemingly contradictory ideas form the core of today's commentary.
In this episode, we're revisiting my conversation with Colleen Vacelet, founder of Intreegue Designs and CEO of Order Green Supply. Colleen shared her unique approach to building company culture, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where employees genuinely want to spend their 40 hours each week.
But Colleen didn't stop there. She also highlighted the value of "living in uncomfortability" as a driving force for personal and professional growth. From taking leaps in her career to navigating the challenges of acquiring new businesses, Colleen's experiences underscore how stepping out of our comfort zones can lead to remarkable progress.
As you listen, consider how you might apply Colleen's insights to your own leadership style. How can you create a welcoming workplace while also pushing yourself and your team to embrace the discomfort that often precedes growth?
About our Guest:
Colleen Vacelet is a prominent figure in women's entrepreneurship, known for founding Intreegue Design and acquiring Order Green Supply. With a diverse background in landscape architecture and business, she holds licenses and certifications in multiple states. Colleen's commitment to education is evident through her role as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland. She is actively involved in professional organizations, has held leadership positions, and has received numerous awards for her contributions. Colleen's dedication to excellence and mentorship has earned her recognition, including the prestigious BBJ’s 2024 Mentor of the Year Award. Her work extends to supporting women in construction, showcasing her commitment to the field and community.
Listen to the full episode here >
 
Links from the Episode:
Colleen Vacelet on LinkedIn 
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders
 
More about Intreegue Designs:
Are you looking for a landscape architecture firm that can bring your outdoor space to life? Look no further than Intreegue! Standing tall in the field of landscape architecture, they are making a profound impact with every design. With years of experience and a passion for thoughtful design, they offer a unique blend of creativity and environmental sensitivity in every project. Their expertise tackles urban design to botanical garden design, residential to commercial retail, and even social impact projects. Let them create an outdoor space that will intrigue your senses and leave a lasting impression.

Colleen Vacelet, the founder of Intreegue Design and CEO of Order Green Supply, shares her journey from landscape architect to multi-company entrepreneur. In this episode, she discusses:
Building a company culture that feels like "home" to employees
Navigating the challenges of acquiring and integrating new businesses
The value of mentorship and continuous learning in entrepreneurship
Embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth
Colleen offers practical insights for CEOs looking to expand their companies, new leaders finding their footing, and entrepreneurs who've recently acquired existing businesses. Her approach to thoughtful risk-taking and creating a nurturing work environment provides valuable lessons for leaders at all stages. Join Deborah and Colleen for this episode: “Rooted in Risk: A Landscape Architect's Path to Multi-Company Success.”
About our Guest:
Colleen Vacelet is a prominent figure in women's entrepreneurship, known for founding Intreegue Design and acquiring Order Green Supply. With a diverse background in landscape architecture and business, she holds licenses and certifications in multiple states. Colleen's commitment to education is evident through her role as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland. She is actively involved in professional organizations, has held leadership positions, and has received numerous awards for her contributions. Colleen's dedication to excellence and mentorship has earned her recognition, including the prestigious BBJ’s 2024 Mentor of the Year Award. Her work extends to supporting women in construction, showcasing her commitment to the field and community.
Links from the Episode:
Colleen Vacelet on LinkedIn 
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders
 
More about Intreegue Designs:
Are you looking for a landscape architecture firm that can bring your outdoor space to life? Look no further than Intreegue! Standing tall in the field of landscape architecture, they are making a profound impact with every design. With years of experience and a passion for thoughtful design, they offer a unique blend of creativity and environmental sensitivity in every project. Their expertise tackles urban design to botanical garden design, residential to commercial retail, and even social impact projects. Let them create an outdoor space that will intrigue your senses and leave a lasting impression.

Deborah Fell reflects on her recent conversation with James Hyman, a seasoned turnaround CEO and board member. Deborah discusses the key insights from their full episode, focusing on themes of leadership, accountability, and empowering teams. She shares her experience leading a diverse and accomplished team of sales and marketing executives from various industries, highlighting the challenges and rewards of being a "leader of leaders." Deborah emphasizes the importance of inspiring confidence, showing compassion, and knowing when to compromise. 
About James Hyman:
James Hyman brings 25+ years of experience in international business leadership as CEO and Independent Director, driving demonstrated performance improvement. James has had responsibilities for operations, finance, M&A, and restructuring businesses across multiple US and European industries, as well as at leading companies such as GE Capital, McKinsey, JPMorgan & Starwood Hotels. He has delivered shareholder value as CEO of six companies, as a Board member of public & private companies, as an advisor to start-up/venture-backed companies, and as a Senior Advisor to Stifel’s Investment bank. He is a Partner with Marketing Strategies, LLC, which provides consulting and M&A advice to private equity firms and portfolio companies.
As a Board member of 11 companies (currently Watterson Solutions), James works to focus the organization on business building and creating shareholder value within a structure of strong governance. As a Board member, he works with management on critical-path strategy issues, leadership development, and risk management. He has served on multiple committees: Audit (Chair), Compensation, Governance (Chair), and Transaction/Special Committees (Chair).
As CEO, James is a leader who delivers shareholder value with large and sustained improvements in operating and financial performance - currently as CEO of PE-owned United Site Services, and previously of Corizon Health, Citizens Parking, CEC, and TestAmerica as well as Chairman & CEO of NYSE-traded Cornell Companies. For underperforming B2B services and industrial businesses, he brings strong process improvement and lean sigma skills to bear, emphasizing growth, top-grading, margin expansion, and return on capital.

In this episode of Success Beneath the Surface, James Hyman, a seasoned CEO and board member, shares his methodology for helping companies navigate complex restructuring processes. With a background spanning diverse industries and a track record of successful transformations, James offers invaluable insights for CEOs and business transformation leaders facing the daunting task of overhauling large to enterprise-sized organizations.
James emphasizes the importance of broadening one's skill set, knowing what "good" looks like in various business functions, and leveraging the expertise of others to drive change. He also touches on the evolving role of AI in business and how leaders can prepare to harness its potential.
Whether you're a CEO grappling with organizational challenges or a transformational leader seeking fresh perspectives, this episode provides a roadmap for those looking to steer their companies toward a more successful future.
About James Hyman:
James Hyman brings 25+ years of experience in international business leadership as CEO and Independent Director, driving demonstrated performance improvement. James has had responsibilities for operations, finance, M&A, and restructuring businesses across multiple US and European industries, as well as at leading companies such as GE Capital, McKinsey, JPMorgan & Starwood Hotels. He has delivered shareholder value as CEO of six companies, as a Board member of public & private companies, as an advisor to start-up/venture-backed companies, and as a Senior Advisor to Stifel’s Investment bank. He is a Partner with Marketing Strategies, LLC, which provides consulting and M&A advice to private equity firms and portfolio companies.
As a Board member of 11 companies (currently Watterson Solutions), James works to focus the organization on business building and creating shareholder value within a structure of strong governance. As a Board member, he works with management on critical-path strategy issues, leadership development, and risk management. He has served on multiple committees: Audit (Chair), Compensation, Governance (Chair), and Transaction/Special Committees (Chair).
As CEO, James is a leader who delivers shareholder value with large and sustained improvements in operating and financial performance - currently as CEO of PE-owned United Site Services, and previously of Corizon Health, Citizens Parking, CEC, and TestAmerica as well as Chairman & CEO of NYSE-traded Cornell Companies. For underperforming B2B services and industrial businesses, he brings strong process improvement and lean sigma skills to bear, emphasizing growth, top-grading, margin expansion, and return on capital.

In this week's episode of Success Beneath the Surface, host Deborah Fell gives commentary on her conversation with turnaround executive Andrei Soran on balancing profitability and access in the healthcare industry. Having spent his career improving healthcare organizations, Andrei provides valuable insights into the opposing forces at play, where the drive for profits conflicts with the moral imperative to provide care. As Deborah notes, these dynamics place immense pressure on leaders to make difficult trade-offs. Tune in to hear more from Andrei on how countries around the world are grappling with this "balancing act" and his thoughts on how for-profit and nonprofit models can learn from each other. To access the full discussion from last week's episode, listen here.
About Andrei Soran: Chairman ConnectNet and Principal eXact Partners
A strategic health system leader, Andrei leverages 25+ years of CEO experience driving growth, turnarounds, and value creation for hospitals and health systems. He has led multiple successful acquisitions, restructures, and exits, building high-performing teams and aligning stakeholders. Passionate about quality, safety, and physician relationships, Andrei partners closely with medical staff to champion patient care. Most recently, he steered Pipeline Health through an in-court restructuring, paving the path to financial sustainability. Andrei has turned around numerous hospitals, including boosting Detroit Medical System’s EBITDA by $100M. With prowess spanning operations, technology, and vision-setting, his analytical abilities and empathetic leadership equip him to solve complex strategic challenges.
About eXact:
Today, we’ve been highlighting an organization that has been making waves in the business world – eXact. eXact is the leader in healthcare organizational restructuring and business turnaround. At eXact, you'll find a team of seasoned executives who specialize in guiding healthcare companies through complex and uncertain times. They understand the challenges businesses face and are here to help you navigate them. eXact offers tailored solutions that establish effective organizational frameworks, revamp your operational processes, and transform your business strategies.
So, whether you're experiencing financial turmoil or need a fresh approach to revitalize your business, eXact has the expertise you need. To learn more about how eXact can help your company thrive, visit their website at exactleaders.com.
Links from this episode:
Andrei Soran on LinkedIn
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders

When hospitals face financial distress, every decision becomes crucial and partners like lenders gain outsized influence. Yet few leadership teams have deep expertise in navigating corporate turnarounds. This lack of experience can lead to missed opportunities and severe consequences. What struggling hospitals need are advisors intimately familiar with managing cash crunches, forecasting future runways, and making bold moves when required.
Andrei Soran and his team of seasoned healthcare executives have led successful restructurings and helped organizations strategically shrink certain services to reallocate resources. They understand hospital economics better than any generalized consulting firm. Their relationships with lenders can smooth the path to recapitalization. By complementing leadership capabilities, they can create plans addressing immediate threats while positioning for long-term viability. During this industry crisis, partnering with their turnaround specialists could prove transformational for many hospitals.
About Andrei Soran: Chairman ConnectNet and Principal eXact Partners
A strategic health system leader, Andrei leverages 25+ years of CEO experience driving growth, turnarounds, and value creation for hospitals and health systems. He has led multiple successful acquisitions, restructures, and exits, building high-performing teams and aligning stakeholders. Passionate about quality, safety, and physician relationships, Andrei partners closely with medical staff to champion patient care. Most recently, he steered Pipeline Health through an in-court restructuring, paving the path to financial sustainability. Andrei has turned around numerous hospitals, including boosting Detroit Medical System’s EBITDA by $100M. With prowess spanning operations, technology, and vision-setting, his analytical abilities and empathetic leadership equip him to solve complex strategic challenges.
About eXact:
Today, we’ve been highlighting an organization that has been making waves in the business world – eXact. eXact is the leader in healthcare organizational restructuring and business turnaround. At eXact, you'll find a team of seasoned executives who specialize in guiding healthcare companies through complex and uncertain times. They understand the challenges businesses face and are here to help you navigate them. eXact offers tailored solutions that establish effective organizational frameworks, revamp your operational processes, and transform your business strategies.
So, whether you're experiencing financial turmoil or need a fresh approach to revitalize your business, eXact has the expertise you need. To learn more about how eXact can help your company thrive, visit their website at exactleaders.com.
Links from this episode:
Andrei Soran on LinkedIn
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders

Welcome to another episode of Success Beneath the Surface, where we uncover the secrets of effective business leadership. In our last episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Peter Schwartz, a seasoned Vistage chair with over 30 years of experience in nurturing early-stage concepts and companies to fruition. Peter's remarkable achievements, having won numerous awards twice over, speak volumes about his expertise.
During our conversation, Peter highlighted a topic close to my heart: the profound impact of a leader's presence and the essentiality of mastering inner and outer game skills in today's complex work environment. He emphasized that as leaders, we have full control over how we show up and shape the weather for our teams. Peter's fascination with leadership development began in the mid-90s and has since evolved into a passion.
Peter introduced the concept of the inner game, a term coined by Timothy Gallwey, which focuses on expanding the complexity of the mind to effectively navigate the increasing intricacies of the world. He discussed the importance of evolving our relationships with others, shifting from a focus on likability to respect and performance.
Join us as we continue to explore leadership journeys and the transformative power of personal growth with Peter Schwartz. Let's unlock the secrets to successful business leadership together.

In this episode, we learn from Peter Schwartz, CEO Coaching & Development | Master Chair Vistage, about his journey and insights into leadership. Through his personal experiences, he emphasizes the importance of embracing leadership and influencing outcomes. Peter's involvement in an internet startup was a turning point that made him realize the significance of creating a positive environment as a leader. As a Vistage chair, he creates a supportive space for CEOs to explore diverse perspectives, uncover performance gaps, and engage in collective problem-solving. Peter highlights the power of well-run Vistage groups in fostering connections and supporting individual growth journeys, emphasizing the combination of outer game skills and inner game mindset shifts in effective leadership development.
Links from today's episode:
Peter D. Schwartz on LinkedIn Vistage
Deborah Fell on LinkedInChief Outsiders

In this episode of Success Beneath the Surface, Deborah Fell gives commentary on last week's episode with Tom Zucker, president of EdgePoint Capital. Tom emphasizes that gross margin is becoming a critical indicator of a company's value and that sustained margins are a reflection of the company's worth. He stresses that businesses need to offer distinct value propositions that set them apart from competitors and resonate with their clients and customers.
To illustrate this point, Tom provides an example of a closely held family business that developed a unique friction-break product with superior intellectual property. The company should have traded for six times its value, but it traded for north of 11 times because it offered a distinct value that no one else had, enabling it to maintain and grow its margins.
Deborah and Tom discuss the fragility of business owners and the importance of ego fulfillment in M&A advisory services. They also acknowledge that family dynamics are consistent among businesses, regardless of their size and sophistication. Join us for this episode, "Family Dynamics are Consistent Among Businesses of All Sizes."
Listen to the full episode with Tom Zucker here.
About Deborah's guest, Tom Zucker
Tom Zucker serves as the President of EdgePoint Capital, managing client transactions, overseeing its day-to-day management, and executing strategic initiatives.
Tom uses his extensive business and financial experience to assist business owners in completing transition events, acquisitions, or recapitalizations. His diverse experiences range from executing corporate divestitures for General Electric to assisting small closely held businesses in executing family ownership transitions.
Links from this episode:
EdgePoint Capital
Tom Zucker on LinkedIn
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders