Episode 11 - Cultivating Culture & Legacy: Gordon Held on Leadership, Empowerment & Excellence

Transcript

Wendy Cohen

(0:10) Hello, Powerhouse Smart friends and colleagues. This is my favorite thing to do all day long, (0:17) all week long, is my Powerhouse Cool Collabs podcast. I get to select the best, coolest (0:25) leaders in luxury design, build, development, and real estate, and I select them.It is a selection (0:32) process based on their attitude towards collaboration, sharing, and giving without (0:38) always expecting anything in return, and then living with an attitude of gratitude, (0:43) and then finally, of course, giving back to help humanity. So today we have an awesome guest. He (0:51) is a dear colleague of ours.This is Gordon Held, and he's going to share his story, (0:58) really, which is an amazing deep dive I did earlier today in our luxury design build industry. (1:04) And instead of trying to introduce him, I love to turn it over to him. Since this is a 20-minute (1:11) commutable podcast, I assure you you're going to get some golden nuggets.So let us learn more (1:17) about Gordon Held. Gordon, giving you the proverbial microphone.

Gordon Held

Okay, I got it.Thank you, (1:23) Wendy. Thank you for having me. You know how much I love you and everything we do at Powerhouse (1:27) Smart, and so I'm grateful to be here today.Thanks so much, and allowing me to share some of (1:32) my story, my past, and a little bit about what we do at Scott Byrne and Company. And so I live (1:42) on northern Illinois, and I've been in Illinois since 1998, but I am not originally a Midwesterner. (1:51) I'm a transplant.I was an East Coast kid, and I lived all over from... I was born in New York, (1:56) lived in New Jersey, Massachusetts. We lived over in Spain for a period of time, just outside of (2:03) Madrid, Virginia, North Carolina, the Hawaiian Islands. And so I've been around, but I came here (2:11) in 1998, and I started my career in the green industry in golf courses.And so I was really (2:19) in agronomy and turf management, and I really thought that I was going to spend my whole career (2:25) in golf courses, either on the maintenance side or the design-build side. And, Wendy, I always had an (2:32) itch to go to the Hawaiian Islands, and so when I got out of school, I spent about a year in Charlottesville, (2:37) Virginia, and then I moved to the Hawaiian Islands. And when I got there, I was like, I'm not (2:44) going to find a management role in golf courses over there.And so I pivoted really quickly, and (2:49) that's how I got into landscaping, you know, just funny enough. And so I started working in landscaping (2:55) a whole different palette of plant life, of course, from what I studied, and I spent three years over (3:02) there and learned an awful lot. And then I decided, you know, this experience was wonderful, but it is (3:08) time to move on.And so I ended up coming to the Chicagoland area, and I started working for (3:14) an interior tropical plant company, because why not? I just came from the tropics. (3:19) And so I did that for eight and a half years, and then I really started missing (3:24) the exterior world. And I jumped back into the exterior world and worked for a local commercial (3:29) company for 11 and a half years, and they sold it in 2017.And I stayed for two more years and (3:36) thought, I got to make a change. And so that's when Scott Byron entered my life. And it's so (3:43) crazy too, when you talk about living with gratitude, I will tell you that the individual that set me up (3:50) in the meeting with Scott Byron was Andy Murray from DaVinci.And so small world. So Scott and I (3:57) met, and we aligned very quickly on how we think about the client experience and how we think about (4:02) the employee experience and culture. And I joined his team in 2019 as his COO.And shortly after (4:13) that, about close to a year after that, my now partner, Ken Williams, came into the organization (4:20) as our CFO. And he and I and our founder, Scott, and his long-term partner, Andy, spent two years (4:28) working on succession planning for the company. And in 2024, February 1st of 2024, Ken and I became (4:36) majority owners for Scott Byron and Company.And so for people who don't know who Scott Byron (4:42) Company is, we are a full-service landscape company that offers construction services, (4:48) design services, maintenance services. Scott really started the company back in 1983, (4:56) really with the intent of creating a luxury experience for clients through innovation, (5:02) creativity, and unmatched service. And really that's what we pride ourselves on.(5:08) You know, our design work, our ability to take on projects that others might feel too (5:15) challenged to take on, and then really delivering a concierge service as part of that. We're based (5:21) out of Lake Bluff, Illinois, and have been for years. But we also have an office on the south (5:29) side of Milwaukee that handles all of our Wisconsin territory.And we have an office (5:33) on the north side of Chicago that handles our Chicago and Michigan territories. (5:38) We also offer destination work to our clients. We just finished a project in Nantucket.We are (5:45) going to Connecticut here shortly, and we'll be going to Miami sometime this year as well. (5:50) And as you well know, Wendy, we have interest in other territories as we came to the first (5:56) ever Powerhouse Smart Conference in Naples, which was fabulous. We met a lot of great people, (6:01) learned a lot about the market, and so we're considering Naples as well as an opportunity (6:08) to expand.And so that's kind of a little bit about us.

Wendy Cohen

Well, that's a great snapshot. I know (6:15) there's a lot of deeper dive we could do in that whole story, because so many things that you said (6:20) that I wrote down I wanted to chat about.You know, the Hawaii aspect was a really interesting (6:24) starting point, but golf courses to luxury residential landscaping for both... You do (6:31) residential and commercial, Gordon?

Gordon Held

Yeah, we are mostly residential. We do (6:35) very little commercial. Our primary focus is residential.

Wendy Cohen Gordon Held

(6:40) Okay. So I want to tell the audience that, you know, Gordon is just being very humble. (6:44) Scott Byron & Company, from my very early days back in the 80s, I was the vice president of a (6:54) design-build firm in the Illinois market, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, just like (6:58) originally Scott Byron started.And this was one of the elite landscape architecture (7:04) design-build firms. Scott had such an amazing reputation, and we often were thrilled when we (7:11) were working on a design-build client, and we were able to bring them in as one of our design-build (7:17) partners, and that whole collaboration aspect. So it was just so exciting to hear that you were (7:25) joining a company that already had built a great reputation locally, and locally, you know, we (7:31) spread those roots out a little bit.And now you and Ken are taking it to the next level with a lot (7:40) of the original players. Is that correct?

Gordon Held

Yeah, you know, it's great, Wendy. We have a (7:45) wonderful experience team.

We have 275 employees. 91 of them have a tenure of an average of 20 years.

Wendy Cohen

(7:53) Wow.

Gordon Held

And so we are very fortunate. But, you know, we've had a lot of growth since 2019, (7:59) and we've added a lot of new talent as well. And so we're excited for the mix of, you know, (8:06) the people who have been with the organization for many years and supported Scott Byron & Company (8:10) to the people who are now just joining us.

Wendy Cohen

Yeah, and I believe, I love that, and I know that, (8:17) well, here, I just want to say, last year, we did a Powerhouse Smart event with you. You were our hosts, (8:24) and we ended up doing a very large project tour of a seven or eight acres parcel that your firm (8:31) has been doing from the very beginning in the 90s all the way to today. And Scott himself (8:38) joined.So it's very, it's just a testament to you and your ability to lead and take a company (8:45) that's already got a reputation, but utilizing the old and the new. I don't want to call Scott old. (8:53) He won't like that.Oh, and Andy. But massaging that and articulating how to take what is already (9:01) there and, you know, the trajectory going forward. And Brett, his son, runs the marketing department.(9:07) So, wow.

Gordon Held

Absolutely. Yeah, he does a fantastic job for us.

Wendy Cohen

So what are your and Ken's, (9:15) you know, what do we see in five years for the firm?

Gordon Held

You know, I think (9:23) we're not trying to recreate it, right? I mean, as you stated, you know, this has been a (9:28) company that's had a wonderful reputation for so many years. And I think, you know, I'll tell you (9:33) what really interests the two of us when Scott came to us and said, I would like the two of you (9:38) to purchase my company. That's what I'd really like.And we started to think about that. And, (9:45) you know, we all have experiences in our careers and some are great, some maybe not so great. (9:50) And I had been on both sides of things through acquisitions and change in ownership and (9:56) management.And I really started to digest what Scott had said. And for me and Ken, (10:04) we decided this was the right move for us because here is a company that has been a (10:09) legacy of over 40 years. And we felt like it was our turn to protect that legacy.(10:15) And so one of the things that we always think about, Wendy, is our culture, right? And when (10:22) we think about culture, you know, we think about trust and we think about empowerment and we think (10:28) about autonomy and transparency and inclusion. And, you know, think about that. If you can (10:37) lead an organization under those principles, what that does for your existing team is incredible (10:44) because they come to work energized, they're engaged.And when somebody's energized and engaged, (10:49) you know, and they're happy, you are able to provide an even higher level of service. (10:56) And so it helps with employee retention. It helps with client retention.And as you well know in the (11:02) recruiting business, it helps you on the recruiting side of things. And so we focus heavily on culture. (11:09) I mean, there's obviously other things that we focus on.We're protecting the legacy of Scott (11:13) Byron. We're focusing on the culture. We work on things of infrastructure and things like those (11:18) things aren't exciting.I mean, they have to be done in order to improve your business and (11:23) ultimately your client experience. But the culture is a big piece for us. And I have to share this (11:28) really quick story with you about culture.Sure. The Illinois Landscape, it's a new name, (11:35) is Illinois Landscape Contractors Association. I think it's Landscape Illinois.Just through (11:39) their big annual conference where they have their trade show and educational things. And I started (11:46) getting calls after the conference was over. I got multiple phone calls.I don't know how people (11:49) got my number, but by the third phone call, what they were asking is, I want to learn more about (11:54) Scott Byron and company. And if there's any opportunities there. And I said, well, by the (11:59) third call, I said, why us? Why are you contacting us as opposed to somebody else? And the individual (12:06) said to me, because your team is the one walking around the conference saying that that is the (12:10) best place they've ever worked in their career.And that is a testament to what Scott and Andy (12:15) first started. It is what Ken and I want to carry on. And so, you know, that's how we think about (12:23) things here.

Wendy Cohen

Yeah. Well, that's why you're here. And I have the chills because it just resonates (12:27) with everything that we stand for and we want to help promote and share with people.So the vision (12:33) I got, Gordon, was this diamond, you know, started with this and that you guys are polishing it. (12:39) And it's actually expanding. And the energy from that diamond is growing, growing, growing.And so (12:45) what was already a great company in the Midwest is now taking that and going across the nation. (12:54) And honestly, the actual company that you're creating and growing is almost like you could (13:01) do consulting for other companies in our design, build world and share with them. Because if we (13:08) could just all live that way, imagine what it would be like.And I know how you feel. You're (13:14) not about, oh, that's the competition. I wouldn't want to share.So that's the collaboration aspect (13:19) of this. So share with us what you do to collaborate and how that fits into your growth trajectory. (13:26)

Gordon Held

Yeah.I mean, we're constantly in collaboration mode, right? You have to be. We work with a number (13:32) of builders and interior designers and architectural firms. And, you know, (13:41) we're constantly trying to deepen those relationships, but also trying to form new ones.(13:49) And so Powerhouse Smart is a great example of that. I mean, there is not a time that I go to an event (13:54) and I don't come out of there having met new people or deepening my existing relationships. (13:59) Naples is a great example of that, because when we went to Naples, there was a bunch of (14:03) Chicago people there that we have done work with.And so it's strengthening those relationships and (14:09) creating new ones. So Matt Hudson is a great example of that. Met him for the first time (14:14) in Naples.And we are now, he and our team have had multiple conversations on how we can (14:20) collaborate together. And it just continues to perpetuate. Peter Mueller, you know, he just (14:27) connected me with a wonderful meeting with, of course, Carrie McCormick, who her and I sat down (14:32) last.It's just one after the other. And so I would say to people that if they are interested (14:41) in collaborating, go on LinkedIn, reach out to us, go through our website, call our office, (14:48) whatever is easiest. Look who we're connected to on LinkedIn.If there is someone that you want (14:54) to be connected to and we can help facilitate that, you know, we're here to help. It's as much (15:00) about learning about other people and helping them that it is anything else. And so, yeah, (15:06) we do all kinds of stuff and a lot of it through Powerhouse.And so we're thankful to you for that.

Wendy Cohen

(15:10) And other organizations too, and we all consider them, you know, like-minded communities and we (15:15) think you should be part of them. But I wanted to go back and say the link and the contact for (15:20) Gordon is going to be below.So please, please make this more, you know, valuable and go ahead (15:27) and reach out. And Gordon, I just want to give you a huge compliment. I met you many years ago (15:32) when you first started with Scott Byron and you were coming to events and you were participating (15:37) and you were, when I called you, you returned my phone call right away.Here you are COO, (15:44) and then you were co-owner. And I can't, if I could share that a bit of wisdom with everybody (15:51) on this call. I mean, to collaborate really means to open yourself up and allow those connections (15:57) and to follow up.And they're not all going to turn out to be your next new job, but helping (16:02) other people when they get that call and just connecting with them all pays it forward and (16:07) backwards and upside down, right? Absolutely. Absolutely. You are truly the role model in (16:13) collaboration.And I just want to thank you because whenever you RSVP to go to an event, (16:17) I already know, oh, there's going to be so many people are going to walk away and say, (16:21) that was worth my time of attending that event.

Gordon Held

Oh, that's great. Thank you.

Wendy Cohen

That's fantastic. (16:26) And so when Gordon was talking about Naples, he was talking about Naples, Southwest Florida. (16:31) And so that is just one of the areas that Scott Byron is growing and we're growing into.And he's (16:39) actually good. They're going to be attending Kenan's and Gordon are going to be attending (16:42) our Minnesota event and not because they necessarily want to, you know, do they're, (16:48) you know, expanding into Minnesota, but you never know. They could be a client and there's, (16:52) they have a lake house and it's in Minnesota, but more so to be that collaborative resource for (16:58) our industry.So the last thing I'm just going to ask you is helping humanity. And my God, (17:04) just the way you're building your company with this true attitude of this culture, and that's (17:10) a culture of excellence for both your employees and your clients. And that's why you have so much (17:15) repeat business.Maybe share just a few things that you're doing to help humanity just to inspire (17:21) some people on this podcast.

Wendy Cohen

Yeah. I mean, over 40 years, we've been a part of a lot of organizations (17:28) trying to help them.You know, we work in a number of different communities. And so we feel (17:33) responsible that we support those communities who have supported us and our families for so many (17:39) years. You know, some of them are a safe place where of course helps those people who've (17:49) experienced domestic abuse.We help the boys and girls clubs in both Wisconsin and Illinois, (17:58) Cancer Research with the University of Chicago, Lurie's Children. You know, recently Ken and I (18:03) were interviewed because we have proudly become a partner with the Highland Park Community (18:10) Foundation that will be partnering with them for the next five years that we're very excited about. (18:17) And that's an organization that does children's programs, youth counseling, helps seniors, (18:24) people with disabilities.It's a wonderful organization. And then we do things that (18:29) really tied into what we do on a daily basis. Tree donations to a number of different communities.(18:35) We've helped elementary schools, building them greenhouses, redoing their landscapes, (18:39) their playgrounds. So just sort of all sorts of stuff. One thing that we do every year that's (18:44) pretty cool is it's called the Great Perennial Divide and it's done by the Chicago Community (18:50) Garden Association.And we've been a part of it. And a number of landscape companies support this (18:55) and it's wonderful, but it provides over 9,000 perennial plants on an average of about 75 gardens (19:02) throughout the city of Chicago to protect and preserve our beautiful gardens throughout our (19:08) city of Chicago. And so those are just some of the things that we're a part of.And I will tell you (19:12) this, Wendy, that Ken and I feel as owners now feel that we have a responsibility. What will be (19:18) our philanthropic impact on our communities that we will create? We've done all these wonderful (19:23) things for over four years and obviously we will continue to support those. But he and I feel (19:30) a responsibility to now create something that is he and I. And we are in talks.There'll be more to (19:36) come on that, but we're excited to start our own legacy in that way.

Wendy Cohen

Oh, I just can't wait to watch (19:44) and to be a small part of it. And really anyone who is really looking for a role model and wants (19:50) to really build a company culture for growth and empowerment.And regardless if you're in (19:57) Illinois or any of the states we mentioned here, Scott Byron and Gordon and Ken, his partner, (20:03) are wonderful people to follow and learn more about. And of course, always reach out to us (20:08) and we're happy to help in any way. Namaste, my gratitude, my dear friend, for being on this call, (20:15) for being our partner sponsor again in 2025 for Powerhouse Smart, which is our networking (20:20) membership community for luxury industry professionals.And also all the donation and (20:27) work that you guys whenever we have a nonprofit affiliate. So just everything that we do and just (20:32) mostly I'm so blessed to have you in my life that I can pick up the phone or send a text and I know (20:38) you and I will be there to support each other for a long time.

Gordon Held

Absolutely, Wendy.It's such an honor (20:43) and such a pleasure to do this. I appreciate you having me on. It really is.This is special.

Wendy Cohen

(20:49) It's a mutual love fest. Okay, I'm going to just let everybody go.Thank you so much for (20:56) being with us and we'll see you next time and reach out. You'll see the links.