Episode 141: Courage, Grit and Leadership: From Navy CB to CEO with Ace Consulting’s Dr. Scott Arias
Description
Dr. Scott Arias embodies the extraordinary power of resilience and mission-driven leadership. From losing his leg and battling prescription drug addiction to earning a PhD in construction management and building ACE Consulting into a multimillion-dollar federal contracting firm, Scott's journey is a masterclass in perseverance. The son of a Cuban immigrant who fled during the Bay of Pigs, Scott learned work ethic early, pushing lawnmowers for his father's janitorial business from age five to eighteen before joining the Navy as a CB (Construction Battalion). His military experience instilled the core principle that guides his leadership today: take care of people, and they'll take care of you. He learned as much from poor leaders as good ones, discovering what not to do became equally valuable.
Today, Scott leads a 223-person "tribe" built on three core values captured in the acronym RUG: do the Right thing, practice extreme Urgency, and be the Gold standard. As a Christian-based organization, ACE dedicates ten percent of net profitability to charitable causes and maintains a "Doing Good fund" that has covered everything from funeral expenses to Disney vacations for families facing hardship. Scott's unconventional approach includes unlimited PTO, a full-time chef, and hiring for personality over technical skills. In five years, he plans to transition the company to 100% employee ownership through an ESOP, ensuring his legacy of people-first leadership continues beyond his tenure.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:35 Scott Arias' Books and Personal Background
03:38 Military Experience and Leadership Lessons
06:54 Business Leadership and Company Culture
08:52 Generational Differences in the Workplace
23:07 Mission Statements and Core Values
33:28 Future Plans and Conclusion
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