From Plumber to CEO: Paul Kennedy's Unconventional Path to Success at DSG
Description
From working on a dairy farm at age 10 to leading a major distribution company, Paul Kennedy's path to the C-suite is anything but typical. In this episode of the Driven by DCKAP podcast, Paul shares how he went from Navy intelligence analyst to plumber to President & CEO of DSG—all without a college degree. His secret? Curiosity, surrounding himself with people smarter than him, and being discovered by mentors who saw potential he didn't see in himself.
Paul opens up about transforming DSG's growth from reactive to strategic, his unique approach to spotting talent (hint: it may have something to do with how fast someone walks), and why meeting people where they are is essential to great leadership. He also touches on DSG’s approach to cultivating new talent in the industry, by offering scholarships for aspiring tradespeople and supporting Moorhead Career Academy's distribution and transportation track, giving high schoolers real exposure to careers they might never have considered.
Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or navigating your own unconventional career path, Paul's insights on intentional growth, delegation, and letting go of what no longer serves you will challenge how you think about success.
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