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Listen "From Social Work to the Boardroom: How William Etnyre leads as Board Chairwith his lifelong values, enabling remarkable growth."
Episode Synopsis
William Etnyre, a fourth-generation owner and current Chairperson of Etnyre, shares the compelling evolution of his family's business, from its 1898 roots in farming equipment to a leading road construction manufacturer. Despite a period where his direct family branch was not involved in operations, William, a social worker with a deep commitment to human well-being, unexpectedly ascended to lead the board. Under his leadership and in partnership with a non-family CEO, Ganesh, who shares his social impact vision, Etnyre has undergone a significant transformation.They've championed a people-first culture, prioritizing fair wages, diversity, and community engagement, rooted in the company's long-standing ethos of caring for all stakeholders. This purpose-driven approach has correlated with remarkable business growth, with revenues nearly tripling in seven years, demonstrating that doing good can also mean doing well. Etnyre's journey highlights the power of intentional governance and intergenerational engagement to secure a family business's legacy and ensure its relevance for future generations. Key Themes: Purpose-Driven Leadership Strategic Non-Family CEO Partnership Intentional Family Governance & Education Culture of Dignity and Fair Compensation Profit with Purpose (Conscious Capitalism) Continuous Learning and Adaptation Additional Resources: William Etnyre, Chair Of The Board Of Directors, Etnyre International Connect with Marshall on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Timestamps: 01:16 – The origin story of the Etnyre family business 11:00 – Early work experience at Etnyre during high school and college 12:40 – Choosing social work over business school and military service 17:25 – Mini MBA and continuing education for board preparation 18:27 – Re-engagement with the family business from Seattle 21:31 – Structure and history of the Etnyre company board 28:13 – Recruiting a new CEO shortly after becoming board chair 36:43 – Integrating social impact into the business structure 48:26 – Commitment to authentic, value-aligned leadership 52:32 – Family member engagement and next-generation involvement 01:00:20 – Guiding the family toward shared purpose and ownership 01:02:36 – Reflections on fulfillment and legacy as board chair
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