Les Deck

I have always considered myself a work in process. Still do! It has taken more than forty years to get here since my early years at USG. The list below shows the stops I made along the way to becoming a Vistage Chair. I use all the experience every day in this challenging work helping south Florida CEOs in their personal and business growth. While I’m mostly about business I’m also Patty’s husband, the father of three grown sons, the grandfather of two, an avid motor sports enthusiast, fitness freak, wood worker and sometimes cook. Vistage: The largest and oldest CEO peer group organization As a Group Chairman I facilitate groups of CEOs here in Florida (Palm Beach and Broward Counties). I conduct executive coaching sessions monthly with each member. Member companies vary in size from start up to over one hundred million in revenue. My mentoring is broadly based and includes finance, marketing, organizational development and personal growth. I facilitate monthly meetings for each group. I also frequently help new Chairs select CEO members. This is the most rewarding and exciting work I have ever done. It is a great 4th quarter to this career game! During the 1980s and 90s: I spent more than fifteen years in the incentive marketing and loyalty marketing business. I was lucky enough to work with a couple of the largest firms in the business. I learned a lot and was for a time considered an “authority” in credit card loyalty systems. Along the way, there was a stint as COO of a direct marketing start up and a turnaround / repositioning gig with another company. I have written, launched and managed a host of programs including cost saving, quality increase, sales goal attainment and distribution channel marketing programs and direct selling programs. Much of this work was for Fortune 1,000 companies. During the 70s: Founded, grew and sold a manufacturing company that made its own brand of metal safety grating that was marketed throughout North America. It was quite a ride from first employee to selling the company to a Fortune 500 in less than seven years. Also during this time I started a distribution and fabrication company and later sold it as well. I graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in 65 and became the most excited and enthusiastic new trainee at USG. The company was a great laboratory and learning center in those days. They allowed young managers to take on important roles and backed us up with training and guidance. I learned how to manage by objectives as well as bring passion to work. Much of the marketing and management basics that have fueled the rest of my career were acquired in my years at Gypsum.