Tom Lazzaro walked into Midwest Transatlantic Lines looking for a job indoors after a season of digging ditches by hand. He was employee number 21. Today he’s President of MTA, an employee-owned international logistics company in Berea, Ohio.
Tom explains to Billy Duren how foreign trade zones work and why the tariff war turned them into a gamble. Then they get into what happens after a company becomes an ESOP: making someone an owner on paper is fast, but the mindset takes time. Tom shares the moments he knew it was taking hold, from a warehouse manager cleaning up “my parking lot” to an employee selling a new hire on the ESOP at the company picnic.
They also cover how MTA found its Core 4 values in its best people, the receptionist who leads without a title, and why sometimes the answer is who, not how.
The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast
What does it mean to be a leader? Why does learning about leadership matter? How can we become servant leaders? The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast drills into the foundations of leadership for both the emerging and established leader. Billy Duren brings in dynamic leaders each week to discuss what being a lifelong learner and people developer really looks like. Join us as we bring you proven leaders who want to serve you with their story, as well as teaching us how to grow as leaders. We will be mining for the nuggets of wisdom from these dynamic leaders from throughout the country.
“The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership” is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and IHeart Radio. For more information, please visit the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Website.
This Podcast is edited by our friends at Deep Fried Studios.
Threaded Fasteners, Inc
Threaded Fasteners Inc. (TFI) is a 100% employee-owned business that specializes in the manufacturing, custom packaging, and distribution of steel fasteners. With over 450 dedicated employee-owners, TFI maintains over $21 million worth of inventory across 18 locations, to meet the global needs of customers from industries including electrical utilities, chemical and electrical, commercial marine construction, steel fabricators, metal building manufacturers and Department of Transportation (DOT) fabricators. More information about TFI can be found on its website at threadedfasteners.com or through social media platforms including Facebook and LinkedIn
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