Fred Stipkovits, From Steel Mill Town to Company President - Revolutionizing American Manufacturing’s Culture, His Remarkable Company Turnaround, and How His First Job During 9/11 Changed His Life

There are so many leadership lessons from Fred Stipkovits in this episode (see his bio below) from his first job leading a Coast Guard Homeland Security unit (with colleagues who had been in the Coast Guard longer than he had been alive) pre and post-9/11 (including ramming a boat head-on at 50 MPH to track down a suspected terrorist), his struggles transitioning from his military career (including working a job at Home Depot), being selected as president of a company where two years earlier he was not hired as the business development manager, leading an incredible company turnaround (e.g., replacing 50% of the staff with 0 terminations in his first 10 months and increasing employee retention to 98%), the hardship of undergoing a divorce, his mission to revolutionize the culture of American manufacturing, and why he wants to change the future of work. You will love Fred's great story so please enjoy this episode!

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Fred's bio: ​Fred Stipkovits (LinkedIn) hails from a blue-collar steel mill family on the East Coast, where he was deeply influenced by both Italian and Hungarian heritage. Raised with an indomitable work ethic instilled by his upbringing, Fred's journey has been marked by resilience and determination. Following his high school years, Fred made the pivotal decision to join the military, embarking on a decade-long service journey that encompassed both enlisted and officer roles. As the first in his family to graduate from a four-year university with a bachelor's degree, Fred achieved a significant milestone, breaking new ground as he transitioned from enlisted to commissioned officer status.​ Post-military life presented its challenges, as Fred searched for a sense of purpose. However, his trajectory shifted when he assumed leadership at Ultra-Tech, where he saw the opportunity to enact meaningful change, foster high-performing teams, and elevate individuals to reach their fullest potential, prioritizing the welfare of others above himself.

Fred's personal life has also been a journey of growth and transformation. From marriage to divorce and remarriage, he found solace and fulfillment in starting a family later in life. The experience of parenthood later in life has tempered his once-hard-hitting mentality, infusing his leadership approach with empathy and understanding.​ Drawing from his upbringing and his father's reflections on management, Fred is driven by a steadfast ambition to revolutionize the culture of American manufacturing. Through his leadership at Ultra-Tech and beyond, Fred Stipkovits is dedicated to shaping a future where work is not merely a means to an end but a path to fulfillment and prosperity for all.