Humble Beginnings
The CEOs and senior GovCon leaders of today weren't always sitting in the corner office. They weren't born in suits with a handbook for success and a direct path to leadership. In fact, before many of these executives came into positions of powers, they had rather humble beginnings -- no corporate family tree or unlimited access. Many had to find their way on their own with little to fall back on. This podcast will share the stories of high school part-time work, first jobs and early-career decisions, decades before the CEO appointments and the board memberships. We'll learn about the unconventional paths to success, the ones most of us can relate to.
Humble Beginnings
SPA's Richard Sawchak Shares Generations of 'Humble Beginnings': A Story of Mentorship, Giving Back & Family
In this episode of Humble Beginnings, we chat with Richard Sawchak, CEO of Systems Planning and Analysis, about his upbringing in Scranton, Pennsylvania, his very first job as a paperboy, and mentors who influenced his life.
Rich also shares the "humble beginning" of his father, who was a banker without a college degree and ended up retiring as the CEO of a small regional bank. He also shares the story of his grandparents, who immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine and settled in Northern Pennsylvania.
Rich, of course, shares his own story, like the lessons he learned from mentors critical to his path, from his father to his youth pastor. He talks about transitioning out of a big company and being one of 160,000 employees, to helping build the policy and process infrastructure of a small company where he was less than 150 employees.
Rich also talks about loss. His parents passed away in 2012, causing much reflection and a renewed perspective. Tune in to hear how Rich's journey has ultimately left him poised to retire by the age of 55, while he focuses on mentoring, giving back and his continued duty to family first.