| Q&A with Young Leader Brent Messmer |
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As president and CEO of Matrix Cos., which provides workers’ compensation solutions, Brent Messmer is busy keeping up with significant changes to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation system – changes that affect every employer. He’s also involved with Matrix’s “Charity of the Month” program, which has given to the Drop Inn Center, the March of Dimes and others.
Q: Where do you go for advice?
I’ve got an excellent group of mentors including family, friends and members of my Vistage CEO group. These are people who I trust and respect and know they are looking out for my best interests.
Q: What’s your pet peeve?
People whose idea of listening is waiting to talk.
Q: Your workday is off to a bad start. Now what?
Simply walking down the halls of our office and seeing the energy and enthusiasm from our employees quickly puts me back on track.
Q: If you could do something dangerous one time with no risk, what would you do?
When I was young, I loved dirt bikes and wanted to be a stuntman. So it would have to be something Evel Knievel-ish like jumping some school buses.
Q: What’s the riskiest thing you’ve ever done in your career? Your personal life? Was it worth it?
Without question, leaving a secure government job and investing my savings to start Matrix in 2000, with a wife and two young children … was pretty risky. I thought I knew the effect it would have on my financial situation and personal life, but I was passionate about the industry and the time was right. It was absolutely worth it…
Q:What’s the most embarrassing CD in your music collection?
Any ’80s heavy metal CDs mortify my kids. In the car, I threaten to crank it and roll the windows down if they are acting up.
Q: Do you believe everything happens for a reason?
I do. … You may never know or understand why … but I believe events in our lives have value and meaning.
Q: What’s the most interesting project you’re working on?
Our new branding campaign, “We know the territory,” has been a huge focus for the last nine months. There has been a lot of time and energy put into the creation and sustainability of this campaign (with our staff and marketing partner), but the end result is something I am very proud of.
Q: Is there a day in your career you would like to have as a do-over?
Several. Next question …
Business Courier of Cincinnati
May 22, 2009 |
