Can you share a specific project or accomplishment that you are particularly proud of and why?
The transition of eagle from me to brad and bry shillito, the twin boys of bev and chris shillito the founders of eagle. During a month of meetings about this “succession plan”, i told them it would take approximately 5 years. On january 1, 2019 bev and i turned over the management of eagle on a day to day basis to brad and bry. This effort could not have succeeded without the leadership and involvement of bry shillito, jessica osborne and outside consultant lisa nack.
In three words only, what is the secret to your success?
TRUST, TRANSPARENCY, TEAMWORK
What is your approach to leadership and team management?
I was fortunate that when a part of young presidents organization (ypo), i was introduced to mike vance who was from greenville, ohio. I still have a plaque on my desk that he gave me over 30 years ago which reads “leadership is the ability to establish standards and manage a creative climate where people are self-motivated toward the mastery of long term constructive goals, in a participatory environment of mutual respect, compatible with personal values.” My 3 words that match up with his approach trust, transparency, teamwork!
Can you tell us about your background and how you got started in the sector.
I led whiteford foods, the first meat manufacturer in the united states to iso 9002 certification in 1996. After this i held a variety of positions from owner, president to ceo and board member of both private and public corporations. In 2005 i joined eagle certification and since then the company has experienced substantial growth, including entering the food and agricultural markets.
Leadership is the ability to establish standards and manage a creative climate where people are self-motivated toward the mastery of long term constructive goals, in a participatory environment of mutual respect, compatible with personal values.
Skip Greenaway
Chairman Emeritus of EAGLE Certification Group
In this exclusive interview with Red Swan Partners, we talked to Skip Greenaway, whose customer-centric approach has led him to a long and successful career at the helm of EAGLE Certification. Skip brought more than 35 years of ownership, leadership and business management experience to EAGLE.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I spend time with my family and grandkids (5 aged 8 to 15). I enjoy eating out and trying new restaurants, and on occasion when i can find the time i play golf. I have also been involved in ypo and a forum group for over 30 years which meets monthly and allows presidents and ceo’s of our businesses to share business problems, family issues, personal concerns, and to discuss local or worldwide issues.
Most industries and businesses needs to address the fact that people now want a better work/life balance.
What do you think are the biggest factors affecting the tic industry at the moment?
Post pandemic the tic industry, as with most industries and businesses needs to address the fact that people now want a better work/life balance, and increased amounts of staff want to work remotely some or all the time. Employers need to work out how to make that work in practice, especially when remote auditing, where the integrity of the work must be maintained.
There is also an auditor shortage and this needs to be addressed by both recruiting younger auditors who want more flexibility from an employer, as well as attracting people who may wish to reskill and change careers.
I now use “focus notes” but my process is starting the day with the date at the top of the page and then writing my “to do list” some left over from before and then new items.
How do you prioritize your workload to ensure success?
Years ago i was exposed to a session on managing your time, and it covered different approaches and aspects one of which was the “cornell note taking system”. I now use “focus notes” but my process is starting the day with the date at the top of the page and then writing my “to do list” some left over from before and then new items.