Entrepreneurial Insights

In 1974, Richard Gadomski bid for and was awarded his first contract – a $50 million corn processing plant for Cargill – before his company was even founded. After successfully building his company around that first job, he proceeded to buy out his original backers so that he could continue to build the company as he saw fit. PSI, an engineering and construction contracting firm, built international recognition in processing food, chemicals and package handling. In 1998, Gadomski sold PSI to the German corporation Lurgi and retired from the merged companies in 2001. Dick's vision for PSI, from inception, was to build an industry-leading company that spearheaded innovation in the food processing industry. PSI became that industry leader, engineering and constructing projects for global corporations.

Links to items mentioned in the interview: PSI, Inc. Society of Entrepreneurs Profile Christian Brothers University Catholic Diocese of Memphis United Way of the Mid-South March of Dimes Greater Memphis Chamber Renewable Fuels Association

Joining Entrepreneurial Insights hosts Jay Healy and Pearson Crutcher for a bonus episode to discuss how they have navigated their business through the coronavirus pandemic are Carolyn Hardy, president of Chism Hardy Investments; Dr. Scott Morris, founder and chief executive officer of Church Health; and Jeff Webb, founder of Varsity Brands. 2020 has forced us all to deal with unprecedented challenges, and we're honored to have these established leaders with us to share how they have pivoted and continued to move their businesses forward.

Billy Orgel is CEO of Tower Ventures, a full-service telecommunications provider offering quality tower and rooftop sites, build-to-suit services, and third-party marketing and management throughout the U.S. Tower Ventures has also established Tower Ventures REIT to purchase easements and land underneath existing tower sites across the country. Over the years, Billy became interested in preserving historic buildings in Downtown Memphis, and has completed such projects as the Tennessee Brewery and the upcoming revitalization of the Snuff District.

Links to items mentioned in the interview:

Tower Ventures

Society of Entrepreneurs Profile

Shelby County Schools

Memphis Grizzlies

National Civil Rights Museum

Le Bonheur Foundation

Temple Israel

As Chairman of Kemmons Wilson Companies, Spence Wilson knows entrepreneurship quite well, having spent a lifetime with one of the city's most well-known – his father, Kemmons Wilson the founder of Holiday Inn. Spence understands and embodies the importance of blending creative energy and vision, initiative and innovation, and has worked to develop Kemmons Wilson Companies into a leading investment, hospitality development and management company.

Links to items mentioned in the interview:

Kemmons Wilson Companies

Society of Entrepreneurs Profile

Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation

Kemmons Wilson's Twenty Tips for Success

Kemmons Wilson Vision, Mission & Values

The Holiday Inn Story

Orange Lake Resort

The University of Memphis Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality & Resort Management

Jeff Webb knows something of the entrepreneurial "spirit" – he's made a career of it. In the mid 70s, the former University of Oklahoma yell leader founded a company to conduct training camps for high school and college cheerleaders. Varsity Spirit, a division of Varsity Brands, has grown through the years to become the world's largest operator of specialty camps, competitions and uniforms.

Links to items mentioned in the interview:

Varsity Brands

Society of Entrepreneurs Profile

The New American Populist (TNAP)

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Muscular Dystrophy Association

A phrase that's often heard these days, is "Downtown Memphis sure has come a long way." It's one for which, in large part, Memphis can thank the vision of Jack Belz. Mr. Belz and his family purchased The Peabody Hotel in 1975 rescuing it from dilapidation. He re-opened it in 1981, at the same time revealing his dream for revitalizing downtown Memphis.

Links to items mentioned in the interview:

Belz Enterprises

Society of Entrepreneurs Profile

The Peabody Memphis

Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art

In today's world, we need more aspiring young people to pursue their dream of owning their own businesses." That's exactly what Charles Ewing said and did. He started Ewing Moving Service Inc. with one truck and one employee in 1980. Today, Charles is president and CEO of this international, commercial and residential relocation company that has 47 employees and a fleet of trucks.

Links to items mentioned in the interview:

Ewing Moving Service Inc.

Society of Entrepreneurs Profile

Memphis Grizzlies

Greater Memphis Chamber

Soulsville Foundation

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis

Dr. Mary McDonald has received national acclaim as an innovative educator, author, and public speaker. She has been a professional educator for 36 years as a teacher, principal and most recently, as Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Memphis. Today, Mary is CEO of MCD Partners, a national consulting company that provides a broad range of services for educational consulting and models for success.

Links to items mentioned in the interview:

MCD Partners

Society of Entrepreneurs Profile

Catholic Diocese of Memphis

United Catholic Educational Association

Leadership Memphis

KWAM 990

The latest episode of Entrepreneurial Insights features Walker Uhlhorn. Entrepreneurship is what it's all about for Walker, as he is the visionary behind the Society of Entrepreneurs. His definition for an entrepreneur is someone who is not easily deterred and is creative enough to turn problems into opportunities. Walker has been successful in creating a unique group of individuals who all have one thing in common: they were born with the gift of creativity and inner drive, and they all knew what to do with it.

Links to items mentioned in the interview:

Society of Entrepreneurs Profile

Cadence Bank

Church of the Holy Communion

St. Mary's Episcopal School

Rotary Germantown

U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association

Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis

Memphis in May

Dr. Scott Morris is an example that the entrepreneurial spirit is not limited solely to capitalistic ventures. Scott is the Founder and Executive Director of Church Health, which opened in 1987 to provide primary health care to low-income, uninsured working people of Memphis. The organization is supported by faith and medical communities and averages more 50,000 patient visits a year.

Links to items mentioned in the interview:

Church Health

Society of Entrepreneurs Profile

The Memphis Medical Society

Memphis Academy of Health Sciences

Healthy Shelby