In this episode of Case Studies, Casey Baugh sits down with Kent Alder, former CEO of TTM Technologies, to unpack how a quiet leader from Cache Valley helped build a $7 billion public company. From humble beginnings to orchestrating bold acquisitions and navigating industry chaos, Kent’s story is one of resilience, discipline, and vision.

Kent reveals the behind-the-scenes playbook that led TTM from a tiny PCB manufacturer to an industry giant. He shares how aligning incentives, focusing on execution over hype, and making countercyclical moves during downturns drove long-term success. You’ll hear lessons on navigating private equity partnerships, building strong cultures, and evolving as a leader across decades. This episode is a masterclass in how to lead through market chaos, think long-term, and win as a team.

• 00:00 | Introduction to Kent Alder
• 01:29 | Building TTM: From Roll-Up to $7B Public Company
• 03:19 | Competing in a Tough, Low-Margin Industry
• 04:18 | Early Career: From Finance to Circuit Boards
• 07:26 | Lessons from Early Mentors and Risk-Taking
• 08:26 | Turning Around a Tiny Manufacturer
• 10:29 | Becoming CEO and Strategic Expansion
• 13:46 | Partnering with Private Equity
• 15:04 | Going Public and the Dot-Com Era
• 22:21 | Navigating the Dot-Com Crash
• 26:14 | Acquiring Honeywell Assets in a Crisis
• 29:29 | Acquisitions That Worked: Culture & Fit
• 30:09 | Buying Back Tyco: Integration and Vision
• 32:14 | Incentive Structures and Company Culture
• 34:48 | Strategic Discipline in a Commoditized Market
• 36:18 | Customer Relationships as True Partnerships
• 39:18 | Leadership Through Crisis & Market Cycles
• 43:20 | Personal Growth as a CEO
• 45:56 | Lifelong Learning & Team Development
• 49:39 | Delegation and Building Teams at Scale
• 53:31 | Working the Night Shift: Leading by Example
• 55:52 | Legacy, Succession, and Long-Term Culture
• 59:42 | Sacrifices, Travel, and Company Dedication
• 01:03:19 | Legacy: Impact Over Titles
• 01:06:04 | Marriage, Support Systems & Family Balance
• 01:09:14 | Faith, Values, and Navigating Trade-offs
• 01:12:26 | Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
• 01:13:58 | The Misunderstood Journey of Success

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