10 Things You Didn’t Know about EMCOR Group CEO Anthony Guzzi
Anthony Guzzi holds the three positions of CEO, Chairman, and President of the EMCOR Group, meaning that he possesses a higher degree of control over its operations than most of his counterparts. As for the nature of the EMCOR Group, it is interesting to note that its operations can be separated into construction services, building services, and industrial services.
1. Went to West Point
For his education, Guzzi went to the United States Military Academy, which is better known to most people under the name of West Point. It is interesting to note that the school is situated in the oldest military post in the United States that has been occupied on a continuous basis. Something that can be attributed to the fact that it sits on a very unusual and thus very important S-curve in the Hudson River.
2. Studied Economics
One of the two subjects that Guzzi studied at West Point was economics. Conveniently, economics can be separated into two branches, which would be microeconomics and macroeconomics. Both branches are built on the same foundations, but microeconomics is focused on individual entities within national economies whereas macroeconomics is focused on national economies themselves. With that said, both microeconomics and macroeconomics are very relevant for business people because one helps them make better business decisions while the other helps them better understand the business environments in which they operate.
3. Studied Civil Engineering
Besides economics, Guzzi studied civil engineering, which is focused on the built environment, meaning roads, bridges, and other examples of infrastructure. Civil engineering is old, so much so that it is considered to be one of the first engineering disciplines to have come into existence. However, it is beaten out by military engineering. In fact, civil engineering became civil engineering because a label was needed to distinguish it from its military counterpart.
4. Has a MBA From Harvard Business School
On top of his degree in economics and civil engineering from West Point, Guzzi has an MBA from Harvard Business School as well. Not every executive will have one, but MBAs are very common for executives because studying business administration makes sense for the people who have been entrusted with running businesses from the top. Something that is particularly true if they are seeking to round out their business leadership skills.
5. Was a Light Infantry Captain
During his time in the U.S. Army, Guzzi was a Light Infantry Captain. For those who are curious, light infantry is one of those terms that are used to describe a very wide range of foot soldiers over a very wide range of times and places, meaning that one instance can be very different from another. In the U.S. Army, light infantry refers to one of the three kinds of infantry that it deploys, with the other two being Stryker infantry and mechanized infantry. Based on these names, it should come as no surprise to learn that light infantry lacks the heavier armor as well as the heavier weapons of their counterparts.
6. Was an Engagement Manager
At one point in time, Guzzi was an engagement manager for McKinsey & Company. Generally speaking, engagement managers are responsible for handling a wide range of client issues, with examples ranging from addressing their concerns to collecting the sums in their accounts payable. As for McKinsey & Company, it is a U.S.-based management consulting firm that operates throughout much of the world.
7. Used to Be with United Technologies Corporation
Before he signed up with EMCOR Group, Guzzi was with the United Technologies Corporation, which is an American conglomerate that is involved in everything from aircraft engines to HVAC products. In those times, Guzzi was a Vice President entrusted with overseeing the North American Parts, Distribution, and Services Division for Carrier, which is one of the brands that fall under the United Technologies corporate umbrella.
8. Founded the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund
Like a lot of CEOs, Guzzi has been involved with philanthropic activities from time to time. In his case, he supports veterans as well as their families, as shown by his founding of the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund. Said nonprofit serves two purposes, with one being providing educational opportunities to the families of soldiers who are training and the other being providing educational opportunities to the families of soldiers who have fallen in the course of their service.
9. Believes that Bad News Needs to Travel Fast
Guzzi has stated his opinion that bad news needs to travel fast, which can sound rather strange on initial consideration but makes a lot of sense. After all, the bad events that produce bad events can often worsen with remarkable speed. As a result, the sooner that corporate leadership can hear about them, the sooner that they can take corrective action in an attempt to minimize the damage that is done. Unfortunately, most people don’t enjoy listening to bad news and most people don’t enjoy being the bearer of bad news, meaning that getting bad news to travel fast in an organization can actually be more challenging than it seems.
10. Believes that Leadership’s Reaction to Failure Can Help Build Culture of Trust
Of course, that is where corporate leadership can step in. In short, when corporate leaders respond to bad news in a calm and controlled fashion rather than reacting in anger, they encourage the people who report to them to submit such news items as soon as possible rather than either delay or even worse, seek to conceal it. Moreover, they can set an example for other leaders at other tiers in the corporate hierarchy, thus encouraging similar measures throughout their businesses. Something that can be very helpful for ensuring that they can get critical information delivered to them in time to make critical decisions.
You can also read:
- 10 Things You Didn’t Know about Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei
- 10 Things You Didn’t Know about Darden Restaurants CEO Eugene Lee Jr.
- 10 Things You Didn’t Know about Matthew Brimer
- 10 Things You Didn’t Know about Assurant CEO Alan Colberg
- 10 Things You Didn’t Know About SpartanNash CEO David Staples
