Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/146868
Best Practices desire to move back to San Antonio. A business program at NYU and a year rotating in different positions throughout HOLT CAT helped prepare her for her current role. "My real preparation took place in my first year as I rotated through every department," she said. "It not only helped me understand what we do and how we do it, but I was able to start building meaningful relationships with people." Peter John earned his business degree from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio in 2011. He joined the company a few months after Corinna and also rotated throughout HOLT CAT. He also spent four months in Caterpillar's marketing training class in Peoria, Ill. Both Corinna and Peter John appreciate their family's willingness to let them pursue any career path, but at the same time, they have been included in discussions concerning the family business since high school. While Corinna and Peter John may have worried about being accepted in their new roles, their concerns were quickly alleviated. Corinna credits it to the core values of the entire team. "There has been an openness and willingness to help. It has been a great experience," she commented. "The five guys who report directly to me are incredibly open yet demanding," said Peter John. "They hold me accountable, but at the same time nurture me. It's a testament to our William Holt organization and the culture that has been built here." Values-Based Leadership Builds a Strong Company Culture Values-based leadership is more than just a saying hung on a wall at HOLT CAT. According to Archer it was launched in 1988 to bring direction to an organization that had five companies and 3,500 employees scattered over the U.S and Canada. "We were growing," said Archer, "but we lacked direction. We didn't have a vision and we didn't know what our mission was, we didn't have our values captured, because we didn't write it down." "Over time we developed a culture of people that adhere to our values as an organization," continued the 40-year veteran who began as a technician at B.D. Holt Co. "Our first value is ethical, "doing the right thing." This differentiates our company from others. Peter John understood and believed in the values in theory, but as he works in the business they have become second nature. "You can very literally take a situation and look at the values, run it through that filter and your decision becomes black and white," he said. "It's our road map," added Corinna. She believes training and leadership development are the keys to a good succession plan. Corinna and Peter John participate in HOLT CAT's two-year leadership development program run by Larry Mills, executive vice president of organizational and personal development. Mills heads Holt Development Services, which helps companies of all types develop their mission, vision and values. "The most important thing I can do is to focus on being well rounded, to have a good understanding of everything. I can't know it all. I need to know who to go to, who to talk to, who to trust," said Corinna. It's a lesson she's learned from her father. According to Archer, Peter M. Holt tells the story that he was a parts A Chronology of Family-Business Leadership Benjamin Holt Developed the first practical tracktype tractor in 1904. His company, Holt Manufacturing, merged with Best Tractor to form Caterpillar Tractor Co. William K. Holt Son of Benjamin Holt forms Texas dealership, William K. Holt Machinery Co. in 1933 B.D. Pete Holt Nephew of William K. Holt joined the dealership in the mid-1950s. B.D. Holt purchased the 20 Southern counties of the territory to form B.D. Holt Co. in 1961. Another nephew, Holt Atherton, purchased the 40 Northern counties and formed Holt Machinery Co. in 1963. Peter M. Holt Oldest son of B.D Holt joins the company in 1983. In 1985 he is appointed Caterpillar dealer for the western half of Ohio. In 1987 he and his father purchase controlling interest in Holt Machinery Co., forming the Holt Company of Texas. Purchases Darr Equipment Co. in 2002, the Caterpillar dealer of North and East Texas, renames the company HOLT CAT. Corinna Holt Richter and Peter John Holt In 2012, after completing their training programs, Peter's daughter Corinna is named general parts manager and son Peter John is named general service manager. (continued on next page) August 2013 | Construction Equipment Distribution | www.cedmag.com | 49 48_Best_Practices_Feature_KP.indd 49 7/25/13 12:58 PM