Chad Kalland, CEO of Vecta Environmental Services, has extensive knowledge in various areas of environmental services, health and safety regulations, and management and oversight. Through his work, he has helped his company become a regional leader in its industry.
Q: What led you to your position at Vecta?
A: I have worked in the environmental and industrial services market for almost 30 years. Kenny Rouse, founder and president of Vecta, is a friend and former colleague. He reached out to me in 2011 and told me about this new company he was starting. We couldn’t be together at the time, but we kept in touch all the time. Years later, the timing worked. Appointed as Representative Director in 2013.
Q: Are you looking to grow in new markets or expand in your current markets?
A: We are fortunate to have built a loyal and stable customer base. Our focus is always to support them. We are always looking to grow and have some exciting plans for the short and long term future. We continue to expand our service offerings and geographic footprint.
Q: What is the most important part of your position?
A: I believe that the first responsibility of executives is to support their employees. Naturally, there are daily tasks at work and countless metrics you can use to gauge the health of your business. They mean nothing if our employees are not supported. A healthy and productive workforce is key to the success you want to achieve. So I think everything executives do should be done for that purpose. We are a service company and the work is hard and dangerous. Our employees work long hours in difficult conditions. I believe it’s my job to support them, and the job of the entire leadership team.
Q: What should I know before taking on this type of position?
A: I always tell people this. To be an effective executive, you must be able to handle both. ”
Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
A: Focus on what you can control. I was spending so much time and energy worrying about the things I couldn’t control that I was ignoring the things I could control. If you can, you will be able to handle any situation.
Q: When was the most important moment in your career?
A: Get fired early in my career. I took my position for granted and wasn’t showing what I should have been. It changed the trajectory of my life, perhaps for the first time, forcing me to take an honest look at myself. I am eternally grateful to those who held me accountable and let me go.
For more information, visit vectaenvironmental.com or call (224) 644-1581.
