Who is S3 Recycling Solutions and what should we know about you?
S3 is a full-service technology recycling firm that has been named an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private company in the nation for three consecutive years. I am grateful every day to be the CEO of S3, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to lead a great team of professionals. As a Nashville native growing up in the Tony Sudekum housing projects downtown, I have come full circle. I lived most of my childhood below the poverty line, and today I am a relevant player in the information technology industry.
Can you share a favorite book or author that made an impact on your life?
“Quiet Strength” by Tony Dungy. I consider it a “how-to” manual for being a successful person in life without compromising faith and family.
What song is your personal anthem?
“I’m Blessed” by Charlie Wilson. The lyrics of the song sum it up for me.
Have you had a mentor along your journey to help you professionally to get you where you are today?
Yes. Darrell S. Freeman, Sr., S3’s Past Chairman of the Board, In Memoriam, was my mentor for many years. There is no doubt that I wouldn’t be here today without his help. When I didn’t have many resources or the business experience to take over a company like S3, Darrell and a small group of investors took a chance on me. Without his willingness to be patient with me as I matured as an entrepreneur and open doors for me, S3 could not have experienced the success that it has. He also taught me how to strategically put the right people and processes in place to operate a first-class facility with a powerhouse team. He helped me think bigger, leverage relationships and showed me the importance of mentorship. Every day at S3, we strive to follow the model that he showed us: treat people right, have fun, make money, and give back to the community, all while establishing ourselves as a leader in the electronics and information technology recycling industry.
Can you share a significant lesson you have learned as a business leader?
While working at Metro Nashville Public Schools in the IT department, I was dealing with a lot of challenging issues. At 18 years old, I was the youngest person in the department, and a gentleman by the name of Rusty McCain would tell me to “kiss the pig.” Who in the world likes kissing a pig?! It simply means to do what you dread the most at the beginning of your day, and you have the rest of the day to do whatever you want. I still use this saying in business today.
How do you manage and maintain a positive company culture?
We realize the importance of having happy and healthy team members, so we focus heavily on this aspect of our business. We are committed to putting people first, and leading by example following S3’s core values. Everyone is important from the janitor to the CEO. We also offer competitive wages and benefits, professional development for employees, and opportunities for long-term career paths. We know that a strong workforce is the best foundation for a sustainable and viable organization so we strive to stay in tune with the desires of our team members. We pay 100 percent of our employees’ health care benefits, as well as offer holiday pay and paid time off for salaried and hourly employees. We recently implemented an Employee of the Month recognition program, and we host team huddles twice a week with all team members to help develop a sense of togetherness and comradery.
