LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

James Baumgardner | Guthrie Glass & Metal, Inc.

Name: James Baumgardner

Title: Chief Financial Officer

Company, City: Guthrie Glass & Metal, Inc., Egg Harbor Township

Years in field: 3

Education: James Madison University

City of Residence: Margate, NJ

Andrew@guthrieglass.com

Q/A

What is your business motto?

You can never go wrong doing the right thing!

When did you first become interested in your career path?

I’ve been interested in being a business owner my whole life. I come from a family of entrepreneurs in the construction business. It wasn’t until my brother Andrew recruited me back from San Diego in early 2020, though, that I finally got serious about it.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Least rewarding?

The most rewarding part is connecting with my co-workers. We’ve got a great culture and it’s like a big extended family. Most people spend more time with their co-workers than their actual families.

Least rewarding aspects are contract negotiations and following up on money.

What is your biggest daily challenge?

My biggest daily challenge is not overworking. I need to get to the gym regularly and have some downtime in order to bring my best self to work.

How do you inspire your colleagues?

I hope by example! I never ask anyone to do anything that I wouldn’t do. I try to be a servant leader.

What goal are you currently striving to achieve?

My brother Andrew and I are trying to figure out how to best give our Mom (Lynn Guthrie Baumgardner) the ability to retire alongside our Dad. We’re making progress. Thanks for being a trooper, Mom!

mcdonaldbc.com

What project are you currently working on?

I’m an accountant, so I’ve got my hands in all of them. Some big ones for us are 1101 Chestnut, SEPTA 30th Street Station, and Princeton Racquetball Center.

Do you have a life motto? If so, what is it?

It may sound cliché, but I do my best to follow this: Treat others the way you want to be treated.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career?

That I’m not in the construction business, I’m in the people business. That is, managing people and relationships internally and externally are going to be the keys to success.

What is/was your favorite CLC event?

I would say the networking event put on by Dale Carnegie Training. I think most people feel awkward entering a room and striking up conversations with strangers. This training gave some helpful tips on how to break the ice and topics to be purposeful about while having those conversations.

How do you find that participating in CLC activities benefits you?

It’s nice to network with other young professionals that are facing similar challenges. I feel we’re all forward-thinking because we’ve got many years in the industry ahead of us.

Do you have any advice for other CLC members/ young professionals who are looking to advance their career?

Be a sponge. Take it all in, especially before recommending changes or solutions. We’re young and eager to make an impact, but sometimes it’s best to really understand how things are done before trying to leave our mark.

What is your favorite thing about being a member of GBCA?

My favorite thing is the openness of the members. Everyone is more than willing to share their experiences. Learning from your peers about challenges, failures, and successes in their businesses is very valuable. Why recreate the wheel when models are out there for how to do things?

www.shellyelectric.com