Justin Farrell - Rooster General Contractors
Who has been the most influential man in your life?
My father has been the most influential man in my life. Watching him build and lead his architectural firm into one of the top firms in Dallas showed me what discipline, consistency, and leadership really look like.
What does being a man of influence mean to you?
Being a man of influence means being someone others can rely on. It’s about showing up, following through, and contributing to the community from within rather than just talking about it.
How do you define leadership, and how has your definition evolved over time?
Leadership means being the spear that pushes things forward. It also means being someone your team and clients can count on when things get tough.
What habits or principles have been key to earning trust and respect in your industry?
In construction, trust is earned by doing what you say you’re going to do. Standing by your work and owning the outcome, good or bad, is what builds real respect.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
The most important legacy I can leave is through my kids. Raising them the right way matters more than anything I build professionally.
Rudy Frederico, CFE, Affiliate and Partner with The Franchise Consulting Company
Who has been the most influential man in your life?
First, my father. He led by example, not words. He was a devoted husband and father who focused on his children's success. In business, I worked for a man named Roger Goertz who taught me a great deal about running a franchise organization by developing relationships and solving problems so that everyone felt like they won.
What does being a man of influence mean to you?
Being a man of influence means leading by example, acting with integrity and putting others' needs above my own. This works in both business and community settings.
How do you define leadership?
Leadership is about making other people better. It's not just telling people what to do. It's about showing them how to do it, comprehending why they are doing it and prompting a desire to do it to the best of their ability.
What habits or principles have been key to earning trust and respect in your industry?
Discipline and organization have been key in my success. Nobody cares if I make my bed every morning but me. It checks the first box of the day. When business gets frantic, having your world organized reduces the stress and helps me keep my focus.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
My legacy is that of a connector. No, a super-connector. I'm about connecting people to people, people to business and businesses to businesses for their mutual success. The rest takes care of itself.
Scott Smith, Owner/ Arborist, Joshua Tree Experts
Who has been the most influential man in your life?
My dad. He was at every baseball game, every Scout campout, every moment that mattered. Two things he taught me have shaped everything I do: “Be prepared”—which is more than having the right gear, it’s about keeping your affairs in order so you’re ready to move when opportunity presents itself—and “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” He gave me the confidence to push through hard things and the self-respect to be proud of the work.
What does being a “man of influence” mean to you?
To me, influence isn’t a title—it’s a daily practice. It means showing up for my team, teaching something every day, and being just as willing to learn. It also means extending that outward into the community: helping homeowners understand that the trees on their property matter, that caring for them well is within reach, and that a little knowledge goes a long way.
How do you define leadership?
Leadership is leading by example—full stop. It means your team sees you care about their growth, not just their output. It means showing up when things are hard, not just when they’re easy.
What habits or principles have been key to earning trust and respect in your industry?
Trust is built in the details. We’re transparent about how we work, and we take time to explain things at whatever level someone wants to understand them. We do what we say, when we say we’ll do it. And when we make a mistake—because every business does—we own it and fix it fast.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I want people to look at their yard and feel something. Pride, peace, a real connection to their outdoor space. I want to build a company that homeowners genuinely trust—one that treats their property with the same care and attention they would give it themselves. And beyond any single job, I want to be part of a shift in how people think about trees: not as maintenance items, but as living assets worth understanding and investing in.
Charles Morrow and Bart Brady, Co-Owners, Squeegee Squad
Who has been the most influential man in your life, and how did he shape the leader you are today?
The most influential figures in our lives have been those who led by example—fathers, mentors, and business partners who demonstrated that integrity and hard work speak louder than words. They instilled in us the importance of consistency, accountability, and treating others with respect—values that continue to guide our leadership today.
What does being a “man of influence” mean to you—in business and in your community?
To be a man of influence means setting a standard others can depend on. In business, it’s about honoring your word and leading with accountability. In the community, it’s about giving back, supporting others, and being a trusted presence when it matters most.
How do you define leadership, and how has your definition evolved over time?
Leadership is rooted in service, not authority. While it may begin with directing others, true leadership evolves into supporting your team, removing obstacles, and leading by example—especially in a hands-on industry like ours.
What habits or principles have been key to earning trust and respect in your industry?
Consistency, transparency, and a strong work ethic are fundamental. Following through on commitments, communicating clearly, and never cutting corners have been essential in building lasting relationships with both clients and team members.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
Our goal is to leave behind a legacy grounded in integrity, hard work, and opportunity. Beyond building a successful business, we strive to foster a culture where people grow, take pride in their work, and feel valued. Seeing that legacy take shape within our own family makes it even more meaningful. For us, family remains at the heart of everything we do—and it always will.
Leadership is about making other people better. It's not just telling people what to do. It's about showing them how to do it, comprehending why they are doing it and prompting a desire to do it to the best of their ability.