9. A CEO's Story from an Affair, Loneliness, and Cocaine to Recovery, Gratitude, and Redemption

Welcome to View from the Top podcast! In this episode, we are joined by Patrick Lewis, President and CEO of Superior Rigging & Erecting Co., who shares his inspiring story of grit and relentlessness, from being a cocaine addict to running a multimillion-dollar company.

Patrick recounted how his dad worked for half a day in the Superior Rigging & Erecting Co. and never left. This has become indicative of everything that changed their family tree. He missed his childhood when he was forced to work for the company where his dad works because he had to save money to buy his school clothes. Patrick believed that it helped set the groundwork for discipline but also set up a lot of bad decisions later in life when he got some freedom to relive a childhood that was taken away from him. His first wrong decision was having an affair that led to him losing his family and getting addicted to cocaine to quench his loneliness. It even escalated to depression and suicidal thoughts. However, he slowly recovered from that downward path with therapy and a gratitude mindset.

His company then started growing into areas and new markets, but he knew that money would never make him happy. Buying things will fill a void that can never mend. He learned that he needed to forgive his father to heal the wounds inflicted and accepted that it was just the way his father was.

Presently, he is learning to relate with his children. He knows he is not perfect but keeps trying by putting guardrails in place through love to help them understand that it is okay to be who they are.

Outline of the Episode:

[00:00] Intro

[03:42] How Patrick got started in the company.

[10:09] What would Patrick say to young dads now with their kids coming along?

[12:37] Getting married at 21, having three kids, and getting divorced at 29.

[14:56] Decisions he’s made that have led him down a path of addiction.

[21:00] Practicing gratitude

[23:56] How do you cope with the past?

[28:01] How to support your kids’ dreams through love.

[33:57] Core values and culture as critical factors to business

[37:34] What does he value most in an employee?

About Patrick Lewis:

Patrick Lewis is the President and CEO at Superior Rigging & Erecting Co., a hoisting, rigging, and steel erection company located in Atlanta, Georgia, and Orlando, Florida. He began working for Superior when he was ten years old and has seen the company grow from a small family business to a leader in their industry, employing over 370 employees. Patrick held multiple positions within the company before taking over as Owner/President in 2001.

Patrick attended Mercer University and received his Millwright JATC in 1996. Amongst his many accomplishments, Patrick is also Head Coach of Georgia Impact Fastpitch Softball and led his 18U team to become PGF National Champions in 2018.

Connect with Patrick Lewis:

Website:      https://superiorrigging.com/

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