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 Company: Valpak, Largo, FL
Company Description: Valpak is one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America and delivers savings to over 45 million households each month throughout the United States and Canada. Annually, Valpak distributes some 20 billion offers inserted in nearly 530 million envelopes. Valpak is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises, one of the largest media companies in the United States.
Nomination Category: Management Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Executive - Media & Entertainment
Nomination Title: Bill Disbrow, CEO, Valpak Direct Marketing
- Tell the story about what this nominee achieved since January 1 2007 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:
“We believe we can shape a better world through responsible corporate
citizenship. We’ve made our community and our people a top priority in our
corporate guiding principles. It’s a good way to do business.”
-Bill Disbrow, CEO Valpak
Since becoming CEO in the mid 1990’s, Bill Disbrow has grown Valpak into one
of the leading direct marketers in North America. As a result of his
leadership, Valpak’s overall growth has exceeded twice the direct mail
industry average.
Bill is a tireless champion of change and innovation, inspiring the
organization to constantly evolve to remain an industry leader. In 2004, Bill
announced a strategic initiative to re-engineer the entire manufacturing
process and revolutionize how the company does business – the result of that
plan was realized in 2007.
Bill’s vision to consolidate Valpak’s production plants in Florida and North
Carolina into a new $220 million, state-of-the-art production facility
spanning some 470,000 square feet under one roof was realized after three
years of construction. Today, the new Valpak Manufacturing Center, located in
St. Petersburg, Fla. is a reality and being hailed by industry authorities as
one of the most automated and advanced print and distribution centers in the
world.
Constructing this new facility posed significant challenges which Bill
overcame by adhering to the company’s guiding principles of making a positive
impact in the communities we serve and encouraging the success of employees.
To operate the new facility, employees needed extensive skills training.
While in-depth technical training was needed for the new equipment, the
technology required employees to communicate in English to safely operate the
equipment. There are 17 languages spoken among Valpak employees, but rather
than hire a new workforce, Bill championed a program to provide free skills
training that included English, reading comprehension, and mathematics.
Hundreds graduated from the program and have established promising careers at
the new facility – many of them in leadership positions.
Another challenge was the closure of the Elm City, NC production facility. A
plant closure in the small community near Raleigh and the resulting loss of
400 jobs, would have been devastating to the local economy. Instead of closing
the plant and laying off the workers, Bill commissioned a team to find a buyer
that would not only purchase the building, but also retain the employees. In
late 2006, an agreement was struck with a Minnesota company that will not only
employ the workers, but plans to increase staffing in the location by some 100
additional jobs. This contract will be completed during the 4th quarter of
2007.
Thanks to Bill’s leadership and vision throughout 2007, Valpak is now
completing its revolution on the eve of its 40th anniversary in 2008. Making
the well-being of employees and the local community a top priority continues
to be a cornerstone to making Valpak’s revolution a success. Bill has provided
the leadership to not only position the company as a role model for corporate
responsibility, but to do so while bolstering the financial health of the
organization.
- ist hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:
Smart Business Magazine - Feature News Article
http://www.sbnonline.com/National/Article.aspx?CID=11390
CNNMoney.Com/Fortune
http://money.cnn.com/2006/12/26/news/companies/pluggedin_gunther_cox.fortune/in
dex.htm
- Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the nominee:
Bill Disbrow has been with Valpak, one of North America’s leading direct
marketers, since 1991. As CEO, he is responsible for setting strategic
direction for the company and the 200 franchise offices throughout North
America. He holds a BBA in accounting from Georgia State University and is a
certified CPA. He and his wife Sallie have two boys, Alex and Jackson.
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