Dean Niebuhr: The last question and it doesn't appear to be oriented toward corporate leadership, but as you see it what are your next steps on your journey in this leadership mode?

 

Tom Herman: That's a very good question.

 

Dean Niebuhr: I know you're involved in the family situation now, is that going to be it? Or do you know?

 

Tom Herman: The truth is, I don't know. I am open to what life brings. I go so many places and I meet so many people and I see so many interesting opportunities, especially with Recognition Group where we're always working with different industries and different distressed companies. I see so many cool opportunities. I have never seemed to have been able to stay at one job for a very long time because some reason to move on generally shows up. One of the things that's important to remember is that entrepreneurs often have different skills from big business leaders and there's some exceptions; Michael Dell and Bill Gates who eventually handed over the reigns to Steve Balmer. There are some exceptions to the rule but I think in a lot of cases what it takes to be an entrepreneur and to start a new business is very different from what it takes to run, manage and grow an established organization and I like building things. So it seems likely to me that I'm going to jump from opportunity to opportunity. I love to help the people that I recruit in the businesses I get involved with to grow and to learn and to develop and I'm always looking for that individual who is likely to develop the skills and take over when I see the next opportunity.