From Vader to Evergreen: A CEO’s Journey to Enlightened Ownership

From Vader to Evergreen: A CEO’s Journey to Enlightened Ownership

Mark Steele is the president and owner of Craftsmen Industries and a former turnaround specialist for private equity firms. Early in his career, he stepped into struggling businesses and made the tough calls others avoided.

In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Mark shares how the opportunity to lead family-owned Craftsmen Industries sparked a profound shift in his career and business philosophy. He explores how leading the company, and ultimately becoming its owner, led him to embrace an approach to leadership and ownership grounded in Evergreen® values.

Watch and be inspired by Mark’s journey from turnaround expert to Evergreen leader.

More Articles and Videos

On P.E. Redux

  • Dave Whorton
  • Tugboat Institute
November 11, 2025

Get to Know Stotz Equipment, the 2024 Evergreen Company of the Year®

November 04, 2025

To Lead Change, Start with The Why

  • Ethan Mitnick
  • SchoolKit
October 28, 2025

From Vader to Evergreen: A CEO’s Journey to Enlightened Ownership

  • Mark Steele
  • Craftsmen Industries, Inc.
October 21, 2025

Supporting Evergreen® leaders, their teams, and their companies through recognition, experiences, publications and programs to bring inspiration, new ideas, and proven best practices about business, family and life.