Thomas Chowaniec, a Global CEO and Private Equity Operating Executive based in Chicago, Illinois, boasts exceptional management skills and a natural ability to motivate others. His interests span sports, politics, and technology. With a robust track record, Chowaniec combines an advanced technical background with experience in sales, marketing, finance, and operations, positioning him as a champion for operational excellence and a builder of solid teams.
Educated at Marquette University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Chowaniec furthered his studies at the University of Chicago Booth, earning a Master of Business Administration with honors. This educational foundation laid the groundwork for a career where he could indulge in his passions for business and technology.
Chowaniec’s professional journey commenced as a Software Design Engineer for Texas Instruments, followed by a pivotal role as a Segment Marketing Manager at Ameritech Corporation. This experience marked his first significant leadership position, providing valuable lessons. Subsequently, he served as the Director of Product Management at Dynegy Incorporated (Mantiss), initiating a trajectory of diverse and exciting roles.
Leadership is a dynamic journey of continuous growth and adaptation, exemplified by the transformative experiences in various roles. In the career graph, the evolution of leadership qualities becomes evident. Learning unfolds through challenges and successes, fostering resilience, adaptability, and strategic insight. The ability to navigate complexities, as witnessed in driving integration and restructuring, showcases a leader’s capacity to innovate and inspire change. This journey encapsulates the essence of leadership – a relentless pursuit of excellence marked by a commitment to learning and evolving in the face of diverse professional landscapes. If we look at Thomas’s career path, his leadership growth becomes significantly visible.
His career path includes positions such as Director of Service, Sales, and Marketing at GE Healthcare, Vice President of Customer Care at VIASY Healthcare/Cardinal Health, and VP of the Industry and Nanotechnology Division at Leica Microsystems. As Executive Vice President for LABSCO/McKesson, Chowaniec was vital in negotiating a $205 million exclusive agreement with Siemens Healthcare. He later transitioned to Northfield Medical/Agiliti Health, serving as Executive Vice President for four years before assuming his current position.
In November 2022, Chowaniec took on the CEO role at Angstrom Technology, a company specializing in custom designing, building, and installing modular cleanrooms. This opportunity arose from Angstrom’s acquisition of two UK cleanroom companies, requiring integration assistance. Chowaniec, recognizing the immense potential in the Global Cleanroom industry, eagerly embraced the challenge. Since joining, he has played a pivotal role in integrating the acquired companies, transforming them into a unified $35 million revenue business. Additionally, he led the rebranding and restructuring efforts, establishing a global cleanroom platform for the company.
Chowaniec’s commitment to the industry extends beyond his executive roles. He served on the University of Chicago Booth Angels Group Board, contributing to the organization’s mission of connecting industry leaders and experts with aspiring entrepreneurs and investors. This involvement reflects his dedication to fostering growth and success in the business community.
Thomas Chowaniec’s journey from an Electrical Engineering graduate to a Global CEO and Private Equity Operating Executive is marked by a diverse and accomplished career. His leadership, integrity, and ability to drive operational excellence have been evident throughout his roles, including his current position at Angstrom Technology, where he has played a crucial role in integrating and transforming the company into a global cleanroom platform. His involvement in the University of Chicago Booth Angels Group Board showcases a commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and investors.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I own a FocalPoint business and executive coaching franchise and I help leaders maximize results both professionally and personally. In addition to coaching clients, I prospect new clients through my personal “Champions Network” and through networking groups like Business Networking International (BNI). I also attend ongoing FocalPoint training to add certifications to my coaching practice. My website is tomchowaniec.focalpointcoaching.com
How do you bring ideas to life?
I love meeting new people and discussing new ideas. I always maintain a high level of curiosity and ask open-ended questions. I visualize the specifics of the future in two-years, five years, and 10 years. I share the vision and collaborate with co-workers and colleagues to identify actions to take today toward those goals.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I am encouraged by the trend of more openness in the US regarding discussions of mental health. COVID had such a profound effect on the mental health of ourselves, our parents, and especially our kids. People being vulnerable and open to discuss their mental health will continue to help so many individuals in our country.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I am extremely goal oriented and write my daily schedule and goals on paper. I have daily goals across four areas of my life, 1. Family / Personal, 2. Business / Career, 3. Health and Fitness, and 4. Financial Independence.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Ensure you focus on trust within your teams. As we know from Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, trust is the foundation and core of team success. My younger self too often focused on lagging indicators, like results, instead of leading indicators like trust.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I believe we can find ways to improve a lot of the polarization we feel in the United States. There is so much more that unites all of us than divides us. Some aspects of social media make this effort more difficult, but we can improve the overall situation.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Early every day I identify a specific feeling of gratitude. I also remember all my professional and personal successes. This positive reinforcement supports increased motivation and confidence.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I work to simplify my lengthy to-do list and prioritize my most important action items. I work to personally drive those one or two top priorities, and I search for ways to delegate my less important actions.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Focus on trust, culture, and teams. Remind yourself to think about the “whole person” when interacting with everyone. In my 30+ year career I’ve been acquired four times and completed seven acquisitions of small companies. I’ve been Executive Vice President at two Private Equity owned companies that we sold to strategic buyers. I have been in many situations where trust has started at a low level. The foundation for my success has been trust-building, culture-building, and team-building.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
As mentioned previously, early in my career I focused too often solely on results. I didn’t fully understand how different people can be motivated in totally different ways. As a result, I studied behavioral science and now use numerous behavioral tools (e.g., DISC, Myers-Briggs, Senn-Delaney) in my coaching practice.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Brian Tracy’s Law of Self Control. Positive thoughts lead to positive feelings, which lead to positive actions, which lead (very frequently) to positive outcomes. Negative thoughts have the opposite effect and very frequently lead to negative outcomes. We control whether our initial thoughts are positive or negative. That decision has enormous consequences.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Hubspot as my CRM. With all the integration capabilities, Hubspot is so much more effective and efficient than a spreadsheet. Also Hubspot is much less expensive than SalesForce.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
I spent $100 on discounted Ecco shoes. I think Ecco makes the best affordable men’s dress shoes.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
The core principles in the book FocalPoint by Brian Tracy are a fantastic call-to-action, especially here at the outset of 2024. These principles are taught and coached by FocalPoint coaches worldwide. Another great business book is Mastering the Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harnish.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently saw “Blackberry” and recommend that movie as a cautionary tale for any high growth business. There are priceless lessons of how not-to motivate employees and how to avoid extreme hubris that can cloud judgment and impact decision-making.
Key learnings:
- To drive productivity, have daily goals across four areas of your life, 1. Family / Personal, 2. Business / Career, 3. Health and Fitness, and 4. Financial Independence.
- Check out the core principles in the book FocalPoint by Brian Tracy, the principles are taught and coached by FocalPoint coaches worldwide. Another great business book is Mastering the Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harnish.
- The movie “Blackberry” is a cautionary tale for any high growth business looking for the right way to motivate employees and avoid extreme hubris that clouds judgment and impacts decision-making.