EP258 | Charles Firlotte - Principal Laurent Maxime Consultancy, LLC

In this episode of Gale Force Wins, Alan Dale sits down with Chuck Firlotte, a seasoned executive with a diverse career spanning Canada, the US, England, and the Caribbean. Chuck shares insights into his journey from a small town in New Brunswick to leading companies as a CEO. He discusses the importance of transferable skills, staying open to opportunities, and the role of mentorship and relationships in leadership. Chuck also reflects on his experience at Harvard, managing businesses across different cultures, and his current work in consulting and career coaching. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on leadership, adaptability, and personal growth.

0:00 – Welcome back to Gale Force Wins, Season 5
0:11 – Alan Dale introduction and guest introduction
0:24 – Chuck Firlotte introduces himself and his background
0:40 – Chuck's career journey in Canada, the US, and the Turks & Caicos
1:05 – Discussion about Chuck's origins in Northern New Brunswick
1:17 – Chuck's experience growing up in a small town
2:09 – Chuck talks about his family and early influences
3:10 – Moving from a small town to Fredericton, New Brunswick
3:57 – Chuck's experience with university diversity
4:30 – Chuck's memorable professor at St. Thomas University
5:22 – Chuck's decision to go to University of Ottawa and transition into criminology
6:08 – Transition from criminology to business
7:07 – Learning from a probation and parole officer role
8:02 – Chuck's shift towards the corporate world and HR
9:12 – Moving into HR at Combustion Engineering
9:53 – The importance of transferable skills
10:52 – Chuck's transition to a corporate career
12:11 – Chuck's move to the US and initial transition
13:02 – Differences between working in Canada and the US
14:05 – Chuck's climb from HR manager to Chief Executive Officer at Aquarion
14:50 – The importance of remaining open to opportunities
15:33 – Chuck's experience at Harvard and the global perspective
16:43 – Chuck's work experience in England with his family
17:59 – Chuck talks about traveling and living in the UK
18:43 – Transition back to the US as CEO of Aquarion
19:46 – The isolation and challenges of being a CEO
24:04 – Chuck’s work in consulting and career coaching
25:12 – Consulting experience in the Turks & Caicos
26:31 – Adapting to the slow pace of business in the Caribbean
27:30 – Chuck’s consulting work with family businesses
28:11 – Helping businesses navigate chaos and disruption
31:06 – Building long-term relationships with clients
32:18 – Mentorship in Chuck’s consulting work
33:31 – Helping clients through disruptions and challenges
35:09 – The importance of finding solutions to business challenges
37:09 – The fulfillment Chuck feels in helping others
38:23 – Chuck talks about helping others navigate chaos
39:49 – Chuck’s advice for young people and CEOs
4

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