In this episode, Dan Tinker, CEO of SRS Distribution, reveals how he built a multi-billion dollar company centered on people-first leadership. He shares his philosophy of respect, humility, and empowering and rewarding every employee, which led to a thriving culture and unprecedented success, including creating over 500 employee millionaires when the company was acquired by Home Depot. Discover his unique approach to business where everyone wins.

00:00 Intro: Meet Dan Tinker

00:56 Finding His Way (and Motivation) at Texas A&M

02:50 Early Career: Turning the Worst Branch into No. 1

05:06 Leadership: Vision and Servant Culture

09:24 Scaling: Tough Calls and Less Meetings

13:10 Evolving: Patience and Failing Forward

15:00 Risk: Small Bets, Big Learning

16:34 Career Pivot: Staying True to Values

19:12 Private Equity: the Pros and Cons

21:16 SRS: Culture as the North Star

25:13 “Have Fun”: Relationships and Tailgating

27:05 Culture Lesson: People Win

34:35 Leadership Lessons and Episode Wrap-Up

➡️ Subscribe to Aggie Legends on your favorite podcast platform or the Mays Business School channel for more business and leadership insights from successful Aggies!

Retired Abrigo CEO and former Dell and Rackspace executive Wayne Roberts ’85 joins host Ben Wiggins in an inspiring, wide-ranging conversation on discovering your strengths, leading by example, building a values-driven business, and living life with intention. Recorded in the Wayne Roberts ’85 Building at Mays Business School, this episode traces Wayne’s unexpected path to Texas A&M, his philosophy on company culture, lessons learned through personal adversity, and his vision for a meaningful legacy.

Discover actionable lessons in leadership, the critical role of organizational culture, and practical wisdom for finding fulfillment in work and life.

00:00 Intro: Meet Retired CEO Wayne Roberts

01:09 From Austin to Aggieland

03:57 Early Career: Listening to Others vs. Finding Purpose

05:04 Personal Crisis: Resilience through Adversity

09:41 Discovering Strengths: Dell, Rackspace, and the Builder Mindset

12:40 Culture & Values: Beyond Buzzwords

16:50 Leading through Personal Trials & Transitioning Leadership

20:13 Philanthropy and Legacy Building

21:19 Essential Leadership Lessons for Future Generations

28:27 Episode Wrap-up

🔔 Subscribe for insightful conversations with Aggie Legends shaping the future of business.

#AggieLegends #WayneRoberts #tamu #Leadership #CompanyCulture #MaysBusinessSchool #Legacy #StrengthsFinder #CEO #ExecutiveInsights #AggieNetwork

Unlock insights into leadership, career growth, and global impact with the premiere episode of Aggie Legends from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. Host Ben Wiggins sits down with Darren Woods, chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil to learn about his journey to the C-suite and what it’s like leading one of the world’s largest companies.

00:00 Intro: Meet CEO Darren Woods
00:50 Texas A&M: Values & Leadership Roots
02:26 Engineering to MBA: Business Acumen
04:31 Continuous Learning: Grow Your Career
07:31 Global Leadership: Adapting to Change
11:07 Ethical Leadership: Do the Right Thing
15:04 The CEO’s Burden: Embracing Responsibility
21:07 ExxonMobil: A Molecule Tech Company
25:10 Energy Transition: Strategic Insights
31:31 True Leadership: Serve & Know Yourself
33:05 Family’s Influence on a CEO’s Journey
34:50 Episode Wrap-up

➡️ Subscribe to Aggie Legends on your favorite podcast platform or the Mays Business School channel for more business and leadership insights from successful Aggies!
#AggieLegends #DarrenWoods #ExxonMobil #tamu #MaysBusinessSchool #LeadershipDevelopment #CEO #EnergyTransition #CareerGrowth #Innovation #AggieNetwork #BusinessLeadership #GlobalImpact #ExecutiveInsights