This episode features a conversation with Bill Murdy ’64, 3-time CEO & Chairman of the Thayer Leader Development Group
Bill is an emeritus member of the Board of Trustees of the West Point Association of Graduates and a principal and Chairman of the Hotel Thayer and Chairman of its associated Thayer Leader Development Group, which provides corporate executive leadership development.
Previously, Bill served as the CEO of Comfort Systems and has served in a variety of senior leadership roles, including President and CEO of Club Quarters and General Investment and Development Company, as well as President, CEO, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of LandCare USA. Bill was also the Managing General Partner of Morgan Stanley Venture Capital.
Bill graduated from West Point and served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1974, including one year in the Dominican Republic (82nd Airborne) and two years in Vietnam (173rd Airborne). He was awarded three Bronze Stars, four Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
In this episode, Bill shares the one theme from his career that he believes others can use for their own career, the most rewarding part of business, and the many lessons he’s experienced and learned from his service in the Army and his 40-plus-year-long career in business.
Episode Timestamps
(02:40) AAR & Bill’s reason for going to West Point
(07:30) Bill’s entrepreneurial journey begins
(10:20) Aggressively take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves
(12:14) Bill’s most rewarding part of his career
(15:55) SOP—Standard Operating Procedure
(18:20) A core part of leadership is getting out in front
(19:20) The Sitrep—the Thayer Leader Development Group
(23:30) Getting shot at with real bullets and how it compares to fighting for your company
(26:00) Giving Back—advice for younger people
