At C Level

At C Level is a series of interviews with leading CEOs about the link between developing a company's talent and its capability to succeed. ASTD has been publishing the series in T+D magazine since 2004. In these interviews, Tony Bingham, ASTD's CEO, and Pat Galagan, executive editor at ASTD, have talked with more than 20 CEOs to get their perspectives on the role that employee development plays in their companies' strategies.

Searching for a few good CEOs.

If you work for a leading organization and you think your CEO would be a good candidate to be interviewed for the At C Level series in T+D magazine, please contact us at pgalagan@astd.org.

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2012

Farmers Insurance Group
February 2012

Proud to Tout Their Talent

Interview with Jeff Dailey, president and CEO

The University of Farmers’s award-winning training programs are among the company’s best insurance policies.

Delivering Meaningful Outcomes for Your Organization

By Annette Thompson, senior vice president and chief learning officer

Three foundational elements—being embedded in the businesses you support, crafting a design strategy that recognizes today’s learners, and accountability and transparency in our performance—are critical in today’s business environment.

2011

SunTrust
November 2011

A Banker's Trust in Training

Interview with Willam H. Rogers Jr, president and CEO

When a weak economy brought myriad challenges to the banking world, SunTrust Banks CEO Bill Rogers focused on driving employee engagement.

Success at SunTrust Begins and Ends With Talent

By Mary Slaughter, chief learning officer and senior vice president of talent management and development

Through SunTrust’s mission, “Helping people and institutions prosper,” the bank’s new strategic initiatives focus on becoming a trusted advisor to clients—a relationship that has never been more necessary and more difficult to achieve.

CaridianBCT
July 2011

Committed to Innovation

Interview with David B. Perez, president and CEO

Dedication to lifelong learning, training, and employee development has helped CaridianBCT excel.

Raising the Bar on Performance-Driven Leadership

By Mark Bishop, vice president of global human resources

CaridianBCT lives its vision by making incremental changes to its Performance-Driven Leadership model.

Ciena
May 2011

Learning Linked to Success

Interview with Gary Smith, CEO

At Ciena Corporation, the link between learning and business strategy is not lip service; it’s a tangible dedication that starts from the top.

Tied to the Business Core: Ciena’s Hybrid Learning Solutions Engine

By Jim Caprara, vice president of global human resources development and learning

A mix of virtual and onsite learning initiatives support Ciena’s mission to grow the business and keep customers well-developed, both inside and out.

Campbell
March 2011

M’m M’m Good: Learning and Performance at Campbell Soup Company

Interview with Doug Conant, CEO

CEO Doug Conant makes nourishing the lives of customers and employees a top priority, and training and developing all employees, regardless of level, is the key.

Making Leadership Personal

By Nancy Reardon, senior vice president and chief human resources and communications officer

Campbell develops its top talent through a leadership program that harnesses learners’ unique experiences and values.

2010

DaVita
November 2010

It Takes a Village...

Interview with Kent Thiry, chairman and CEO

DaVita just might be among the best companies you’ve never heard of. T+D spoke with Chairman and CEO Kent Thiry about what makes his Village so special after all.

A Community First

By Steve Priest, chief wisdom officer and senior vice president of operations

The DaVita Village is guided by a learning and development philosophy that truly places its people at the top of the list. DaVita’s chief wisdom officer and senior vice president of operations discusses the hows and whys behind the Village.

Mercer
September 2010

Trial by Fire

Interview with Michele Burns, CEO

Lessons learned from two major events—9/11 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy—helped Mercer CEO Michele Burns navigate the company through the economic crisis of 2009.

Cultivating Top Talent at Mercer

By Deb Wheelock, leader of Mercer's Global Talent Management Center of Expertise

Mercer’s sustained commitment to leadership development helps the firm meet a multitude of changes and global business requirements. Deb Wheelock discusses how these commitments become a reality for all the company’s leaders.

Chick-fil-A
March 2010

Be Mor Innovative

Interview with Dan Cathy, CEO

Today’s businesses need to know how to absorb and pollinate great ideas. Cathy talks about why his company gets it.

The Secret of Great Leaders

By Mark Miller, CLO

Chick-fil-A takes a hard look at the true meaning of leadership development. Miller discusses the heart and soul of what makes a good leader.

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2009

Lowe's
November 2009

Training At Lowe's: Let's Learn Something Together

Interview with Robert Niblock, CEO

Founded in 1946, Lowe’s has grown from a single small hardware store in North Carolina to the second largest home improvement retailer worldwide and the seventh largest retailer in the United States.

From Employed...To Engaged

By Cedric T. Coco, Vice President of Learning and Organizational Effectiveness

Lowe’s defines the link between customers and employees, and highlights the crucial role of engagement in achieving enterprisewide results.

Agilent Technologies
August 2009

The Speed of Success

Interview with Bill Sullivan, CEO

High-tech measurement firm Agilent relies on developing great leaders and managers to equip the company for long-term success and fresh opportunities.

Building Leadership and Organizational Capability at Agilent

By Teresa Roche, Vice Predsident and CLO

Roche offers some insight into how her company has implemented various leadership development programs to maintain a top-notch management bench and loyal customer base.

Adobe
May 2009

Innovation Is the Framework of Adobe’s DNA

Interview with Shantanu Narayan, President and CEO

After several years of double-digit growth, more than 10 years of strong cash flow, and a barrage of innovations that keep customers coming back for more, Narayen sees no signs of slowing down at Adobe.

The Adobe Leadership Experience

By Donna Morris, Senior Vice President of Human Resources

Talent development at Adobe is a highly tailored effort that thrives on innovation as much as it encourages it in employees. Morris explains what makes the difference.

ManTech
March 2009

PRIDE and Performance

Interview with Robert Coleman, President and COO

For more than 40 years, ManTech International has served U.S. government agencies with software and services that support national security efforts.

Leading By Example

By John F. Hovell Jr., Barry M. Krauss, and Alan A. Malinchak

ManTech’s learning organization encourages leaders to exemplify the behaviors they want to see in others. Three ManTech learning organization leaders discuss ManTech’s unique framework for employee excellence.

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2008

Ingersoll Rand
November 2008

No Small Change

Interview with Herb Henkel, CEO

Ingersoll Rand makes radical changes to its global footprint and its business model.

Aligning Learning with Business Strategy

By Rita Smith, Vice President of Enterprise Learning

Ingersoll Rand's sucessful formula calls for engaging leaders in the learning organization and being rigorous about the business strategy.

PepsiCo
June 2008

Doing Good While Doing Well

Interview with Indra Nooyi, CEO

PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi discusses how talent plays a leading role in the company's quest to be a force in the market and a force for good.

Elevating Aspirations at PepsiCo

By Marty Seldman

Sustainability and the stretch toward a higher purpose guide PepsiCo's global plan for employees, products, and leaders.

Caterpillar Inc.
January 2008

Learning is a Powerful Tool

Interview with Jim Owens, CEO

Caterpillar University is responsible for the company's enterprise learning strategy.

Building a Learning Infrastructure

By Christopher E. Glynn, President of Caterpillar University

Employee engagement has captured the interest of executives and learning professionals, but it isn't a new concept—just a new word for an old issue.

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2007

Southwest Airlines
December 2007

Flight Plan

Interview with Gary Kelly, CEO

Employees are expected to live and work the Southwest Way.

Leadership Southwest Style

By Elizabeth Bryant, Director of Leadership Development

Southwest Airlines develops its leaders to soar to new heights.

Macy's
November 2007

Store Way to the Stars

Interview with Terry J. Lundgren, CEO, Chairman of the Board, and President

Massive training effort reinforces culture change on the store floors.

Big-Time Challenge

By Sherry Hollock, President of Talent & Organizational Development

When a merger added more than 70,000 fresh employees to the payroll, Macy’s learning and performance professionals rose to the occasion.

McCormick & Company
July 2007

Growing Talent and Sales at McCormick

Interview with Robert J. Lawless, Chairman and CEO

Succession planning across all levels of the company spawns leadership development.

The Company That Teaches Together Performs Together

By Rick Frattali, Director of Learning and Development

McCormick’s company culture promotes knowledge sharing.

U.S. Cellular
May 2007

"There Are No Happy Losers"

Interview with Jack Rooney, President and CEO

U.S. Cellular’s successful business model highlights strong leadership and respect for frontline workers.

Balancing the Leadership Paradox

By Thomas J. Griffin and Jim “Gus” Gustafson

U.S. Cellular’s unique business model addresses financial results and leverages employees’ potential to succeed.

Edwards Lifesciences
February 2007

Finding the Right Talent for Critical Jobs

Interview with Michael Mussallem, CEO and Chairman, and Rob Reindl, Corporate Vice President

Edwards Lifesciences is the top heart valve company in the world in terms of sales and a leader in products for the treatment of advanced heart disease.

Growing Talent at Edwards Lifesciences

By Rob Reindl, Corporate Vice President

The corporate vice president explains the company’s philosophy for talent management.

Satyam Computer Services
January 2007

Satyam Creates Value Through Learning

Interview with Ramalinga Raju, Founder and Chairman

India-based IT company taps into employees’ abilities to learn.

Developing Global Leaders the Satyam Way

By Ed Cohen, Senior Vice President

The senior vice president of the Satyam School of Leadership talks about how the India-based IT company takes leadership development seriously.

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2006

McDonald's
November 2006

Training: They’re Lovin’ It

Interview with Ralph Alvarez, President and COO

McDonald’s President and COO, Ralph Alvarez, and Vice President of Training, McDonald’s USA and Dean of Hamburger University, Diana Thomas, agree on training’s contribution to the company’s success.

Old School Gets New Role

By Pat Galagan

Hamburger University Dean Diana Thomas is a key player in McDonald’s Plan to Win.

Just Born Inc.
May 2006

Company Success Isn’t Made…It’s Just Born

Interview with Ross Born and Dave Shaffer, co-CEOs

Just Born is a company with a clear link between its strategic objectives and the efforts of its HR unit, in which employee learning plays a key role.

Born to Grow

By Meloney J. Sallie-Dosunmu, Manager of Organizational Effectiveness and Talent

Just Born takes pride in staff development.

John Deere
April 2006

Raising the Bar at Deere & Company

Interview with Robert W. Lane, President and CEO

Deere CEO touts high-performance teamwork among his employees.

John Deere Champions Workforce Development

By Rex Davenport

At Deere, employees take ownership of their career paths.

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2005

New Brunswick
December 2005

Thinking Big

Interview with Bernard Lord, Premier of New Brunswick, Canada

New Brunswick premier stresses learning and skills development to spark economic growth.

Wegmans Food Markets
September 2005

A Higher Level of Learning

Interview with Danny Wegman, CEO

We talked with CEO Danny Wegman about the company's training and culture and how they are helping the 89-year-old food store chain puree the competition in a very tough market.

Wegmans, a Shared Vision

Rex Davenport Interviews Yolanda Benitez, Director of Training and Development for Wegmans

A hundred job titles become just five job families as the well-respected supermarket chain puts its trust in a system based on clarity and a common language.

Binney & Smith
July 2005

Coloring Outside the Lines

Interview with Mark J. Schwab, CEO

We talked with Mark J. Schwab, president and CEO of Binney & Smith since 1999, and a 20-year veteran of Binney & Smith's parent company, Hallmark, about leadership, learning, and longevity.

New Shades for Binney & Smith

By Michelle Powers, Director of Organizational Effectiveness and Learning

Leadership development is critical to business success.

Steelcase Inc.
April 2005

James P. Hackett

Interview with Jim Hackett, President and CEO

Jim Hackett’s decision to support a corporate learning center and to continue to invest in talent development during a dramatic downturn in corporate fortunes may seem counter to the behavior of most CEOs.

Demonstrating the Connection Between Learning and Strategic Business Results

By George Wolfe, Dean of Steelcase University

In an industry that’s gone through three years of downsizing, CEO Jim Hackett has kept learning as a strategic element. What’s going on?

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2004

NYC Leadership Academy
November 2004

Robert E. Knowling Jr.

Interview with Robert E. Knowling Jr., CEO and Teacher-in-Chief

Bob Knowling is CEO and teacher-in-chief of the NYC Leadership Academy, part of a daring attempt to turn school principals into agents of change using techniques from corporate America, the U.S. military, and the schools themselves.

Business vs. the Board of Education

By Pat Galagan

How do you go about improving a school system that’s resistant to change? You do it one leader at a time.

Raytheon Company
September 2004

Bill Swanson

Interview with Bill Swanson, Chairman and CEO

So, why would the CEO of this kind of powerhouse spend so much of his time and energy supporting learning?

Passion and Poetry in Raytheon Learning

By Don Ronchi, Vice President of Raytheon Six Sigma and Supply Chain, and CLO at Raytheon Company.

Raytheon’s approach to learning quickly is central to its strategy for value creation.

Becton, Dickinson and Company
March 2004

Edward Ludwig

Interview with Edward Ludwig, Chairman, President, and CEO

BD has a thriving university to support its leadership development and to help you communicate the company’s values and direction, but that wasn’t the case when you became CEO.

Leaders as Teachers

By Ed Betof, Vice President and CLO

Like many other organizations, BD found itself competing in an external environment that looked very different from the global health-care world that it had helped shape during the previous century.