(Christine Specht, president and chief operating officer of Cousins Submarines Inc., took over the helm of the company from her father, Bill Specht, in March.)
“There are really two things that I have learned from my father with respect to the business. First, my dad has always shown care and concern for his employees, and many of them have responded to that by staying with the company – some for more than 30 years. When he had to make tough business decisions, he would always consider the impact those decisions would have on his employees. My father was dedicated to providing a sound quality of life and balancing work with family time. Because of this, our employees are truly some of the most loyal and dedicated you will find.
“Second, he pays close attention to the details. Whether it is ensuring the quality of our bread or analyzing the latest financials, he watches the business very carefully. He holds steadfast to doing things correctly. Our employees understand that, and because of the respect our employees have for him and the company, strive to do their best every day. They too are excited about the future, as we are poised for growth and even greater success.”
Christine Specht
President and chief operating officer
Cousins Submarines Inc.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in criminology and law studies at Marquette University and master’s degree in public administration from American University.
Business mantra
“Operate with integrity and transparency while retaining the best people. I expect it of myself and expect it from anyone that is affiliated with the organization, whether they are our employees, franchisees or supplier partners.”