SRC Celebrates the Latest Graduates from Its Leadership Academy
On December 2, 2025, the SRC family of businesses celebrated the graduation of 22 emerging leaders from its Leading Edge Leadership Academy, an intensive program designed to develop the next generation of leaders within its company culture rooted in education, employee ownership, and the Great Game of Business (GGOB).
This seventh cohort already leads over 165 associates across 11 SRC companies. They named themselves The Momentum Makers, symbolizing their belief that leadership is about creating forward momentum—even during complex, uncertain times.
“It’s our leadership teams that create the momentum to achieve our plans for the future,” said Krisi Schell, Executive Vice President of HR at SRC Holdings.
SRC’s leadership development academy is a strategic investment in building and maintaining a workforce capable of leading the organization into the next decade—and beyond. The program is run in partnership with SRC executives and Great Game coaches, who guide participants through more than 90 hours of practical training on financial literacy, scoreboards, MiniGames, forecasting, emotional intelligence, and SRC’s pillars of leadership – strategic thinking, relationship building, talent development and change leader. The team also spent time receiving detailed briefings on SRC’s total rewards package (health care and other benefits, as well as retirement tools such as its 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Program) and touring each of SRC’s divisions to deepen understanding of the overall business and share best practices while fostering connections and relationships across the organization.
Putting the Great Game Into Action
A hallmark of SRC’s leadership program is its focus on practical application. Graduates return to their teams to help make improvements—strengthen huddles, clarify scoreboards, expand cross-training, energize frontline financial updates, and launch new recognition programs like “Own It Bucks.” Others use MiniGames to boost engagement and address operational challenges.
SRC believes leaders must not only understand the business but also teach it. Building leaders who can earn trust, explain the scoreboard, and help employees see how their decisions influence results is central to SRC’s culture.
Preparing Leaders for a Changing Workforce
As SRC looks to the next decade, the leadership academy will continue to play a crucial role in preparing for evolving labor markets, technological advancements, and an economy marked by workforce shortages. Graduates participate in these future-oriented discussions, asking how to break down organizational silos, improve GGOB onboarding, and help teams develop skills for a more automated, tech-driven environment.
Tim Stack, President of SRC Holdings, encouraged graduates to envision how technology can elevate—not replace—the workforce.
“While the world worries about AI replacing people, millions are simultaneously retiring or leaving the workforce,” he said. “By using technology to upskill our employee-owners into higher-value roles, we have a rare opportunity to let technology close the gaps while empowering our associates to improve their quality of life.”
A Workforce Ready for the Future
The Momentum Makers are now prepared not only to lead teams but also to enhance SRC’s long-term competitiveness. As workforce shortages increase and technology transforms the industry, SRC stays dedicated to the belief that its people—educated, empowered, and engaged—are its greatest asset.
“The current data tells us that the looming talent shortage will be the most critical factor in the U.S. economy over the next 10 years,” said Jack Stack, SRC’s Chairman and CEO. “Companies will be evaluated on their talent. And whoever has the best talent will win. So, be curious and ready. Don’t fear challenges—face them and turn them into opportunities.”
Over 100 associates have completed the leadership academy, and with each graduating class, SRC builds a stronger pool of leaders prepared to embrace that mindset while reinforcing the company’s culture and securing a bright future.
SRC Leadership Academy Class 7 Graduates
This year’s graduation was also marked by a moment of heartfelt remembrance. The class honored teammate Ross Laney, who passed away shortly before the final session.
Conner Cryderman
Austin Corder
Austin Daniel
Brian Crockett
Cayton Lindsey
Chris Love
Daniel Hawes
Grant Wheeler
Jacob Twaddle
James Pitzer
Jason Hamilton
Jeanna Dann
Jeff Stegner
Kylie Jackson
Max Brungard
Michael Long
Phillip Wright
Robert “Robbie” Hughes
Sawyer Lumley
Spencer Smith
Tyler Shearin
Tyler Yates