Daviess County CEO Learns About Leadership and Business Growth at Belt Tech Industries. On Monday, October 19, the Daviess County CEO Cohort visited Belt Tech Industries for an inside look at how a local business can grow into an internationally recognized company. CEO Jordan Russell, COO Chris Kimball, CFO Karli Woods, and Jeremy Hawthorne welcomed the students and shared the company’s history, leadership strategies, and lessons learned along the way.
Founded in 1990 by “two people with an idea,” Belt Tech began by providing belt-splicing services to meet a local need. Today, the company operates three locations, employs just under 100 people, and serves customers around the world. The leadership team explained how staying true to the company’s values has helped guide its growth and success.
Belt Tech’s core values include honesty and integrity, respect, drive, and pride. The team also emphasized the importance of hiring the right people, placing them in positions where they can succeed, maintaining high standards, and creating a positive workplace culture. They reminded students that employees are a company’s greatest asset and that strong leadership means helping others grow.
The students also received practical advice about navigating the business world. The speakers encouraged them to ask questions, recognize that there is always more to learn, and avoid making changes simply for the sake of change. They discussed the value of attending trade shows, diversifying products and services, adapting to changing markets, and rebranding when necessary. They also recommended the book Good to Great as a resource for understanding business leadership and long-term success.
The visit concluded with a tour of Belt Tech’s impressive facility, giving students an opportunity to see the company’s operations firsthand and connect the lessons they heard with real-world business practices.
The Daviess County CEO Cohort extends its sincere thanks to Jordan, Chris, Karli, and Jeremy for their hospitality and willingness to share their experiences. Their insights provided valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, teamwork, and what it takes to build a successful business that continues to grow.
