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Crayola’s New CEO: The Accountant Who Colorfully Transformed a Giant!
DID YOU HEAR? The Unlikely Rise of Crayola’s New King!
In a stunning twist straight out of a Hollywood script, Pete Ruggiero has taken the reins as CEO of Crayola! Yep, you heard that right! This numbers whiz, just shy of a year in power, already has the world buzzing about his incredible journey from a humble accountant to the head honcho of the crayon kingdom!
FROM ACCOUNTS TO CRAYONS: A Journey Too Wild to Believe!
Ruggiero isn’t your average CEO; he’s more like the Cinderella of the corporate world! After securing a degree in accounting from Villanova University (and playing football too—what a multitasker!), he spent six years juggling numbers at Deloitte and another stint at Union Pacific Railroad. But fate had other plans!
When Union Pacific decided to pull up stakes and move, Ruggiero found himself at a crossroads. With his young daughter and wife firmly planted at a local hospital, relocating wasn’t an option. So what did he do? He took a leap of faith and joined Crayola—then known as Binney & Smith—in 1997!
THE CRAYON KING IN HIS NATURAL HABITAT: WHO KNEW?
Picture this: a buttoned-up accountant trading his tie for a hard hat! Ruggiero threw himself into the production floor, spending four hours a day mingling with workers, and he absorbed every bit of their wisdom. Forget office antics; this man was on a mission to transform the very fabric of Crayola!
"I learned how the machine runs, what their problems are, and how I can help," he stated. Talk about getting your hands dirty! With this down-to-earth approach, he revolutionized the manufacturing process, speeding things up and giving labels a much-needed makeover!
UNSTOPPABLE FORCE! The CEO Who Says ‘YES’ to Everything!
Ruggiero isn’t just a CEO; he’s a sponge soaking up every opportunity thrown his way. His philosophy? Seize the awkward moments! “I’ve taken risks that seemed illogical,” he declared, and boy, did it pay off!
His venture to run Binney & Smith’s European operations wasn’t just a career move; it was a game-changer! Relocating to Bedford, England, Ruggiero dove headfirst into completely uncharted waters, enriching his expertise and experience. And guess what? Those misadventures paved the way for his heroic return to the States, leading ultimately to his magnificent rise as CEO in 2024!
TAKE NOTE, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS: BE LIKE PETE!
To the rising stars of the corporate world, listen up! Ruggiero’s advice is worth its weight in gold: “Take those unconventional opportunities, dive in headfirst, and learn everything you can!”
And there you have it! The tale of Crayola’s reinvention, all thanks to a daring CEO who turned numbers into colors. Stay tuned! This is only the beginning of the Ruggiero revolution!
photo credit: fortune.com
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