Succession Planning and Leadership at DRYCO, Inc.

Daren Young, CEO of DRYCO, a family owned paving construction and maintenance (PCM) firm, faced several crises at DRYCO but he worked hard to make the firm profitable. The last few years had been especially difficult for DRYCO primarily due to the decline in the local real estate market that propelled the PCM industry. He made a bold decision to expand his firm to a second site in the middle of the recession. Young reflected on his leadership approach during all the decisions he had faced at DRYCO and wondered what would happen if a family or business castrophe materialized. He felt that he was too young to retire and while succession planning was important but not an urgent matter. Daren mulled over what priority to give succession planning, what management or leadership approach he should take concerning this issue and who was the best person to succeed him.