Build Series EP.6: Relentless Prioritization with Hill Hamrick - EP.263
Release Date: 03/25/2025
Think Like an Owner
Alex (@Aebridgeman) is joined by Richard Emery (@Richardemery2).
info_outlineThink Like an Owner
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Delray Dobbins, Director of Sales at Engine Assurance Program (EAP), to dive into one of the most overlooked yet essential components of business aviation: jet engine maintenance programs. With a career spanning Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, and now EAP, Delray brings a deep and practical perspective on the engine lifecycle—and what operators need to understand to avoid million-dollar surprises.
info_outlineThink Like an Owner
Watch the full episode with Dave Whorton here - https://youtu.be/KPcgK3lm-mw
info_outlineThink Like an Owner
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Dave Whorton, founder of Tugboat Institute and author of Another Way, to explore a different path for entrepreneurs—one built on permanence, purpose, and long-term thinking. After an early career in venture capital and tech startups, Dave walked away from the high-growth, high-exit model to focus on what he calls “Evergreen companies.”
info_outlineThink Like an Owner
My guest today is Henry Schuck, founder and CEO at ZoomInfo, one of the most successful data businesses in recent times with a market cap today around $12B. I’ve been looking forward to this podcast for a long time because Henry has proven to be an effective founder, acquirer, and public CEO capital allocator, which is a rare combination of skills to find in a single CEO. He’s thought very deeply about building high performing organizations, sales functions, and how his own role needs to evolve as the c
info_outlineThink Like an Owner
From Episode 265 with Erika Armstrong. Watch the full video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Nc2vgTLhbYA
info_outlineThink Like an Owner
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Erika Armstrong, a pilot, author, and aviation expert whose career has taken her from corporate jets to major airlines to the university classroom. Erika shares stories from her early days in aviation, from sleeping on crash pads with seven other pilots to flying charter flights into some of the most challenging airports in the country.
info_outlineThink Like an Owner
Watch the full episode here - https://youtu.be/GTxWeRXap9Q
info_outlineThink Like an Owner
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Kathryn Poehling Seymour, President and CEO of First Supply, a fifth-generation, family-owned distribution business with over 700 employees and 53 locations across the Midwest. We cover everything from leading a 128-year-old company through generational transition to building one of the largest distribution centers in company history.
info_outlineThink Like an Owner
Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/UTNl0xeSgZY
info_outlineIn this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Hill Hamrick, Co-CEO of Central Storage & Warehouse, to explore how he and his team run a complex, high-volume cold storage business that ships hundreds of millions of frozen food products across North America every year.
We dive into how Hill and his co-CEO, Sam, transitioned from first-time owners into strategic leaders of a 24/6, labor-intensive operation. Hill shares how they learned the business from the ground up, why building trust with frontline employees was critical in the early days, and how his experience in the Marine Corps continues to shape his leadership approach.
We also get into:
- How EOS helps align a 200+ person team across multiple locations
- Why data is the backbone of operational decision-making
- Lessons in pushing ownership and problem-solving to the front lines
- The difference between wartime and peacetime CEO mindsets
- Strategies for scaling culture and priorities while still in motion
Hill also opens up about the challenges of system migrations, prioritizing as a CEO, and the discipline required to avoid shiny-object distractions when building long-term value. This episode is a masterclass in leading through complexity and creating alignment in fast-moving, blue-collar businesses.
Links:
Hill on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hill-hamrick-094807a0/
Central Storage and Warehouse Co. - https://www.csw-wi.com/
Pacific Lake Partners - https://www.pacificlake.com/
Trilogy Search Partners - https://trilogy-search.com/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:06:55) - Introducing CSW and Hill
(00:08:45) - Priorities Frameworks
(00:12:23) - Most Effective Ways to Build Trust with a Team
(00:18:52) - Challenges in Creating a Synchronous Team
(00:22:37) - Making System and Software Migrations
(00:27:04) - Moving Decision-Making Down the Org-Chart
(00:33:48) - Matching CEO Mindsets with Organizational Needs
(00:44:23) - Board Member Advice
(00:47:42) - Prioritization Evolutions
(01:02:10) - Lessons from the Military