Today we’d like to introduce you to Arturo Lopez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Arturo. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My life, similar to other CEOs and business owners, has been defined and determined by great decisions.
The first decision was to return to Houston to marry Elena. Even to this day, her smile impacts and influences my world so much that it determines sunshine or sundown. My true story begins with a boy falling in love with a girl. On a train ride to graduate school in Strasbourg, France, I received a call from my future wife with the ultimatum of either returning to marry her or to disappear forever.
Upon returning, the terms became crystal clear that I was to find a job with flexibility, to be highly compensated, and to have limited travel ability, storing away my Masters in International Business.
“I could go anywhere in the world as long as I returned to IAH.” Mainly, because of its top medical centers in the world, which included all of Elena’s doctors and support system. Elena’s demanding illness was the top priority for us. It was vital that she lead a healthy life and maintain the close proximity to her family.
Elena, also, is the CFO of her family’s granite company, Designer Stone Center. It’s one of the top companies in Houston’s construction industry although, you’ve probably never heard of it.
So, I began the process of interviewing with top companies and business firms based in Houston. It was then that I met my current mentor Alex. The difficult conversation he had with me was that, what I was looking for didn’t exist. My only choice was to “build it.”
He gave me the greatest gift you could ever give an emerging leader in this line of work. His mentorship. He’d teach me everything he’s learned over the last 50 years about being an entrepreneur. “Turning an idea into an organization that makes impact and establishes a legacy.”
It was then that I founded AGL Holdings, AGLH.
Alex also introduced me to Vistage. As a 26 year old CEO, I experienced being with other business owners who shared their fears and challenges with a room full of strangers. Instead of what you’d expect, they were transparent about their perspectives on how to be courageous, and catapult their leadership, family, and business forward.
This is when I met my valued friend and confidant, Laurie-Leigh. She’s one of the most gifted and talented managing partners I’ve ever met, and has supported me since the day that I founded AGLH. She continues to set the bar for what’s possible when you’re focused, passionate, and truly care about the people you spend the most time with in life.
The next decision was to start a family. Elena, at fifteen, was told that children weren’t an option for her and was clear about this before our engagement. Our first core principle is faith. We prayed, focused on health and nutrition, and a year later welcomed our son, Gabriel, into our family.
During this time, Elena finished her PMBA from Tulane and decided that it would be a good idea for us both to complete Tulane’s Masters of Finance. In the end, I’m the one that completed the program and grew my company.
Next, I received a call from the executive recruiter for Vistage, Diane. She contacted me following the awards I’d received for the impact within the business community in Houston. I’d become noticed as a potential Chair for Vistage.
Turns out that, not only am I the youngest Chair in the world, but also, one of the youngest that has ever succeeded in Vistage.
It was the first day of training that I met my valued friend and business resource, Dennis. He is the brother that I always needed. He challenges me daily to be a better leader, a better husband, and a better father.
The third big decision was to have our second child. Elena was already labeled a high risk pregnancy, and we felt guilty pursuing it. After thoughtful reflection and council, we made the decision to proceed. We wanted Gabriel to always have someone to love him just as we do. Our second child, Alejandro, was born. All great decisions.
This brings us to today. I am the leader of two Vistage CEO Peer Advisory Groups of nearly 30 high performing leaders in Houston, with the vision to soon begin a third group. I am also working to introduce a program for emerging leaders, where top performing companies can apply for membership for their exceptional team members.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I returned from business school, the significant obstacle I faced was the Houston job market. The economy was struggling and most companies in Houston were cautious, at best, about bringing on additional human capital.
It is said that most companies fail within the first 18 months. Houston’s a very entrepreneurial city, and although many in the business community weren’t hoping for me to fail, none of them were really encouraging me to succeed. This was a critical hurdle to overcome.
Another challenge was when I agreed to add Vistage to the AGLH portfolio. I had to approach CEOs and business leaders, more senior than I, and ask them to trust that I could coach them and become part of something that they have never heard of, or experienced in Houston.
In addition, I wasn’t welcomed by many of the current Chairs within the organization. It was even recommended that I create an “exit plan” and transition my current members to a fellow Chair.
Recognizing the struggle, Dennis challenged me to focus, execute on my strategy and vision, and to stop “just being the youngest” Vistage Chair but be the best.
AGL Holdings – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Vistage is a 62 year old company with a world class decision model. We bring together up to 18 different CEOs from diversified industries, to meet once a month for a day. This is leveraged by meeting individually with their group Chair.
In return, we don’t just become better CEOs and leaders; we become better spouses, parents, and human beings that care about, and have a passion for guiding our impact in the world.
What sets us apart is our process. It enables and encourages CEOs and business owners to share their perspectives and to make better and quicker decisions. As a peer group, two things are vital. Who are the group members and the experience of having each member share their “one thing.” Their opportunity or challenge resulting in the outcome of ideas, testimonials, and actions from the other members.
AGLH is the foundation of what proceeds and what is currently called a family office. We invest in real estate and various companies, working alongside other family owned and managed organizations, especially in Latin America. Vistage is one of the elements of AGLH, specific for CEOs and business owners with over 22,000 members in twenty countries.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Presenting with Dennis at our global conference in-front of the entire organization and receiving some of the highest feedback recorded as a leader and innovator of our world class company.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ptdrv.linkedin.com/ypj5hmb
- Phone: (832) 413-2313
- Email: info@aglhinc.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/arturoglopez
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/aglholdings
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/arturo_g_lopez
- Other: www.vistage.com/how-vistage-works/ceo-coaching/meet-ceo-coaches/
Image Credit:
Headshot by DW Photography
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