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Speaking With Experts: An Interview With Chip Lewis, Chairman Emeritus of PSA
In this edition of Speaking With Experts, Kramon & Graham Managing Principal David Shuster speaks with Chip Lewis, the chairman emeritus of PSA Insurance and Financial Services. Chip Lewis is a well-known and highly respected leader in the Maryland business community. In this interview, Dave talks with Chip about his remarkable journey, his perspectives on building, running, and then ultimately selling a successful business, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Click the play button to listen to this engaging conversation.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:00 Growing up in Sparks, early jobs, learning difficulties and high school
00:08:27 Driving generals during the Vietnam War
00:11:45 College, founding PSA and selling insurance "from the trunk of the car"
00:15:19 Specializing in physicians' practices, hiring and growing PSA
00:16:17 Expanding into consulting, financial services and M&A
00:22:36 Mentors and referrals, "obnoxiously committed to growth"
00:24:54 Acquisition strategy and Chip's "acquisition interviews"
00:34:12 Building PSA's leadership team
00:35:53 Chip's stroke, the decision to sell PSA and moving to Florida
00:48:09 Losing a son and grieving
00:52:09 50 years of marriage and Chip's approach to life as a "people person"
00:56:07 Chip's advice on finding a career and building a business
00:59:22 Founding a bison farm with his son Trey
01:05:20 Serving on boards and retirement