C-Suite: Brock Hoskins

Fast Fact: Hoskins is chair of Garver’s board of directors and became the Arkansas company’s ninth president and CEO during the firm’s 100th year in 2019.

In your company/industry, what are the main differences between pre- and post- COVID-19? Although our firm was tested by the pandemic like many companies, I’m proud to say that Garver has emerged even stronger for the experience — and our people now are experts using Microsoft Teams.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would you be doing? In truth, engineering consulting has been a deeply satisfying career path – so much so that I can’t imagine doing anything else.

What is one thing you would change about your company if you could today? I wouldn’t change one thing. We have the best, most passionate people on the planet and great clients who trust us. There’s a reason I’ve spent my entire professional career – more than three decades – at Garver. Our unified culture is unsurpassed.

What’s the most recent book you read? “Flourishing: Why Some People Thrive While Others Just Survive” by Stephen R. Graves. My favorite concept is having a long view instead of a short-term, reactionary view to current circumstances.

What is the most used app on your phone? Microsoft Teams.

In one sentence, can you express what the most important thing about being a leader is? I value our people trusting me to act in their best interest, which is also our company’s best interest.

What is the best business advice you have ever given? Love and take care of your people. Make sure their work is aligned with their talent and passion, so they can provide maximum value; then reward them based on performance.

If you had $1 million to give, what would you support? I’d continue to support Christian Orphan Fund, a nonprofit organization providing financial support to adopting families and other orphan care initiatives.

What’s the most interesting thing about you that isn’t on your resume? I started working at Garver as a college intern in 1987. I’ve been here ever since.

What keeps you up at night or worries you the most? From an industry perspective, I’m concerned about the shortage of U.S. talent in the engineering and related professional services industry.

What is the best business advice you have ever received? “The Five Tasks: What Every Senior Leader Needs to Do!” by Stephen Graves holds a wealth of great business advice for leaders. He suggests that all successful senior leadership follows these directives: Set direction. Set speed. Set risk. Set resources. And finally, set culture.