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22 Hartford Business Journal • April 7, 2014 www.HartfordBusiness.com Women In Business 2014 Carolyn Stanworth President & CEO, BL Companies Becky Bergman Special to the Hartford Business Journal W hen Carolyn Stanworth joined Meriden-based BL Companies 14 years ago, she envisioned working with a strong senior leadership team to make the business a place where all employees are valued and respected. So, when the company's former owner retired and Stan- worth became CEO she helped transform the firm into an employee-owned business that creates a win-win environ- ment for every worker. She considers it one of her greatest achievements today. "I get significant satisfaction from working with our employee owners and seeing them grow as managers and as future leaders," said Stanworth. "As an employee-owned company, meaning all employees have a stake in the outcome of BL's success, BL provides foundational leadership training for all of its employee owners and more advanced training for many others." BL Companies is a 30-year-old firm that provides integrat- ed architecture, engineering and environmental services for private and public land development, building design and infrastructure projects. Stanworth, the mother of two grown daughters, said one of her main goals in creating an employee-owned company was to establish an environment that nurtured new passions and bright ideas. It also gives employees more reason to stay with the company long term and develop into managers and leaders, she said. Stanworth said she didn't want a business that was built and driven to benefit a few in top leadership at the expense of everyone else. "She wanted to create something big for employees and the community," said Kate Emery, CEO of Farmington information services firm The Walker Group. "In foregoing the immediate short-term opportunity for personal reward, she has created something much more meaningful and lasting. "Great leaders should be measured by the improvements they make in the world around them," added Emery. "She weighs all the information she can get before making a deci- sion, but she's willing to take risks and make unusual decisions if she determines that to be in the best interest of all." BL Companies has grown from 150 employee owners at the end of 2011 to 235 today. The company plans to hire at least 15 more workers this year and bring in up to 25 interns during summer, Stanworth said. The $45 million company has grown its revenues at least 25 percent each of the last three years, at a time when architecture and engineering firms have struggled, said Stanworth. "Over that same three years, we have gone from seven offices to 13 in 8 states," she said. Those around her describe Stanworth as a humble, gener- ous person who listens with an open mind to new ideas and new ways of getting things done. "I believe in a collaborative and team-oriented approach," said Stanworth. "I like to think that I am a fair and approach- able leader and am accountable for my actions. I have high standards and work with our team to achieve more than they believe they could achieve." Even after 14 years with the company, Stanworth said she still finds it a challenge to stay focused on future trends. "What you know today will change tomorrow," said Stanworth. "The architecture, engineering, environmen- tal and land surveying business is challenging and you always have to stay focused on what is important inter- nally versus what is changing externally and plan for it the best you can." Reaching out to the community is also important to Stanworth. Over the years, BL Companies has been involved in a number of nonprofit efforts and volunteer activities includ- ing Ashley's Place, said Stanworth. "Our employee owners participate on nonprofit boards, participate in various food sharing drives, volunteer at the animal shelters, participated in the initial stages to secure funding for the Sandy Hook school and are most recently working with 'r kids Family Center to help vision their build- ing expansion," said Stanworth. Stanworth says the secret to her success — both profes- sionally and personally — is being authentic and real with the people around her. "For me, caring about our employee owners and building an environment where they can flourish, is very important," she said. [ Stanworth's employee focus drives her success P H O T O | S T e v e L A S C H e v e r How do you balance your work life with your personal life? Bright lines are hard. When you enjoy what you do and the kinds of things you do they spill over into your entire life. For example, we are working with a nonprofit, 'r kids Family Center in New Haven on planning for a building expansion — is that profes- sional or personal? I avoid bright lines. What's your advice for other professionals on how best to balance work life with personal life? When you stop feeling a sense of enjoyment, feel unfulfilled out of your full day or are feeling unbal- anced, it would be important to take stock and reflect as to what might be going on for you both professionally or personally and adjust. What are some of the things you enjoy outside of work? I have two great daughters — one in Colorado and one in Virginia (with a wedding coming up this June) — so that makes for a busy time. Besides my daughters, I enjoy being on the water and fishing. I find that helps me recharge my batteries. Stanworth chats with Randi Rubin Rodriguez, head of 'r Kids Family Center in New Haven, where BL Cos. volunteers.