Michael Guyette ('90) has gone from the first person in his family who attended college to a leader of a major health care company.

Guyette's father, grandfather and other relatives worked in a shipyard in Rhode Island, but he wanted a different career. He transferred from a community college to UNT before he found his vocation. Now, he's president and CEO of VSP Vision, which is headquartered in California.

"That road taught me the value of growth and persistence," he says. "It also taught me that there are many paths to success in life."

In an email interview, Guyette talked about the lessons that he's learned in his life and career.

Learn Discipline

"I was a finance major, and one professor in particular -- Jim McDonald -- had a huge impact on me during my time at UNT. He was known for his reputation as an intimidating professor, but ultimately, his intention was to instill the value of good discipline into his students. Professor McDonald took a special interest in me and was invested in my success, and I am grateful to this day for the potential that he saw in me and the lessons I learned under his mentorship."

Take Risks

"I had very poor eyesight as a kid, and I remember the difference it made in my ability to learn and develop when I got my first pair of glasses and could finally see the chalkboard. So, it's especially fulfilling now to lead an organization whose purpose is to empower human potential through sight. On my journey to where I am today, I sold shoes, waited tables and I was even a sous chef for a while. I took on new opportunities and developed a reputation as someone who got things done -- no matter the role I had. Eventually, I moved into sales, and prior to joining VSP Vision in 2018, I led teams at other health care organizations, including Aetna and then Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota. It's always important to take risks, not be afraid to grow and to pursue different opportunities as they come along."

Find Mentors

"When I was working at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, executive Robert Lufrano saw potential in me and helped coach and mentor me, so I was better prepared to step into management. He became a champion and helped to instill the importance of becoming a lifelong learner. I would encourage any student who has a goal of going into leadership to participate in programs that invest in their learning and to get involved with school programs -- like the First in Business program at the UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business."

'The Three Rs'

"I operate with a personal philosophy in business -- and life -- that has served me well. I call it 'The Three Rs.' The first is about being responsive: If someone reaches out by phone, email or text, they deserve a timely and meaningful response. People want to feel heard and made to feel valued, and sometimes that can be as simple as acknowledging when someone has reached out. The second is about relationships: With a background in sales, I learned quickly that relationships are key, and at the core of any relationship is trust. To maintain strong relationships, you must build trust. And finally, be a resource: Bring a service mindset to all that you do. You don't always have to know the answer, just so long as you demonstrate empathy to understand what's needed and work diligently to uncover a solution, whatever form that may take."

Build a Team

"A lot of people may think that being a CEO means you are making all the decisions. What I've learned is that it's more important to build a strong team of experts around you who you can trust and lean on as you work together -- who are empowered to bring forward their recommendations and counsel. As CEO, I help set strategy, galvanize teams and occasionally serve as a tiebreaker in decisions. But I'm not calling all the shots, nor do I want to! A leader should have a passion for developing teams and uplifting the right people into the right roles to best serve an organization's purpose, goals and stakeholders."