Testimonials

This is the coaching of being you that so many teenagers and adults need.  We are all perfectly imperfect and have limitless growth potential to be our best selves.

—Stephen Hale

It will absolutely have an impact on my leadership style, but also my personal style. A lot of the concepts and ideas cross all facets of my life. The personal development will have a positive impact to my personal and professional life. I am learning that when I am mindful of my opportunities, I am identifying when they kick in and am trying different approaches and seeing different results.

It has been awesome to see this influence my day to day. I find myself thinking about my go to action or the actions of my teammates. Not from the aspect of right or wrong, but from a place of understanding mine/their strengths and go-to responses. It has influenced my thought process in that moment, but also opened my “judgement” in those situations.

—Dustin Marshall, Operations Lead: IGS Energy

The three-day seminar was perfect for me. I needed that deep dive into understanding how each trait is developed, displayed and used to understand me and the impact I have on others. The side benefit is that you get to understand both sides of the coin and that turns the lights on when thinking about how other people in your life create, deal with or flee from circumstances.  If we are to seek to understand rather than be understood, this is a great place to begin by understanding yourself.

—Vance Mauldin, Vice President: Team Fishel

It might go without saying that the personal assessments, group discussions, and skill building workshops were all integral components of this remarkable mentoring program, but what was truly exceptional in my mind was the genuine individualized care, attention, and motivation embodied by each and every member of the Giombetti team.

Their methods to ignite personal growth in students are truly top-notch, and the authentic compassion and energy that they bring to the table are truly unique and unparalleled.

—Timothy J. Scully

As CEO and President of MIR, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Giombetti Associates for over 12 months. As a seasoned executive, with an international background, I’ve worked with a handful of similar firms both in Europe and N. American. Without doubt, the approach, processes and “style” of Ross and the team puts them as my premier partner of choice. Not only do they perform their assessments, they get to know the individuals. They get to understand the business culture and refine the individual’s personal programs to suit both business and team needs.

Of significant note is their ability to deliver “opportunity areas for each person” in a direct but empathetic manner.

They have had a significant effect on our “team working and togetherness.” Individual performance and growth are evident across our organization which I attribute to our working with Giombetti. We continue to build our relationship with Ross and the team and tailoring individual programs for continued growth of the business and our colleagues.

—Brian McSharry, CEO: MidWest Industrial Rubber, Inc. A portfolio Company of Incline Equity Partners

Should you use Giombetti? Only if you are thinking of hiring, promoting, expanding, training, or doing anything else with employees.

—Dave Ratner, President: Dave’s Soda & Pet City

We previously used a variety of off-the-shelf personality inventory assessments. When we started working with Giombetti we realized we had been driving a Toyota Corolla when we could have been driving a Ferrari. There’s nothing wrong with a Corolla, but the level of actionable insights we get from working with Giombetti far exceeds the incremental cost. They’ve become the de-facto standard in our hiring process, and we have yet to find anything that compares.

Max Keenoy

Principal

Max Keenoy Principal

As Managing Partner of a private equity firm, I dedicate the majority of my time to talent—because leadership, culture and people are the driving forces behind growth and innovation at Incline and our portfolio companies.

I first met Ross while evaluating the many talent assessment options in the market. What stood out—and has continued to prove invaluable—is the proprietary Performance Dynamics® system developed by Giombetti & Associates. Their assessment offers remarkable insight into 17 core personality traits that drive individual behavior and performance. There are no “good” or “bad” scores—just an honest, data-driven profile of what makes someone tick. This enables clear, objective discussions around personal effectiveness, team dynamics and leadership development.  Perhaps most importantly, it helps explain why individuals get the results they do. That self-awareness opens the door to targeted behavioral shifts and better outcomes. Many of our leaders describe their first feedback session as an “aha moment”—unlocking clarity about their challenges and path forward.

We also partner with Giombetti for talent evaluation in hiring. Ross and his team take the time to understand not just the role, but also the company’s culture, team composition, pace and strategic context. This nuanced understanding ensures better hiring decisions—placing high-performing individuals who thrive within the unique environment. As a result, we’ve significantly reduced turnover across the portfolio.

Giombetti has been our trusted partner for years, and their impact on our growth has been substantial. Their ability to unlock potential in people is unmatched, and we’re proud to have them as our exclusive partner for talent assessment and development.
— Jack Glover, Managing Partner

Jack Glover Managing Partner

I have great admiration for what you and Rick do because you DO change lives. I hope at some point I have shown the proper gratitude, but if not let me thank you for all that you have done for me in the past because you have helped me tremendously. I am thankful that Baich brought you into IGS when he did because a cloud has been lifted off me that I didn’t even know was there! Self-deception is a tricky thing in that it is easily hidden behind a high paced environment and even “success.” Although I have a long way to go, I wouldn’t have started without Giombetti, and a company that cares enough to take this path. I look forward to continuing our relationship. You need to take my wife and I to one of your Italian restaurants in Boston.

—Stu Arthur, Vice President of Sales: IGS Energy

Tremendous content, real life examples. Hit home on many levels. It has knocked home the traits that I need to improve, as well as the traits I need to manage. With this knowledge, I should excel.

—Kenneth Smith, Plant Manager: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

I found the whole process to be amazing and eye opening. Providing such useful & personalized information in a non-threatening environment was great.  All the information was presented with just the right balance of humor and tact.  For anyone who is serious about being the best leader they can be, I recommend this program. The folks from Giombetti Associates provided support and guidance the whole way through resulting in a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this leadership program.

—David Betrune, Executive Director: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County/Hartsprings Foundation

Great time saver! We end up with highly qualified, motivated candidates. Takes a lot of the guess work out of the hiring decision.

—Mike Callahan, CFO: RiverBend Medical Group

What was truly exceptional in my mind was the genuine individualized care, attention and motivation embodied by each and every member of the Giombetti team. Their methods to ignite personal growth in students are truly top-notch, and the authentic compassion and energy that they bring to the table are unique and unparalleled. I know that I would not be the person I am today without it.

—Timothy J. Scully

Ideally, there aren’t huge surprises in these reviews. Even without major blind spots, there were a few takeaways that changed how I work with my team. The Giombetti review process validated that I remain calm under pressure, something I’ve always been proud of. What I learned, however, is that at times my calmness created doubt about whether I recognized situational urgency or would take necessary action. I also learned I wouldn’t lose credibility as a stoic leader if I occasionally expressed more direct and immediate feedback about things that can’t be tolerated.

We are all the masters of our intentions, but we can’t control how we’re perceived. Taking time to reflect on the gap between how we intend to show up and what others actually observe is important.

—Caleb Messer, Executive Chairman: GME Supply

Hey guys,

I wanted to take a few days to reflect and absorb the training and see how some of the suggestions and realizations from last week played out once I was back in “the real world”, before sending this email to you. I won’t lie and tell you that I did not come into this training with a certain amount of skepticism. I have done a few of these types of things over my career before and quite frankly, I thought they were a great way for the people presenting to make a living. I mean, you get to stand up in front of a room full of people and tell them how to be a better (fill in the blank here), and how to contribute to their companies in a more effective manner. And get payed for it!

A few things that I observed to help make this a different dynamic are as follows.

1. You all sat at the same level as us.
   • There wasn’t any feeling of this being a PRESENTATION. It truly felt like a discussion. Which I’m sure was by design. It made it so comfortable to actually share thoughts and ideas. It’s much easier to check out when you are being “talked to”.
     1. I have tried to be mindful of my body language and positioning when I have had discussions with team members, co-workers, or family.
2. You allowed us to have different goals.
   • What I mean by this is, you allowed us to have different end games for this training. I know some of the team wanted to try to reach problem employees or be a better manager, while some others wanted to focus on how to be a better husband, father or friend. As well as the evolution of that goal. Some of the statements about the takeaways at the end were not in line with what they thought they would get out of it.
     1. No names, but several folks that said they wanted to be a better manager or better leader at the end talked about not being real or open with personal relationships versus the professional aspect. I think the correlation between who you are outside of work, as a person, and who your team thinks you are was eye opening. At least it was to me!!
     2. I have made a concerted effort to try to make sure that I am sensitive to the fact that different people want/need different things. And that’s OK!
3. You were real!
   • This is huge for me. I like to think that I have a pretty good B.S. meter and the minute the needle starts to move; I tend to shut down and just get through the interaction as quickly and painlessly as possible.
     1. From the second we came in, you all had big smiles and warm invite
     2. You shared personal stories that left you out there, vulnerable. This helped me be real and open.

I can’t tell you how much warmth and genuine compassion I felt from all of you during the training. I know my goodwill score is 96, which I’m sure contributes to me being a bit sappy at times, but I was a bit surprised that I got emotional in a room full of strangers when I talked about how I want to make things better with my family. I know that is a direct result of the environment that you ALL built over the course of the 3 days.

Not to keep going on, but I wanted to share a couple things that I have already done differently that I know was appreciated, even though nobody said a word. The first was as my family sat down for our weekly board game night, I made sure that I was the one to make sure that everyone had drinks, snacks whatever we needed before we started. That has always just been handled by Michelle, my wife. There is NO reason that she needs to be the last one to sit down, even if she doesn’t complain. Another thing is we were going to the grocery store and I turned the radio station to the one that my family likes. The world stopped for a minute…LOL . I despise 95% of the music on “their” station! I mean how can you go wrong with listening to Boston or Van Morrison??? But in that moment of pain and despair of listening to the latest and greatest from, whatever the flavor of the week was, I noticed all 3 of them kind of bounce their heads a bit to the rhythm. That was cool. I mean really, why should I get to decide what music we listen to ALL THE TIME? Just because I happen to be the one driving, which oh by the way, I don’t want anyone else to drive but me??? To quote a very wise man…that’s BAD, BAD, BAD. STOP IT! Haha, I must have heard Rick say that 40 times last week!!

Seriously guys, thank you all for the love and compassion that I felt from all of you. It means more than I can tell you! I look forward to speaking with you soon. Take care.

—Ernie Edgell, Manager C&I Field Sales: IGS Energy

Giombetti’s 360 Degree Review process provides leaders with clear, actionable feedback from every angle, which is critical in fast-moving, highly collaborative environments. We use the process at Incline and across our portfolio companies to help leaders understand how they are experienced by teams, peers and stakeholders. That awareness fuels better coaching, stronger communication and teams that work together more effectively.

—April Simile, Partner: Incline Equity Partners

For me personally it was a wonderful experience. It was an eye opening, life changing, team building exercise. I could go on and on about the positive impact it has had on ME, my team and my family.

Please see below a few things from me and my team:

• I mark the time spent with Ross and Giombetti Associates as truly life-changing. To have clarity about my core values, to understand what makes me tick, to have tools to manage work and life situations – these are gifts. I’m grateful that MORSCO invested in me, and in all of us.
• Spending time with Ross and his team was truly a life-changing experience! Because of my time with Giombetti Associates, I have a greater self-awareness than I ever could have hoped for. This has put me is position to be a more impactful leader for my team, a stronger team member for my company, and a better leader for my family
• Ross and the entire team at Giombetti created a very direct, and self-reflecting approach to personal improvement.  I was struck by the correlation between personal and work. There are certainly things that I continue to struggle with, but I am very aware of my impact on people today. That was not the case in the past. The personal relationship that your team develops with their customer is second to none. I would also recommend the 360 review for any manager or leader. This was incredibly impactful to me on the things that I do that are both good and bad. I learned more about myself and the perception that others have of me. I will always value this time, and hope to continue my path of learning with the Giombetti group moving forward.

Thanks to the entire group for creating a customer for life.

—Nick Colletti, Regional Vice President: MORSCO

The programs offered by Giombetti Associates were beneficial in both my personal life and my career in human resources. If I could have changed only one thing, it would be to have participated in this program much earlier in my life.

—Deborah Beauchemin, Human Resources Supervisor: Atlas Copco Compressors, Inc.

Exceeded my expectations. It was more than hype and psych. This program had meat to its bones.

—Mark Puett, R&D Director: Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals

We cannot thank her enough for the amazing support she has provided to [my child] during this exceptionally stressful and difficult time.  As a parent, I am convinced that this experience has been one of the best gifts I could have provided.

—Michelle Pastore

I highly recommend the services and programs of Giombetti Associates. Our experience with them has been a very successful and prosperous partnership over the last 8 years. We’ve had over 300 individuals utilize their assessment, training and development services with great results. During our engagement with them, we believe they’ve had a direct impact on our company’s bottom line. Since 2001, our revenue has grown from $350 million to over $1.1 billion this past year. They’ve helped us to understand and cultivate the best we have in our people, and it has proven to be well worth the investment.

The culture of our company, Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS), is something we take very seriously. It is critical for those partners we engage to understand and realize it’s not just what our people do that makes us successful, but that they do so by growing, developing and reaching their potential which matters most to us. Giombetti Associates has developed an innate understanding of ADS as a company. They’ve helped our people realize what they need to work on along with providing the tools and training that mesh with our company’s core values and culture, which is why it has been such a positive experience for us.

In these very challenging economic times, we can’t afford to make mistakes with our most important asset – our people. If we’re not investing in their growth and development, they’re going to go somewhere else and get it. Our employees take pride in what they learn from Giombetti, and their approach to what they do for us and how they do it has helped us to hire, retain and develop top performers.  We’ve leveraged several of Giombetti’s services including:

• Pre – Employment Assessments

The majority of our critical new hires are assessed by Giombetti before they’re offered a position. Giombetti’s assessment feedback provides us with an objective perspective which has helped us to improve our hiring rates over the years. It also helps us to identify potential areas of improvement in those we do hire so we’re already aware of what we can help them work on.

• Leadership Development

Every year, we have dozens of our high-potential employees participate in Giombetti’s Performance Dynamics training. This has helped them develop their leadership, management and interpersonal skills to the point where many of them have become top managers leading different organizations and initiatives within our company.

Since our initial engagement with Giombetti, they have become a true partner – one that knows what they’re talking about and is able to customize and implement truly beneficial and successful programs and training. We have employees who will tell you that it has changed their lives for the better, both personally and professionally. And, it has genuinely boosted employee morale because they see our investment in their future by providing opportunities for growth and development. We are a better company for having worked with Giombetti Associates.

—Erick Piscopo, Director: Human Resources: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.