Synergy is spotlighting our Synergy Partners to help you get to know them a little bit better. We asked each partner some questions so we could learn more about them and their business. Check out below to read all about Brett Shaw with DST:
What originally got you interested in your current field of work?
After 27 years at Stanley Black & Decker with the last eight years as President of Mac Tools, I was recruited by a college friend of mine to become an owner of DST. The lure of being an entrepreneur and bringing a game-changing, first to market, disruptive technology to market was exciting. The opportunity to leverage all my experience, be part of something from the ground floor and work with a person who I really respected was hard to pass up. Most importantly, I had the support of my family.
When someone finds out what you do, what question do they always ask you?
It really depends on who is asking the question. Normally, they want to know how it works and does DST work on humans? It does not.
What is the career highlight you’re most proud of?
In addition to the current DST journey, it would have to be what our team accomplished at Mac Tools from 2010-2017. We delivered 32 consecutive quarters of growth and completely changed the culture and trajectory. Working with that great team was a memorable time in my life.
What do you love most about what you do?
Learning a new industry and exposing them to a new technology. I have yet to meet anyone in the HVAC service industry who is not passionate and dedicated to what they do. The industry is filled with people you want to work with and for each day. What wakes me up each day is knowing we are delivering a technology solution that can transform an industry. That is challenging and exciting.
Who inspires you?
My father. He was my inspiration to play to golf and where my dedication to both my family and work was instilled. In addition to my Dad, my wife, Mara and our two children, Rachel and Colin. They remind me what is truly important, they quickly bring me back to reality after traveling, and they are always there to cheer or listen.
What is your favorite thing about the area you live in?
I split my time between Columbus, OH where my family lives and Nashville where DST is headquartered. We moved to Dublin, OH (suburb of Columbus) in 2010. It is great place to raise a family, great schools, diverse activities, and excellent golf courses. I grew up in Nashville and went to college at University of Tennessee, so being in TN on a regular basis brings back lots of great memories along with the opportunity to see lifelong friends.
What is your most prized possession and why?
Great life memories and the future ones still to be created.
What is your favorite place of all the places you’ve traveled?
The next new place. Need to make it to Montana. The only state I have not visited.
