After spending 25 years in the Marine Corps, Chris Lamson found it to be harder to adjust to civilian life than he felt it would be. “It took about two years before I even began to feel comfortable in my own skin,” he explained. “Once you step out of your profession, you somewhat lose your identity because your profession is your identity.”
Lamson has been retired from the Marine Corps for five years and is really enjoying serving as the new president and CEO of Industrial Safety Training Council (ISTC). BIC recently visited with Lamson to learn more about his role.
Q: What led to your position at ISTC?
A: I was born and raised in this (Nederland, Texas) area, so I was familiar with ISTC. The previous CEO, Russell Melancon, was a Vietnam-era Marine and as a retired Marine I know him. I heard he was retiring. I was working for ICF International and had been in Newark, New Jersey, since January helping with Hurricane Sandy recovery. Though the work was rewarding and fun, I was ready to find a job that would keep me home for a while. I joined ISTC in June.
The military is hugely safety conscious. As a logistics officer, I ran a heavy industrial facility. I was well versed in both OSHA and EPA. So the training aspect of this position is what truly interested me. In the service and as an officer, my job was to train Marines to do their jobs. I was very comfortable leading people. That is how I perceive this job. I am leading functional experts, and I must have a very good understanding of what my clients’ needs are. I establish the courseware and procedures accordingly. I also explore new ways of doing business. I am really looking forward to being part of a great industry.
Q: What is the most important part of your position?
A: Creating the environment in which ISTC employees not only can be successful but want to be successful. I also need to create value for the client. That is critical, and it is done through that first statement. I need to be predictive on if our clients’ needs are changing by getting to know what they do and how they do it. I should be considered a partner with them in making their jobs easier.
Q: How do you maintain a good work/home life balance?
A: I am passionate about what I do, but I am also passionate about my family. In my time in the Marine Corps, I learned when you are home, you have to be home both mentally and physically. So many professionals are home physically, but mentally they are still at work. That is one of the reasons I love being with ISTC. I love being in the position where others can succeed — especially when you are contributing to something really good. We assist the petrochemical industry in ensuring whomever they send to work in the morning goes home in the evening with no injuries, and that is something of which all ISTC employees can be proud.
Q: What’s the most important thing a person should know before taking a career path similar to yours?
A: To be successful as a leader of an organization, you cannot do everything yourself, so you have to ensure you train your subordinates to do their jobs effectively. Give them the training and education they need, and then you get out of the way. You have to trust your subordinates.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: In Stephen Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” Habit 5 is “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Everything we do in life revolves around relationships. In any relationship that is to succeed, you really have to listen. If you are so busy trying to get others to understand you, then you are not understanding them. You really have to ask a lot of questions and then listen.
For more information, visit www.istc.net or call (409) 724-2565.
