We had an incredible visit with Pete and Brenden Skeffington at Skeff Distributing—thank you both for taking the time to speak with our CEO class and give us a behind-the-scenes tour! 👏
We are especially grateful for Pete, our CEO Board Vice Chair, and his continued support and belief in our program. It means so much to have leaders like him investing in our students.
It was inspiring to learn about Skeff Distributing as a family-run business that started with their grandfather in 1967 and has grown through smart decisions, strong leadership, and a willingness to evolve. From their dad’s pivotal decision to stay independent and grow, to now managing 1,800 accounts and 89 employees across Sangamon to Vermilion counties—it’s clear this team knows how to build something that lasts.
Students gained valuable insight into:• The importance of diversification—growing from 24 to 800+ beverage options 🍻🥤• Staying ahead of trends and always looking for the next up-and-coming product• The reality of a summer-heavy business and how external factors (like U of I sports success!) impact sales• The logistics behind early mornings, loaded trucks, and a highly coordinated operation
But even more impactful were the life and business lessons shared:• Communication matters—poor communication can make small problems big, while good communication makes big problems manageable• Show up, be reliable, and don’t be quick to say no• Step up, solve problems, and be a team player
And some key takeaways that really stuck with us:• Give back to your community and stay involved ❤️• Treat your employees like family• Diversify and adapt with the times• Treat every day like a 9–5—show up ready to work• Make time management a priority• Love what you do
We appreciate your transparency, wisdom, and commitment to your team and community. Experiences like this are what make CEO so impactful for our students! 🙌 skeffdist
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