Wm. Millard Choate

It all began in Millard’s basement… As Founder and Chairman, he leads, motivates, strategizes, and champions his beloved employee-owners.

If you could travel back in time, what period would you go to?

World War II: People had just survived and been toughened by a gut-wrenching, debilitating Great Depression, only to be thrust into a terrible world war, where the planet’s future was in dire peril. Yet, this galvanized everyone in the U.S., and all factions, races, political parties and religions were firmly united, and resolved to achieve the ultimate victory. This common, intense focus to overcome evil truly united all in a common fervent goal, and the sense of purpose and patriotism was energetically and emotionally uniting and uplifting.

What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?

The history of the automobile. ‘Nuff said.

What’s the one piece of advice you would give others about life?

Persevere always via hard work and dogged determination to prevail and do the right thing. No matter how tough the situation, the event, the rough patch, don‘t let it overwhelm and conquer you, trusting in God that you will come out of it, things will get back to normal (usually better). As a coach once advised, no matter how big your adversary is, “never give up, keep your legs churning”