Pete Luongo

Peter A. Luongo retired as President and CEO of The Berry Company in August 2003. His career at The Berry Company spanned more than 33 years. During his last nine years with the company, Peter was instrumental in guiding Berry through a period of record sales growth, numerous contract acquisitions and the perpetuation of the nearly 100-year-old company as an industry leader and “a great place to work.”

While Peter’s career was dedicated to finding a better way, no initiative was more profound or had a greater impact than the development of Berry’s Management Creed – which was subsequently installed as the operating philosophy inside The Berry Company.

Since he was appointed Executive Vice President of The Berry Company in 1994, Peter made it his mission to make certain all employees understood how the model was developed. He traveled the country and the world, meeting with employees, customers and industry partners to share his unique approach with an unrelenting sense of purpose. His presentation takes the audience back to 1981 in Buffalo, New York, where he and several fellow managers began this philosophical transformation.

Since retirement, Peter has dedicated himself to sharing this unique approach with audiences all over the world. His powerful message transcends business transformation, emerging technology, product innovation, corporate vision statements and strategic imperatives. While exceeding revenue income and customer expectations has been the hallmark of The Berry Company since 1910, Peter shares with his audience how his behavior-driven model not only ensures long-term growth but also creates an environment where employees feel valued, respected and part of something special.

10 Truths About Leadership

Most business and personal improvement programs seem to fall into one of two categories. The first group is based on well-documented, exhaustive research that morphs into complex solutions and theories. The second group relies on a stimulating call to action, that is, the “rah” in rah-rah.

Unfortunately, too few focus in on the most difficult challenge for us all, as individuals and organizations — How do we value our lives?

“My vision… is to inform and excite. My belief is that, beneath the spreadsheets, strategies and psychological tests, the truths really are pretty straightforward. What I will share with you is a simple, but not over-simplified, understanding of the values shared by those who thrive in business as well as in life.” – Pete Luongo

"You did a great job of setting the stage for our Leadership Conference. It is rare that a two-hour presentation would hold the attention of our team, but you had them riveted for the entire time." — Senior Vice President, Xpedx

"I can tell you that it all came together when you addressed over 200 business owners and leaders. You had incredible depth in both content and perspective. You illustrated your message with memorable stories that make everything stick." — Executive Director, i-Zone

"The presentation was substantive, inspirational and most of all, sensible. It is very clear to me why you have achieved such significant personal success." — Chairman/President/CEO, Vectren Corp.

"For some of our talented leaders, you helped put into words what they have been feeling about leadership and building a successful culture. For others, I saw the lights go on as they began to realize what it is to be a true leader. For me, your presentation reinforced the values with which we are committed to drive our organization." — President/CEO, Greene Memorial Hospital