Sheldon Baker04.27.10
Paul A. Willis, CEO/President, Cypress Systems, Inc.
In 1996, Paul Willis founded Cypress Systems, Inc. (www.cypsystems.com) and acquired the Specialty Yeast Group from Fleischmann’s Yeast. Today, Mr. Willis as CEO/president of Cypress has a strong focus on cancer prevention research utilizing the company’s flagship product SelenoExcell high selenium yeast. In addition to his business interest, he serves on the boards of domestic and international ministry outreach organizations including Hope Unlimited for Children, a ministry committed to the rescue and restoration of street children in Brazil. He lives in Fresno, CA with his wife of 35 years and has three grown sons.
I recently connected with Paul and asked him to share some of his business and personal Insights.
E-Insights: As CEO/president of Cypress Systems, what is one characteristic that you believe every business leader should possess?
Willis: Honesty, integrity and a passion to invest in others. If it is to be only one, then uncompromised integrity.
E-Insights: What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
Willis: Lead and motivate by example, be transparent, admit when you are wrong and understand that your people know when it is the real deal.
E-Insights: How active is Cypress within the community?
Willis: We hold this to be a valuable part of our personal and corporate mission. Through our own non-profit JPW3 Outreach Ministries, Inc. we are actively involved in the California State Prison and Parolee system helping individuals re-enter society following incarceration. In Fresno, we work with an inner city school in mentoring children in an after school program. Since establishing strong business relationships in Brazil in 1996, we have been actively involved in working with Hope Unlimited, a ministry involved in the rescue and restoration of street children in Brazil. We have strong commitments in these social areas but I am sure there is more that we could be doing to reach out and help others.
E-Insights: If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be? And why?
Willis: Jim Elliott. He was a missionary to Ecuador in the mid 1950’s. He and four other missionaries were killed by the Indian tribe they were trying to reach. Why?? I have read a great deal about him and many of his journal writings. He had a strong and living faith in Jesus Christ and he put everything on the line to fulfill the PURPOSE he had been called to serve. I love the simple prayer he prayed: “Lord make my life prosperous, not that I achieve high station in life, but that my life would be an exhibit to the value of knowing God.” I believe there is value in knowing God.
E-Insights: What is one food item you just can’t get enough of?
Willis: I know this is bad because we are in the healthy food business, but you give me a bag of Cheetos and I will eat the entire contents in one sitting. Then, feeling guilty, you can hide the empty bag, but then you have to deal with the fact that your fingers are stained orange for the next four days.
E-Insights Note: Paul, I love Cheetos too, but I never let them touch my hands. I inhale them. Maybe next time we can share a bag and we’ll only feel half guilty!
For more information and interview consideration, contact Sheldon Baker at sbaker@bakerdillon.com or visit his website at www.bakerdillon.com.
For more information and interview consideration, contact Sheldon Baker at sbaker@bakerdillon.com or visit his website at www.bakerdillon.com.
