Speaker: Earle Compton
Please tell us your name and how you know Crit, and share what impact he has had on your career or how you have impacted his.
Earle Compton: Hi, my name is Earl Compton. Crit and I have been friends for a long time. Uh, we met when our sons were in preschool together and we've shared many great memories over the years knowing crit as a friend has been rewarding and a lot of fun, I'll start with that. He's flat out a fun guy to hang out with. And, uh, as I got to know him, I noticed a few standout characteristics first. He's a very smart guy and he has a very quick mind. He's also got a great sense of humor and beware, he rarely misses the opportunity to throw a zinger at any time toward anyone who opens themselves up for an unexpected witty barb. He's also a natural leader and in many of his different activities with other people, he invariably winds up taking charge of something. Uh, he's also a charmer, extraordinaire. He can talk to anyone and sound convincing. Uh, turning on that classic Texas Alabama draw as he's telling a story or making a pitch. However, he almost always knows what he's talking about and if you're not careful, he can pull the wool over your eyes. You can sound like a good old boy. But watch out, don't ever forget the smart part. He's dumb like a fox. I could tell some stories, but I think that would be telling tales out of school. So I'll just say a few things about my experience with crit. At least I joined Leaf. At the beginning of 2008. I knew about cris involvement in leasing, but really not too much about the business itself. I knew he and Miles had started Leaf but never really appreciated what they had accomplished until I worked with them. I thought Leaf was probably a nice small business that was doing well and had become a solid established operation. When Miles asked me if I'd be interested in interviewing for a new position they were creating um essentially to be the head of the systems and it group uh a role that I filled for much of my career. Um It was time they had said with the growth of the company to take systems in it more seriously. So I interviewed and saw that the organization and operation that they had built was much more than I had anticipated. And so when they made me an offer, I accepted it once I was on the inside, I had a lot to learn, uh never having worked in financial services before. But over time, I got the hang of it. I thoroughly enjoyed the last 13 years of my career at le and while there, I got to see a side of quit that I hadn't seen before. Crit was a terrific ceo building the business from scratch and ultimately succeeding in the strategy of building it to the point where it would become an attractive acquisition. Uh Thanks to the collapse in 2008, which happened to be my first year. Uh It wound up taking bit longer than planned, but due to Kris knowledge of the industry with the help of miles and a few others leaf weathered the storm and here we are watching crit perform in the CEO role. I was impressed as you use the attributes I've mentioned to a dramatic effect. His understanding of the industry, his entrepreneurial instincts, his marvelous gift of engaging with people of all kinds. His broad vision and his perseverance are just some of the talents I've observed trying to think of one thing that impressed me the most. I decided I decided it's his capacity, his capacity to handle many big things. At the same time, uh keeping things under control with an uncanny ability to solve problems and keep things moving in the targeted strategic direction. My hat's off to you crit. We spent a fair amount of time together helping to run the boy scout troop that our sons belong to. There are loud stories from that experience that I also won't tell, but I'm reminded of the scout law that all boy scouts learn to recite and I'd say crit provides a living example. Crit is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind. Not so sure about obedient. He's cheerful sometimes. Thrifty. Um, I, I think I'd replace thrifty with generous, uh, brave, clean and reverent. It's been a pleasure to know you crit. And with that, I can only say congratulations on your retirement. You have earned it.
