Home: Pittsburgh, PA. Age: 45. Profession: Entrepreneur. Organization: Mason James Distribution, Mason James Lighting and Supply, Mason James Vending, Madame Mocktail, LLC. Title: CEO. Significant other: Alena Brook Mahoney. Alma mater: The Pennsylvania State University.
Recent recognition: Multiple Awards in energy conservation; multiple sales awards; training; employee retention; growth; taking a new business and turning it into a $15 million enterprise. Recent professional development: Started three new companies. Latest contribution to others: Philanthropist, strong supporter of veterans; mentoring; local food banks; volunteering. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Taking a business with zero revenue and making into a $20 million plus business. Hobbies: Golf, skiing, volunteering, raising children. Recent travel or adventure: Antigua, Costa Rica, Europe, Ireland. Recent unique acquisition: Taking over a service-based company.
Personality profile: Decisive, fast moving, always learning. Moral compass: Never burn a bridge. How do you define a perfect friendship? Looking out for each other. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Learning and adapting. What is your greatest joy? Family. What is your guilty pleasure? Golf. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Crypto and real estate. What is at the top of your bucket list? Pebble Beach, swimming with sharks.
What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Shawshank Redemption. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Picture of myself and Tiger Woods and my holes-in-one. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Donald Trump. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Treat others the way you want to be treated. Work harder than the rest. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Be active and approachable. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? My wife. What company or organization do you most admire? Amazon.
What change would you like to see in the world?
More businesses involved in philanthropy.
What message do you want to send out into the world? American dream is achievable if you work hard enough. What widely held belief do you reject? I don’t believe in luck. I believe hard work puts you in the right places. What mega-trend most excites you? Crypto and AI.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Ups and Downs. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Russell Crowe. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My grandmother. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A police officer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Our pets and family memorabilia. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Golfing with family. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? College years, to learn more and try harder.
Personal mission: Creating a legacy for which I will be remembered. Personal motto: Dreams can become reality. Favorite quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” (Wayne Gretzky). Desired epitaph: Committed father and husband.
