The Gentile File:
NAME: Michael Gentile
TITLE: President and CEO
COMPANY: Independent Stationers Inc.
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Education: Earned a bachelor’s of science in education with a minor in business from the University of Massachusetts and completed the executive development program at Northwestern University.
What was your first job? I taught elementary school and specialized in teaching students with learning disabilities. There was a massive property tax cut and they laid off all us newly hired teachers so I went to business school.
How did teaching influence you today? I think I kept my sense of humor. I had to do that and try not to take things too seriously.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life? My Dad. He instilled in me a good, solid work ethic. He gave me a name I am proud of and (taught me) not to do anything to damage that name.
If you weren’t a CEO, what is something you have always wanted to do? I always found teaching very rewarding and have always thought that when I move on from my current position I’d like to go into some level of teaching and help young entrepreneurs.
Who do you admire in business? I tend to admire an independent dealer who is maybe doing $3 million or $4 million a year and employs a dozen people. I think more of that person than the Fortune 500 CEO.
If you could speak with anyone from the present or past, with whom would you want to speak with? Gandhi.
What is your definition of business success? Knowing that you’ve done your best to be fair and just and doing so with the utmost of personal ethics. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, how many employees you have, how many companies you’ve acquired or, as some executives tell me, how many companies they’ve shut down or people they’ve laid off. That really isn’t business success in my book.
