Clint Padgett, CEO of Atlanta Galleria tenant Project Success, started at the firm as a senior associate in 1994. We caught up with him recently to talk about Project Success, how the company got its name, why he likes working at Atlanta Galleria, where he eats lunch, what he does outside of work and more.
Tell me about Project Success.
We are still a small company (approximately 20 employees) focused exclusively on training and consulting in the project management arena. Our mission is to help our clients develop the organizational capability to manage projects successfully. We provide client organizations with the knowledge, skills, systems and tools that, when properly applied to strategic initiatives, create a competitive advantage and enhance the quality of work-life for their employees. Ultimately, our goal is to provide clients with practical, cost-effective, long-term solutions to project management challenges and requirements.
How did Project Success get its name?
Project Success was formed in 1983 as Young, Clark and Associates. Over the years, existing clients began referring to us as “YCA” for short. This was confusing to new clients and consequently, one of the most common questions we received was “What does YCA stand for?” In 2005, we made the decision to officially change the name from YCA to Project Success so that the company name was more indicative of what we do.
What makes Project Success’ employees stand out?
Our employees average 29 years of post-college work experience, 13 years working at with the company (two-thirds have at least 10 years with the company), 100 percent have a bachelor’s degree and almost 60 percent have an advanced degree.
What made you choose Atlanta Galleria?
We moved into the Galleria in January 2007. We combined our administrative and executive offices and wanted to build a dedicated, state-of-the-art classroom in which to conduct our monthly training courses. We wanted every class participant to have an unobstructed view so we required a space with extremely high ceilings. The 100 Building at Galleria had the perfect space for us. Now, our executive and administrative functions are all within the same space allowing us to be more efficient. And we were able to create our dream classroom. It has tiered, theater-style seating so every one of the 43 seats has an unobstructed view of the instructor and the video screen.
What is your favorite part about working at Atlanta Galleria?
My favorite thing about working at the Galleria is a three-way tie. First, it is an incredibly convenient location, for both me and our clients. Our clients love the ease of access to I-285, I-75 and Highway 41, and I love having my office within a short, three-mile commute from home. Second, the staff is absolutely wonderful to work with. Connie Engel and Robin Hill have always been extremely helpful and accommodating, as have the maintenance and security personnel we interact with on a daily basis. Finally, I love having so many restaurants within easy walking distance, especially Chipotle, because I love spicy food.
Tell me about yourself.
At 18, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy for six years. I spent the last four years and six months of my enlistment as an electrician’s mate onboard the USS America (CV-66), an aircraft carrier based in Norfolk, Va. After the Navy, I attended Georgia Tech where I received an electrical engineering degree. I also have an MBA from Duke University. I am a published author, The Project Success Method: A Proven Approach for Achieving Superior Project Performance in as Little as 5 Days, with John Wiley & Sons Publishing and I speak often to groups and conferences on the topic of successful project management. My wife, Becki, is a physical therapist at Georgia Tech. We have a 3-year-old son, Hamilton, and a 6-month old daughter, Samantha Harper.
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