13. Building Your Own Path with Chief Strategy Officer Kelly Roberts

This episode of Too Big to Fail delivers a gripping, no-holds-barred account of how Moss Utilities stared down catastrophe and emerged as a wet utilities powerhouse. Host Angel Tavera sits down with Kelly Roberts, the company's Chief Strategy Officer (and CEO of Moss Heating & Cooling), for an intimate look at the true cost of scaling a business and the ultimate commitment to its people.

Kelly reveals the high-stakes reality of the company's near-collapse in 2020. She details the desperate financial situation where lenders and vendors had abandoned them, forcing the leadership team to confront the possibility of bankruptcy. Kelly recounts the crucial moment she implemented the Work In Progress (WIP) schedule, which exposed deep, previously hidden financial hemorrhaging. Her subsequent work, coupled with CEO Garrett Moss's unwavering, "crazy" positivity, secured government lifelines (PPP/EIDL loans) and a vital banking partnership, paving the way for one of construction's most impressive turnarounds.

The podcast then shifts to the company's future vision. Kelly unpacks the philosophy behind the podcast's title, explaining that "Too Big to Fail" is a solemn vow: with 500 employee lives depending on Moss, failure is not an option. She provides the definitive explanation for the recent implementation of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), emphasizing that Garrett chose this path—despite advice to pick a more profitable exit—to ensure long-term retirement security for every single employee, especially the field crews. Finally, Kelly outlines her strategic vision, detailing new initiatives like the Talent Acquisition Manager and the Culture Index to ensure Moss continues its rapid, yet sustainable, growth toward its audacious $250 million goal by putting the right people in the right seats. This conversation is mandatory listening for anyone looking to understand the core values, relentless drive, and profound loyalty that defines Moss Utilities.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Garrett's Giving Back to the Company
• (00:00:59) - John Moss on Too Big to Fail
• (00:02:24) - How I Met My Husband at Moss Utilities
• (00:08:23) - What is the Purpose of MOSS?
• (00:09:05) - Moss Utilities Project Manager on Women in Construction
• (00:12:41) - The Pain of Bankruptcy
• (00:19:05) - Moss Utilities: Garrett's Core Value
• (00:24:19) - Moss Utilities Employee ESOP
• (00:29:37) - When You Need to Step Down as CFO
• (00:33:55) - Moss Utilities Needs a Talent Acquisition Manager