
How to Fix Dysfunctional Team Dynamics
Key episode topics include: managing teams, managing difficult people, managing conflict, team dysfunction, organizational culture, communication styles, feedback, trust, employee performance management, leadership styles, leadership
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How Did Taylor Swift Really Become a Superstar? NASA Engineer Explains Her Success in New Book
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DDB Technology Redefines Innovation by Transforming Business Models, Not Just Products
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Associated Press
a day ago
- Associated Press
Marquis Who's Who Honors David Simmons as a Top Business Owner
UNIONDALE, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 8, 2025 / Marquis Who's Who honors David Simmons as a Top Business Owner. Mr. Simmons is the owner and chief executive officer of My Automotive Refinishing Specialist Corp. He is also the owner and creator of ForcedG.R.I.T., a magnetic sanding device and the owner of SOURCE Refinishing Specialist LLC, an automotive repair and paint company. About Mr. Simmons Mr. Simmons began his 45-year career in automotive body and paint repair, working at his father's collision repair center since its opening in 1974. He joined the service when he was a young age of twelve. His father dedicated his life to automotive paint and body repair and created a product that Mr. Simmons later patented. Mr. Simmons considered this his most notable achievement because he was able to patent his father's innovative product before he passed away in 2018. Inspired by his father's invention, Mr. Simmons has also developed a product that aims to enhance the quality of the auto-body paint and repair process and hopes to revolutionize practices within the industry. Mr. Simmons, alongside managing the family business with his 10 siblings, previously worked at Hendrick Automotive Group for 20 years as their master painter. He now works in the paint department of Mercedes-Benz and helps in the paint process of the company's vans. A Notable Career in the Automotive Industry As a master painter, Mr. Simmons holds numerous credentials, such as a Master Certification in Axalta Paint Solutions, a Master Certification as a Rick Hendrick Painter, a Master Standox-Dupont, an ASE Master in Paint and Refinished Vehicles, a Standox-Dupont Advanced Certification, a Standox Meister Certification, an ASE Professional Collision Recertification and an I-CAR Platinum Certification. Mr. Simmons founded My Automotive Refinishing Specialist Corp and owns the trademark ForcedG.R.I.T. to represent his invention, which features an automotive industrial sander powered by magnetic technology. He is currently working with a manufacturing company based in New York City to finalize the product. He hopes that this innovation will benefit aspiring professional body and paint technicians by helping them achieve their goals. As the founder and chief executive officer of his company, Mr. Simmons has numerous duties, including handling product development and finance, advertising and social media, managing daily operations, setting up training courses for the product he created, preparing for market launch and more. He is also in the process of assembling a board of directors and identifying potential stockholders. Mr. Simmons plans to promote his new product at trade shows and other events to garner interest and expand the company. Looking to the Future In the future, Mr. Simmons plans to establish his own training center for young people. The school will teach those aspiring to enter the field the tools and skills needed to succeed. Recognizing the gap in his training when he first embarked on his professional journey, he hopes to build a bridge for students to achieve a successful career by engaging with high school trade programs. Mr. Simmons' goal is to create a more efficient and supportive path by providing the resources he lacked when he was just starting in the industry. Constantly innovating and engaged in the process of invention, Mr. Simmons looks forward to spearheading new projects as the years go on. In his free time, Mr. Simmons is a volunteer at Pet Helpers and donates to various orphanages. He is also dedicating his time and effort to reopening his father's church, The Redeemed Church of Christ of Charleston. The church was founded in 1992. Mr. Simmons is the church's overseer and is assisting in establishing a committee to reopen the church. About Marquis Who's Who®: Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms worldwide. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, Contact: Marquis Who's Who Uniondale, NY (844) 394 - 6946 [email protected] SOURCE: Marquis Who's Who press release