Chris Adams: Scaling Culture, Construction & ‘Why Cleveland?’

Chris Adams: Scaling Culture, Construction & ‘Why Cleveland?’

Can you grow a business without losing what makes it great? Scaling doesn’t have to mean sacrificing culture. The key is prioritizing people, connections, and the values that got you there in the first place.

In our latest episode of “What’s Up at Work?” we talked with Chris Adams, President and CEO of Park Place Technologies. Host Sam Clyde Schroeder dives into Chris’s journey from CFO to CEO and how his data-driven approach is fueling the company’s exponential growth.

You’ll hear firsthand insights on scaling culture during rapid expansion, integrating acquisitions, and creating a workplace that attracts and retains top talent—all while balancing remote work and in-office culture.

Timestamps & Topics:

  • 00:00 – Introduction: Tackling leadership challenges and the importance of people in business growth
  • 01:00 – Chris’s evolution from CFO to CEO and the value of financial acumen
  • 02:00 – Transitioning operational roles: CFO to COO insights
  • 04:00 – Merging sales and operations 
  • 06:00 – Scaling a company without losing the unique culture
  • 00:08 – Strategies for smooth M&A integration and employee onboarding
  • 14:00 – The role of employee recognition and the impact of a well-executed incentive program
  • 20:00 – Balancing remote work and in-office collaboration for innovation
  • 25:00 – Investing in state-of-the-art headquarters and employee amenities
  • 31:00 – HR Hot Seat: Rapid-fire Q&A on leadership, feedback, and work-life balance

Episode Links:

Author

  • Sam Clyde Schroeder is Vice President, Sales & Marketing at ERC, where she leads the organization’s revenue strategy and brand growth. She oversees both the sales and marketing teams, focusing on expanding ERC’s reach, strengthening relationships with employers across Northeast Ohio, and ensuring the organization continues to deliver meaningful value to its members and partners.

    Sam is also the host of ERC’s What’s Up at Work? podcast, where she speaks with leaders from major Northeast Ohio employers and institutions about leadership, workplace culture, and how organizations are navigating the changing world of work.

    Sam holds a Master of Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Science in Comprehensive Design from the University of Cincinnati. She also serves on the board of the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students build confidence, creativity, and critical thinking through arts-based learning.