In every issue of D CEO, we ask three North Texas executives to weigh in on a specific topic. In the just-released August/September issue, we asked leaders to share their thoughts on what things will look like for their companies and industries in another six months.
Participating were Hesam Hosseini, CEO of Match.com and Match Affinity; Chi-yeh “Angela” Boone, CEO of Fort Worth Gasket & Supply; and Charlie Morrison, CEO of Wingstop Restaurants. Here’s what they had to say:
Hesam Hosseini
CEO, Match and Match Affinity
“I have spent a lot of time thinking about what the next half-year or year will look like for Match. Internally, we will likely keep some work-from-home flavor, as we slowly dial back to normal, whatever that may look like. In our industry, 2020 will forever be the year that changed the way singles connect. Singles will discover new tools during this time and will probably keep using them post-pandemic, such as meeting your matches over video before a date. And that will lead to better face-to-face dates.”
Chi-yeh “Angela” Boone
CEO, Fort Worth Gasket & Supply
“Most of our suppliers and customers are essential businesses, so we have not seen extreme disruptions. [It’s hard to] predict the near future as there are changes daily. But overall, we anticipate that business will decrease due to a weakened economy. … I believe building strong cash reserves will help businesses weather most crises. All storms shall pass. We try to do everything right and take things one day at a time.”
Charlie Morrison
CEO, Wingstop Restaurants
“I believe the trend of carryout and delivery will continue for both safety and convenience reasons, which is why it’s imperative that [restaurant] brands position their businesses for continued off-premise consumption. Not only is the pandemic top of mind, but so is our concern with the social injustice that’s present in our country. We recently formed a task force to create a plan centered around action and accountability. That is something I can guarantee will be in place six months from now—and beyond.”
