'Undercover Boss' slips onto Purdue campus Jan. 23
Belfor CEO Sheldon Yellen takes a lesson from one of his employees during an episode of CBS's ''Undercover Boss.'' (Photo provided by CBS)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Sheldon Yellen, the Belfor CEO featured on the CBS reality show "Undercover Boss," will visit Purdue's College of Technology on Monday (Jan. 23).
Yellen, who heads the world's largest disaster restoration corporation, will speak to building construction management students and faculty about the unique nature of his industry and the role of leadership in its success.
On the TV show Yellen worked incognito under some of his 6,400 employees, including on a smoke damage removal crew in Indianapolis. Yellen did other dirty work, including removing a dead animal from a wall, removing wet insulation from a crawl space, demolition and hanging drywall.
Yellen rewarded several employees with bonuses, scholarships and promotions after gaining a keen perspective on the way his employees tackle difficulties on the job and in their lives.
Yellen subsequently told Inc. magazine that before there are profits there are people, and a CEO's job is to take care of them whether they are stockholders, managers or laborers.
Building Construction Management professor Randy Rapp said Yellen is an excellent role model for his students.
“Mr. Yellen’s personal touch and commitment to people, both employees and clients, is essential for success in the restoration industry," said Rapp. "Watching his poignant episode of Undercover Boss shows that the employees of Belfor and many other effective restoration contractors also restore victims’ spirits, not just their property. We know that occurs only when top leadership in a company has its heart in the right place and communicates the right values.”
Yellen will tour the department, show clips from the show to the BCM 900 students, lecture and do Q&A.
Writer: Jim Schenke, 765-494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu
Sources: Randy Rapp, 765-494-8420, rrapp@purdue.edu