Randy Haug doesn’t point to a single deal or milestone when asked what he’s most proud of. It’s the relationships built over decades in the industry. He’s made a point of being someone people can call, whether they need a software partner, a job lead or just advice navigating the business. If people think of him as a pillar of the industry, he says, it’s because he’s never stopped showing up for the people in it, an industry that has given back to him in kind.

“My leadership philosophy is grounded in integrity, high service levels and accountability. I lead by example, build trust through transparency and invest in lifelong learning, mentorship and involvement, while creating an environment where people have the support they need to succeed,” Haug says.

That same instinct shows up in how he builds teams. Haug looks past resumes when evaluating talent, weighing learning agility, emotional intelligence and character just as heavily as experience. He treats people as the company’s greatest asset and invests in them deliberately, a discipline that has helped LTi grow steadily for more than 37 years.

His leadership style has shifted considerably with time. Early on, Haug felt he needed to have the answers. Now he leads by listening first, trusting that clients, employees and partners usually know what they need.

Haug’s advice to the next generation is simple: show up and keep showing up. This industry runs on relationships, not transactions, and the ones who last are the ones willing to make the introduction even when there’s absolutely nothing in it for them. That kind of reputation, he says, is worth more than anything that could go on a resume.