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Tony Rose, MBA, CMA
Chief Financial Officer
Hydrovac Holdings, Inc.

Can you share a bit about your professional background and your current role?  

I grew up as a farm kid.  When the doctor told me that I needed to find a career sitting on my butt due to serious knee issues, I realized that farming wasn’t for me.  I worked my way through a local college and majored in Accounting and Finance.  I started working at a fortune 500 company alongside others from Carnegie, Yale, and Harvard and I committed to myself that no one will out work me.  Before long I became a Supervisor, went back for my MBA, became a manager, and became a Controller by age 27.  I don’t have amazing intelligence, or amazing luck, but I have learned to use the strengths that I’ve been given.  I’ve worked in many states and 5 countries throughout my career.  Today I am the President and CFO of RK Hydrovac, a simple construction company that is 100% employee owned and I get to help change the lives of others.

When and why did you join the CSF Board of Directors? Do you have a favorite part of being a member?  

I joined the CSF board in 2022.  I was hesitant at first with the organization being in Baltimore and me in Ohio, but it has worked out just fine.  My favorite part is the connections that are made.  The board members, the CSF team, the scholars, and Dr. Ben and Candy Carson; what an impressive group to work with!

What’s a significant innovation or trend in your field that you believe will shape its future?

I am very intrigued by two different technologies with far reaching impacts across the world.  The first is AI.  I love seeing what the innovators are coming up with using this new technology for disparate things that range from building materials to curing cancer.  Another is fusion.  I believe the next generation will experience free and unlimited energy and the ramifications will be mind blowing.

If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice at the start of your career, what would it be?

Try your best not to limit yourself.  Don’t focus on the things you can’t do.  There are only things that you can’t do yet.