How would you describe your company? Overman Buildings is a locally owned manufacturing and construction company founded by U.S. Army veteran Chad Overman. The Overman family is dedicated to providing affordable housing throughout the tri-state area by manufacturing metal roofing, house and shop kits, trusses, concrete, and sourcing high-quality, low-cost items for most aspects of building a home. American Made General Store is a retail chain with five locations in Arkansas and Missouri. Overman wanted a retail store committed to providing the consumer with all products made in the United States, so in 2018 he did just that. We carry a wide breadth of products including locally sourced milk, boots, gifts, home essentials and a rapidly growing selection of building materials. Our core belief is that American made should never mean over-priced, and we’re doing our part every day to make that a reality for our customers.
What is the best business advice someone has ever given you? Be patient. During my decade at The Stephens Group, our COO and general counsel, Ron Clark, was a mentor to me and exhibited a patience necessary to achieve real success.
If you had $1 million to give, what would you support? Mathematics and science in K-12 education. I was briefly on the school board for the Pocahontas School District and have three children in the district. Witnessing the decline of student interest in advanced science and mathematics was eye-opening.
Do you think Artificial Intelligence (AI) can take jobs in your industry? Well my boss certainly thinks so, but I hope AI looks more like integration than replacement. Manufacturing, construction, and retail obviously require real people to be hands on both with materials or customers so replacing those with AI would seem to go against the spirit of AI’s purpose.
Which skills do you think are most important when it comes to leadership? A strong leader should possess skills to include but not limited to communication, integrity, decision making, critical thinking, adaptability and empathy. Leaders also need to continually grow in their area of expertise and always be willing to learn.
If you could change one thing about your leadership style, what would it be and why? Delegating. I occasionally find myself solving problems at times that our employees could do on their own with a little guidance.
When you were growing up, what did you want to be? An astronaut. My father is a physicist and mathematician. Growing up we were always having conversations about space and time, and the universe. As a child, becoming an astronaut was my ultimate dream.
What is the most used app on your phone? Messages for personal and Outlook for business.
If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why? An astronaut aboard the International Space Station. It was what I wanted to be as a child.
How significant to you is developing a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) culture within your organization? As a CFO, I want all our people to understand that equity is better than debt. In our world, we understand that if we are not inclusive of our team, we will not have a team, c-suite or company for very long.
What’s your favorite television show? I am partial to “Friends,” but honestly anything with a happy ending.