A 25th anniversary interview with Charter Solutions founder and CEO, Dee Thibodeau
“We want to be the most imaginative team that is laser focused on problem solving. We want to work with the best people, and we want them to stay and build their careers with us, so we can learn from them, and they can learn from us. If you bring together people who have different perspectives and unique skillsets, you will create a unique culture.”
The tech industry was not the first stop on Dee Thibodeau’s career path. It wasn’t even the second or the third. In fact, Dee got her start working for a training organization and then went on to form a curriculum company, a hotel investment company, and ran an EDI company – all before partnering with Bill Leonard to bring Charter Solutions to life.
“I didn’t have a background in technology. I love technology, but I’m not a heavy technology person. So, as I thought about what I wanted to do next in my career, I imagined building a company that was based in technology and that allowed you to do a lot of different things using technology, without having to commit to one industry,” said Dee.
And from that foundation, Charter Solutions was formed in 1997. Fast forward 25 years, and Charter Solutions has thrived in a highly competitive and market-sensitive field. The business and technology consulting firm has amassed expertise in dynamic industries, including healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, education, and retail, and has clients in 15 states. The Charter Solutions team spans 18 different states and reflects business and IT professionals with a vast array of experiences and perspectives.
According to Dee, the team and the culture at Charter Solutions are the secret sauce to the company’s success. The Charter team has nurtured a foundation of trust with each other and with clients by genuinely caring about their needs and by conducting their work with integrity.
“We make it clear to every customer that we want to be their partner. We encourage them to talk to us about their problems and we listen. They know they can call us at any time, and we’ll take care of them,” said Dee. “If you do this, those people will come back to you for help, wherever their careers take them.”
Imagination and innovation are also foundational values for Charter Solutions, and they complement the trust and integrity to create a recipe for success that feeds the company’s ability to deliver transformational solutions. The creative problem solving for which the Charter team has become known is derived in part from the unique perspectives that each employee brings to the table. Whether it’s music, sailing, woodworking, travel, or semi-professional sports, every Charter employee has a passion outside of work that contributes to their ability to empathize with a client’s needs and to offer out-of-the-box solutions.
“When someone has an interest in life, they bring that energy to work, and we support them whole heartedly,” said Dee. “Not only do personal passions stimulate creativity and make for well-rounded employees, but if you understand a person and what they’re passionate about, you understand them as a whole person, and people appreciate that now, more than ever.”
For Dee, networking and travel are her personal passions. She is well-known throughout the industry and across the Midwest for her genuine desire to meet new people and to help other professionals grow their personal networks. Dee’s curiosity and open nature is also what fuels her passion for travel. She’s visited all seven continents and brings back new insights every time she travels.
“When you travel, you meet new people and learn about their values. It fascinates me that you can learn as much going to Antarctica as you can going to Poland. I try to bring those perspectives and experiences back to the team and I encourage everyone to understand that there are different customs and ideas that you get from traveling and that travel can be possible for everyone,” said Dee.
As Dee looks ahead to the next chapter for Charter Solutions, her sights come back to the team and potential to achieve significant growth.
“We have the best management team that we’ve ever had, and I believe they are the right team to help Charter achieve our desired growth. At every level and in every position, we have fantastic people, and that’s what is going to make the difference for us,” said Dee.
A 25th anniversary interview with Charter Solutions founder and CEO, Dee Thibodeau
“We want to be the most imaginative team that is laser focused on problem solving. We want to work with the best people, and we want them to stay and build their careers with us, so we can learn from them, and they can learn from us. If you bring together people who have different perspectives and unique skillsets, you will create a unique culture.”
The tech industry was not the first stop on Dee Thibodeau’s career path. It wasn’t even the second or the third. In fact, Dee got her start working for a training organization and then went on to form a curriculum company, a hotel investment company, and ran an EDI company – all before partnering with Bill Leonard to bring Charter Solutions to life.
“I didn’t have a background in technology. I love technology, but I’m not a heavy technology person. So, as I thought about what I wanted to do next in my career, I imagined building a company that was based in technology and that allowed you to do a lot of different things using technology, without having to commit to one industry,” said Dee.
And from that foundation, Charter Solutions was formed in 1997. Fast forward 25 years, and Charter Solutions has thrived in a highly competitive and market-sensitive field. The business and technology consulting firm has amassed expertise in dynamic industries, including healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, education, and retail, and has clients in 15 states. The Charter Solutions team spans 18 different states and reflects business and IT professionals with a vast array of experiences and perspectives.
According to Dee, the team and the culture at Charter Solutions are the secret sauce to the company’s success. The Charter team has nurtured a foundation of trust with each other and with clients by genuinely caring about their needs and by conducting their work with integrity.
“We make it clear to every customer that we want to be their partner. We encourage them to talk to us about their problems and we listen. They know they can call us at any time, and we’ll take care of them,” said Dee. “If you do this, those people will come back to you for help, wherever their careers take them.”
Imagination and innovation are also foundational values for Charter Solutions, and they complement the trust and integrity to create a recipe for success that feeds the company’s ability to deliver transformational solutions. The creative problem solving for which the Charter team has become known is derived in part from the unique perspectives that each employee brings to the table. Whether it’s music, sailing, woodworking, travel, or semi-professional sports, every Charter employee has a passion outside of work that contributes to their ability to empathize with a client’s needs and to offer out-of-the-box solutions.
“When someone has an interest in life, they bring that energy to work, and we support them whole heartedly,” said Dee. “Not only do personal passions stimulate creativity and make for well-rounded employees, but if you understand a person and what they’re passionate about, you understand them as a whole person, and people appreciate that now, more than ever.”
For Dee, networking and travel are her personal passions. She is well-known throughout the industry and across the Midwest for her genuine desire to meet new people and to help other professionals grow their personal networks. Dee’s curiosity and open nature is also what fuels her passion for travel. She’s visited all seven continents and brings back new insights every time she travels.
“When you travel, you meet new people and learn about their values. It fascinates me that you can learn as much going to Antarctica as you can going to Poland. I try to bring those perspectives and experiences back to the team and I encourage everyone to understand that there are different customs and ideas that you get from traveling and that travel can be possible for everyone,” said Dee.
As Dee looks ahead to the next chapter for Charter Solutions, her sights come back to the team and potential to achieve significant growth.
“We have the best management team that we’ve ever had, and I believe they are the right team to help Charter achieve our desired growth. At every level and in every position, we have fantastic people, and that’s what is going to make the difference for us,” said Dee.