CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS -- The Art of Acquisition

Davis concluded that the best way to populate the CGX empire with intelligent and highly motivated leaders was to seek them out on the college campuses across the country. A formalized training program followed shortly after, and the Leadership Development Program (LDP) was born.

In the years to follow, the program has become more sophisticated, and has paid handsome dividends. Mike Barton, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, has overall responsibility for the program under Davis' direction. Rachel Koenig, Ed.D., is the company's national manager of recruiting and development. During the spring 2005 semester, Koenig and her recruitment squad interviewed 1,200 prospects across 70 campuses. In the end, a mere 50 ultimately joined the program.