When I first graduated from college and started my career at EY, I set a goal to be a partner, the highest rank within the firm.

AGILITY, GOAL SETTING, & PERSEVERANCE: GARY BELSKE

Gary is the former Chief Operating Officer at EY, having retired in 2016. He currently serves on the CFES Board of Directors.

When I first graduated from college and started my career at EY, I set a goal to be a partner, the highest rank within the firm. I was born and raised in Kansas City and envisioned myself as a partner in the office there. After 8 years in the Kansas City office, I was presented the opportunity to expand my financial services expertise and increase my chances of being promoted to partner by relocating to the Firm’s Dallas/Fort Worth office. I never envisioned living anywhere but Kansas City, but this opportunity was too good to pass up. Unfortunately, after only two years in DFW most of our financial services clients had failed and I did not have a sufficient client base to support promotion to partner. As a result, I re-focused my efforts on the consumer products/manufacturing sectors of our business and I went on to be promoted to partner and have a challenging and rewarding 39 year career at EY.

Have the Essential Skills helped you succeed? Share your story with us HERE and set an example for our scholars as they become college and career ready.