Michael Doris
Mars Electric
Education: Bachelor’s degrees in finance and marketing, Washington University, St. Louis
What Guides My Decision Making: My decision making is guided by a clear set of values and long-term vision. Even if the immediate payoff isn’t obvious, I trust that doing the right thing, strategically and ethically, will lead to stronger, more meaningful outcomes over time.
Favorite Quote: From my father and mentor, Mark Doris: “It’s OK to try and fail — just don’t put us out of business.”
What Motivates Me: What motivates me is the responsibility of stewardship, both for our legacy and for the future.
Most Important Leadership Quality: I believe my most important leadership quality is being approachable and an active listener.
My Very First Job and What I Learned From It: My first job was sweeping and cleaning at Mars Electric, our family business. It taught me early on that no task is beneath anyone and that real leadership starts with understanding every part of the operation. More than anything, it instilled in me the value of hard work, humility and showing up with pride — no matter the role.