David K. Williams for Forbes:  This week I had a conversation with a fellow Utah technology executive, Andrew Limpert. For the past three years, Limpert has led a robotics-focused Ag equipment manufacturing company, FireFly Automatix, which makes cutting-edge automated turf harvesting machines, through a meaningful transformation. He’s beaming with energy as his company’s been named Utah’s fastest growing venturein 2016 and 2017 (MWCN) and CEO of the Year (Utah Business Magazine).

But the company’s success isn’t all it seems on the surface. Even more compelling than the current outcomes are the stories behind FireFly’s route to success that can contribute to others’ success.

In early 2015, Limpert tells me, the company was struggling to stay afloat. At its lowest point, it was at risk of closing or being permanently impaired. The founders—Steve Aposhian and his younger brother Matt—had an innovative product vision, but were getting overwhelmed by the challenges of growing a high-collateral business in the midst of industry change.

Fortunately, they had their eyes on a secret weapon: Steve's longest childhood friend, Limpert, who was finishing an eight-year stint as CFO of another high-growth company, Profire Energy (PFIE).  Full Article: