Tipco co-CEO Lyons honored with Legacy Award by Vistage Worldwide

OWINGS MILLS, Md.—Vistage Worldwide Inc. has named Rob Lyons, co-CEO of Owings Mills-based Tipco Technologies Inc., the recipient of its 2024 Legacy Award.

Vistage calls itself the world's largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organization for small and mid-size businesses, and the organization's Legacy Award honors members who have completed their business exit within the past two years.

"Whether selling their business, transitioning to the next generation of owners, executing an ESOP, or successfully navigating a merger or acquisition, Legacy leaders have reached a summit—leaving behind a solid foundation for future leaders to build upon," Brian Roberts, Vistage master chair and CEO Peer Group leader, said in a post on his LinkedIn page.

Lyons late last year was instrumental in a multi-part deal that saw rubber goods distributors Tipco Technologies and HydraTech Industrial Solutions came together as one company that Lyons dubbed as Tipco 2.0.

One part of the deal saw Denver-based Platte River Equity, a PE firm that focuses on industrial sectors, buy Tipco Technologies. Tipco's history dates back to 1888, with Lyons' parents taking ownership in 1982 and the business transferring to Rob Lyons and his sister, Terri Lyons, in 2001.

Part two saw Platte River acquire HydraTech from PE firm JMH Capital. JMH had helped Brad Marshall build the business from 2019 to late 2023, first with the purchase of Alternative Hose and then through six additional acquisitions.

And the final step saw Platte River merge Tipco and HydraTech together under a Tipco Technologies platform that has 31 locations across 15 states.

Lyons and Marshall serve as co-CEOs of Tipco 2.0.

"Rob is a seasoned leader with over 37 years of experience in driving Tipco Technologies' remarkable growth trajectory," Roberts said. "Starting from humble beginnings as a small independent distributor in Baltimore, Rob's visionary leadership has propelled Tipco into a nationwide presence.

"... Renowned for his strategic foresight and adeptness in navigating the fluid conveyance industry's complexities, Rob is celebrated for his deep comprehension of commercial strategy. Under his guidance, Tipco has consistently cultivated winning sales teams that seamlessly adapt to technological advancements and industry shifts."

Roberts also said that in the 10 years he has worked with Lyons, his vision and "always forward" mantra, helped Tipco post impressive growth and get through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lyons said in a statement that he is "profoundly honored" to be recognized with the Legacy Award.

"All too often, we as leaders get so wrapped up in our everyday business that we forget to work on us as leaders, friends, spouses and even parents," he said. "Without a formal Board of Directors, I lean on Vistage leaders and group members to navigate obstacles and opportunities that naturally occur in one's career."

Vistage said it works with 45,000 members, made up of CEOs, business owners and other key executives "who are committed to helping each other make better decisions, get better results and become better leaders," according to the organization's website.

A peer advisory group is made up of 12-16 local business executives, led by a mentor from Vistage. Members set aside one day each month to meet with their peer advisory group and work on the "big-picture vision for their business and address issues that may be holding them back," Vistage said on its website.