Leadership, Culture, and Navigating Uncertainty as a CEO in the Auto Industry

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more

This episode is available in Spanish - click here

Watch the full video on YouTube - click here

Tony Trecapelli's career in automotive began at Saturn, where he saw firsthand what a people-centered culture could look like. Employees were trusted, collaboration was encouraged, and leaders treated the workforce as partners. That environment shaped his perspective early on. 

When he later moved into GM, the environment felt very different. Decisions came from the top, and people were expected to follow orders without question. 

Seeing both sides of the industry gave Tony a clear choice about the kind of leader he wanted to be. Instead of command and control, he committed to leading through coaching and support.

Now, as President and CEO of Gemini Group, Tony applies those lessons every day. He talks about creating a workplace where people can try, make mistakes, and learn without fear of punishment. In his view, that's how resilience is built — not by avoiding risk, but by facing challenges and adapting together.

Tony also reflects on Gemini's small-town Michigan roots. It's a place where people know each other, relationships matter, and the company works hard to keep that spirit alive even as it operates globally. He describes how those values influence daily decisions and help steady the organization in an unpredictable industry.

The conversation turns to the realities of being a tier two supplier. Tony shares how tariffs, EV and hybrid transitions, and global competition create constant uncertainty. 

Instead of pretending to have all the answers, he focuses on being transparent and open with his team, making sure they understand the challenges and feel connected to the bigger mission.

Tony also opens up on a more personal level. He talks about what fuels his drive as a leader, the routines that set the tone for his day, and the ways he steps back to recharge outside of work.

The episode closes with a live audience Q&A, giving Tony the chance to respond directly to questions about Gemini's future, his leadership style, and the lessons that shaped him. 

What listeners get from this conversation is more than a story about one leader's journey; it's an honest look at leadership in automotive today. Tony's message is straightforward: leadership is about people first, and culture is what carries a company through change.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• The leadership lessons Tony Trecapelli carried from Saturn’s collaborative culture into his career
• The difference between servant leadership and command-and-control styles in automotive organizations
• Why Tony leads Gemini Group with a coaching mindset that encourages growth through mistakes
• The daily realities and challenges tier two suppliers face in a volatile automotive supply chain
• The impact of tariffs, EV transitions, and political uncertainty on business decisions for suppliers
• The role of mentors, personal habits, and values in shaping Tony’s leadership approach
• Why transparency and clear communication are essential for building trust during times of change

Featured guest: Tony Trecapelli 

What he does: Anthony A. Trecapelli is the CEO of Gemini Group, where he leads operations across 18 locations and more than 1,400 employees. He joined the company in 2013, bringing with him over three decades of experience in the automotive industry.

His involvement in the field extends beyond Gemini. Anthony serves on the Ferris State Manufacturing Engineering Advisory Board and the GLBMA Board at Saginaw Valley State University. He is also a member of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association, contributing to broader conversations shaping the industry.

Anthony’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, a master’s in Manufacturing Operations from Kettering University, and a certificate in Lean Flexible Manufacturing Systems.

Outside of his professional roles, he has dedicated time to volunteer work with groups such as SAE Wheels in Motion, Rochester Community Schools, and Oakland Township Fire & Rescue, reflecting his commitment to community and industry.

On Leadership: “Who am I as a leader? No matter how hard I try to be something else at times, I'm a coach and I'm a servant. I love coaching. I love to help people become something they never thought they could be. I love to serve. I love to serve others. I love to serve my family. I love to serve the community—and I have. That's what turns my wheels. If I didn't have people to serve, I would not be the person who's sitting here in front of you today. That's for sure.”

Mentioned in this episode:

• Leading Through Change: The Culture Shift Automotive Leaders Need to Compete Today with Terry Woychowski

Episode Highlights:

[03:34] Built on Saturn’s Culture: Tony reflects on how his time at Saturn shaped his identity as a leader and why he now sees himself first as a coach and a servant.

[05:20] Leading Without Losing Yourself: Despite years in traditional top-down environments, Tony explains how he stayed true to his servant-leader mindset and why it now thrives at Gemini.

[07:29] Courage in Authenticity: Tony shares how staying true to himself, even when misunderstood, built trust and proved that forgiveness and patience can be powerful tools in leadership.

[09:27] Culture in the Small Things: Tony explains how even the smallest gestures and habits from leaders set the tone for company culture.

[13:08] Business Is Personal: From early mentors to timeless reminders, Tony recalls the leadership wisdom that still guides him today.

[16:16] Choosing Gravitas First: Tony reveals why Gravitas stood out from the 21 traits, calling it the one quality that leaders can’t fake and the one that inspires people to give their all.

[19:46] A Better Way: Tony recalls how witnessing a supplier’s family-like culture taught him that even in a ruthless industry, companies can choose to operate differently.

[21:31] Teams Win Always: For Tony, real progress in automotive comes when companies value collective success over personal advancement, warning that without it, competition will win.

[23:58] More Upside Here: For Gemini, tariffs brought some costs but ultimately delivered more business back home than they took away.

[26:24] Reluctant Pessimist: Though naturally optimistic, Tony admits the chaos around EV programs and volatile production volumes leaves him pessimistic about the near future.

[30:56] Biggest Challenge Yet: Asked about leadership struggles, Tony doesn’t point to a single crisis—he says building a team is the hardest and most important work of all.

[32:01] Decisions That Haunt: Tony reflects on the hidden side of leadership, where every choice carries a personal cost because of how it impacts people’s lives.

[34:33] Why Not Us: Faced with impossible demands, Tony Trecapelli explains why his go-to mantra is simple: someone will win the business, so why not his team?

[41:38] Risk and Reward: Tony explains why the next decade requires a mindset shift—employees must get comfortable taking risks if they want lasting results.

[47:16] Best Move Made: Tony explains why leaving GM for Gemini was the best decision of his career, giving him the environment he had been missing.

[50:20] Leading by Living: Tony Trecapelli says the only way to sustain a coaching culture is to model it himself—living the behavior he expects from others.

Top Quotes:

[23:14] Tony: “Don't be afraid to be a team. You're competing against some people who are, by their very national culture, a team. And you're competing against those people, and we don't stand a chance if we don't get this.”

[35:39] Tony: “You have to constantly be improving yourself because you have to internalize the fact that your competition must also be, so if you're not, you're falling behind. You have to challenge yourself to be able to accomplish things you've never accomplished before, and you have to convince yourself that you're going to win. You're gonna find a way to win this because if you don't, someone else will win.”

[39:13] Tony: “You might get more action out of a meeting, 'cause it's got an agenda and so on and so forth. But I get more value out of a discussion because you don't know where it's going to go. And people tend to open up a little bit. You get to know each other a little better. There's no telling what you're going to work out. You might start whiteboarding something. You might start out talking about fishing and end up talking about some complex strategy around the company or our business. And you just don't know. If you don't have the discussion, I know what will happen: a whole lot of nothing.”

[41:56] Tony: “We need to be more comfortable taking risks, and we need to make a habit of winning. Losing is a habit, so is winning. We can't be afraid to make mistakes. We can't avoid risk.”