Patrick Kirby and Tria Energy (A): First Day at a 32-Year-Old "Startup" Family Business

Now what? That was the question Patrick Kirby faced on his first day as CEO of Tria Energy, the Irish energy business his parents had founded more than three decades earlier. After attending university in Galway, Patrick had moved to New York City and landed an exciting job at a startup, where he quickly proved himself invaluable. Though he was the CEO's top choice to succeed him, Patrick began to wonder whether to continue his successful career in New York or return to Ireland and take over for his father as head of Tria Energy, which sold traditional oil for residential heating and a low-carbon diesel alternative for business customers, with about 40 fuel-delivery vehicles in operation. After some deliberation, Patrick chose to join Tria Energy, entering as the company's CEO and working alongside his father, Micheál, who had moved to the role of chairman. Yet the transition was fraught with challenges and complexity. He had to tackle improving operations and processes; managing and motivating the truck drivers and his executive team; crafting an inspiring vision for the future focused on the diesel alternative; and optimizing the supply chain and sales operations - all while learning to co-lead with his father and proving himself to longtime employees who had known him since his youth.