Gilbert Brocos journey with CI Group epitomizes the trajectory of an entrepreneurial leader. He joined the company in 2011 as the designer for the Jacksonville, Florida office and swiftly recognized an opportunity for holistic growth. He championed the establishment of culture champions across offices and departments, leading to an increase in employee engagement from 65% to 93%.
Broco held eight roles within the company before assuming the role of chief operating officer in 2022 until cementing the role as president in 2023, overseeing an expansion from 25 to 102 across seven locations. With a steadfast commitment to nurturing employee engagement and community-centric values, Gilberts visionary leadership continues to chart a course for sustained organizational excellence and community impact, said his staff.
CI Groups mission is to enrich communities by co-designing workspace environments that cultivate success, inspire work, invite play and encourage all to stay. The firm is a nationwide dealership of business interior products specializing in designing, procuring, project managing, and installing a wide range of products, including office furniture, signage, window coverings, and demountable wall systems. CI Group is headquartered in Florida with seven locations around the U.S.
Brocos leadership at CI Group has been instrumental in advancing and prospering the company forward. He has implemented standard forms and procedures to reduce operational inefficiencies, expanded the design department, and led the team to an average compound revenue increase of 15% annually. Broco also spearheaded a cultural transformation within the company, positioning CI Group among the best places to work.
Within the industry, Broco is involved with the International Interior Design Association and the International Interior Design Foundation and serves on the Leadership Tampa Bay board and the CEO Council of Tampa Bay. He has been recognized with the professional impact award from the IIDA Florida Central Chapter and was awarded the chief operating officer of the year award from the Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Apogee Awards.
As a leader, Broco said he leads with strong emotional intelligence. Understanding and managing my own emotions, while empathizing with others, helps build strong relationships, enhances team cohesion, and improves communication and conflict resolution, he said. The ability to read peoples characters, or empathetic accuracy, combines observation, empathy, and emotional intelligence. This skill has allowed me to build a cohesive team of individuals, with very different backgrounds and ideas, who are not only united in purpose but are also smarter than me.
