Dear Reader, 

My name is George Economos, and I have the privilege of serving as the CEO of Becon Incorporated, located in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Becon has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up visiting the shop as a kid, watching my father build something lasting, and learning what it truly means to carry a family legacy forward. 

Founded in 1966, Becon has remained true to its roots while continuing to evolve. We specialize in precision fabrication for the power generation industry, with extensive experience in gas turbines, fuel cells, and process equipment for industrial manufacturing. More recently, we have expanded into defense subcontracting—a source of great pride for our team. 

Like many small- to mid-sized business owners, I eventually reached a point where I realized that being a great engineer didn’t automatically make me a great CEO. I knew our technical operations inside and out, but managing people, driving leadership alignment, and setting a long-term strategy required a different skill set. 

What made this especially challenging was that Becon was profitable. On paper, everything looked great—steady work, solid margins, loyal customers. Yet beneath the surface, I could feel cracks forming: communication gaps, unclear accountability, and a lack of shared direction. Even though our numbers were strong, I was burning out. My work–life balance had disappeared, and I often felt frustrated and disconnected from my leadership team. 

In the summer of 2025, I met Kevin Cummings from Cogent Analytics. Initially, I was hesitant. The company was doing well financially, so I questioned whether outside help was really necessary. But after Kevin conducted a three-day review, my perspective completely changed. His insights were sharp, his questions were uncomfortable but necessary, and for the first time, I saw our business with new clarity. I realized I didn’t just need help for myself—I needed it for my employees, my customers, and my family’s future. 

What stood out most about Cogent was how deeply they immersed themselves in understanding our business. They didn’t just prescribe solutions—they helped us uncover the “why” behind the challenges we faced. Through their process, I received candid feedback from employees that revealed blind spots I hadn’t recognized. I learned that my role had become reactive; I was solving daily problems instead of steering the company toward the future. 

That realization was difficult but liberating. With Cogent’s guidance, I began to think long-term again. We now have a clearly defined strategy with measurable growth targets. We’ve improved process visibility, better understand our margins and capacity, and built a culture focused on accountability and empowerment. I’ve learned to delegate effectively and embrace servant leadership—supporting my team by removing obstacles and trusting them to lead within their areas of expertise. 

This shift has transformed not only how I lead, but also the entire culture at Becon. Employees have developed greater ownership, collaboration, and independence. I take great pride in knowing that what we build here supports dozens of families—people who count on Becon for stability, growth, and opportunity. Watching them thrive reminds me daily why this work matters. 

For any business owner who may be hesitant about working with Cogent, I can say without hesitation—it’s money well spent. You have nothing to lose. The process is intense and deeply engaging, but it’s also practical and adaptable. Cogent gets into the weeds, but they do it to help you climb out of them stronger than before. 

When I first began this journey, I thought I was preparing for succession planning—to ensure a future for my children and the next generation of Becon families. What I learned is that true succession is not about handing off a business—it’s about building one that can sustain itself for generations to come. That’s what I’m working toward today: laying the foundation so Becon will continue to thrive for my family and for the families who have built their lives here with us. 

Owning a business is never easy. It demands long hours, sacrifice, and constant learning. But when I walk through our shop and see the pride and craftsmanship of our team, I’m reminded why it’s all worth it. Cogent helped me rediscover that purpose and gave me the structure and confidence to lead Becon into its next chapter—stronger, more resilient, and ready for the future. 

With gratitude, 

George Economos
Chief Executive Officer
Becon Incorporated