We had the good fortune of connecting with Linda Lengyel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Linda, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Working CSG and building our mission has been one of the most rewarding experiences, both professionally and personally. 68% of CSG’s work force has challenges of past experience and is in a position of active rebuilding. Our program at CSG, with Fair Chance Hiring, involves an active participation in the progress of our employees. Our participation comes in the form of guidance, scheduling which assists with transportation, individual support program requirements, basic resources, and training.

As a part of management, we not only provide opportunities for employment, but key factors which assist in stability, transition, and ultimately independent success, both financially and within the community.

What should our readers know about your business?
CSG is a commercial maintenance organization serving many business improvement districts within the Denver metro area. As we started CSG in 2014, I will never forget the owners, Len Austin and Jack Curtin, sitting me down and explaining to me the formation of CSG and that they would want me to lead in standing up the new company. I will also never forget the twinkle in Jack’s eye when he said, “Don’t worry… it will be easy.”

The journey has been long and rewarding. In 2018, CSG shifted our identity to our social mission of Fair Chance Hiring. We had been naturally focused on these support measures with employees. When we clarified and focuses this effort, we seemed to become unique within the maintenance community. That positive shift has become an invaluable principle, there quietly all along, but now giving rise to worth in the urban community with many wonderful stories of success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would love to take my best friend to 16th Street Denver, then to the new Downtown Westminster. I love to see the activations in these spaces and to share with my friend the stories of their evolution.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Len Austin, owner of CSG, is a person of vision, heart, and dedication to his staff. In founding CSG, he is a model to his management team and overall staff. He is the first person to help and the last one you would ever want to disappoint. He has built a unique organization on principles of performance, teamwork, passion for the urban environment, and compassion within his organization.

Image Credits
Credit to Evan Simone

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