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Paul D . Lauttamus
President , A . V . Lauttamus Communications , Inc .; Lauttamus Security , LLC ; and Lauttamus Holding , Inc .
MAGGIE HATFIELD
Photo by Andrea Cumpston .
GROWING UP IN PHILIPPI , WV , Paul Lauttamus came from very humble beginnings . He realized at a young age that if he worked hard and never quit , he could achieve anything , and he believes he learned his exceptional work ethic from his father , Alvar .
“ He was my hero ,” says Lauttamus . “ He worked as a janitor , overcame a stuttering problem and rose up to start his own company , becoming the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for West Virginia in 2000 .”
Lauttamus ’ first job as an adolescent was as a hawker selling concessions at West Virginia University football games for American Vending . It was through that first job he realized that winning was important to him .
“ After the first game , I earned the orange hat as the top salesman ,” he says . “ I set myself up for success by carrying three trays of soda so I could sell more , and I learned it was all about location , so I positioned myself by the concourse area outside the student section right before halftime .”
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE