From infantry officer to innovative CEO, Duncan Gillis' life story reads like a masterclass in determination and reinvention. In this riveting conversation The Driver's Seat host Behzad Rassuli, Duncan reveals how being told "you can't do that" has been the fuel that propelled his remarkable journey from military service to leading TERREPOWER's sustainable manufacturing revolution.
As a young man from a modest New England background, Duncan's educational path began with an ROTC scholarship that opened doors to Cornell University when his parents couldn't afford to send him to college. His military career took him through the grueling Ranger School and deployments across the globe before pivoting to business through prestigious roles at Procter & Gamble and McKinsey Consulting. But the professional trajectory is just one thread in this fascinating tapestry.
The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Duncan shares a profound personal revelation: at age 57, he discovered through DNA testing that the man who raised him wasn't his biological father. This discovery fundamentally altered his understanding of his own identity and ambition, coinciding with other major life events including learning to fly aircraft in his fifties – a childhood dream finally realized.
Today, as the driving force behind TERREPOWER, Duncan is transforming what was once simply "remanufacturing" into a broader vision of sustainable manufacturing. His team's innovative approach to repurposing materials others would discard isn't just environmentally responsible – it delivers superior products at competitive prices. His passionate defense of American manufacturing capabilities reveals a leader deeply committed to proving skeptics wrong, whether about his company's potential or the future of American industry.
Whether you're fascinated by leadership psychology, business innovation, or personal reinvention, Duncan's story offers invaluable insights on achieving what others declare impossible. Listen now to discover how one leader's boulder-sized chip on his shoulder became the foundation for extraordinary success.

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