Force for Good 2025: Coaching Culture Powers Astra’s Growth

Astra Service Partners’ CEO Alberto Gomez believes that leadership coaching benefits every employee. He discovered the power of coaching firsthand when he started working with his own coach four years ago, who he still checks in with monthly.

Gomez joined Alpine in 2021 as a direct hire by Orion Services Group, an Alpine portfolio company, and was later promoted to CEO of Astra, a vertical within Orion. Astra acquires companies in the heavy mechanical industries and provides its partner companies with best-in-class service by developing talent, fostering connections within its network, and sharing best practices for growth.

Defining His Passion and Purpose Alongside a PeopleFirst Coach

Companies that are a part of the Alpine network get access to our PeopleFirst Leadership Program tools and resources. One of these resources is executive coaching, which Alpine provides to every senior leader hired through its talent programs. ¹

When Gomez initially connected with a PeopleFirst coach, he expected their sessions would focus on interpersonal relationships and professional improvement. But his coach took him down an unexpected path, laying the groundwork for his growth as a people leader. They worked together to define his purpose, asking questions like: “What kind of leader do you want to be?” and “What kind of life do you need to live to become that kind of leader?”

“While defining my passion and purpose, I built a lot of conviction around supporting people and helping them pursue their passions and goals. I knew that if we got that right, results would follow and we could build a great organization,” says Gomez. “And we have.”

Coaching Into the Next Phase

Gomez has spent the past two and a half years focused on developing exceptional leaders and building the DNA of Astra.

He and his coach have organized multiple leadership development initiatives for the team, including facilitated sessions focused on topics such as emotional intelligence and the Leadership Circle Profile assessment, a 360-degree feedback tool. They work to identify each individual’s strengths and then help them lean into areas where they thrive in order to become even better leaders.

Though Alpine Operations Group (AOG) facilitates the engagement between leaders and coaches, coaches are not employed by AOG. This structure allows individuals to share openly and honestly, which allows coaches to focus on a single stakeholder—the leader. Having an independent coach also provides a rare and valuable space for leaders to process challenges without the inherent bias of board members or others within their network—because at the top, leadership can often be a lonely place.

“I value that my coach provides an unbiased support system that doesn’t exist in other areas of my life,” says Gomez. “She checks in and makes sure I had the hard conversation or followed through on a challenge like I intended to.”

PeopleFirst Coaching for All

As Astra grows, Gomez and his leadership team continue to support their people in new ways, most recently by offering coaching to dozens of employees beyond the C-suite. He also provides more than 30 slots per year that managers can offer to high-potential individuals who they want to invest in and believe would benefit from coaching.

Two years ago, as part of their PeopleFirst commitment, the company launched Astra University, an internal education and training program designed to help individuals grow and advance in their careers. They offer in-person summits, online live training and a library of resources. They’ve also signed on two executive coaches that work with leaders as they complete the Astra University program. Astra University is available to all Astra team members and is customized for each individual.

More than 50 Astra team members worked with coaches in 2024, and Gomez is determined to continue investing in his people through PeopleFirst coaching.

“If someone is getting value from coaching and wants to renew the contract, we make that happen,” he says. “We now have a ton of validation that this is a very good use of time and money. People who really engage with their coaches tend to find new gears. Then because of those new gears they perform better.”

Every single one of Astra’s executives have stayed at the company over the past four years. Gomez attributes that to several PeopleFirst initiatives, but especially to coaching.

“If you care about the people and you want to build a great, lasting organization, you have to invest in your people. For executive leaders in our organization, I don’t think there’s any better way to support them than through coaching. The right coach helps customize the best plan to help our leaders grow. The impact of great coaching on our leaders has been invaluable.”

“I value that my coach provides an unbiased support system that doesn’t exist in other areas of my life.”

 

Alberto Gomez, CEO, Astra Service Partners

 

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Case studies presented contain the opinions of past and present Alpine portfolio company executives. Alpine makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented here. It should not be assumed that the portfolio companies discussed in these case studies were profitable or that future portfolio companies or experiences will be comparable. Past performance is not necessarily indicative, or a guarantee, of future results. Under no circumstances should these case studies be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy, any security or as opinions regarding the provision of investment advisory services by Alpine. Please see Alpine’s Terms of Use on Alpine’s website for disclosures.

Endnotes

1. PeopleFirst coaches and consultants are third parties retained and paid for by portfolio companies.