Blue Ocean Global Technology Interviews Brian Butler, President & CEO of Vistra Communications

Brian Butler is a decorated U.S. Army veteran and the visionary behind Vistra Communications, where he leads a team committed to purposeful innovation across government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. With a rich background that spans commanding troops in combat to serving in the White House, Brian blends strategic leadership with a heart for service. A champion of integrated communications and emerging technologies, he continues to inspire the next generation through his entrepreneurial journey, community impact, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Tell us about your professional journey. What inspired you to transition from high-profile government roles to leading Vistra Communications?

My mother was my biggest inspiration. She helped me better understand the importance of education. One of her favorite sayings was “It doesn’t matter what you do, be the best at it”. I have taken that literally throughout my life.

I attended Hampton University and joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps as a freshman. I had a wonderful 22-year journey in the U.S. Army. I commanded troops in combat on one end of the spectrum and worked in the Pentagon and the White House on the other end. I also led large complex organizations. Being a part of such tremendous teams helped me gain valuable experiences that I use daily. I met several Presidents of the United States and served for one of them. I was a spokesperson for an Army Secretary and on the Communications Team for a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The lessons I learned during the first half of my adult life are ones I carry into the office daily.

What does your typical day as the CEO at Vistra Communications look like?

Taking care of our clients is the only constant. I spend a lot of time serving in our community. I have served on several for-profit and nonprofit boards at the local, regional, and national levels. This means I get a chance to interact with senior leaders regularly and through those efforts, I can connect dots to better serve our community. We’re focused on doing things that support veterans, children, and families. That is what drives me.

I have a dynamic organization of 65+ people. We have offices in Lutz, Florida, and Northern Virginia. I frequently travel between those two places and around the country. Another constant in my life is waking up thankful every morning.

Vistra Communications offers a wide array of services across marketing, communications, and consulting. Which emerging trends or technologies in these fields excite you the most for the future?

I’m an advocate for introducing new technologies into the workplace, but only at the right time. I believe it’s the people behind the technology and those who operate the technology are the real differentiators. I try to help people learn to value how technology can enhance, not replace, their efforts. Our business embraces the concept of integrated communications, marketing, and consulting services. We’re just starting to better understand what AI can do for us and our clients.

It’s also important to understand what not to do with technology for our clients while having people on our team who embrace creativity, work together, and think about client solutions in an individualized manner. We don’t have any templates for service delivery. We simply listen to our clients, understand their needs, and consult with each other before delivering on their behalf.

For us, it’s a mixture of technology and people working hand in hand.

Vistra’s work spans corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. How do you tailor strategies to meet the unique challenges of these diverse audiences?

We have one team focused on the federal government. They understand many of the agencies and how to best service them. My background in that area certainly helps as well.

On the other side of our business, we are focused on the business community from startups to Fortune 500 companies, local and state governments, universities, and nonprofit organizations. One of the good things about how our business is structured is that many of the communications programs we do for the federal government are informed by our expertise and how we serve our corporate clients. There’s a lot of conversation between both sides of our business on how to best service our clients.

For aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders in the communications field, what lessons from your time in government and corporate sectors would you recommend they adopt?

I meet young entrepreneurs all the time and encourage them to do a few things. The first is to believe in themselves because each one has a unique vision. They should surround themselves with people who uplift them and not discourage them to reach their goals.

Very few people support the journey of entrepreneurship. People mostly encourage others to follow more traditional paths. This is why it is all the more necessary for entrepreneurs to build a network of people who support them. These people should include individuals who understand financing, technology, and the entrepreneurship journey. It is all about moving up the ladder to the next level.

With a career that spans high-stakes public roles and entrepreneurial leadership, what accomplishment are you most proud of, and what continues to motivate you in your work today?

There are two simple things I am most proud of. One is when we deliver great results for our clients, affirming that their faith in us helped them move the needle. The second is when our workforce believes in themselves and delivers results at a high level. We have built an amazing team!

Balancing the demands of leadership in a fast-paced industry, what personal habits or hobbies help you maintain perspective and resilience?

I like my me-time which allows me to think and reflect upon the most important things. This helps me understand what has been completed successfully and what could have been done better. However, I also appreciate the time I spend with mentors and my family. This allows me to pick their brains and understand how I can improve to keep getting better. I value meaningful relationships and there is no substitute for that.

I also like hunting, playing golf, and fishing.

Is there a quote, philosophy, or advice that has been a cornerstone for you throughout your career and personal life?

A quote I was taught as a kid means so much to me: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It’s a quote from the Bible that means you should treat people how you want to be treated, not necessarily how they treat you.

What vision(s) have you set for yourself in the coming future professionally & personally?

As a kid, growing up in South Florida, we lived a very modest lifestyle and came from a loving home. My parents would take us on camping trips because that was an affordable way to expose us to other places. Throughout my military and post-military career, I visited 69 countries. So, figuring out which one will be my 70th is one of my fun goals for 2025.

I really enjoy what I do and hope to do it for the next several years. Maybe over the next 4-5 years, my role may change at Vistra, and I will spend more time with my grandkids. I am not in a hurry to make any changes as I am focused on the next level of company growth.

Conclusion

Brian Butler’s journey as President & CEO of Vistra Communications has certainly been inspiring and unique. His insights encourage people to pursue entrepreneurship and follow their dreams with confidence. His experience is a beacon for the new generation to learn from.