Gregory Reaves, who grew up in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., is the co-founder and CEO of Philadelphia-based Mosaic Development Partners, which develops small and large-scale commercial and mixed-use real estate, largely in urban corridors.

Reaves earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Howard University, where he played Division I soccer. He began his career with McNeil Consumer Products Company, a division of Johnson and Johnson, and then joined Merck, where he received eight promotions and held 11 different positions during his tenure with the company.

Reaves received patent protection for a device he created to support a manufacturing line while in tablet compression. He was also awarded the Gadsden Fellowship, a prestigious, company-sponsored fellowship that led to the creation of the Penn-Merck Science Initiative, a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, the National Science Foundation, and Merck to train elementary school teachers in science education.

Reaves, who sits on the board at the Chester County Economic Development Council and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, credits his co-founder at Mosaic, Leslie Smallwood-Lewis, with having the biggest impact on his career.

“Being in partnership with someone for 15 years through the ups and downs and being able to maintain it has been remarkable,” he said.

Reaves shared his perspective on what makes a successful leader.

“They focus on the work instead of themselves and are committed to finishing what they start and honoring their commitments,” he said.

Of the 12 Principles of the Scout Law — Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent — Trustworthy and Kind resonate the most with Reaves.

The Chester County Council, Boy Scouts of America will honor Reaves and the 11 other BSA VISTA Leadership Megastars at an awards reception on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at its new Program, Activity, and Resource Campus (PARC) in Exton. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Kristin Conran at kristin.conran@scouting.org.