CEO Profile: Lucas Boring

Vistage Member and Arizona Business Owner

Entrepreneurs often discover opportunity where others see obstacles. For Lucas Boring, President of Speedy Striping Inc., that opportunity came from recognizing a gap in a highly specialized industry—and having the curiosity and determination to build something better.

Lucas describes himself as a “serial entrepreneur,” but his path to launching Speedy Striping was shaped when he noticed reliable, high-quality striping services were difficult to find.

“There were some good companies out there,” Lucas recalls, “but there was a real shortage of dependable subcontractors. We saw a clear opportunity in the marketplace.”

In 2003, Lucas and his wife Patrice co-founded the company, with Patrice serving as CEO of the woman-owned business. Starting from the ground up, the couple built a business focused on precision, innovation, and craftsmanship in pavement marking and maintenance.

Making a Mark in the
Road Marking Industry 

Today, Speedy Striping specializes in improving traffic flow, safety, and aesthetics for paved surfaces across Arizona. The company’s services include road striping, parking lot striping, road markings, ADA-compliant layouts, traffic sign installation, warehouse striping and athletic courts. Their work supports a wide range of clients, from commercial properties and industrial facilities to municipal projects—including contracts with all local communities.

Lucas says one of the reasons Speedy Striping stands out is the team’s willingness to approach the work differently.

“This is not an industry you casually enter,” he explains. “There’s no easy path into road striping. We essentially had to research, pioneer, and learn the craft ourselves. That mindset—diving deep into the best way to do things and bringing innovation to a difficult industry—is what makes us different.”

Over time, the company has invested in specialized equipment and heavy trucks, enabling them to scale operations and tackle larger and more complex projects. That investment proved to be a turning point for the company.

Expanding and Connecting with CEOs

In 2019, Lucas expanded the business further by acquiring Sunstate Sweeping, a 33-year-old company. The acquisition allowed him to modernize operations while honoring the legacy of the people who built the original business. The name was changed to Speedy Sweeping to combine with their brand.

Despite the company’s success, Lucas acknowledges that being a business owner can feel isolating, especially in a niche industry where others rarely share ideas.

That changed when Lucas joined Vistage, facilitated locally by Steven Weaver and the team at 3 Pillars Performance Group. Sitting in a room with other CEOs, he discovered something both surprising and reassuring.

“One of the most profound realizations is that every company is a little weird in its own way,” he says with a smile. “When you hear other owners talk about their challenges, you realize you’re not alone. Everyone has problems, everyone has uncertainties. That shared experience gives you more courage and confidence when making decisions.”

Lucas credits the Vistage experience with helping him strengthen the internal structure of his organization.

“One of the biggest tangible changes we’ve made is developing a clearer organizational chart, defined roles, and written job descriptions and SOPs,” he explains. “For a long time I resisted those things as a founder. But learning to implement them has helped us identify our weaknesses and build a stronger company.”

Beyond operational improvements, Lucas says the experience has shifted his perspective on leadership.

“As entrepreneurs we spend so much time working in the business just trying to survive. Vistage pushes you to spend time working on the business—creating vision, structure, and long-term strategy.”

Balancing Business and Family

Perhaps most importantly, Lucas says the Vistage community has reinforced the importance of balance.

“3 Pillars really emphasizes prioritizing your health and family,” he says. “Spending more time with the group has reminded me how important it is to build a life that supports both.”

Outside of work, Lucas enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing another passion: innovation and invention. For more than a decade, he led The Tucson Inventor Group, bringing together creative thinkers and entrepreneurs who share a fascination with building new ideas.
For CEOs considering joining a peer advisory group like Vistage, Lucas offers simple advice:

“The value you get may not be what you expect,” he says. “If you’ve never experienced a horizontal peer group, it’s a unique opportunity. Be open, be vulnerable, and talk honestly about both your successes and your challenges. That’s where the real growth happens.”

For Lucas Boring, entrepreneurship has always been about solving problems creatively. Through Speedy Striping—and through the leadership development he continues to pursue—he’s proving that even in the most specialized industries, innovation and collaboration can pave the way for lasting success.