Mike Andes, in a short YouTube clip (uploaded Oct 31, 2024), states his hiring and promotion philosophy: he prefers promoting from within rather than hiring external "suit and tie" managers. He argues internal hires show a clear career path for crew members and ensure managers have field experience and empathy for on-the-job conditions (rain, heat, etc.).
I don't want to bring in some suit and tie person to be the general manager that has never actually been out in the field with the crew. I've always hired from within the team inside of the organization. I like to do that because it allows everyone to see that there is actually a path up and a way to make more money and go to the next stage of their career inside the company. It's also a way for the manager to actually have empathy for the crew because they know what it's like to be on the field when it's raining, crazy hot, etc.
