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John D. Smith has led turnarounds across nine industries, from consumer retail to Caesars Entertainment, where he moved from retail executive to resort CEO in under five months. Raised in the Philadelphia projects and later a Harvard Business School graduate, Smith joins Deborah Fell to trace how football discipline, McKinsey training, and firsthand experience on factory floors and casino floors shaped his leadership approach.

Smith breaks down his three-to-five-year transformation model: diagnose how the business generates cash, right-size the infrastructure, then rebuild trust with frontline teams before any strategy sticks. His core belief is that organizations only transform once their people do, and leadership is a behavior, not a position.

This conversation covers what it really means to show up as a leader, why he treats every employee like a volunteer, and the discipline required to do the unglamorous work no one is watching.

 

Takeaways

• Early-life adversity and constant change can become a foundation for adaptive leadership later in life.
• Real transformation requires sequencing: first the reason why, then mindset, then skill set, then tool set — skipping ahead only produces short-term compliance.
• Even high-level leadership requires deliberate, curated support systems, since the role itself is structurally isolating.
• Physically showing up and working alongside frontline staff builds trust and surfaces problems no spreadsheet will reveal.
• The strongest cultures are the ones employees are excited to be part of, not just compliant with.

John D. Smith is a transformational leader with more than 25 years of experience across multiple industries and functional disciplines, he has built a reputation for driving growth, operational excellence, and high-performing teams.

A lifelong athlete and competitor, Smith's drive to excel began with humble beginnings and earned him a scholarship to a prestigious private school, a Division I football scholarship, admission to Harvard Business School, and leadership opportunities with organizations including GE, Merck, IBM, McKinsey & Company, Target, and Caesars Entertainment.

Throughout his career, Smith has embraced a simple leadership philosophy: organizations don't transform until people do. He is known for inspiring individuals and teams to unlock their potential, build winning cultures, and achieve extraordinary results.

John has served in CEO and senior executive roles across the retail, hospitality, entertainment, and service sectors. He holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Temple University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

“John shows initiative, uses data and builds teams.  He is a talented and effective executive with great leadership skills” – CEO / Board Chairman publicly traded company

“John is a unique talent.  He combines high IQ (analytical and conceptual) with high EQ (incredible ability to connect and motivate people)” – Partner, Strategic Consulting Firm / Board Member

“I was drawn to invest in John because of his business acumen, intellect, leadership skills, strength as an operator, and ability to articulate his vision with clarity and enthusiasm.” – Managing Partner, Venture Capital Firm

 

Ravi Venkatesan took Cantaloupe from nearly $400 million in accumulated losses to profitability in three years, grew the stock from $2.75 to $11.20, and is now completing a take-private exit. Before all of that, he tried to make it as a cruise ship chef and spent four years playing guitar in jazz bands — which, it turns out, says everything about how he thinks.

On this episode of Success Beneath the Surface, Ravi and Deborah Fell get into what actually drives that track record: how he thinks about business model disruption before it arrives, why successful companies quietly stop taking the risks that made them successful, and why isolating innovation in a special department almost always backfires.

They also don't avoid the hard conversation. Ravi's prediction on AI and workforce displacement is not a soft one. Neither is his advice to the CEOs listening about what leading through it actually requires.

About Deborah's guest:

Ravi Venkatesan was named CEO and a member of the Board of Directors at Cantaloupe in September 2022, after serving as COO and CTO. He's responsible for leadership of the company’s architecture, development, network and business operations, product teams, as well as customer success. A proven leader with extensive expertise in product development, information systems, software development and program management, Mr. Venkatesan brings more than 20 years of experience in driving innovative change within technology environments.

Mr. Venkatesan graduated from Bangalore University with a degree in Electronics and completed a Postgraduate Program in Finance and Information Management at the Management Development Institute.

Ravi's LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravivenkatesan/

About Cantaloupe:

Cantaloupe builds the technology that powers self-service retail — from vending machines and office markets to small, checkout-free stores in places like campuses, apartments, and workplaces.

Their platform brings together payments, software, and data so these businesses can operate efficiently, adapt quickly, and grow without unnecessary complexity.

For consumers, that means fast, easy, cashless purchases.

For businesses, it means clearer insight into what’s working and what’s next.

Cantaloupe is helping modernize how self-service retail works in a more on-demand world.

Learn more at cantaloupe.com.

 

When surgeons stop your heart during surgery, who keeps you alive? That's where Chet Czaplicka comes in.

This Detroit native went from ICU nurse to building the world's largest perfusion company—but not the way you'd think. After seeing post-op cardiac patients in the ICU, Chet asked one simple question: "What exactly do you guys do?" That curiosity launched a 42-year career.

Perfusionists are the people who become your heart and lungs during surgery. They manage the machines that keep your blood flowing and oxygenated while surgeons work on your stopped heart. During COVID, when patients' lungs failed by the thousands, Chet's teams provided extracorporeal life support at levels he'd never seen in four decades.

Here's what sets Chet apart: He's turned down multiple private equity offers that would've made him wealthy beyond measure. Why? "I wasn't put on this earth to buy a yacht. My purpose is way different than that."

Instead, he measures success in reduced kidney injuries, lower stroke rates, and better patient outcomes. He's poured tens of millions back into advancing the technology because, as he puts it, "When I walk out of that operating room, I want to know I delivered the best possible care to that patient."

From a partnership offer in Fort Wayne he turned down (too small-town for a Detroit guy in his 20s) to building operations across the globe, Chet's story shows what happens when purpose drives profit, not the other way around.

Chet's Bio:

Chet Czaplicka is the Founder and CEO of Comprehensive Care Services, a perfusion led company providing perfusion, autotransfusion and related allied health services to hospitals across the United States and internationally. He founded CCS in 2002, building it from a handful of hospital accounts into the largest perfusion provider in the world and now a global perfusion leader. As a practicing perfusionist and registered nurse, Chet keeps CCS focused on patient care, clinical excellence, data-driven decision making and strong hospital partnerships. He continues to lead the organization through growth, innovation and an evolving healthcare landscape.

Chet on LinkedIn.

Art Saxby's wisdom resonates with CEOs seeking transformative growth. His insights crystallized his journey from Frito Lay's marketing to turning around bankrupt entities. Saxby delineates the disparity between small and big M marketing, advocating for a holistic approach that combines tactical execution with strategic vision. He spotlights Imperial Sugar's shift from a sugar manufacturer to a supply chain leader, illustrating the impact of aligning with customer needs. Saxby's core tenet is a market-rooted business plan. He underscores dissecting customer behavior, competitor dynamics, and internal strengths to fuel strategy. Incorporating external viewpoints enhances the strategy's innovation. His philosophy transcends marketing and sales barriers, emphasizing adaptive solutions over fixed ratios. His approach champions tailored strategies that stimulate growth on multiple fronts. Art Saxby equips CEOs with a growth roadmap that shuns convention. By melding change, market insight alignment, and holistic sales-marketing synergy, he empowers CEOs to steer dynamic expansion. Listen to this commentary, "Elevating CEOs: Art Saxby's Blueprint for Strategic Growth."   To hear the full interview, listen here.  

Links from this episode:

Art Saxby on LinkedIn

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn

Chief Outsiders

Deborah interviews Art Saxby, CEO, Founder and Principal of Chief Outsiders. They unravel the secrets behind building a thriving business empire. In the first half, Art shares the genesis of his business. He realized the potential of leading mid-size companies strategically. This inspired him to start his own company, but he faced the challenge of finding clients who couldn't afford full-time executives like himself. Thus, the concept of offering fractional services emerged. Art emphasizes the importance of understanding market dynamics and customer needs to position a company for growth. The interview also delves into the significance of vision, focus, and learning from peer groups. The insights shared in the interview shed light on the practical and strategic aspects of marketing and might just be what you need to elevate your business.

In the second half, they continue by talking about innovation. It's not just about having the best ideas; it's about understanding the power of insights. Art Saxby stresses that every business needs to start with a deep understanding of its customers, competitors, and themselves. But here's the twist—sometimes, a fresh external perspective is the key to unlocking untapped potential. Are you ready to be challenged and invigorated by new ideas?

Art shares how curiosity, insights, and the willingness to be coached by other experts led to his company's growth and success. As a CEO, you'll discover the importance of having a top-notch leadership team, the right business strategy linked to insights, and how to foster a culture that drives results.

This episode is your guiding light if you want to make big things happen, scale your business, and thrive in uncertainty. Join us as we delve deep into the power of culture, autonomy, and purpose and witness firsthand how this exceptional leader continues to steer his company through dips, challenges, and triumphs. Join us for this episode: "Scaling Your Business: Curiosity and Leadership."

Links from this episode:

Art Saxby on LinkedIn

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn

Chief Outsiders

 

Last week, we delved into the world of customer knowledge on Success Beneath the Surface, and what an eye-opening journey it was! As Susan Finch and I explored the importance of truly understanding our customers, we uncovered a game-changing insight that separates successful businesses from the rest.

We often claim to know our customers, but do we really grasp their desires and needs beyond the surface level? Let me share a personal experience that perfectly illustrates this point. My husband and I recently purchased outdoor furniture, but what we truly sought were not just chairs, but unforgettable moments with loved ones in our courtyard.

The key is to look beneath the obvious and ask the right questions. That's precisely what the perceptive sales representative did, earning our business and future loyalty.  I challenge you to question if your company truly comprehends your customers' deepest needs. Join me in this commentary as we uncover the untapped potential of gaining deeper customer insights for the growth and prosperity of your business. Don't miss last week's full episode, "Navigating Change: CEO's Playbook for Profitable Adaptation."

 

Links from this episode:

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

Susan Finch on LinkedIn Funnel Media Group, LLC

In this episode, CEOs of B2B companies are invited on a transformative journey, discovering the key considerations needed to unlock remarkable opportunities and fortify their businesses amidst the ever-present seasons of uncertainty. Deborah emphasizes the importance of truly understanding customers' experiences, empathizing with their challenges, and aligning with their evolving needs. By staying connected and adapting swiftly, CEOs can position their companies as trusted allies, ready to deliver the right solutions precisely when needed.

She encourages CEOs to cultivate a genuine partnership with their customers, seeking valuable feedback and co-creating extraordinary experiences. She highlights the power of focusing on customer profitability, refining product portfolios, and identifying the true differentiators that drive customer loyalty. 

Funnel Media Group's senior producer, Susan Finch, is in the host seat for this episode.

Links from this episode:

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

Susan Finch on LinkedIn Funnel Media Group, LLC

Deborah unpacks last week's episode featuring Ed Valdez, a partner, and Chief Marketing Officer at Chief Outsiders, where they discussed the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in business processes. He emphasized that companies not utilizing AI are falling behind. Real-time customer insights, such as their responses to website content and search behavior, are crucial for optimizing results and expenses. Traditional methods like focus groups are no longer efficient, as AI enables real-time learning, adjustments, and improvements.

Valdez explains that businesses not leveraging AI in marketing or customer service will eventually be left behind. The average lifespan of businesses has decreased due to advancing technologies, and adapting to AI is crucial for survival. 

Businesses that remain stagnant are moving backward, while those embracing AI can enhance their operations, serve clients better, and achieve improved business results.

Links from this episode:

Ed Valdez on LI  Ed Valdez on Chief Outsiders

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

The complete episode is here.

In this episode, Deborah raises the question of the widespread adoption of AI in businesses today. Is AI just a shiny toy, or does it have applications in various areas? Ed Valdez brings valuable insights to the table, highlighting the exponential growth and impact of AI and demystifying terminology many of us pretend to understand. He emphasizes the need for businesses, particularly marketing and customer service departments, to leverage AI to improve content development, customer experience, and overall efficiency.

Ed provides real-world examples of how he has helped clients integrate AI into their businesses, such as assisting a natural language processing company in positioning itself effectively amidst the competition. He shares his philosophy of using AI to disrupt businesses from within rather than being disrupted by external forces, a mindset embraced by Chief Outsiders.

Ed Valdez, partner and chief marketing officer at Chief Outsiders. Ed is known for his expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and his ability to drive growth for businesses at the intersection of business, technology, and AI. But what's intriguing is his unconventional path to becoming a marketing superstar, starting with an engineering degree from MIT. He explains how his engineering degree, combined with an MBA, equipped him to tackle challenges at the intersection of business, technology, and AI, specifically focusing on AI and machine learning.  Join us for this episode, “From Engineer to Marketing Pro: Navigating AI's Impact.”

Links from this episode:

Ed Valdez on LI  Ed Valdez on Chief Outsiders

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

A CEO's Guide to Growth (Part 1)

A CEO's Guide to Growth (Part 2)

How to use AI within the Customer Journey (LinkedIn Post)

All You Wanted to Know About Generative AI for Free (10 courses - LinkedIn post)

9 Ways CEOs Can Use ChatGPT as a Catalyst for Business Growth (LinkedIn Post)

In our previous episode, we had the privilege of hearing from Xena Urgrinsky, an expert in the field of transformation and data science. Xena shared invaluable insights on the crucial link between building a future-ready business and upskilling and transforming your team. Today, we'll focus on key takeaways from that conversation. Xena emphasized the need for human evolution within organizations, highlighting the challenge of transforming people and creating a culture of experimentation and learning. She stressed the importance of developing a strategic vision and tackling cultural hurdles to achieve transformative success. Additionally, Xena discussed the role of applied data science, cautioning against using every new technology for every problem and emphasizing the necessity of continuously monitoring and adapting machine learning models. As we navigate this ever-changing landscape, let's harness the power of these tools effectively and prioritize critical thinking skills to drive our workforce forward.

For CEOs who are in the process of building a future-ready business, let's take a few minutes here to emphasize a central point that transforming your company for the future must also involve upskilling and transforming your team. 

About Xena Ugrinsky

Xena Ugrinsky - CTO, Co-Founder and Senior Transformation Executive at Pilot Wave Holdings Management, LLC, and Principal, Founder and Data Science Evangelist at Genre-X, Inc. She is an AI expert, author, and previous Partner at KPMG as well as Booz Allen Hamilton.  She believes that data-driven competency will be the main source of competitive advantage over the next few years and that if leaders of mid-sized and large enterprise companies are not actively exploring how applied data science can be propagated through their organizations based on clear business objectives and measures of success, they risk being left behind.  

Links from this episode:

Pilotwave Holdings Xena Ugrinsky on LinkedIn Xena Ugrinsky on Twitter

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

In this second episode with Xena Ugrinsky, she emphasizes the importance of integrating new technology with existing systems and aligning it with the overall business strategy. She shares insights on the human aspect of digital transformation, emphasizing the need for upskilling the workforce and creating a culture of experimentation and learning. Xena advises CEOs that the first priority is to develop a strategy that identifies the most pressing problems and determines whether traditional tools or applied data science should be used for solutions and then determine what the cultural hurdles are to achieving it.  She also highlights the evolving nature of machine learning models and the importance of critical thinking skill development in navigating both these technologies and internal hurdles. This conversation provides valuable insights for leaders looking to leverage technology and drive meaningful change within their organizations. Join Deborah and Xena for this episode, “Building a Future-Ready Business: Tech, Culture, and Strategy.” You can also listen to the first half in our previous episode, “EP17: Your Data Story is Your Business Story.”

 

About Xena Ugrinsky

Xena Ugrinsky - CTO, Co-Founder and Senior Transformation Executive at Pilot Wave Holdings Management, LLC, and Principal, Founder and Data Science Evangelist at Genre-X, Inc. She is an AI expert, author, and previous Partner at KPMG as well as Booz Allen Hamilton.  She believes that data-driven competency will be the main source of competitive advantage over the next few years and that if leaders of mid-sized and large enterprise companies are not actively exploring how applied data science can be propagated through their organizations based on clear business objectives and measures of success, they risk being left behind.  

Links from this episode:

Pilotwave Holdings Xena Ugrinsky on LinkedIn Xena Ugrinsky on Twitter

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

Last week my guest was Xena Urgrinsky, CTO, and Founding Partner at Pilotwave Holdings Management and CEO and Founder at Genre X. She's an artificial intelligence expert and author, and data science evangelist, and she's been both partner and principal at KPMG, as well as a partner at Booz Allen Hamilton. Xena immigrated with her parents from Germany and became an American citizen at eight, which was transformational for her family and an example of living the American Dream. A truly amazing journey and I want to encourage you to listen to all of episode 17 today.  In this commentary, I want to dig into a key question. She shared that she asked her companies to help them unlock important change in growth, and the question is this, if you could get anything, what would you want that would make you wildly surpass your peers? Listen to EP18: The One Thing They Asked for Was Drone Inspection. 

 

About Xena Ugrinsky

Xena Ugrinsky - CTO, Co-Founder and Senior Transformation Executive at Pilot Wave Holdings Management, LLC, and Principal, Founder and Data Science Evangelist at Genre-X, Inc. She is an AI expert, author, and previous Partner at KPMG and Booz Allen Hamilton.  She believes that data-driven competency will be the main source of competitive advantage over the next few years and that if leaders of mid-sized and large enterprise companies are not actively exploring how applied data science can be propagated through their organizations based on clear business objectives and measures of success, they risk being left behind.  

Links from this episode:

Pilotwave Holdings Xena Ugrinsky on LinkedIn Xena Ugrinsky on Twitter

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

What happens when Deborah’s guest, Xena Ugrinsky, asks her first acquisition company, “If you could get anything, what would you want that would make you wildly surpass your peers?”  

Xena shares her personal journey from immigrating from Germany to the US with her parents who completed their higher education in America and became a college professor (father) and geneticist (mother), and became a US citizen at the age of 8.  She also speaks to how she and two other partners boot-strapped and co-founded Pilot Wave. The technologies that had only been available to companies like Alcoa could now become available to smaller companies.  Join them for this half of their conversation, "Your Data Story is Your Business Story."

About Xena Ugrinsky

Xena Ugrinsky - CTO, Co-Founder and Senior Transformation Executive at Pilot Wave Holdings Management, LLC, and Principal, Founder and Data Science Evangelist at Genre-X, Inc. She is an AI expert, author, and previous Partner at KPMG as well as Booz Allen Hamilton.  She believes that data-driven competency will be the main source of competitive advantage over the next few years and that if leaders of mid-sized and large enterprise companies are not actively exploring how applied data science can be propagated through their organizations based on clear business objectives and measures of success, they risk being left behind.  

Links from this episode:

Pilotwave Holdings Xena Ugrinsky on LinkedIn Xena Ugrinsky on Twitter

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

What if the very challenges dividing our society could become the force that brings us together? In a thought-provoking episode of Success Beneath the Surface, Brett Howroyd, President of ActOne Group, shares a counterintuitive perspective on how economic pressures are creating unexpected unity across generations in the workplace.

As the leader of a 65-year family-run staffing organization, Brett has a unique vantage point on workforce dynamics. His observation? When different generations face common struggles with affordability - not for luxuries, but for basic necessities like housing and education - traditional divides begin to dissolve.

"A common enemy unites you," Brett explains. "In this case, the enemy is not a person. It's the economic situation people find themselves in." This shared challenge, he argues, is fostering collaboration and understanding that transcend typical generational differences in technology, communication styles, or work preferences.

About Brett Howroyd:

Brett Howroyd is President of the ActOne Group. As a leader of a multi-billion-dollar (USA$), award-winning international workforce management and technology enterprise, Brett serves as a solutions strategist and technology innovator for the organization. His international business knowledge, understanding of global markets, experience in diverse communities, and capacity to solve complex workforce challenges have added a dynamic perspective to the ActOne Group’s mission.

Brett joined the ActOne Group in 2007 and worked in both Los Angeles and Canada, learning the business from the inside out. Later, by working closely with global leaders, he gained a unique perspective on how the industry is evolving. This wide range of experience has shaped Brett’s mission for the company that balances the future’s needs with the core values that define its history. 

Welcome to another episode of Success Beneath the Surface, where we uncover the secrets of effective business leadership. In our last episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Peter Schwartz, a seasoned Vistage chair with over 30 years of experience in nurturing early-stage concepts and companies to fruition. Peter's remarkable achievements, having won numerous awards twice over, speak volumes about his expertise.

During our conversation, Peter highlighted a topic close to my heart: the profound impact of a leader's presence and the essentiality of mastering inner and outer game skills in today's complex work environment. He emphasized that as leaders, we have full control over how we show up and shape the weather for our teams. Peter's fascination with leadership development began in the mid-90s and has since evolved into a passion.

Peter introduced the concept of the inner game, a term coined by Timothy Gallwey, which focuses on expanding the complexity of the mind to effectively navigate the increasing intricacies of the world. He discussed the importance of evolving our relationships with others, shifting from a focus on likability to respect and performance.

Join us as we continue to explore leadership journeys and the transformative power of personal growth with Peter Schwartz. Let's unlock the secrets to successful business leadership together.

In this episode, we learn from Peter Schwartz, CEO Coaching & Development | Master Chair Vistage, about his journey and insights into leadership. Through his personal experiences, he emphasizes the importance of embracing leadership and influencing outcomes. Peter's involvement in an internet startup was a turning point that made him realize the significance of creating a positive environment as a leader. As a Vistage chair, he creates a supportive space for CEOs to explore diverse perspectives, uncover performance gaps, and engage in collective problem-solving. Peter highlights the power of well-run Vistage groups in fostering connections and supporting individual growth journeys, emphasizing the combination of outer game skills and inner game mindset shifts in effective leadership development.

Links from today's episode:

Peter D. Schwartz on LinkedIn  Vistage

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

In today's episode of Success Beneath the Surface, we welcome back Herby Duverné, founder and CEO of Rise Development and Construction and principal and CEO of Windwalker Group. In last week's episode, we heard about his journey, starting from the trenches and growing his businesses. But today, I want to focus on one key lesson from our conversation - the importance of finding opportunities in challenges.

When faced with obstacles, it can be easy to feel defeated and give up. But Herby believes that challenges are a natural part of life and business and that there is always an opportunity to be found. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many businesses were struggling to survive, Herby's companies grew and thrived by focusing on internal investments and being prepared for the opportunities that would arise.

The full episode from this commentary is here.

And the previous half of this session with Deborah and Herby can be heard here.

 

Links from this episode:

Herby Duverné on LinkedIn Windwalker

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

In this episode, Herby Duverné continues sharing his journey of building a business on solutions by understanding needs and pivoting towards growth opportunities. He emphasizes the importance of hiring the right team members and creating an environment where people can be themselves, leading to better performance and a special sense of belonging within the organization. Despite the ups and downs of the business world, Herby believes that challenges are a necessary part of the journey and advises other CEOs to embrace them and look for the opportunity to provide new, unique solutions.

Listen to the first half of the episode here.

Links from this episode:

Herby Duverné on LinkedIn Windwalker

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

In this commentary, Deborah emphasizes a key point that Herby made about his evolution as an entrepreneur, which was shifting from doing everything himself to focusing on company culture. Herby shares his belief that it's not enough just to make money, but you need to make an impact. He emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where employees can be themselves and enjoy what they do, which he believes results in unbreakable bonds and exponential growth for the business.

Herby's story of invention, disruption, and reinvention is truly remarkable, and next week's episode will delve deeper into his journey. Through his story, listeners can gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, and the power of culture.

Herby Duverné is the founder and CEO of Rise Development and Construction and the principal and CEO of Windwalker Group. Herby shares his inspiring journey from being a young immigrant who didn't speak the language and was homeless to CEO of two companies and recently named as one of the 150 Most Influential Bostonians.

Listen to the full episode here.

Links from this episode:

Herby Duverné on LinkedIn Windwalker

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

Deborah welcomes Herby Duverné, a successful real estate developer and founder of Rise Development and Construction. Duverné shares his story of growing up in Haiti with a single mother who worked long hours in a factory to provide for her children. He credits his mother's optimism and hope for his success in life, along with his ability to turn setbacks into opportunities. Herby also discusses how he met his business partner, who was once a dissatisfied client, but through transparency and authenticity, they built a trusting relationship and formed Rise Development and Construction. The company has since grown to a 2.7 billion dollar development firm in just three years. He attributes their success to their ability to connect with people, bring value to the table, and maintain an optimistic mindset.

About Deborah's guest:

Herby Duverné, Founder and CEO of RISE Development & Construction and the Principal and Chief Executive Officer for Windwalker Group, a client-focused, award-winning, Minority-owned 8(a) small business. Since becoming Windwalker’s CEO in 2012, Mr. Duverné has increased the organization’s workforce and introduced new business offerings in cybersecurity, physical security, and professional services. He has led the company’s efforts to earn a Defense Security Services top-secret security clearance, expand operations in multiple states, and build contracts with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense. Mr. Duverné has 25 years of experience in infrastructure protection, intelligence, law enforcement, investigations, security and loss prevention, crisis and risk management, and aviation and port emergency management.  

Links from this episode:

Herby Duverné on LinkedIn Windwalker

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn Chief Outsiders

In this episode, Deborah gives commentary on our last episode's interview with Brian Williamson, the Brand and Video Leader, and Chief Story Seller at Google and YouTube. Brian shares his insights on modernizing brand strategies and the importance of a full-funnel data-driven approach in today's market. He emphasizes the need for companies to have a clear mission, vision, and values that are current and relevant to the current ecosystem, and to tell an authentic story that connects with customers across channels.

Brian also discusses the challenges of measuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and the importance of identifying signals and health indicators to track progress. He stresses the need for companies to focus on the top of the funnel, not just the bottom, to fuel growth and build a strong customer base.

Deborah highlights the importance of supporting prospects and customers throughout their research and buying process, even at the problem identification phase, to become their trusted advisor and gain a competitive edge. Join her for this episode of Success Beneath the Surface, "Measuring Marketing Effectiveness: Tips from a Google Expert.

Listen to the full episode here.

Links from this episode:

Brian Williamson on LinkedIn

Chief Outsiders Deborah Fell on LinkedIn

Today's guest is Brian Williamson, a digital media veteran with 20 years of experience in digital marketing and video. He is also Brand and Video Leader and Chief “Story Seller” at Google and YouTube. 

Brian inspires customers to modernize their brand strategies, emphasizing a full-funnel data-driven approach.  He walks us through what that means and why it’s critical to growth-oriented businesses today.  Brian shares his journey from growing in a farm town in New York to becoming the brand marketing evangelist at Google, interacting with and impacting businesses and marketers around the world.

Williamson shares his journey and passion for video and storytelling, emphasizing the need for a clear mission, vision, and values. He also stresses the importance of proactive branding investments and balancing performance marketing with brand marketing. Williamson advises CEOs to have realistic objectives and be patient for branding investments to pay off in the long term. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the world of branding and its impact on a company's growth.

Links from this episode:

Brian Williamson on LinkedIn

Chief Outsiders Deborah Fell on LinkedIn

In this episode, Deborah Fell interviews Chris Yeung, co-founder of Vimbley Group. This company acquires profitable but inefficient companies and optimizes them for even greater profitability. Chris shares his insights on seeking profitability, the synergy between business units, and identifying inefficiencies to improve operations. Deborah encourages companies to look for gold bricks that they may be stepping over and to seek out the wisdom of their employees in finding and fixing processes that can drive profitability and improve engagement.

Listen to the full episode here.

About Vimbly Group:

Vimbly Group is a technology-oriented business-growth company. We believe that technology is the key ingredient to better than linear growth. As such, Vimbly Group partners with businesses from an ever-widening range of categories to identify inefficiencies in their operations and then develop unique technologies that resolve them and realize significant sources of new revenue.

About Chris Yeung:

Chris's passion for automation started in asset management, where he was responsible for building portfolio management systems at BlackRock.  His journey ultimately led to Vimbly Group, where he now takes pleasure in applying technology to build businesses across a variety of industries.

 

Links from today's episode:

Vimbly Group Chris Yeung on LinkedIn

Chief Outsiders Deborah Fell on LinkedIn

Deborah's guest is Chris Yeung, Founder and CTO of Vimbly Group. Deborah and Chris discuss his approach to identifying businesses where he can leverage his strengths in IP and technology to optimize them. Chris believes in being opportunistic and making strategic decisions. He discovered his strengths lie in operational efficiency and unlocking additional value based on his understanding of processes. He shares his experiences, from his role as a lowly analyst at BlackRock to how he and his partner founded Vimbly.com, a platform for discovering and booking recreational activities. The platform was born out of Chris and his partner's frustration with trying to book a photography class in NYC. They realized that their strengths in IP and technology could add value beyond Vimbly.com, and they began consulting for other organizations. The value they brought was their entrepreneurial mindset to problem-solving, which helped improve operational efficiency for their clients. Chris emphasizes the importance of trust in relationships, which is the most important thing for him.

About Vimbly Group:

Vimbly Group is a technology-oriented business-growth company. We believe that technology is the key ingredient to better than linear growth. As such, Vimbly Group partners with businesses from an ever-widening range of categories to identify inefficiencies in their operations and then develop unique technologies that resolve them and realize significant sources of new revenue.

About Chris Yeung:

Chris's passion for automation started in asset management, where he was responsible for building portfolio management systems at BlackRock.  His journey ultimately led to Vimbly Group, where he now takes pleasure in applying technology to build businesses across a variety of industries.

 

Links from today's episode:

Vimbly Group Chris Yeung on LinkedIn

Chief Outsiders Deborah Fell on LinkedIn

What happens when personal tragedy becomes professional purpose? In this powerful episode, Christine Verini, CEO of CancerCare, shares her extraordinary 30-year journey from mixing chemotherapy as a pharmacist to leading one of the nation's most impactful cancer support organizations. Sparked by her sister's inflammatory breast cancer diagnosis at 28, Christine has dedicated her entire career to helping cancer patients and their families navigate one of life's most challenging experiences.

From launching life-saving drugs in 40 countries to developing innovative meal delivery programs, Christine's path wasn't linear—but it was always purposeful. Now as CEO, she's tackling healthcare's "red tape crisis" while building compassionate, people-first leadership that transforms both organizations and lives. Her insights on leading through uncertainty, making tough decisions with empathy, and staying true to your mission will resonate with any leader facing today's complex challenges.

Key Points in this episode:

Purpose Drives Success Living your passion and purpose creates unexpected opportunities and sustained career satisfaction.

People Make Organizations Compassionate leadership that prioritizes people first leads to stronger, more resilient teams.

Infrastructure Enables Impact Investing in foundational systems and capabilities is essential for organizational effectiveness and growth.

Decisive Yet Inclusive Great leaders make tough decisions while finding meaningful ways to include their teams in the process.

Growth Happens Outside The biggest breakthroughs come from embracing uncertainty and stepping outside your comfort zone.

Healthcare Needs Reform The "red tape crisis" in healthcare is costing organizations productivity while adding stress to already vulnerable patients.

Christine Verini brings over 25 years of oncology experience to her role as Chief Executive Officer at CancerCare, a national nonprofit providing support services to cancer patients and families. Her career spans progressive leadership roles from medical science liaison to executive positions in global marketing and corporate communications. Notable achievements include developing the Magnolia Meals at Home program for cancer patients, launching metastatic breast cancer treatments in nearly 40 countries, and receiving national recognition through the Eisai Human Healthcare Award (2012) and PharmaVOICE 100 Most Inspiring Award (2019). At CancerCare since 2015, she leads the organization's strategic vision and daily operations across key departments including social services, finance, and communications. She also serves as Chair of HealthyWomen and previously served on the Board of Directors of CancerCare New Jersey. Her advocacy work is driven by personal experience with cancer's impact on families.

 

In this episode of Success Beneath the Surface, Deborah Fell gives commentary on last week's episode with Tom Zucker, president of EdgePoint Capital. Tom emphasizes that gross margin is becoming a critical indicator of a company's value and that sustained margins are a reflection of the company's worth. He stresses that businesses need to offer distinct value propositions that set them apart from competitors and resonate with their clients and customers.

To illustrate this point, Tom provides an example of a closely held family business that developed a unique friction-break product with superior intellectual property. The company should have traded for six times its value, but it traded for north of 11 times because it offered a distinct value that no one else had, enabling it to maintain and grow its margins.

Deborah and Tom discuss the fragility of business owners and the importance of ego fulfillment in M&A advisory services. They also acknowledge that family dynamics are consistent among businesses, regardless of their size and sophistication. Join us for this episode, "Family Dynamics are Consistent Among Businesses of All Sizes."

Listen to the full episode with Tom Zucker here.

About Deborah's guest, Tom Zucker

Tom Zucker serves as the President of EdgePoint Capital, managing client transactions, overseeing its day-to-day management, and executing strategic initiatives.

Tom uses his extensive business and financial experience to assist business owners in completing transition events, acquisitions, or recapitalizations. His diverse experiences range from executing corporate divestitures for General Electric to assisting small closely held businesses in executing family ownership transitions.

Links from this episode:

EdgePoint Capital

Tom Zucker on LinkedIn

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn

Chief Outsiders

Deborah Fell interviews Tom Zucker, Managing Director at EdgePoint Capital, about transitioning a family-owned business. Zucker emphasizes the importance of preparation and planning, particularly in terms of understanding a business's competitive edge and unique position in the marketplace.

Zucker stresses the significance of storytelling in successfully transitioning a family business. A financial statement alone fails to convey a company's purpose or potential. He provides an example of a family business that sold successfully due to its unique product that fit perfectly into the product line of a larger company. Zucker notes that the story must be authentic, informed, and tied together to be effective.

Tom acknowledges the emotional side of transitioning a family business, advising that owners should start the preparation process at least 24 months in advance. He also highlights the importance of transparency and authenticity in communicating with employees and family members during the transition process. Listen to this episode, "Navigating Emotional and Financial Challenges of Business Transitions."

 

About Deborah's guest, Tom Zucker

Tom Zucker serves as the President of EdgePoint Capital, managing client transactions, overseeing its day-to-day management, and executing strategic initiatives.

Tom uses his extensive business and financial experience to assist business owners in completing transition events, acquisitions, or recapitalizations. His diverse experiences range from executing corporate divestitures for General Electric to assisting small closely held businesses in executing family ownership transitions.

Links from this episode:

EdgePoint Capital

Tom Zucker on LinkedIn

Deborah Fell on LinkedIn

Chief Outsiders

Last week, my guest Deborah Overdeput emphasized the opportunity for sales and marketing to drive success when they work together vs when they act in silos.  Deborah has a way of taking atmospheric statements like “sales and marketing alignment” and breaking them down into the practical day-to-day of what needs to be done and who needs to do what to move the business. She used the term “sales enablement” and I unpack what that means in this session.  I also bring in my perspective on the importance of understanding and supporting the prospective client’s research and buying process vs a one-dimensional internal view of the sales funnel.  

To hear the full interview with Deborah Overdeput, listen here.

About Deborah Overdeput:

Deborah has 20+ years of experience as a global marketing leader working with CEOs at financial technology (fintech), SaaS, business consulting, and technology companies to achieve double-digit revenue growth, turning flat businesses into growing enterprises. She applies modern marketing techniques to drive top-of-funnel activity and nurture leads, working collaboratively with sales to build revenue momentum.

Links from this episode:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahoverdeput/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfell 

https://chiefoutsiders.com 

In this episode, Deborah Fell is joined by Deborah Overdeput, CMO and Chief Outsiders. Together they talk about the importance of alignment between sales and marketing in order to achieve business success. Drawing from her experience, Overdeput explains how marketing and sales are often at odds because they operate in different silos, with different perspectives and goals. When these two teams work together, they can drive business success. She also shares insights on some of the strategies and tools that sales and marketing can use to ensure that they are on the same page. For Overdeput, the key is trust, and building a relationship based on trust, sales, and marketing can create a collaboration that works towards a common goal. She also shares how her background in engineering and marketing enables her to operationalize marketing strategies to drive business growth. Finally, Overdeput highlights her love for helping businesses challenge their pipeline and providing them with the necessary tools and strategies to drive growth.

About Deborah Overdeput:

Deborah has 20+ years of experience as a global marketing leader working with CEOs at financial technology (fintech), SaaS, business consulting, and technology companies to achieve double-digit revenue growth, turning flat businesses into growing enterprises. She applies modern marketing techniques to drive top-of-funnel activity and nurture leads, working collaboratively with sales to build revenue momentum.

Links from this episode:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahoverdeput/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfell 

https://chiefoutsiders.com 

We had a great discussion last episode with Gary Stockman about balancing the push and pull of driving new business and maintaining profitability. Today, I want to dive deeper into one particular aspect of our conversation that shouldn't be overlooked - the value proposition that a company offers to its customers.

As Gary mentioned, it's crucial to understand what matters to your customers and what attracted them to your company in the first place. If you're feeling pressure on prices from customers because of the economic environment, it may be time to go back and understand if your value proposition is still unique and if it solves their pain points in a way only you can solve. To do this, I recommend talking to four or five of your top customers and having a CEO-to-CEO level discussion about their pain points and the current environment. You can also talk to your sales team and even have an outside firm conduct one-on-one conversations with your core customers to gain insights about how their needs and wants may have changed.

Maintaining a strong value proposition is anti-commoditization and can help you maintain price premium and profitability even in uncertain times.

Next week, we will be speaking with Deborah Overdeput, a fractional chief marketing officer for Chief Outsiders, who will share her expertise on sales enablement and the importance of the alignment of sales and marketing. Subscribe to our podcast and join us next week for another insightful episode of Success Beneath the Surface.

The full episode is here.

Why a Segmentation Approach is Key to Customized Pricing Strategies.

In this first episode of Success Beneath the Surface, host Deborah Fell is joined by Gary Stockman to discuss the importance of having a thoughtful approach to pricing strategy. The conversation covers how companies can balance the desire to grow revenue with the need to maintain or grow profits. Gary stresses the importance of having a deep understanding of costs, as well as what truly matters to customers and what drives value for them. The discussion also touches on the challenges of making changes to the pricing strategy in a fast-paced and rapidly changing business environment. Whether you're a CEO or a business leader, this episode will provide you with valuable insights and perspectives on a pricing strategy that can help you make more informed decisions. So tune in and listen to this engaging conversation!

This conversation  will challenge everything you think you know about leadership identity.  Deborah Fell sits down with powerhouse CEO Ticki Favaroth, a faith-driven leader who has mastered the art of showing up authentically while building multiple successful enterprises.

Ticki doesn't mince words: "People don't get to choose my life" - and in this raw, transformative conversation, she explains exactly what that means for leaders who want to build a lasting legacy rather than just temporary success.

From her journey through 20 years in corporate America to founding HR&Co and leading The BOW Enterprises, Ticki shares the hard-won wisdom about identity, boundaries, and the courage to let things burn when they're meant to transform.

This isn't your typical business strategy episode - it's a masterclass in becoming the leader you're meant to be, complete with practical frameworks for navigating change, building authentic relationships, and focusing on what you can actually control.

Perfect for CEOs, founders, and leaders ready to move from pleasing everyone to leading with purpose.

About Ticki Favaroth

Ticki Favaroth is a faith-driven CEO, founder, and strategic advisor known for empowering leaders and building legacy-focused ecosystems. As Senior Partner & Managing Director at HR&Co., she delivers people-first solutions that drive sustainable growth. She also serves as President of The BOW Enterprises, Vice President & COO of The BOW Collective, and founder of The ADISA Institute. With an MBA from Texas Woman’s University and a BBA from Texas Tech, Ticki’s impact spans Fortune 500s, government, and nonprofits. Rooted in faith and authenticity, she equips others to confront hard truths, redefine success, and lead with purpose

Ticki's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ticki/

What if I told you the most successful CEOs I've interviewed this quarter share one counterintuitive trait? They don't try to be the smartest person in the room. From architecture to military leadership to digital transformation, the pattern is unmistakable. 

Looking back at this quarter's most listened-to episodes—featuring Jonathan Moody (Moody Nolan), Rear Admiral Brian Luther (Navy Mutual), Ryan Frederick (Transform Labs), Harold Green (Global Emissionary), Eddie Solomon (Net at Work), Joe Yaccarino (MTF Biologics), Jeff Ostenso (Ironmark), and James Hyman (serial turnaround CEO)—I discovered something remarkable.

The golden thread connecting every transformative leader: They refuse to be the smartest person in the room.

From Jonathan's "create more footprints, not bigger shoes" philosophy to Brian's "reflected light leadership," from Ryan's embrace of "continuous not knowing" to Eddie's insight that "entrepreneurship belongs in psychology," these leaders share seven powerful traits:

→ Anti-ego leadership - Building teams instead of thrones → Vulnerability as strength - Admitting what they don't know → Empowerment over control - Creating conditions for others to succeed → Psychological wisdom - Understanding leadership is about mindset → Radical transparency - Building trust through openness → Purpose-driven growth - Companies that matter, not just profit → The learning advantage - Staying curious regardless of expertise

Whether it's Harold at 69 still having daily learning conversations, Joe asking "is that even legal?" and building from curiosity, Jeff realizing his company "feeds 500 people," or James discovering that Hollywood leadership doesn't work—the pattern is clear.

The most successful leaders amplify their impact by avoiding being the bottleneck.

Join me as we unpack the strategies that turn good companies into thriving communities where everyone succeeds together.

Some of the episodes in this list:

EP105: Reflected Light: Leading Through Your People

EP103: The Power of Humble Listening in Leadership

EP96: Making Carbon Reduction Measurable and Meaningful

EP87: Why This Successful Family Business Said No to Nepotism

EP83: Heroes at Every Level of Healthcare Innovation

EP81: How Teaching the Game of Business Built an Empire

EP63: A CEO’s Competitve Edge - Mastering the Art of Corporate Turnarounds

 

 

 

In this powerful commentary episode, Deborah Fell reflects on her recent conversation with Jeff Grass and the stark reality facing mid-market businesses today. Drawing from hundreds of CEO conversations, she reveals why some companies thrive during crisis while others struggle for years—or don't survive at all.

The Three Types of Companies in Crisis:

• Those that thrive (like Jeff's Hungry Marketplace)
• Those still struggling five years later
• Those that didn't make it

Deborah unpacks the counterintuitive truth that the key to rapid growth is subtraction—eliminating the activities that cloud real results. When every department shows green but business growth shows red, it's time to focus on what truly matters: your customers' biggest pain points.

What separates thriving CEOs from the rest?

• They clarify direction and required outcomes
• They make 2-3 big strategic decisions per year
• They lead with inspiration, not just management
• They ensure every team member understands their role in the bigger picture

This episode includes powerful excerpts from Jeff Grass's interview, highlighting how culture built in good times becomes your lifeline during the storm. As Deborah puts it: "Where the eyes are focused, the mind and body go. Get your team looking up and to the right."

This episode is perfect for CEOs facing current market headwinds, leaders struggling with focus amid distractions, and executives who want to understand why some businesses defy market trends while others wait it out.

Listen to Jeff's full episode here - #110.

About HUNGRY Marketplace

HUNGRY’s mission is to deliver happiness & wellbeing to the workplace by providing amazing food and food experiences. HUNGRY has a comprehensive platform for office catering, group order, special events, pantry, markets & snacks which enables complete customization to client need.  HUNGRY now operates in 19 major cities across North America. and is rapidly disrupting the $60 billion office food industry.  Learn about HUNGRY at www.TryHungry.com

 

Deborah Fell sits down with Jeff Grass, CEO and co-founder of Hungry Marketplace, to explore how exceptional leadership and company culture can turn a 95% revenue loss into a thriving business.

Jeff shares the remarkable story of how Hungry Marketplace—a food tech platform connecting local chefs with corporate clients—not only survived the COVID-19 pandemic but emerged stronger than ever. When office catering disappeared overnight, Jeff and his team didn't just adapt—they innovated their way out of crisis, ultimately delivering 1.5 million meals per month to underserved communities and partnering with organizations like World Central Kitchen.

About HUNGRY - HUNGRY’s mission is to deliver happiness & wellbeing to the workplace by providing amazing food and food experiences. HUNGRY has a comprehensive platform for office catering, group order, special events, pantry, markets & snacks which enables complete customization to client need.  HUNGRY now operates in 19 major cities across North America. and is rapidly disrupting the $60 billion office food industry.  Learn about HUNGRY at www.TryHungry.com

There's a fundamental difference between being busy and being effective. You can have a team that hits every activity metric and checks off every box—but if revenue isn't growing, are they really succeeding?

This week's commentary explores a powerful shift: moving from loyalty-based cultures to accountability-based ones. It's the difference between rewarding people for showing up versus rewarding them for delivering results that actually move the business forward.

We dive into what it means to build a culture where everyone understands how their role contributes to business goals and has the tools to deliver real outcomes. This isn't about micromanagement—it's about creating an environment where success is clearly defined and team members can see the direct connection between their work and company growth.

When done right, this shift doesn't just transform businesses—it transforms lives.

The full episode is here.

 

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Carolyn Lagermasini is President and Founder of Association & Conference Group (ACG), which she launched in 2005 after experiencing lackluster service as a volunteer board member and recognizing the industry's potential. With over 25 years of event and association management experience, including launching a successful division at a premier conference production company, Carolyn has grown ACG from an idea to a thriving firm employing over 20 professionals across 13 states. She holds a BA and BS from Rutgers University, earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, and actively serves on the Rutgers University Alumni Association Alumni Leaders Council and as a member of the AMC Institute.

 

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

SOCIAL HANDLES FOR OUR GUEST:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-lagermasini/

COMPANY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-&-conference-group-llc/ 

COMPANY WEBSITE: https://associationconferencegroup.com/ 

CHIEF OUTSIDERS:

WEBSITE: https://chiefoutsiders.com 

LINKEDIN PAGE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chief-outsiders/ 

X HANDLE: @chiefoutsiders

FACEBOOK HANDLE: @ChiefOutsiders

DEBORAH FELL ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfell 

 

Twenty years ago, when Carolyn Lagarmasini launched her association management company as fully virtual, industry veterans said it was impossible. Today, her company spans 13 states with 26 employees, and COVID proved she was decades ahead.

"I once had a coach who said, the minute you start to shrink, you die," Carolyn reflects. Her story embodies this philosophy: jumping off cliffs without knowing where you'll land, seeing broken processes instead of broken people, and shifting from a loyalty-based to an accountability-based culture. From her mother, who ran for Congress, to her own leap from stay-at-home mom to entrepreneur, Carolyn turns uncertainty into opportunity.

She reveals how she's preparing for industry disruption as five generations collide in the workforce and what she's learned about building culture when teams never meet face-to-face.

Carolyn Lagermasini is President and Founder of Association & Conference Group (ACG), which she launched in 2005 after experiencing lackluster service as a volunteer board member and recognizing the industry's potential. With over 25 years of event and association management experience, including launching a successful division at a premier conference production company, Carolyn has grown ACG from an idea to a thriving firm employing over 20 professionals across 13 states. She holds a BA and BS from Rutgers University, earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, and actively serves on the Rutgers University Alumni Association Alumni Leaders Council and as a member of the AMC Institute.

 

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

SOCIAL HANDLES FOR OUR GUEST:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-lagermasini/

COMPANY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-&-conference-group-llc/ 

COMPANY WEBSITE: https://associationconferencegroup.com/ 

CHIEF OUTSIDERS:

WEBSITE: https://chiefoutsiders.com 

LINKEDIN PAGE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chief-outsiders/ 

X HANDLE: @chiefoutsiders

FACEBOOK HANDLE: @ChiefOutsiders

DEBORAH FELL ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfell 

Deborah Fell reflects on one of the most powerful leadership insights from her conversation with Jonathan Moody: the radical humility of a CEO who built his success by recognizing he didn't need to be the central force driving everything. When Jonathan became CEO of Moody Nolan in January 2020, just before the pandemic, he made a crucial decision to create an executive team structure rather than trying to fill his legendary father's singular leadership role.

In this brief yet impactful commentary, Deborah explores how Jonathan's approach challenges the traditional CEO archetype and why his vulnerability and team-first mindset have become the foundation for navigating unprecedented uncertainty. For leaders struggling with the pressure to be perfect or those building their executive teams, Jonathan's story offers a refreshing alternative to the lone-wolf leadership model.

The full episode is here.

ABOUT JONATHAN MOODY:

Driven by a passion to continue his father’s legacy, Jonathan D. Moody has entrenched himself in firm leadership, driving growth and innovation. Moody Nolan has grown to over 350 employees and 12 offices across the nation. The firm’s designs have now won over 300 design citations, including 47 from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and 44 from the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Jonathan has helped continue and extend the firm’s position as the largest African American-owned architecture firm. Moody Nolan continues to garner national attention by promoting “diversity by design.”

CONNECT: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

Nancy and Ron Bogart have been married since 1989, started their first business together in 1992, and somewhere along the way figured out something most business owners spend decades chasing: how to build something real and keep it going.

Nancy is the founder and CEO of Jordan Essentials, a 26-year-old direct sales company based in Nixa, Missouri, that manufactures and ships non-toxic personal care products — lotions, scrubs, soaps, magnesium sprays — and supports thousands of independent consultants across all 50 states. Ron spent 13 years taking a sole proprietorship to an employee-owned company of 220, tripling both its size and share price along the way. Three of their four children work at Jordan Essentials. The fourth works with Ron.

They are, as Deborah puts it, a power couple — not in the surface-level sense, but in the way that two people who genuinely like each other make better decisions together than either would alone.

This conversation covers a lot of ground: how a children's book about lavender spray and a monster under the bed became a real business product, why Nancy doubled her revenue in a sector that is not seeing a rising tide, what the Judgment Index revealed about a hire Ron almost didn't question, and why Ron ignored a book recommendation from his wife for five years before it changed everything.

Ron's new book, A Heartbeat Away, arrives in April 2026. It's a fable — mostly made up, he says, except for the parts that are true. The story behind it spans more than a decade. When Ron first took on the CEO role at his current company, the outgoing owner had a heart attack eight months into the transition, forcing Ron to take over much faster than anyone planned. He navigated that successfully. Then, eleven months before this recording, Ron had open heart surgery of his own — unplanned, and a direct test of whether his own succession systems were ready. They weren't fully ready. His argument in the book: succession plans fail not because people don't care, but because a plan that isn't embedded in a living operating system isn't really a plan at all. Ron had lived that truth from both sides of the table.

If you run a business, lead a team, or are somewhere in the middle of figuring out what sustainable growth actually looks like — this one's for you.

Meet Ron & Nancy Bogart:

Nancy Bogart is the Founder and CEO of Jordan Essentials, a family-owned, American-made wellness and skincare company she started over 25 years ago at her kitchen table. Known for pioneering magnesium-based products and clean, non-toxic formulations, Nancy has built a thriving direct sales company rooted in integrity, faith, and empowerment. She is a passionate leader, speaker, and mentor who believes business should be both profitable and purpose-driven. A wife, mom, and CEO entreprenuer, Nancy loves encouraging others to lead with heart, resilience, and vision while building something that truly lasts.

Ron Bogart is the Chief Executive Officer of Gold Mechanical. Since 2012, he has led the organization through its transition from a sole proprietorship to a 100% employee-owned ESOP. Under his leadership, Gold Mechanical has doubled in size, expanded its locations, and tripled its share value. Ron holds a Doctor of Strategic Leadership, a Master of Organizational Leadership, and a Bachelor of Business Administration—all from Evangel University—where he has also served as an adjunct professor in the Graduate Business Studies program and the College of Online Learning for nine years.

An entrepreneur at heart, Ron launched his first company at age 23; it continues to operate today under its third ownership group. Since 2000, he and his wife Nancy have owned Jordan Essentials, a nationwide manufacturing and sales company that continues to thrive and grow.

Ron and Nancy have four adult children, ages 28–32. After spending time building their own careers elsewhere, all four are now involved in one of the Bogart family enterprises.

Nancy Bogart on LinkedIn

Ron Bogart on LinkedIn

Jordan Essentials

Gold Mechanical

A Heartbeat Away on Amazon

 

Jonathan Moody, CEO of Moody Nolan—recognized by Fast Company as one of the world's most innovative architecture firms—reveals the decade-long succession journey that positioned him to lead just before the pandemic struck.

"More time is better," Jonathan reflects on the gradual handoff from his father—a process filled with strategic "sink or swim" moments and culminating in a smooth transition of power in January 2020. His insights on building an executive team, establishing trust through transparent communication, and maintaining the firm's "diverse by design" philosophy provide a blueprint for sustainable leadership transition.

For family businesses and organizations planning succession, Jonathan's humble approach offers practical wisdom on preserving company values while evolving the leadership model—proving that deliberate, patient transitions build the strongest foundations for navigating uncertainty.

ABOUT JONATHAN MOODY:

Driven by a passion to continue his father’s legacy, Jonathan D. Moody has entrenched himself in firm leadership, driving growth and innovation. Moody Nolan has grown to over 350 employees and 12 offices across the nation. The firm’s designs have now won over 300 design citations, including 47 from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and 44 from the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Jonathan has helped continue and extend the firm’s position as the largest African American-owned architecture firm. Moody Nolan continues to garner national attention by promoting “diversity by design.”

CONNECT: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

 

In this week's commentary, Deborah Fell explores the wisdom from her conversation with Rear Admiral Brian "Lex" Luther on leading through change. "The balance of leadership is hard," Deborah notes, "with internal issues, external forces, and human complexity creating cloudy challenges." Yet Lex's transformation of Navy Mutual reveals a fundamental truth: you can't lead if no one follows.

He prioritized his people rather than issuing directives and wondering why progress stalls. His approach of turning long-tenured employees into owners of change while managing "soft saboteurs" demonstrates that transformation starts with engagement, not mandates.

As Luther powerfully stated, "Leaders shine brightest with reflected light." Like Bill Marriott's philosophy that caring for employees leads to satisfied customers and ultimately profit, Lex's military precision and transparent communication created a framework where change could thrive.

 

Brian E. Luther, USN (Ret.), President and Chief Executive Officer | LinkedIn

Brian Luther assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Navy Mutual in October of 2020. Prior to his position as CEO, Luther served for two years as the Chief Strategy Officer of Navy Mutual, assisting the CEO with developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining corporate strategic initiatives. He considers it a privilege to lead an organization whose primary mission is to serve military service members and their families, and will continue to serve Navy Mutual Members and potential Members with honor and integrity.

Before joining the Navy Mutual Team, Luther served as a naval aviator in the U.S. Navy. At sea, his tours included operational squadrons Sea Control Squadrons (VS) 22 and 24, Carrier Air Wing SEVEN, and as the commanding officer of VS-24. After completing the Navy Nuclear Power Training program, he served as the Executive Officer on the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Commanding Officer on the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) and the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), and Commander of Carrier Strike Group 2/George H.W. Bush Strike Group.

Luther also served multiple tours in the Pentagon on the Joint Staff, Navy Staff, and Navy Secretariat as an Action Officer, Financial Analyst, Congressional Liaison, Director of Operations and Plans (N31) and, before joining the Navy Mutual team, the Budget Officer for the Department of the Navy.

 

About Navy Mutual

Navy Mutual is a nonprofit, member-owned mutual association established in 1879 to provide affordable life insurance and peace of mind to members of the military and their families. As the nation’s oldest federally recognized Veterans Service Organization, its mission and commitment to protect those who defend us remain unwavering. Financially strong, Navy Mutual is proud to be a first-choice life insurance provider to servicemembers and their loved ones. Through quality life insurance products, no-cost educational and veterans services programs, and unparalleled service, Navy Mutual has earned the loyalty and support of its membership. For more information, visit navymutual.org.   

Deborah Fell sits down with Brian "Lex" Luther, whose distinguished naval career equipped him with the unique perspective that revolutionized Navy Mutual.

"The principles that guide a naval officer—discipline, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to mission—translate remarkably well to corporate leadership," shares Luther. "At Navy Mutual, we didn't just implement changes; we navigated a complete organizational transformation by applying the same decisive leadership principles that govern operations at sea."

Discover how military precision and operational excellence can reshape corporate culture and drive exceptional results in this must-listen conversation for forward-thinking executives.

 

Brian E. Luther, USN (Ret.) President and Chief Executive Officer LinkedIn

Brian Luther assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Navy Mutual in October of 2020. Prior to his position as CEO, Luther served for two years as the Chief Strategy Officer of Navy Mutual, assisting the CEO with developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining corporate strategic initiatives. He considers it a privilege to lead an organization whose primary mission is to serve military service members and their families, and will continue to serve Navy Mutual Members and potential Members with honor and integrity.

Before joining the Navy Mutual Team, Luther served as a naval aviator in the U.S. Navy. At sea, his tours included operational squadrons Sea Control Squadrons (VS) 22 and 24, Carrier Air Wing SEVEN, and as the commanding officer of VS-24. After completing the Navy Nuclear Power Training program, he served as the Executive Officer on the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Commanding Officer on the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) and the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), and Commander of Carrier Strike Group 2/George H.W. Bush Strike Group.

Luther also served multiple tours in the Pentagon on the Joint Staff, Navy Staff, and Navy Secretariat as an Action Officer, Financial Analyst, Congressional Liaison, Director of Operations and Plans (N31) and, before joining the Navy Mutual team, the Budget Officer for the Department of the Navy.

 

About Navy Mutual

Navy Mutual is a nonprofit, member-owned mutual association established in 1879 to provide affordable life insurance and peace of mind to members of the military and their families. As the nation’s oldest federally recognized Veterans Service Organization, its mission and commitment to protect those who defend us remain unwavering. Financially strong, Navy Mutual is proud to be a first-choice life insurance provider to servicemembers and their loved ones. Through quality life insurance products, no-cost educational and veterans services programs, and unparalleled service, Navy Mutual has earned the loyalty and support of its membership. For more information, visit navymutual.org.   

In last week's conversation with Ryan Frederick, Principal of Transform Labs, we explored the delicate balance between expertise and humility. Ryan shares how the companies that failed in his experience often stumbled due to assumption-driven leadership rather than curiosity-driven validation.

"I think there's a lot to be said in approaching things in a humble manner where you don't assume that you know," Ryan reflects. "You actually assume that you don't know and you're just sort of on a journey of continuous not knowing, but making progress along the path."

This commentary focuses on the key point of how genuine success comes not from positioning oneself as the expert with all the answers, but from creating effective conversations between systems, between people, and between organizations. As we navigate an era of unprecedented technological change and potential disruption, Ryan reminds us that while we get paid for what we know, the future belongs to those who remain open to what they have yet to discover.

Listen to his full episode here.

About Ryan Frederick:

Ryan Frederick, Principal at Transform Labs, is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and advisor renowned for exploring technology’s impact on global economics, politics, labor, and society. With deep expertise in digital transformation, he has successfully founded, built, and invested in multiple technology companies. Ryan authored two influential books, "The Founder's Manual" and "Sell Naked," and regularly discusses AI’s macroeconomic and societal implications. Passionate about social impact, he founded i.c.stars, a nonprofit training under-employed adults in digital skills. Ryan’s experience uniquely positions him as a compelling voice on how technology reshapes economies, labor markets, and political landscapes worldwide.

Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryangfrederick/

Deborah Fell connects with Ryan Frederick of Transform Labs about strategic technology implementation. Ryan positions his firm as independent advisors rather than product reps, ensuring "our advice to clients is in the best interest of the client."

Ryan captures the uncertainty many CEOs face with a compelling metaphor: "It's almost like being in the woods on a foggy trail... you're not sure if you should turn right or left or if you should wait for the fog to sort of dissipate."

What makes this conversation valuable is Ryan's candid reflection on failures and how ego-based assumptions derailed even previously successful ventures. His advocacy for "continuous not knowing" offers a counterintuitive but powerful framework for leaders.

The episode explores why challenging clients with education, prioritizing questions over answers, and genuinely serving client interests separate successful professional services firms from the rest. Ryan concludes by discussing his book Sell Naked, which advocates stripping away "fancy pitch decks" to focus on authentic understanding of client needs.

About Ryan Frederick:

Ryan Frederick, Principal at Transform Labs, is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and advisor renowned for exploring technology’s impact on global economics, politics, labor, and society. With deep expertise in digital transformation, he has successfully founded, built, and invested in multiple technology companies. Ryan authored two influential books, "The Founder's Manual" and "Sell Naked," and regularly discusses AI’s macroeconomic and societal implications. Passionate about social impact, he founded i.c.stars, a nonprofit training under-employed adults in digital skills. Ryan’s experience uniquely positions him as a compelling voice on how technology reshapes economies, labor markets, and political landscapes worldwide.

Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryangfrederick/

Success Beneath the Surface: Leadership Insights from Q1 2025

Welcome to our curated collection of the most impactful conversations from the first quarter of 2025. This playlist features transformative discussions with leaders who have mastered the art of building thriving organizations through unconventional wisdom and authentic leadership.

Join us as we explore the hidden dynamics of successful leadership with extraordinary guests including Eddie Solomon, who built Net at Work from immigrant roots to serving 5,000+ businesses; Jeff Ostenso, who's reinventing family business leadership at Ironmark; and Ray Hatch, who boldly grew profits while intentionally cutting revenue at Quest Resource Holding Corporation.

You'll discover Scott Jackson's counterintuitive "follower of leaders" approach that helped Global Impact channel $2.5 billion to global causes, and Joe Yaccarino's insights on building a culture of everyday heroes that transformed MTF Biologics from 100 to 1,400 employees while performing 500,000 transplants annually.

These conversations reveal the uncommon threads that connect truly exceptional leaders: empowering others without micromanaging, balancing innovation with scale, building cultures that embrace individuality, and creating environments where trust transcends into faith in what's possible.

Whether you're scaling a family business, transforming an organization, or seeking to unlock your team's full potential, these episodes offer practical wisdom for leading with purpose in today's complex business landscape.

Links to the top episodes for the quarter:

#1:-Eddie Solomon - Why This Successful Family Business Said No to Nepotism

#2: Jeff Ostenso - The Unexpected Impact of a Company Picnic

#3: Eddie Solomon - Take No Prisoners Path of Entrepreneurship

#4: Deborah Fell - Adapting Leadership Styles to Different Teams

#5: Scott Jackson - When Leadership Feels Like Going Slower to Go Faster

#6: Scott Jackson - Take Me With You: How a CEO's Early Lessons in Trust Shape Modern Leadership

#7: Ray Hatch - Humble Leadership Between the Ceiling and the Net

#8: Joe Yaccarino - Heroes at Every Level of Healthcare Innovation

#9: Jeff Ostenso - How Teaching the Game of Business Built an Empire

#10: Ray Hatch - Breaking the Consensus Trap in Leadership

Welcome to the 100th episode of Success Beneath the Surface. This is a podcast where we dig into what lies beneath the surface of a CEO's success, your success, and insights deeply rooted at times in family, beliefs, or a drive that's just always been there. Our top downloaded episodes include Lessons from Navy Seal Kyle Buckett, number 57, who challenges the notion of leadership from the top, and gives life-saving reasons to build leadership capability at all levels, or at least business-saving reasons. 

James Hyman's episode number 64 gave fodder for a discussion on leading leaders, because if you have leadership at every level, the old management archetypes of top-down management simply don't work. 

Key lessons on building cultures based on trust, transparency, accountability, and urgency can be found in episode number 74 with Clay Spitz, 54, Torey Carter-Conneen, episode 64 with James Hyman, and episode 72 with Ryan Clark. 

And even when exogenous factors and forces create more uncertainty, the intentional leader, Will Bowie, in episode number 70, grows his business team and community through grit, determination,  and purposeful living and somehow still finds time to pay it forward. Check them all out. It strikes me that with all of these CEOs, in the words of Angela Duckworth in her book, Grit, it's not the intensity but the consistency that builds a sustainable business.

Here is the playlist from this episode : EP74 Exterminating Distrust: M&A Successfully Merging Business Cultures EP64: Leading Leaders - Balancing Accountability and Empowerment EP57: Lessons from a SEAL - Culture Improvement with Culture Fit to Build Your Elite Team EP72: Building a Culture of Urgency 20 Seconds at a Time EP49: Navigating Change Through Stakeholder Engagement EP70: The Intentional Leader - Creating Generational Wealth and Opportunity

 

This commentary features Carl Satterwhite, President and Owner of RCF Group. This segment focuses on the evolving workplace landscape. Carl shares his unique observations on post-pandemic challenges, multigenerational workforces, and the often-overlooked phenomenon of "culture creep." His remarkable business philosophy—Making Others Realize Extra (MORE)—has powered RCF Group's expansion to 50 states and 22 countries. At the same time, his innovative approach to developing next-generation talent offers valuable wisdom for today's leaders.

Carl's full episode is here.

 

About Carl Satterwhite:

Carl Satterwhite is President/Owner of The RCF Group, operating in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Louisville. His company provides comprehensive workplace solutions tailored to clients' specific culture and needs, living by the motto "We Make The Workplace Work For You." As a National Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Plus Member, RCF Group is among less than 150 minority businesses to receive this prestigious endorsement. Carl serves on numerous boards including Fifth Third Cincinnati, Key Bank Great Lakes, and the Anthony Munoz Foundation. He holds a Stationary Engineering certification from the University of Cincinnati and lives in West Chester, OH with his wife Dawn.

Deborah welcomes Carl Satterwhite, President and Owner of RCF Group, a unique commercial furniture, architectural interiors, and facility services company operating in all 50 states and over 20 countries.

Carl shares his remarkable journey from managing "all the other stuff" at Procter & Gamble to building a continuously evolving business by listening deeply to client needs. His story is of faith, vision, and integrity—built on handshake promises and seeing opportunities where others saw none.

What sets Carl apart is not just his business acumen but his philosophy of "more" (Making Others Realize Extra) and his commitment to collaborative growth rather than competition. Carl offers invaluable insights for seasoned CEOs and emerging leaders as workplaces evolve post-pandemic with five generations working side by side.

Join us as Carl reveals how he navigated his entrepreneurial calling, created innovative workplace solutions, and shares wisdom on how companies can better harness the brilliance of young talent while providing the guidance they need to truly excel.

 

About Carl Satterwhite:

Carl Satterwhite is President/Owner of The RCF Group, operating in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Louisville. His company provides comprehensive workplace solutions tailored to clients' specific culture and needs, living by the motto "We Make The Workplace Work For You." As a National Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Plus Member, RCF Group is among less than 150 minority businesses to receive this prestigious endorsement. Carl serves on numerous boards including Fifth Third Cincinnati, Key Bank Great Lakes, and the Anthony Munoz Foundation. He holds a Stationary Engineering certification from the University of Cincinnati and lives in West Chester, OH with his wife Dawn.

In a world obsessed with ROI and KPIs, the most valuable asset might be sitting across from you at lunch. This bonus conversation between Deborah Fell and Harold Green reveals something we often overlook in our digital-first world.

What stands out in this conversation is the genuine human connection that developed between two professionals who met by chance at a networking event. What started as a simple lunchtime conversation led to ongoing professional relationships and shared business insights that span decades.

Listen as Deborah and Harold reminisce about mutual connections, track the careers of shared acquaintances, and discuss how organizations like Vistage, TEC, and CEO Connections create environments where these vital relationships can flourish.

This isn't just small talk – it's the foundation of business resilience. When Harold mentions that "every conversation is an important conversation to be had," he's sharing a philosophy that has helped him navigate multiple successful ventures across different industries.

For CEOs leading mid-market companies, this episode serves as a powerful reminder that business is fundamentally about people. The connections you make today might open doors to opportunities you haven't even imagined yet. Your next breakthrough could begin with something as simple as asking the person beside you, "What do you do?"

Join Deborah and Harold for this candid conversation about the lasting impact of meaningful professional relationships and how they continue to shape business success long after the formal meetings end.

Listen to the full episode with Harold Green here.

About Harold Green:

Harold Green - CEO & Ecopreneur at Global Emissionairy

A lifelong entrepreneur focused on innovative business solutions that leverage technology. Harold's journey began with Chamberlain Contractors (1974), an asphalt paving business, and evolved to founding Global Resource Recyclers (1990), which pioneered recycled aggregates and sustainable pavement materials.

His current venture, Global Emissionairy, operates with a patented VERRA-approved methodology (VM0039) that captures, verifies, and sells carbon credits on voluntary markets. GE has expanded beyond VCUs into broader technical capabilities in the last four years. Harold has also invested in Care Commons, a comprehensive health information platform that prioritizes user privacy and delivers reliable wellness content without third-party interference.

Brian Garish started at 16, stocking shelves and mopping floors at a Walgreens in Indianapolis. He was not thinking about a career. He just wanted financial independence from his parents. Decades later, he is the Global Chief Client Officer for Mars Veterinary Health, overseeing more than 3,000 hospitals and 70,000 associates across the globe.

The through line from then to now is not a title or an org chart. It is three things he learned early: the power of mentorship, the irreplaceable value of front-line experience, and what it actually takes to build a culture worth being part of.

In this conversation with Deborah Fell, Brian unpacks what those lessons look like at scale. He talks about what happens when a leader moves faster than the team can keep up, how he gave a team member the power to hold him accountable, and why a 360 review is not something to survive but something to act on.

He shares a straightforward conviction: the best strategy in the world means nothing without people who believe in it and have the conditions to execute it. And those conditions are built or broken by the leaders closest to the work, not by the people at the top of the org chart.

Mars Veterinary Health is part of Mars Incorporated, which operates Banfield Pet Hospital, VCA, Blue Pearl, and emergency and specialty veterinary care across more than 30 countries. Brian has visited hospitals in all of them, and his first priority every time is to go talk to the person answering the phone at the front desk.

If your company creates narratives to explain why results are not what they should be, this episode will make you think differently about where that explanation actually starts.

BRIAN GARISH – CHIEF CLIENT OFFICER, GLOBAL MARS VETERINARY HEALTH 

As Global Chief Client Officer, Brian leads client-facing functions across Mars Veterinary Health, including global strategic marketing, demand generation, hospital real estate and facilities management, business development, customer contact call center, and the Rapid Growth Markets (RGM) region. With more than 20 years of leadership experience, including his leadership roles as President of Banfield and President of Mars Veterinary Health International, Brian brings both a global lens and deep understanding of the veterinary care business to the MVH Global Leadership Team.  

LinkedIn URL - linkedin.com/in/briangarish

Mars Veterinary Health is a global division of Mars Petcare dedicated to delivering high-quality pet healthcare in service of its Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. The Mars Veterinary Health family of businesses—including AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospital, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Linnaeus, Mount Pleasant Veterinary Group, VCA Animal Hospitals, VES Singapore, VSH Hong Kong, Tai Wai Animal Hospital, and others—includes more than 70,000 Associates across North America, Europe, and Asia who demonstrate compassion and expertise in caring for over 10 million pets each year. As part of a family-owned business with 90 years of experience caring for pets—including more than 30 years in veterinary services—Mars Veterinary Health makes long-term investments to support its Associates and contribute to the future of veterinary medicine through clinical excellence across its connected care network. Learn more at marsveterinary.com.