Real Leadership
Real Leadership is a podcast that takes listeners behind the scenes of some of the world's most successful companies, focusing on industries that make, move, and process. Hosted by COO Jim Weaver and produced by The О̄nin Group, it features conversations with C-level executives about their leadership experiences and insights. Guests from logistics, manufacturing, and other dynamic fields share real stories and actionable advice. The show aims to help both seasoned executives and aspiring leaders sharpen their leadership skills and stay ahead of the game.
Episodes
Joseph DeMarco - Chief Procurement Officer at ABM Industries | Real Leadership
What does it really take to turn procurement from “the department that says no” into a genuine strategic partner?
In this episode, Jim sits down with Joseph DeMarco, Chief Procurement Officer at ABM Industries, one of the largest integrated facility services companies in the world. ABM keeps airports, hospitals, stadiums, warehouses, and office towers running behind the scenes, self-performing 70-
Mark Hans Richer - Principal at Richer Confidential | Real Leadership
What does it take to become the first-ever Chief Marketing Officer at two different companies? Mark-Hans Richer has done it twice — nine years at Harley-Davidson and nine years at Fortune Brands, with a nearly decade-long run at GM in between steering Chevy Trucks, GMC, and Pontiac.
Along the way he's picked up two Cannes Gold Lions, three Gold Effies, a 2026 Leadership Orbie from Chicago CMO, an
Tiffany Benjamin - CEO of The Humana Foundation | Real Leadership
What does it look like to run philanthropy with the discipline of a business and the empathy of a social worker?
Tiffany Benjamin is the CEO of the Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of one of the largest healthcare companies in the country. A Harvard-trained lawyer, she started at a major firm, spent several years as senior investigative counsel for Congress, and rose through Eli Lilly’s le
Dan Florness, CEO of Fastenal
How do you lead an organization you can’t control?
Dan Florness has spent 30 years answering that question at Fastenal and the last 11 as CEO of what is now a $9 billion industrial distributor operating in 26 countries. He joined as CFO in 1996, when the company’s run rate was about $250 million. Today, Fastenal does $37 million in revenue a day. It takes about a week to match a full year of the b
Erica Baird, Executive Director of Global Sales and Service, Cummins, Real Leadership
What happens when an open mic poet, a foster mom to more than 14 kids, and the daughter of Muhammad Ali's bodyguard becomes a top executive in the global heavy industrial sector?
You get Erica Baird — Executive Director of Global Sales and Service at Cummins, the Fortune 150 power solutions leader. Erica oversees more than 1,200 employees worldwide across sales, service, customer experience, data
Dan Seidel, Global Chief Operating Officer of HelloFresh, Real Leadership
What does it take to run a supply chain where every input is perishable, every customer is different, and every week the entire operation resets?
Meet Dan Seidel, Global Chief Operating Officer at HelloFresh, and one of the sharpest operational minds in the food industry.
Dan oversees 36 industrial kitchens and distribution centers across 18 countries, a portfolio of brands that includes HelloFres
Katie Stratton, Chief Growth & Strategy Officer at Shipt, Real Leadership
Episode Description
What happens when a leader who spent a decade inside one of the most influential technology companies in history decides to bring that playbook to the world of same-day delivery?
Katie Stratton is the Chief Growth and Strategy Officer at Shipt, the Target-owned retail technology company that specializes in same-day and next-day delivery. Before joining Shipt in 2023, Katie spen
Nathan Fulton, CEO of Fulton Technology, Real Leadership
What does it take to turn a layoff into a company?
Nathan Fulton had $5,000 and the willingness to see opportunity where others saw scrap metal.
In 1999, he and his wife Jane founded Fulton Technology Corporation as a machine shop serving the textile industry. When that industry collapsed under NAFTA, he pivoted. When hyperscale data centers were built nearby, he pivoted again. Today, Fulton ope
Katie Distler, Chief Sustainability Officer at Technimark, Real Leadership
How does a lifelong conservationist and fly fisher end up leading sustainability for a global plastics manufacturing company?
Katie Distler didn’t stumble into the role. She swam upstream to get there.
Katie is Chief Sustainability Officer at Technimark, a global leader in injection molded plastics for healthcare, consumer, and industrial markets with close to 5,000 employees across the U.S., Mexi
Carles Farre, Division President at HP Solutions Hybrid Systems, Real Leadership
Most leaders spend the early years of their career trying to accelerate forward.
Carles Farré stepped away.
Just a few years into his career at HP, he and his wife made an unconventional decision: they left the corporate world to spend several years in Latin America working with microfinance nonprofits—helping entrepreneurs in remote villages access small loans to start businesses.
S03 E04 Carles
Shawn Khan, CEO & President of Metropolitan Warehouse & Delivery Corp, Real Leadership
Shawn Khan’s entrepreneurial journey started from the ground up in a way most founders never experience.
He didn’t inherit a company, raise venture capital, or even understand the industry he was stepping into.
Shawn bought a one-truck furniture delivery operation in New York City, rented the truck every morning, and learned the business by riding in the back making deliveries himself.
Two years
Zachary Elkins, Chief Operating Officer of LFG Manufacturing, Real Leadership
Zac Elkins didn’t wait for the supply chain to fix itself. He built his own.
As COO of LFG Manufacturing, Power Design’s specialty manufacturing division, Zac is leading one of the boldest vertical integration bets in the electrical industry. When COVID-era backlogs pushed switchgear lead times from 12 weeks to nearly two years, most contractors adjusted. Zac and the LFG team invested millions, bo
Tom Shoupe, Former EVP & CEO of Honda of America Manufacturing, Real Leadership
Tom Shoupe never planned on a career in manufacturing. He started in public service, working in Washington, D.C., far from factory floors and production lines.
Then Honda called.
At the time, the company was still a young experiment in American manufacturing — betting that people, not just product, would determine its future. Tom said yes to the opportunity.
That decision shaped the next 33 years
Jill Wrobel, EVP & CHRO of Brunswick Corporation, Real Leadership
What happens when a CHRO with an actuary’s mind, a leader’s heart, and a survivor’s grit steps into one of the world’s most complex global marine companies? You get Jill Wrobel — Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Brunswick Corporation — and one of the most refreshing voices in modern leadership.
Jill oversees culture, talent, and operating strategy for 15,000 employee
Teddy Bekele, Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer of Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Before Teddy Bekele ever thought about AI or agricultural transformation, he watched his father lose the family farm overnight—a moment that stayed with him from Ethiopia to Italy to an engineering career in the U.S.
That moment didn’t just change his life. It hardwired his obsession with resilience, ownership, and making sure the people who grow our food don’t get left behind in the next wave of
Mike Oakman, Co-founder of Content Logistix, Real Leadership
What separates a project from a company? And what makes some organizations scale effortlessly—while others stall out under their own ambition?
Few people have lived that question more deeply than Mike Oakman. With three decades of experience spanning startups, private equity-backed growth, and billion-dollar enterprises, Mike has led everything from scrappy engineering teams to 400-person global o
Greg Ramfos, CEO of DURA - Shiloh, Real Leadership
What happens when a CEO trades the corporate script for a hard hat…and wins?
Greg Ramfos, CEO of DURA Shiloh, is leading one of the boldest turnarounds in the automotive world. With 16 plants, 4,000 employees, and a mission to bring manufacturing back to its roots, Greg’s not following the playbook. He’s rewriting it.
Raised in poverty and foster care, Greg learned early that resilience beats pedi
SriRaj Kantamneni, EVP & Chief Information & Digital Officer at Schreiber Foods
What does it take to lead real digital transformation—while keeping food on shelves across the globe?
At Schreiber Foods, that question isn’t theoretical. It’s the work of SriRaj Kantamneni, EVP & Chief Information and Digital Officer at Schreiber and the architect behind an ambitious digital overhaul in one of the most critical global industries — food and ag.
But Sri didn’t come up through S
Chris Condon, Founder and CEO of Aircon
What if the future of logistics isn’t about bigger fleets—but about smarter connections?
Chris Condon grew up with the grit of farm country and the drive to fix what’s broken. After decades in the freight industry, he realized the real opportunity wasn’t in moving more freight. It was in empowering the small and mid-sized freight forwarders who move 80% of the world’s cargo.
In this episode of Rea
Chris Cochran, Founder & CEO of FreightWise
Chris Cochran didn’t set out to disrupt one of the most entrenched industries in the U.S. — he just knew there had to be a better way. Now, as founder and CEO of FreightWise, he’s led one of the fastest-growing logistics tech companies in the country—proving that innovation doesn’t have to come from Silicon Valley to change everything.
In this episode of Real Leadership, Chris shares the story beh
Chad Wiegand, Executive Vice President & CRO of Schreiber Foods
Chad Wiegand didn’t follow a corporate blueprint. He built a leadership model designed for complexity.
From pharmacy school to law, from boardroom legal counsel to global strategy, Chad built his career by stepping into uncertainty—and bringing clarity.
Today, he’s EVP and Chief Risk Officer at Schreiber Foods, an $8 billion, employee-owned food giant. He oversees everything from legal and audit t
Jessica Warnke, President & CEO of Carter Logistics
You don’t have to choose between legacy and innovation. Jessica Warnke is proof — she’s doing both—and doing it exceptionally well.
Jessica grew up in the logistics world—her grandfather started a truck dealership with poker winnings, her father scaled Carter Express from 13 trucks to a national logistics force.
Today, Jessica is the President & CEO of Carter Logistics, leading a 900-truck op
Andrew Tidwell, CHRO of Wineshipping
Andrew Tidwell has never followed the traditional HR playbook.
With a background in labor negotiations, international chaos, and what he calls “solving difficult people problems,” Andrew built a career by saying yes to the messy stuff—and figuring it out mid-flight.
Today, he’s CHRO at WineShipping, where he’s helped transform a fast-scaling logistics company into a culture-first, award-winning wo
Rudy Alanis, CHRO & EVP of Facility Solutions Group, Real Leadership
What if everything you thought about leadership was wrong?
Rudy Alanis grew up in a family where leadership meant service, purpose, and people. But after 25 years in global HR leadership—working at GE, TE Connectivity, Helix Electric, and now as Chief People Officer at Facility Solutions Group (FSG)—he’s learned that success isn’t just about working hard or getting results. It’s about how you le
Paul Simmons, President of WSI Warehouse Specialists, LLC, Real Leadership
What keeps a logistics company thriving for nearly six decades?
Plenty of companies throw around words like trust and transparency, but few actually walk the talk. Even fewer know how to turn these values into a competitive edge.
In this episode, Paul shares what most leaders overlook when it comes to building a resilient, high-performing organization—whether you're leading a logistics team, navig
Matt Silverberg, CEO of Associated Couriers & CCO of Life Couriers, Real Leadership
The Psychologist Who Built a Life-Saving Logistics Empire
Most people don’t wake up thinking they’ll run a high-stakes logistics company. Matt Silverberg didn’t either.
Armed with a master’s in clinical psychology, he was working in the nonprofit sector—until a phone call changed everything. His father-in-law needed help in a niche logistics business. What started as a favor turned into a full-sca
Matt Milas, President - Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, Real Leadership
From transforming a struggling division into a $6 billion powerhouse to tackling the unprecedented challenges of modern warfare, Matt Milas, President of Defense & Space at Honeywell Aerospace, knows what it means to lead under pressure.
His journey is a masterclass in turning obstacles into opportunities, and he shares it all on this week’s episode of Real Leadership.
With 20+ years in a
Season 1 Recap - What We Discovered
What does it really take to be a great leader in today’s world? In Season 1 of Real Leadership, we explored this question by talking with 28 extraordinary leaders in the real economy—those who inspire their teams, solve real-world challenges, and create meaningful impact every day.
Through their stories, one thing became clear: success isn’t about ego or titles. It’s about leading with a servant’s
Chrissy Dunlap, Chief Revenue Officer at BirdieBox: Resilience, Innovation, and the Future of Corporate Gifting
From navigating a high-stakes maternity leave during the pandemic to stepping in as interim CEO during a health crisis, Chrissy Dunlap, Chief Revenue Officer at BirdieBox, knows what it means to lead with heart and grit. Her journey is a masterclass in balancing personal adversity with professional leadership, and she shares it all on this week’s episode of Real Leadership.
From her start in the s
Building Resilience and Culture with Mike Porter, President & COO of New Horizons Baking Company
How do you rise above a challenging start to lead one of the top companies in the baking industry? In this episode, Jim Weaver sits down with Mike Porter, President and COO of New Horizons Baking Company, to discuss his inspiring journey from a troubled adolescence to industry leadership. Mike shares how resilience, mentorship, and a people-first mindset have been key to his success.
From implemen
Real Leadership featuring Drew Herpich, Chief Commercial Officer of Nolan Transportation Group
How do you lead in an industry with over 20,000 competitors, all vying for the same freight loads? In this episode, Jim Weaver sits down with Drew Herpich, Chief Commercial Officer at Nolan Transportation Group (NTG), one of the largest freight brokerages in the U.S. Drew brings a wealth of experience from his 14 years at Coyote Logistics and shares how NTG is navigating an evolving logistics land
Lead with Purpose: Carolyn Comer, CEO of Shell Energy North America, on Navigating the Energy Transition and Transforming Leadership
What does it take to lead a global powerhouse like Shell through history's most critical energy transition? Carolyn Comer, President and CEO of Shell Energy North America, knows exactly how to turn big challenges into big opportunities—and she’s sharing her playbook in this must-listen episode of Real Leadership.
Carolyn pulls back the curtain on the energy industry’s biggest hurdles: reliability,
Paula Marshall, CEO of The Bama Companies: Transforming Leadership Through Care and Accountability
Reducing Fear in the Workplace
How do you take a family business from survival mode to thriving on the global stage? Paula Marshall, CEO of The Bama Companies, did just that by focusing on reducing fear in the workplace. In this episode, Paula shares how she transformed Bama’s culture by fostering open communication and collaboration. She emphasizes the power of making employees feel valued and se
David Walker - CEO and President of EBSCO Industries
Empowerment Without Abandonment
Ever wondered how the leader of a $3.1 billion company maintains a culture of independence and accountability across multiple industries? David Walker, President and CEO of EBSCO Industries, shares his secret: Empowerment without Abandonment.
In this episode, David explains how giving his teams the freedom to be entrepreneurial—without leaving them to fend for th
Richard DeBoer, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain Logistics at Carter Logistics
He’s driving operational excellence in a world of milk runs, cross-docks, and lean practices.
Richard DeBoer, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain Logistics at Carter Logistics, combines financial acumen with operational expertise to lead one of the top logistics firms. Drawing on his wealth of experience as CFO and COO, Richard has propelled Carter Logistics into a period of expansion, fortif
Wes Carter, President of Atlantic Packaging, Founder of A New Earth Project
We’re still reeling a bit from what we just learned:
The uncomfortable truth behind building a great culture.
How will the next revolution in packaging impact your business, too?
When innovation beats iteration.
Our guest in this episode took us in directions we weren’t expecting (but man, did we need to go there!)
His passion and pragmatism are changing an industry.
Wes Carter, President of A
Steve Ammons, CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance
The transcendent career of a recovering politician.
Before Steve Ammons became the CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance, he served as a Jefferson County Commissioner, focusing on economic development and information technology. Steve’s journey from entrepreneur to city council member to a key figure in regional economic growth has left a lasting impact on the Birmingham region.
In this episod
Max Navarro, President of OpTech
Living the pros and cons of being a young leader
Before stepping into his role as President of Operational Technologies Corporation (OpTech), Maximiliano Navarro III honed his entrepreneurial skills and gained invaluable insights from his family’s business. When it comes to drive and commitment, Maximiliano proves age is just a number.
In this episode of Real Leadership, we explore:
How early ex
David Reid, CMO/CTO for NOV
A dramatic career shift changed everything.
David Reid, the dual-hatted Chief Technology Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at NOV, brings a unique blend of visionary technology and strategic marketing to one of the leading global energy equipment providers. With a background that spans architecture and engineering, David is helping to steer new frontiers in the energy sector.
In this episode of
Randy Tucker - CEO and Chairman of Wineshipping
He’s tried — and failed — to retire twice.
Randy Tucker is the current Chairman and CEO of Wineshipping and a key board member of the international 3PL, GEODIS. With a knack for numbers and a passion for people, Randy is still pursuing the art of building a perfect culture.
In this episode of Real Leadership, we discuss:
Why culture is key to performance and how to build a culture at scale
Why mo
Chris McConnachie, CFO of National Grid in New York
He has a first-hand view of the future of energy infrastructure.
Chris McConnachie is the Chief Financial Officer of New York for National Grid, one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the U.S. In this episode, we explore Chris’s career journey from England to the Empire State, and Chris sheds light on the invisible forces powering our lives.
In this episode, you will:
Discover the
Bill Canady, CEO, OTC Industrial Technologies and Arrowhead Engineered Products
His strategy delivers more with less — and it’s generating billions in revenue.
Bill Canady is the CEO of two major companies, OTC Industrial Technologies and Arrowhead Engineered Products. He’s the mastermind behind a business strategy that has generated a $3 billion boost in shareholder value and the author of the upcoming book “The 80/20 CEO.”
In this episode, we discuss:
Why leaders should
Rocky Fiore, Chief Operating Officer of Prairie Capital Advisors
This ownership strategy is changing the way we work.
Rocky Fiore, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of Prairie Capital Advisors, is an expert in Employee Stock Ownership Plans (called ESOP).
For owners considering an eventual exit from your business or those just hungry for a strategy that can position your company for greater success, this is worth a listen.
In this episode, you wil
Stephan Mathis, Co-Founder of Molo Solutions
A chance conversation launched his career.
Before Stephan Mathis became the co-founder of the billion-dollar company Molo Solutions, he was a part-time valet. But Stephan didn’t let his humble beginnings hold him back — he used them to pave his path forward.
In this episode of Real Leadership, we discuss:
Why failure in your twenties can be the secret ingredient for future success
When to take a
Tammi Carter, Chief Executive Officer of E4D Technologies
Strategy is NOT the key to success.
Tammi Carter, Chief Executive Officer at E4D Technologies, reveals the secret sauce propelling success in the dynamic world of manufacturing and technology. In an era of rapid change, Tammi is orchestrating a transformative culture that's turning heads and changing the industry.
In this episode, we dive beneath the surface of traditional manufacturing to discus
Kellye Terrell, Executive HR Director at Georgia Tech
Rediscover your WHY.
In a world racing for the next best thing, Kellye Terrell, Human Resources Executive at Georgia Tech, believes in letting your purpose define your pace.
Is this episode your wake-up call to slow down and find a more authentic way forward?
Join us for a journey into the heart of reflective leadership, where we discuss:
Why you should embrace a daily reset
The power of grounding
Mike Bartikoski, COO, CraftMark Bakery
Leaders, STOP TALKING…
Michael Bartikoski, COO at CraftMark Bakery shares his battle-tested leadership philosophy honed by working for industry titans like Coca-Cola, Hershey, Quaker Oats, Nestle, and Pepsi.
Leaders often think they need to have all the answers and solve all the problems, BUT do they?
You’ll be so inspired by Mike’s story that you’ll want to send this to your entire team.
You
Robert Hunt, Author
What's really holding you back from thriving in chaos? Find out in this episode…
Robert J. Hunt, an executive coach from Frisco, Texas, dedicated to developing leaders and championing the journey from victimhood to victory. As the co-author of "Nobody Cares Until You Do" and the founder of the Renaissance Executive Forums in Dallas, Fort Worth, Robert's insights into leadership, accountability,
Michael Thomas
This leadership advice transcends industries.
From turning around a university's financial crisis to pioneering cutting-edge automotive technology, President of the Systems Group of Companies Michael Thomas knows what it takes to make an impact. In this episode of Real Leadership, we explore the magic of transforming deficits into triumphs, all while securing a remarkable encounter with a vice pre
Will Jenkins
This is how you disrupt an industry.
At age 27, Will Jenkins co-founded freight brokerage company MoLo Solutions and began a fascinating journey of growth, grit, and game-changing innovation. Today, Will knows what it takes to build a billion-dollar company from the ground up.
On this episode of Real Leadership, dive into a riveting journey through the world of transportation and entrepreneurshi
Carin Sampson - VP of Marketing and HR for IBT Industrial Solutions
This is how leaders can help anyone learn anything — and change the course of a company in the process.
Discover how Carin Sampson unleashed IBT Industrial Solution's potential by embracing curiosity.
As the Vice President of Marketing and Human Resources at IBT Industrial Solutions, Carin has helped the respected 70-plus-year-old business pivot for a bold new future. From embracing change
Mike Schillinger - COO of Advanced Plastics
This is how he moved from company contractor to COO.
Mike Schillinger took a different path to the top, and the results speak for themselves.
In the world of plastics, one man's journey from IT consultant to COO unveils the secrets behind thriving company, Advanced Plastic. From sprint races and unexpected challenges to the art of balancing flexibility and rigidity, discover how this custom
Airbus U.S. - Bettsie Norton
This got her to the top at Airbus.
Get inspired by Bettsie Norton, a top executive at the Airbus U.S.
While many executives lead with heavy-handed authority, Bettsie does things differently.
Join us as we uncover the strategies, mindset and personal traits that have propelled Bettsie to the forefront of the aviation manufacturing industry.
You will also discover:
What's next in the fast-movin
Creative Builders, Inc. with President Will McCauley
Will McCauley is the President of the Top Best Place to Work in South Carolina. But before he was leading Creative Builders, Inc. Will was swinging a hammer and cleaning out housing units for the general contractor firm focused on commercial building. Born the same year his father established the company, Will has continued his family's legacy of excellence. With a steadfast commitment to people,
Paul Seeman, CEO, Boombox Beverage
Get ready for an exciting journey into the world of real leadership in the debut episode of "Real Leadership". Host Jim Weaver sits down with Paul Seeman, CEO of Boombox Beverage, to discuss his experiences and insights on leadership in the non-alcoholic specialty beverage market.
During their conversation, Paul shares his journey of building Boombox Beverage and the challenges he faced in scaling
Real Leadership - Teaser
Introducing "Real Leadership", the podcast that takes you on a journey behind the scenes of some of the world's most successful companies. Produced by The Onin Group and hosted by COO Jim Weaver, our show is dedicated to exploring what it truly means to be a leader in industries that make, move, and process.
In each episode, Jim sits down with C-level executives to discuss their experiences and in
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