A Life of Climb: The CEO's Journey

David Querio joins the podcast to share his remarkable journey from airplane mechanic to CEO of Ascent Aviation Services, and what he learned about managing teams in an industry with no room for error. 

He also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how out-of-the-box thinking fueled his company’s growth, transforming Ascent Aviation into a major player in aircraft maintenance, modification and storage. 

David shares lessons learned from doubling his employees over 60 days – and why he’s still passionate about being an airplane “geek” after 40 years in the business. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader.

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

Road Runner Sports President and Owner Mike Gotfredson Jr. joins the podcast to share how his athletic shoe company evolved into a nationwide retailer over 41 years. Mike also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how his company uses  technology to transform the in-store experience and create new levels of customer personalization and brand loyalty. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader.

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

Cleanlogic Co-CEO and Vistage Member Award Winner Mike Ghesser joins Vistage CEO Sam Reese to talk about how his passion for prioritizing workplace accessibility grew from his personal experiences as a father and friend. Mike also shares how he persevered through challenges and roadblocks to build a thriving business from the ground up.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader.

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

AmeriVet Veterinary Partners CEO Tom Thill joins the podcast to share how his values-led approach to acquisitions has fueled explosive growth and led to happier vets and healthier pets.  Tom also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about what he learned navigating PE acquisition and why a CEO’s vision is so crucial to a successful sale.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader.

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

The Line Up Owner and Founder Deb Erickson joins the podcast to share her journey from working in social services to making apparel for some of the biggest sports teams in the country. Deb also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how learning to ask for help unlocked new potential for herself and her company, and the lessons she’s learned while putting in place a concrete succession plan. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader.

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

Ricos Products CEO and Vistage Lifetime Award Winner Tony Liberto joins the podcast and shares the amazing story of the invention of the ballpark nacho and how smart diversification strategies have helped his family business thrive through four generations. Tony also talks to Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how his investments in marketing and company culture have fueled the next wave of business growth.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader.

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

Greyston President and CEO Joseph Kenner joins Vistage CEO Sam Reese to share his organization’s bold ideas for re-thinking hiring, mentorship and advancement in today’s workforce. Joseph also explains his experience reshaping his organization as a first-time CEO and his plan to work with major brands to make a $3B economic impact.

Discover how Joseph:

• Adapted the company’s mission and vision for a changing world.  
• Developed an apprentice and mentorship program to improve retention and productivity. 
• Partnered with premium brands such as Ben & Jerrys, Whole Foods, and The Body Shop to increase Greyston’s reach and deepen their impact. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader.

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

Woom CEO and “Chief woomster” Mathias Ihlenfeld takes us on his journey from assembling kids’ bikes in a garage to leading one of Inc.’s fastest-growing privately held companies in the US. Mathias also shares lessons learned trying to reimagine a 200-year-old product and the importance of creating magical moments for customers.

Discover how Mathias:

• Established a company vision to inspire his team and customers 
• Developed a grassroots marketing  campaign and a novel approach to helping customers find his product  
• Overcame supply chain challenges and a 40,000 person waitlist 
• Embraced learning from mistakes 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader.

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

Fresh off his team’s banner season, FC Cincinnati Co-CEO Jeff Berding shares how he turned his audacious dream of bringing a professional soccer club to his hometown into a reality. Plus, Jeff discusses how he used a grassroots approach to create a culture of raving fans and brought different stakeholders together to build a world-class soccer stadium. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader.

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

JEM Group President & Owner Jessica Meyers shares how increasing diversity has helped her women-led company raise the bar in the construction industry. Plus, she talks about the work it takes to cultivate an authentic leadership style and why she ties business growth to lives impacted.

Learn more about how Jessica has: 

• Established transparency with customers and mapped the customer journey to strengthen customer relationships. 
• Increased employee engagement through open communication.
• Created a long-term approach to recruiting talent and built a team for success. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader.

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.