Behind the Win

Welcome back to Behind the Win, the podcast where we explore the leaders, ideas, and experiences behind strong organizations and communities. Today we're joined by Ken Pimlott, former director and chief of CAL FIRE. Ken spent more than three decades in the fire service, ultimately leading CAL FIRE through some of the most challenging and destructive wildfires in California's history. This conversation is especially meaningful to us at LSI because of our work supporting CAL FIRE's aviation and logistics mission. We see firsthand how much preparation, coordination, and leadership happens behind the scenes to make sure people and resources are ready when they're needed most.

Meet LSI Interns Carley, Chloe, and Batu as we discuss how they ended up at LSI and what they're getting from the experience. At LSI, they've found growth, interesting projects, hands-on experience, insight into government relations, and exposure to the interconnectedness of business and government. In this episode, learn more about the inner workings of LSI and our interns.

In this episode of Lift Up, Sam Beasley addresses major concerns people have had with AI usage. Learn how to take advantage of AI tools in the most advantageous way possible, and understand others' motivations behind AI use. Beasley explains how he has seen AI incorporated during his business endeavors.

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today, we're talking about something that often determines whether a startup succeeds or struggles, and it's not always the technology or the funding; it's the ecosystem around them. The strongest companies don't grow alone. They're built through relationships, partnerships, mentorship, investment, and the right people opening the right doors at the right time. Joining us today is Patrick Driscoll, someone who has spent his career helping founders, investors, and innovation organizations build those connections and grow successful companies.

In this Lift Up episode of Behind the Win, Sam Beasley addresses the different factors company leadership considers when allocating raises. Employers start with a budget that they then have to spread between all of their employees, based on skill, retention, equity, and other factors. Beasley addresses how this allocation can look different from an employer versus employee perspective.

Welcome back to Behind the Win. We're talking about how a city positions itself for growth, visibility, and long-term impact without losing what makes it special. And a big part of that conversation right now is Ogden, especially with the momentum around the Ogden Airport and new commercial service, including Breeze Airways. Joining us today is Casey Sanders, the Airport Marketing and Business Recruitment Manager for Ogden-Hinckley Airport, where he's leading efforts to bring in new service and drive economic growth through aviation. He also serves as an honorary commander with the Hill Air Force Base, giving him a unique perspective on the connection between the airport, the defense community, and the broader region.

In this Lift Up episode, Josh Johnson, head of office operations and strategy for LSI in the Washington, D.C. region, explains that visiting your Congress member is not as simple as walking into Congress. There is a variety of other staff working to ensure that information reaches your Congress member through the proper channels; this episode details which ones you are likely to speak to.

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today's conversation is about something so many people think about, but far fewer actually do. What does it really look like to walk away from a stable career and build something on your own? And not just build it, but grow it in a way that stays true to who you are, your values, and your community. Because from the outside, success can look simple, but behind every win there's risk, pressure, and a lot of what people don't see. Joining us today is Amy Lund, owner of Dough Lady, a brand that's grown not just in popularity, but in purpose.

Today's Lift Up episode features a HIPE breakout session led by Randy Glantz, who shares how to do a capability statement right. "Your capability statement is one input into whether they say yes to engaging you on their next move or inviting you to their next industry day."

We hear a lot about workforce programs, training pipelines, and development initiatives, but the real question is what actually works? What actually changes someone's life, not just in theory, but in reality? Because behind every job placement, every certification, every success story, there's a person who made a decision to start over. Joining us today is Shannon O'Shea, director of the Clearfield Job Corps Center, where lives are being changed every single day through education, training, and opportunity.