CXO Conversations

In this episode of "CXO Conversations," host Michael Mitchel welcomes Grant Stanis, a dynamic CEO renowned for his resilience and strategic acumen in the corporate world. Stanis shares his compelling journey from his first student council campaign to the helm of major corporations, revealing the pivotal role of resilience in climbing the corporate ladder. Delve into his insightful reflections on the multifaceted challenges of a CEO, from transforming struggling companies to fostering team growth and innovation. Stanis's unique approach, blending disciplined execution with a positive mindset, offers invaluable lessons for aspiring executives.

Key highlights include:

• Exploring his early ambition and path to becoming a successful CEO.

• Discussing the comprehensive responsibilities and transformative influence of a CEO on an organization and its team.

• Emphasizing how bouncing back from setbacks and learning from mistakes are crucial for business success.

• Highlighting that effective execution is often more critical than the strategy itself in business growth and success.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that unveils the secrets of resilient leadership in the fast-paced business world.

Timestamps

• 🎯 Grant Stanis' Leadership Ambition (00:01:42)

• 🌿 CEO Growth and Team Evolution (00:03:04)

• 🧭 Mentorship in CEO Journey (00:05:08)

• 🔄 Business Resilience (00:07:56)

• 🌐 From CFO to CEO: Learning Journey (00:10:14)

• ✨ Embracing Risks for Success (00:14:06)

• 💪 Leadership Resilience (00:17:47)

• 🌞 Positive Leadership Approach (00:19:30)

• 📚 Lessons from Each Role (00:20:10)

• 🔑 Consistency and Discipline (00:22:33)

• 🤔 Resilient Executive Leadership (00:24:09)

• 📈 Discipline in Business Success (00:25:36)

• 👥 Right People, Right Roles (00:27:45)

• 🌟 Positive Resilience in Leadership (00:29:07)

• 🌱 Young Executives: Resilience Key (00:32:28)

• 👏 Closing Remarks (00:33:49)

Resources

• Grant Stanis LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantstanis/

Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.

Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes – thanks!

Dive into 'CXO Conversations' with host Michael Mitchel as he welcomes The Honorable Patrick J. Murphy. From a U.S. Army officer to a congressman and venture capitalist, Murphy's journey is a tale of resilience and leadership. In this episode, explore his transition from military service to influential roles in Congress and the private sector. Discover how Murphy's leadership philosophy, shaped by experiences in the armed forces and public office, guides his current role at Stoney Lonesome Group, a venture capital firm supporting veteran-owned businesses.

Key highlights include:

• Murphy's leadership philosophy combining confidence, humility, and empathy.

• Transition from military service to Congress and the private sector.

• Insights into veteran unemployment and equality in the armed forces.

• Murphy's venture into television with MSNBC and his work in venture capitalism.

• The importance of a growth mindset and inclusive leadership for emerging leaders.

Tune in for an inspiring journey of transformation and lessons in leadership with Patrick Murphy.

Timestamps

• 🎤 Introduction (00:00:00

• 🛣️ Patrick Murphy's Diverse Career (00:00:45)

• 🏅 Veteran Entrepreneurship (00:01:05)

• ❤️ Passion for Making a Difference (00:02:20)

• 🚀 Challenges in Business Ventures (00:04:47)

• 🗳️ Public Service and Politics (00:09:40)

• 🏛️ Decision to Run for Congress (00:10:55)

• 📺 Murphy's Transition to MSNBC (00:11:26)

• 🎙️ Media Appearances and Public Speaking (00:13:00)

• 🎥 First Day Hosting Own Show (00:14:48)

• 💼 Veteran Entrepreneurship and Investment (00:19:33)

• 🔑 Key Takeaways for Emerging Leaders (00:25:37)

• 🌈 Career Reflection and Lessons Learned (00:27:30)

Resources

• Patrick J. Murphy's Book Recommendation: $100M Careers: The 5 Fastest Career Paths to Wealth Beyond Your Wildest Dreams Hardcover – December 1, 2022 by Emmy Sobieski (Author) - https://www.amazon.com/100M-Careers-Fastest-Career-Wildest/dp/B0BMKP4R26

• Patrick's Website - https://www.patrickjmurphy.com/

Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.

Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes – thanks!

In this season finale of CXO Conversations, host Michael Mitchel takes a moment to reflect on the remarkable year of 2023, revisiting the wealth of knowledge and diverse experiences shared by prominent executives, like Eric Lougher, David Cox, Craig Cummings, Janine Davidson, and many more.

Michael's Key Highlights:

• Stephen Brown's journey to becoming a President at 32, emphasizing confidence, seizing opportunities, and continual learning.

• Rand Lewis's insights on the hallmarks of great leadership and his experience as a successful investor.

• Raphael Crawford Mark's transition from Founder to CEO at Bonusly, mirroring Michael's own transition in the nonprofit sector.

As we bid farewell to this season, Michael teases the exciting lineup for the upcoming year, featuring notable guests like the Honorable Patrick Murphy, Grant Stanis, Christopher Lochhead, and Laura Ortman. Their forthcoming stories promise to bring fresh and inspiring perspectives to the podcast.

Special thanks to the talented CXO Conversations team for their invaluable contributions throughout the season.

Tune in and gear up for another year of engaging, insightful conversations that bridge the gap between ambition and achievement in the corporate world.

Happy holidays, and here's to a new year filled with more inspiring CXO Conversations!

Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.

Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes - thanks!

Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.

Join host Michael Mitchel in a conversation with Jack Blaha, CEO of Cendyn, as they delve into his journey from West Point and military service to becoming a prominent figure in the corporate world. Blaha delves into the synergy between his military discipline and his achievements in the fast-paced world of SaaS industries like hospitality and social media marketing. He sheds light on the pivotal role of emotional intelligence in shaping company culture and the profound impact of a CEO's leadership style, offering invaluable advice for ambitious leaders on mastering the art of adaptability, the art of building robust professional networks, and the subtle art of leading successful teams.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How military experience can be effectively leveraged in corporate leadership.

• The significance of adaptability and leadership skills in business success.

• Strategies for transitioning successfully from a military to a civilian career.

• The impact of emotional intelligence on shaping company culture and performance.

• The importance of mentorship and building a robust professional network.

• Best practices for team building and operational efficiency in new companies.

• Insights into navigating different sectors within the SaaS industry.

• Key lessons learned from various CEO roles and how they can apply to your career.

• Practical advice for aspiring leaders on career advancement and skill development.

Timestamps

🎙️ Meet Jack Blaha: A Leader's Journey (00:00:48)

🏛️ Why West Point? Unveiling Jack's Choice (00:01:36)

⚔️ Battlefield to Boardroom: Military Impact (00:02:04)

🔄 The Soldier to CEO Transition (00:03:11)

🛠️ Skills Forged in Service (00:03:43)

📊 Melding Military Tactics with Business Strategy (00:04:31)

👨‍💼 CEO Chronicles: Hard-Earned Lessons (00:05:39)

📚 Embracing Feedback and Lifelong Learning (00:08:29)

🤔 Confronting Leadership Hurdles (00:09:40)

🚀 CEO Success Stories and Challenges (00:10:21)

🌐 Diving into Diverse SaaS Domains (00:11:03)

🏅 First-Time CEO: Thrills and Fears (00:12:11)

🤝 The Power of Networking and Mentorship (00:13:40)

🧠 The Emotional Intelligence of a CEO (00:15:53)

🙏 A Word of Thanks to Our Sponsors (00:18:35)

💼 Private Equity vs. Public Markets Leadership (00:19:01)

📈 The Sweet Spot of Mid-Market Leadership (00:20:53)

🌟 Guiding VPs to CEO Success (00:21:02)

🔗 Cultivating a Strong Professional Network (00:22:42)

🏢 Assembling Winning Teams in New Ventures (00:23:37)

🚀 Fostering Future Leaders (00:24:49)

🌐 Broadening Horizons: Beyond Core Functions (00:27:44)

⚙️ Military Precision in Corporate Strategy (00:29:19)

🔄 Never Stop Evolving as a Leader (00:30:52)

This episode is not just a journey through Blaha's life but a great resource for anyone aspiring to climb the corporate ladder or seeking to refine their leadership prowess.

Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.

Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes - thanks!

Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.

As the leader of a large public university and former undersecretary of the U.S. Navy, Dr. Janine Davidson ​​has dedicated 30 years of her career to academic, civilian, and military service.

Since 2017, she has been the President of Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she has been a staunch advocate for underrepresented students, DACA recipients, and military and veteran students.

Prior to her work in higher education, she was appointed by former President Barack Obama as the 32nd undersecretary of the U.S. Navy. She's also a trailblazing pilot, being the first woman to fly the Air Force's tactical C-130.

In today's episode, Janine reflects on her career:

• The interview process to become undersecretary of the U.S. Navy

• Engaging with the local community as President of MSU Denver

• Becoming one of the first female pilots in the air force

Janine has been awarded many accolades, including the HillVets Top 100 Most Influential Veterans and the Secretary of the Navy Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

At the national level, she is chair of the Department of Defense Policy Board and serves on the State Department Foreign Affairs Policy Board. Locally in Denver, Janine serves on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Colorado Concern, Downtown Denver Partnership, and the Rose Community Foundation.

Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.

Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes - thanks!

Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.

From the frontlines in Afghanistan to the center of the Texas startup ecosystem, Craig Cummings has built an incredible career developing technology that solves real-world problems. He's now General Partner at Moonshots Capital, a venture capital firm in Austin that invests in technology startups, with a special focus on those founded by military veteran entrepreneurs.

Join us as we delve into Craig's inspiring journey, his insights into technology investments, and the unique perspective he brings to the entrepreneurial world.

In this episode, Craig shares with Michael his experience:

• Crafting an elevator pitch that advances your career

• Building a strong local entrepreneurship community in Austin

• Helping other talented veteran entrepreneurs succeed

Before he became an entrepreneur, Craig spent 17 years in the Army, most of that time as an Intelligence Officer serving in support of the National Security Agency (NSA). Craig deployed to Afghanistan with the Joint Special Operations Command where he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Craig holds a B.S. in Political Science from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was recognized as their first Truman Scholar. He also has a Ph.D. in Political Science with a minor in Econometrics from Columbia University.

Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.

Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes - thanks!

Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.

Perry Kamel has served in numerous leadership roles; Global executive, COO, CEO many times. He has led many organizations through growth and turn arounds by focusing on the people- not the numbers.

Perry shares his experiences and thoughts on:

• Difference between management and leadership

• It's all about the people- the rest will follow

• Never stop learning- never stop reading

Also, Perry speaks to how his experience in the US Navy created his servant leadership skills.

Siemens, Accenture, McKinsey, BroadPoint Communications, Ciena, Maxamine … Perry has been a CEO, CMO, EVP for brand names. His first CEO role was withing six years of separating from the US Navy.

Perry served as a Service Warfare Officer in the United States Navy and quickly earned a reputation for advancing the careers of those around him. After earning a BSEE at Cornell, his education continued with a MSEE and Wharton MBA.

Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.

Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!

Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.

Sean Odendahl has worked for only four organizations, including his current employer of 17 years. For the last three years, Sean has been serving at the Chief Transformation Officer for the global law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.

Sean shares his perspective on:

• The importance of direct feedback as a path to improvement

• Power of candid mentor relationships for professional growth

• What a successful mentorship looks like

Also, Sean speaks to how his experience in the US Army influenced his leadership skills and approach.

Sean's legal and professional career has been guided by the counsel he provides to buyers and sellers in private equity investments, transactions and M&A related issues.

Sean served in the US Army for over four years with the 82nd Airborne and deployed to Operation Desert Sheild/Storm. After graduating law school, he clerked with in the Ninth Circuit, US Court of Appeals. For five years, Sean was an attorney before moving to Bryan Cave that has become BCLP, a global law firm.

Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.

Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!

Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.

As Tyson Begly was wrapping up being CFO of Delta Data, after a Accel KKR transaction to Terminus Capital Partners, he was asked to complete the final year of a City Council seat, provided he would not run for reelection. Tyson readily agreed - he wanted to give back to his community.

Tyson shares his thoughts on:

• How serving as a Company Executive helps him be a good public servant

• Corporate skills and experiences that he is able to utilize as a City Council member

• Shared thoughts to those who are interested in serving their community

Tyson served as COO/CFO for Delta Data until a change of control in early 2023. Prior experience includes management consulting for Accenture, Morgan Stanley, Diamond Management and others.

Tyson holds an MBA from Duke University.

Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.

Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!

Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.

While a CFO for The Economist, David Cox led the iconic brand through a global transformation from print to digital and live events globally.

David shares his thoughts on:

• Early digital adoption and transformation of a globally respected brand

• Listening to the client base

• What he learned and advice offered from the global experience

David led the project management of the transformation with consulting selling both internally and externally. He also listened to clients and subscribers as they went from weekly print only to digital and took the brand live with events from Africa, Europe to North America and Asia.

Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.

Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!

Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.