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Episode 125 — The Fog of War and Humanity

Guest: Jeff Brett, President & Founder, King Quality
Host: Richard “Rich” Acritelli
Series: hmTv Originals

From the weight of 9/11 to the weight of a 50-year roof, service is the common thread.

In Part 3 of Rich Acritelli’s deep-dive with Long Island entrepreneur Jeff Brett, we trace a through-line that starts with Jeff’s nephews enlisting the morning after the Twin Towers fell and ends with King Quality’s goal of operating in all 50 states while giving every customer a half-century peace-of-mind warranty. Along the way:

• Family & Country: How Jason and Shane Spence turned a Port Jeff football scholarship and childhood asphalt jobs into decorated Army and Marine careers—guided by a grandfather who preached duty over fear.
• Service-First Leadership: Jeff explains why small businesses flourish only when “How can I serve?” replaces “What’s in it for me?”—a lesson lifted straight from military culture.
• Scaling with Purpose: 24 states down, 26 to go. Hear the strategy behind Vertex partnerships, purple underlayment, and the vision of protecting VFW roofs for generations to come.
• Heroes on Repeat: Patton’s Battle of the Bulge weather speech, MacArthur’s iron nerve, and the bagpipes of post-9/11 Long Island—Rich and Jeff swap the leadership moments that keep them pushing forward.
• King Quality Cares: From AHRC and Angels of Long Island to Feeding Westchester, Jeff’s philanthropy blueprint proves growth and giving can—and should—happen side by side.

Whether you’re a veteran, a business owner, or someone who still feels the echo of 9/11, this episode is a masterclass in turning hardship into higher purpose.

🔊 Listen now on hmTv, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

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