Executive Leaders Radio

What turns early life experiences into the foundation for lasting leadership? On this episode of Executive Leaders Radio, business leaders share the personal stories, family influences, and defining moments that shaped how they lead today. Ian Kramer, President and CEO of Schorn Construction, draws parallels between his years playing shortstop and leading a company, explaining how anticipation, sound judgment, and trusted mentors guide his decisions—including Schorn Construction’s transition to employee ownership in 2019. Kate Duffey, Vice President of D.E. Duffy & Sons, a 128-year-old family-owned HVAC and fuel oil company, discusses how growing up as the oldest of four siblings shaped her leadership style and her commitment to understanding employees, serving customers, and building a supportive workplace. Carly Spross, Owner of Flashlight Marketing, traces her journey from working at an ice rink to building a full-service marketing agency, sharing how early mentors and decades-long client relationships shaped her relationship-first approach to business. Together, their stories reveal how lessons learned long before reaching the executive suite can influence company culture, strengthen relationships, and define success. The episode also features Mark, whose interview explores the influence of his military upbringing, immigrant experience, and scientific career on his professional journey.

On this episode of Executive Leaders Radio, four business leaders share the formative experiences, family influences, and defining moments that shaped their professional journeys. Kevin Homer, President of Navitas Marketing, reflects on growing up around the family business and the values of honesty, relationships, and treating people well that he learned from his grandfather and father. Matt Liebman, Founding Partner and CEO of Amplius Wealth Advisors, explains how changing schools as a child strengthened his ability to build relationships and how his father influenced his approach to helping clients navigate both financial decisions and life’s challenges. Jennifer Schaefer, CEO of JS Benefits Group, shares how working with her father instilled discipline and loyalty, while overcoming a serious softball injury helped shape her resilience. The episode also features Mitch Gyger of OPS Security Group. Through personal stories and reflections on their early years, these leaders reveal how childhood experiences, family values, and pivotal life moments continue to influence their leadership styles and business philosophies today.

What shapes a great leader? On this episode of Executive Leaders Radio, four accomplished executives share how their childhood experiences, personal challenges, and defining life moments helped shape their leadership styles and business success. Ryan Holloway, CEO of Forge Apollo; Tad Doyle, Founder & CEO of FastPro Restoration; Geof McKernan, CEO of Ignyte Insurance; and Jake Leone, CEO of Corporate Interiors discuss the lessons they learned growing up, the experiences that tested their resilience, and the values that continue to guide them today. From building businesses and leading teams to overcoming adversity and creating meaningful connections, these leaders reveal how the experiences of our early years can influence the way we lead, serve others, and define success.

Join Executive Leaders Radio for a conversation with four accomplished business leaders as they share their professional journeys, leadership philosophies, and insights on building successful organizations. Our guests include Joe Perpiglia, President & CEO of Construction Alliance, PA; BJ Jaworski, President of Ron Jaworski; Tim Andrews, CEO of ASI Central; and Mark Arrimour, Chief Executive Officer of Total Turf Golf Services/The Arrimour Group. Through discussions of their early experiences, career paths, and the lessons that shaped their success, these executives offer valuable perspectives on leadership, navigating challenges, and the experiences that influence who we become as professionals and leaders.

In this episode of Executive Leaders Radio, we sit down with four accomplished leaders who oversee key areas within FM Brown. Cecil Campbell, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Pet Food Division, shares insights into driving sales, building customer relationships, and responding to changing market demands. Bill Brown, Farm Division Leader, discusses the challenges and opportunities within the agricultural industry and the importance of serving customers and producers. Scott Williams, Vice President of Operations for the Flour Division, explores the role of operational efficiency, teamwork, and quality in delivering consistent results. Phil Brown, President of the Feed Division, offers his perspective on leadership, strategic growth, and managing the unique demands of his business. Together, these leaders reflect on the experiences that shaped their careers, the lessons they have learned along the way, and the importance of developing strong teams. Their conversation highlights how effective leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement contribute to long-term organizational success.

This episode of Executive Leaders Radio features Michele Leff, CEO of 12th Street Catering, Mike Zisman, Founder and Executive Chairman of Golf Genius, Jim McCarthy, President of McCarthy Masonry and Concrete, and John Morgenstern, Managing Partner of O’Hagan Meyer. Each leader shares personal experiences and formative lessons that helped shape their careers and leadership styles. Michele discusses her creative childhood, sales experience, and how she successfully pivoted her catering business during the pandemic to support frontline workers. Mike shares his entrepreneurial journey and how early adversity helped build the resilience that continues to drive him today. Jim reflects on growing his family business from residential to commercial construction and the importance of long-term relationships with employees and customers. John discusses how overcoming a childhood speech impediment and his experience in the JAG Corps shaped his perseverance, observation skills, and approach to leadership.

This episode of Executive Leaders Radio features J.R. Godwin, President of Substitute Service Company, Jack Crawley Jr., Owner of C&J Automotive and Tire, Kristen Whitmyer, President and CEO of Jersey Construction Inc., and Jesse Amoroso, President and Chief Operating Officer of Amoroso’s Baking Company. Each leader shares the personal experiences, family influences, and early lessons that helped shape their leadership journey. J.R. discusses growing up in his family’s business and how sports taught him teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability. Jack shares his experience growing up in the automotive industry, expanding the family business, and the mentors who helped influence his approach to growth. Kristen reflects on growing up in a family business and carrying those values into leading a large construction organization. Jesse discusses his transition from investment banking into his family’s fifth-generation bakery and balancing tradition with innovation.

This episode of Executive Leaders Radio features Dave Thompson, CEO of Laminators, Inc., Chris Caba, President of Total Rental, Mike Bowman, President & CEO of Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, and Kate Heaman, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Prelude Solutions. Each leader shares his or her career journey and the experiences that helped shape their approach to leadership. The interviews explore formative experiences from ages 8–14 and how early influences can impact values, decision-making, and leadership style. The conversation also examines family business dynamics, career development, and the challenges of building and leading organizations. The leaders discuss their businesses in practical terms, offering insight into what they do and how they serve their customers and communities. Through thoughtful questions and personal stories, the episode looks beyond business accomplishments to uncover the experiences and values behind each leader.

This episode of Executive Leaders Radio features Nick Papanier, Jr., Owner, President & CEO of Primo Hoagies, Danny Liberatoscioli, President of Walnut Hill College, Allen Cohen, President of M. Cohen & Sons, and Gary Hill, CEO of DVL Group. Nick shares his journey into the family business and the importance of discipline, relationships, and maintaining high standards. Danny discusses his family background, passion for cooking, and philosophy of creating meaningful experiences through education and hospitality. Allan reflects on his upbringing, career transition, and enthusiasm for taking on challenging projects while developing his team. Gary explains how DVL Group’s employee-owned ESOP model gives employees a sense of ownership and turns a job into a long-term career. Together, these leaders share valuable perspectives on family, work ethic, leadership, employee development, and building successful organizations.

In this episode, Herb sits down with Jake Leone, CEO of Corporate Interiors; Tim Rafter, President of Atlantic Lining Company; Mike Gorman, President of Salem Community College; and Garrett Gillan, Partner at 215 Marketing. Each guest shares personal stories from childhood, family, sports, education, and early work experiences that helped shape their leadership journey. Jake discusses the evolution of Corporate Interiors, while Tim shares lessons from growing a family business into a nationwide operation. Mike reflects on how his upbringing and football experiences influenced his leadership in higher education, and Garrett shares how his early entrepreneurial experiences shaped his approach to marketing and . Together, these conversations reveal the experiences behind four leaders and the lessons that continue to guide them today.