Hilary Topper On Air

We judge almost everything using a 5-star rating. If we see a product, service, or company receive glowing 5-star reviews, we’re much more inclined to spend our money there than with a brand with only 3-star reviews. So, how can this translate to your career? Do you want a 5-star career or a mediocre one? How can we apply the science of quality management to drive personal success and get the most satisfaction from day-to-day work—no matter what type of job you have or want, your skill or educational level, or your age—which will, in turn, improve your quality of life?

In this episode of Hilary Topper on Air, Hilary speaks with Penelope Przekop, an internationally recognized quality assurance expert who has worked with Fortune 100 pharmaceutical companies for over 30 years and author of the recently published book, 5-Star Career: Define and Build Yours Using The Science of Quality Management. Learn from Penelope how to apply the science of quality management to your personal development and result in 5-star quality throughout all aspects of life including your career.

Penelope is a corporate quality management expert, entrepreneur, and writer. Throughout her 30+-year career, she has worked with numerous Fortune 100 pharma companies, including Pfizer, Merck, Lilly, and Glaxo Smith Kline, and held leadership positions at Novartis, Covance, Wyeth, and Johnson & Johnson. She is the founder and CEO of PDC Pharma Strategy and serves as the Chief Compliance Officer for Engrail Therapeutics. She is the author of Six Sigma for Business Excellence (McGraw-Hill) and four novels: Please Love Me, Aberrations, Centerpieces, and Dust. Przekop earned a BS in Biology from Louisiana State University and an MS in Quality Systems Engineering from Kennesaw State University. She is a graduate of the Smith College Program for Women’s Leadership and the Rutgers University Senior Leadership Program for Professional Women. In 2018, Przekop and her older daughter founded Bra in a Box, which has been featured in Real Simple and New York Magazine. She lives in the Greater Philadelphia Area with her husband of 30 years.    

5-Star Career: Define and Build Yours Using The Science of Quality Management provides common sense, strategic context for personally implementing quality concepts that reflect your goals as well as your own definition of a 5-star life and career.

This book provides the following benefits:

• Explains how the science of quality management can ensure customer satisfaction, which is what the industry uses to gauge the quality of products and services.
• Relates that explanation to you on a personal level including how the basic concepts and components of the science apply to your career/job, the path is has taken, and can take.
• Challenges you to identify your authentic needs and desires following the thought process, research methodology, and data analysis corporations rely on to understand their customers. It tells you how to do all of that and provides a unique tool to help you gather and analyze the right type of data and information.
• Clarifies the critical role that controlled systems and processes play in the science of quality management, the role they play in the personal application of quality management, and their surprising power to ensure intended outcomes.
• Explains how to apply the proven decision-making methodology (used by industry) to identify the best possible process that leads to the career you deem as 5-star worthy, and to address the career elements that will satisfy your authentic needs and desire.
• Relays how risk-based decision making is not only key to identifying a process that ensures success, but also to addressing the unexpected curveballs that will surely come your way.

For more information about Penelope and her book, 5-Star Career, visit www.penelopeprzekop.com.

Knowing how to best market your business is often a lot of trial and error. You implement strategies, you evaluate their ROI, and you tweak your tactics based on those results. In today’s tech driven world, marketing technologies, old and new, is even more nuanced. What tips for marketing new technologies are important to follow in today's COVID-19 world?

In this episode of Hilary Topper on Air, Hilary speaks with Caroline Petersen, Founder & Creative Director of Gallery Design Studio – a communications firm that specializes in B2B tech marketing. Learn how tech businesses with complex solutions can best market themselves so that their offerings are understood and the most visibility and awareness is garnered.  Learn how her firm transforms complicated information into visually engaging content which creates trust and ultimately helps her clients sell their software, products, and services. Hear her tips for marketing new technologies.

With over 10 years of marketing and communication design experience, Caroline is passionate about helping businesses solve problems by expressing what they have to offer to customers. Her strong problem-solving skills and an eye for design can help clients transmit complex information clearly, concisely, and in a visually engaging way. Relentlessly curious, she’s inspired by experimentation and always looking for better ways to serve her clients.

With print collateral, websites, and video, Gallery Design Studio (GDS) provides ongoing B2B communication support to its clients in the technology, finance, and healthcare sectors. GDS customizes projects to each clients’ needs with individual attention and methods that reflect their identities in accessible ways for potential customers and employees. For more information visit www.gallerydesignstudio.com.

Many people are now rushing to catch up on medical care they missed or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re on of those people, what should you do next? How can you be most prepared when you schedule time again for preventative care? What's the best way to catch up postponed doctor visits?

In this episode of Hilary Topper on Air, Hilary speaks with Robert Fallarino, attorney at Pegalis Law Group, LLC - a New York law firm for those suffering as a result of medical errors and personal injury. Listen as Robert talks about what questions to ask your physician when you do make your way back to your doctor. Hear about what to bring with you to your appointment to be best prepared to advocate for your health and well-being. In addition, learn ways to stay in control of your own health and how best to catch up on postponed doctor visits.

Robert is a trial attorney with thirty years of experience leading medical malpractice litigation, complex labor law, and product defect litigation. Notably, he obtained the fourth highest verdict in New York State for medical negligence, and a top ten verdict overall, in 2012.

Robert has dedicated his career to compassionately helping people who have endured life-altering and catastrophic injuries. He strives to resolve matters in the most advantageous setting for his clients, whether that means obtaining a jury verdict, a court conference settlement, or by use of a mediator.

Time and again, Robert has resolved cases for millions of dollars for patients who have been victims of medical negligence across NY State and around the nation including in North Carolina, Nebraska, Idaho, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Robert ensures his clients from all walks of life feel comfortable with every aspect of the legal proceedings, and confident of the decisions throughout the legal process.

Robert has been named to 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 list of Best Lawyers in America® which each year recognizes only 5% of all attorneys across the country. He has also been named every year since 2012 to the New York Metro Super Lawyers© List, for peer recognition and professional achievement. Robert is active in community matters. He currently serves as the vice president of the East Williston Union Free School District Board of Education and has served on the board since 2009. He previously volunteered to serve the public as a prosecuting attorney for The Village of Floral Park. To fulfill his professional and community service roles, he relies on the support of his wife and his sons, who are life-long residents of Long Island, NY.

Robert is admitted to practice law in New York, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia, as well as in the Federal Courts for Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Association, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Nassau County Bar Association, Washington D.C. Bar Association, and American Association for Justice.

Robert obtained his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law where he was a Thomas More Scholar. He graduated magna cum laude from St. John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in government and politics.

Pegalis Law Group represents people suffering from preventable medical errors and personal injury. We strive for accountability by advocating for clients to ensure safer medical practices for better patient care. To discuss your medical/legal situation, call Pegalis Law Group at 516-684-2900. There is never a fee for legal consultations. To contact Robert or learn more about Pegalis Law Group visit https://pegalislawgroup.com/.

As an entrepreneur and business owner, I am often asked to invest in a product or service for a stake in the company. It’s hard to decipher what may be a good investment or a bad one. Everyone is always looking for the next best thing to be a part of so how do investors find opportunities that will suit them well? And in turn, how can private business owners increase their valuations and grow their businesses? What are the key investment strategies for business owners today?

In this episode of Hilary Topper on Air, Hilary speaks with Brett Hickey, Founder and CEO of Star Mountain Capital– a multi-billion dollar specialized private investment firm, making loans, private equity investments, and secondary fund purchases across its Collaborative Ecosystem® in the lower middle-market. Brett sheds light on what investment strategies business owners need to know and understand. He also tells listeners more about his unique background, his firm, and the services they provide.

Brett has over 20 years of private investing and investment banking experience. He has completed over 125 private equity, private credit, and secondary fund investments.

He is the Founder & CEO of Star Mountain Capital, LLC, a multi-billion dollar specialized private investment firm, making loans, private equity investments, and secondary fund purchases across its Collaborative Ecosystem® in the lower middle-market. Driven by culture and stakeholder alignment, Star Mountain has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work by Crain’s and Pensions & Investments in both 2020 and 2019.

Previously worked as an Investment Banker at Citigroup Global Markets in New York City (formerly known as Salomon Smith Barney) where he completed over $24 billion in transactions for financial institutions.

Graduated with Distinction from McGill University in Montreal, Canada with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance and Accounting. An alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Owner, President / Manager executive training and management program.

Board positions include Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs, Help for Children, YMCA of Greenwich, and Star Mountain Charitable Foundation, focused on job creation (including for veterans, women, and athletes), economic development, and health & wellness. Member of YPO and former Canadian national gold medalist in speed skating.

Star Mountain Capital is a $2 billion AUM specialized private investment firm focused on investing exclusively within the U.S. lower middle-market through two complementary investment strategies: (i) direct debt and equity investing and (ii) secondaries (acquiring LP interests and direct assets). For more information about Star Mountain Capital visit www.starmountaincapital.com.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit businesses hard. Many businesses are facing devastating revenue drops while expenses like rent and bank debt continue to mount. While some businesses may find landlords, banks, and other creditors willing to work with them, others are not so fortunate. For these businesses, it may be necessary to consider reorganizing under federal bankruptcy protection. But what options are available for small businesses, and what exactly does filing for bankruptcy entail? Can filing for bankruptcy save my small business?

In this episode of Hilary Topper on Air, Hilary speaks with Paul Aloe, named Partner at Kudman Trachten Aloe Posner LLP - a commercial law firm representing businesses and business owners, government entities, executives, and professionals in a wide variety of matters, including commercial bankruptcy. Paul discusses how bankruptcy, specifically Subchapter V, might be a lifeline for many small businesses trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paul has been practicing for over 30 years in the areas of commercial litigation and trial practice, corporate bankruptcy and restructuring, land use, planning and zoning, legal and professional ethics, and constitutional law.

Paul has written extensively in the area of New York practice, having authored the New York Civil Practice Review for the Syracuse Law Review for 20 years, serves on the editorial board of Weinstein-Korn-Miller New York Civil Practice, and chaired the Civil Practice New York State Bar Association Committee on Civil Practice Law and Rules from 1992 to 1999. He continues to be active in crafting legislation affecting New York practice.

He handles a wide variety of litigation in both state and federal court, with a focus on commercial cases, and takes on many difficult litigation problems that at first blush may seem impossible to solve. While Paul has no hesitancy to take a case to trial or pursue an appeal, he also recognizes that cost is often a significant factor in litigation and, where possible, maps out a strategy for prompt and efficient resolution of cases either through motion practice or negotiation.

Paul is also a trained mediator and serves on the mediation panel for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York.

A significant portion of his practice is focused on bankruptcy and corporate restructuring law, with a particular focus on the successful restructuring of closely held businesses. In addition, Mr. Aloe has handled groundbreaking cases concerning bankruptcy law dealing with cutting-edge bankruptcy issues in numerous appellate courts. His practice also focuses on difficult bankruptcy litigations.

Paul is an active marathoner and triathlete. He has completed more than 40 marathons including the past 27 New York City Marathons, and six Ironman® triathlons and is a top-ranked “All World Athlete”. Mr. Aloe was selected as a SuperLawyer® by his peers, for 2007 through 2017. He is a Martindale-Hubbell® AV-rated lawyer-the highest peer rating available.

To contact Paul or for more information about Kudman Trachten Aloe Posner LLP, call 212-868-1010 or visit www.kudmanlaw.com.

Do you have a life plan? You may think you are prepared for what happens next but are you really? What happens if you become disabled or pass away? Do your loved ones know what to do next?

In this episode of Hilary Topper on Air, Hilary speaks with Vincent Russo, Managing Partner of the Russo Law Group, P.C. – the premier Long Island elder law, estate planning, and special needs planning law firm.

Vincent discusses how to formulate a life plan or a road map for your life, especially when planning for the unexpected. Learn how an experienced estate planning attorney can take your life plan and based on it, help you put legal planning tools in place that will help you down this path, including unforeseen disruptors like healthcare or personal challenges. He'll talk about foundational legal documents such as a durable power of attorney, health care proxy, and where you want your assets to go, in what way, and who you want to leave in charge. Vincent will also discuss the Russo Law Group's Peace of Mind program.

Vincent is Managing Shareholder of Russo Law Group, P.C. He has championed the rights of seniors and people with special needs since 1985. Vincent is a Founding Member, Fellow, and Fifth President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and is a Founding Member and First President of the New York Chapter of NAELA. He is the only NAELA member to receive the prestigious President’s Award twice.

As a national advocate for people with disabilities, seniors, and their families, Vincent has appeared on numerous national and local radio and television programs. He created and co-hosts Family Comes First on cable TV, which won three Telly Awards.

Vincent is a nationally recognized speaker and noted authority on Elder Law, Special Needs, and Estate Planning. His distinction in Elder Law, Special Needs, and Estate Planning has made him one of the most prominent attorneys in his field.

He earned his law degree from Fordham University School of Law and his LLM in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. Vincent is admitted to the New York, Massachusetts, and Florida State Bars, and is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation.

Russo Law Group, P.C. is dedicated to providing peace of mind to you and your family.

Their team of elder law attorneys, estate planning attorneys, and special needs (disability) attorneys have experience in helping people with their problems. They promise to answer any question with a straight answer.

The Russo Law Group serves all of Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, from their four offices in both Nassau, Suffolk Counties, and Manhattan. For more information visit, https://www.vjrussolaw.com/ or call (800) 680-1717.

Many people dream of becoming an actor or actress, but very few actually make it.

In this episode of Hilary Topper on Air, Hilary speaks with Gene Silvers, an accomplished actor and her friend of many years. Learn what Gene has been up to and his most recent roles in the Amazon hit series, “Them” and on the Apple+ TV series, “Mosquito Coast”.

Hear about how he got his start as a magician to the stars, his appearances on Law & Order and on Broadway, and a ski accident that changed his life.

Gene was born and raised in Long Beach, NY. As a kid and young adult in Long Beach, he started his performing career doing magic, learning, and performing together with his good friend, Ricky Rubin (who later became world-famous music producer Rick Rubin).  The interest in magic later led to acting in school plays. After an epiphany on stage, Gene decided he wanted to be an actor. He saw the possibility of a real transformation and emotional release when done at a high level, so he became committed to it, going to several colleges, being disappointed in the training, and finally finding a mentor acting teacher, Robert X. Modica, in NYC. Years later he was working on TV and on stage in NYC. Several appearances on Law and Order, Law and Order SVU, Third Watch, Guiding Light, and then on Broadway in 2009 for “Irena’s Vow” - a play about the Holocaust starring Tovah Feldshuh.

Most recently he booked two big roles this past year. Elder Luther in Amazon Prime “Them” which was the number 1 show on Amazon for several weeks, as well as Sheriff “Gene Silvers” on Apple plus TVs “Mosquito Coast.

Gene’s other interest is skiing, but unfortunately in January of 2019 Gene was in a very bad skiing accident on Mammoth Mountain in CA. He fell in a high-speed tumble between rock walls on a double black run and badly broke his left arm and tore his ACL. He came very close to dying. Gene also has an interest in mysticism and has lived in India in an Ashram for long periods of time.

To get in touch with actor Gene Silvers, find him on Facebook!

Thanks to advances in modern medicine, most of us don’t reach the halfway point in life until our mid-forties. With many potentially productive years ahead, how do we best prepare to make the second half of our lives, the best half?

In this episode of Hilary Topper on Air, Hilary speaks with Ron Roel, former Newsday journalist and president of Roel Resources - a New York editorial consulting firm that provides information services specializing in aging issues. Learn from Ron how to make the second half of your life the best half as he discusses how he provides resources to help people age successfully. Learn about his upcoming resource guide, The Caregiving Navigator, on long-term care, finances, retirement, and more. Also hear about his radio podcast, "45 Forward."

Ron Roel is a veteran journalist, author, and radio show host who is passionate about promoting “successful aging” across the generations, providing useful information, pragmatic solutions, and compelling stories to help people explore rewarding experiences throughout life. He recently launched “45 Forward,” a nationwide internet talk radio show on VoiceAmerica.com. Each week, Ron explores a wide range of topics with guest experts, integrating key components of work and careers, health, finance, family and friends, housing, and individual passions to prepare people for their journey through the second half of life.

Ron spent 20 years as a writer and editor at Newsday, Long Island’s daily newspaper, covering business, workplace issues, real estate, and politics, as well as helping to found Act 2, the paper’s weekly section for readers aged 50-plus.

As President of Roel Resources LLC, an editorial consulting firm, Ron has written extensively on aging topics, spoken at numerous conferences, and on radio and TV shows. He is completing a hands-on manual for caregivers on Long Island, The Caregiving Navigator/How to Plan, What to do, and Where to Turn When Caring for you Aging Loved Ones. And Yourself, scheduled for publication in the fall of  2021.

Roel Resources LLC is an editorial consulting firm focusing on aging and retirement issues. The firm also offers writing and editing services in several other subject areas, providing website content, print articles, in-depth business reports, and nonfiction books. For more information or to contact Ron, visit www.roelresources.com.

When you’re out competing in a race it’s always nice to see one of your fellow endurance athletes, especially your teammates, competing alongside you. You feel a sense of camaraderie and that you’re not in it alone. High-quality custom swimwear and apparel can make your team or organization stand out from the crowd!

In this episode of Hilary Topper on Air, Hilary interviews Nina Sadauskas, Founder of Delfina Athletics and Olympic athlete. Nina discusses why Delfina Athletics was founded. She speaks about who the apparel is made for and the newly launched collection called Toyko Lights. Nina also sheds light on the company's sustainability efforts.

Nina Sadauskas is a three-time swimming Olympian from Bulgaria. She came to the US about 11 years ago to attend the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she also represented the swim team. Upon completing her swimming career after the Olympic Games in Rio, she joined one of the best-known triathlon companies in the US. After spending almost four years there, and shortly after becoming a mom, Nina decided to start her own business and founded Delfina Athletics.

Working hand-in-hand with the reputable Delfina Ltd out of her home country, she opened her own distribution in the US, establishing the brand as a premier custom gear supplier to aquatic teams and organizations.

Born out of the need for high-quality custom products for teams in the U.S., Delfina Athletics is the new ultimate one-stop-shop for all aquatic gear needs for swim clubs, high schools, and athletic organizations across the country and beyond. Modeling a new, progressive way of looking at swim gear and working with the reputable Delfina Ltd in Europe, the company prides itself on delivering superior products, impressive design work and exclusive service. Offering free custom designs, low minimum ordering quantities and exclusive team shops for each organization, Delfina Athletics is setting up new standards in the swimming community with performance products that are also rooted in the power of team-spirit, and in never forgetting the joy of the sport. For more information or to order custom swimwear and apparel visit www.delfinaathletics.com. For 10% off your order, use code: hilary10. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, one area impacted that often doesn’t get discussed is US transportation. What has changed due to COVID-19 - especially for in-home delivery? And, what can we expect as we prepare for more continued uncertainty?

In this episode of Hilary Topper on Air, Hilary speaks with Richard Waryn, CEO of LDK Logistics - a premier white glove first/final mile logistics solutions company that operates throughout the US and Canada.

Rich discusses the in-home delivery of high-value and or high-touch goods during the COVID-19 pandemic and makes his predictions on the future of such services as the pandemic rages on and the global supply chain continues to waver. Learn how his company fared during the pandemic and how they adjusted to in-home delivery guidelines. He'll also discuss his employee's morale and how the transportation sector is doing with such high demand and delays. Rich provides his own examples of how transportation companies can protect themselves and employees as part of the frontline workforce.

Richard Waryn has over 30 years’ experience in international private equity fund management, real estate investment, and entrepreneurship. He has lived in DC, London, Moscow, Dubai and now resides in Colorado where he is Managing Director at a national investment bank and owns a specialized transportation logistics company.  He is an alum of Harvard University and the University of Toronto.

LDK Logistics is a premier white glove first/final mile logistics solutions company that operates throughout the US and Canada.  It provides extremely high customer service levels to large freight forwarders and direct shippers of high value goods like medical equipment, server farms, high end furniture and art. For more information visit www.LDKLogistics.com.