Industry Edge

Mark Carlton is the Director of Operations at Schaefer's Electrical Enclosures, a leading manufacturer of customized electrical enclosures. In his role, he oversees daily operations and strategic initiatives to ensure the efficient production and delivery of high-quality products. With nearly 20 years of manufacturing experience, Mark has held various roles at Schaefer's, including Project Manager, Plant Engineer, and Operations Manager.

Building a high-performance team in manufacturing requires navigating fast-paced environments, evolving technology, and retaining top talent while fostering growth. Leaders often struggle to balance operational demands with the human element, like keeping team members engaged, providing meaningful feedback, and navigating tough conversations. How can manufacturing leaders create strong, resilient teams while driving performance and continuous improvement?

According to manufacturing leader and operations manager Mark Carlton, effective leadership begins with understanding each team member's strengths, fostering honest feedback, and creating an environment of trust where leaders approach difficult conversations with empathy and candor. He recommends using assessments to understand team dynamics, maintaining proactive maintenance systems to handle technological shifts, and encouraging open dialogue to prevent blind spots in decision-making. Managing emotions and prioritizing self-care are also crucial for high-performing leaders.

In this episode of Industry Edge, Michelle Keckler hosts Mark Carlton, Director of Operations at Schaefer's Electrical Enclosures, to discuss building strong manufacturing teams. Mark talks about providing direct feedback, balancing technology and people, and using failure as a learning tool.

Cathy Rinne is the Co-founder and President of Flex-Line Automation, a family-owned industrial automation company. Under her leadership, Flex-Line earned the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification. Cathy also creates content on TikTok as The Conveyor Cougar, where she shares her 40 years of experience in the factory automation industry.

Many industrial businesses struggle to stay relevant as markets evolve and younger generations enter the workforce. Leadership often clings to outdated mindsets, rigid processes, and traditional marketing, which limit innovation and employee engagement. How can companies embrace change without losing their identities?

According to automation veteran Cathy Rinne, embracing authenticity, flexibility, and generational collaboration has helped her build a business that stands the test of time. She recommends generating real, unpolished content, like in-the-moment TikTok videos, to boost brand visibility and humanize company culture. She emphasizes trust-based leadership, avoiding micromanagement, and fostering a workplace where people feel valued and free to contribute new ideas. Cathy also advocates for proactive outreach to schools to attract and inspire the next generation of talent.

In this week's episode of Industry Edge, Danielle Neely hosts Cathy Rinne, Co-founder and President of Flex-Line Automation, to discuss building a legacy business through authenticity and adaptability. Cathy explains how working with younger generations altered her leadership style, the importance of rebranding for relevance, and how to collaborate with younger generations.

Greg Richards is an Independent Consultant and Project Manager for the Kitchen Innovation Awards at the National Restaurant Association Show, a network for food service innovation and inspiration. He is also the Founder of GBR Consulting, where he advises on food service technology and equipment strategy. With over two decades of experience in food service equipment and technology, Greg focuses on enhancing operational efficiency, automation, and sustainability within the industry.

The food service industry has long grappled with high stress, labor shortages, and a reluctance to adopt new technologies. As kitchen staff face increasing demands with fewer resources, how can innovation and thoughtful leadership transform operations to meet evolving customer expectations?

According to food service equipment and innovation expert Greg Richards, emerging automation technologies can reduce stress, improve efficiency, and elevate overall kitchen performance. Tools like AI-powered monitoring systems and robotic fryers can automate repetitive tasks and provide real-time support to kitchen staff. Greg stresses the importance of embracing change, supporting frontline workers, and prioritizing customer needs.

In this week's episode of Industry Edge, Danielle Neely chats with Greg Richards, Independent Consultant and Project Manager for the Kitchen Innovation Awards at the National Restaurant Association Show, about the future of food service innovation. Greg explains the significance of the Kitchen Innovation Awards, the evolving food service landscape, and the influence of strong mentors.

Lauren Rinne Van De Mark is the Sales and Project Manager at Flex-Line Automation, Inc., a family-owned industrial automation company. Born into the business and growing up alongside the company, she is the third generation of her family to work in automation. Lauren played a key role in Flex-Line's evolution from conveyor systems to advanced robotics and end-of-line automation solutions.

For many manufacturers and industrial businesses, adopting automation and robotics can feel overwhelming, expensive, or even threatening to their workforce. A common concern is whether these technologies will replace jobs or require complex skills beyond their team's capabilities. How can companies bridge the gap between innovation and employee trust while maintaining operational efficiency?

According to sales, marketing, and project management expert Lauren Rinne Van De Mark, automation is becoming increasingly accessible for businesses looking to innovate and professionals entering the industry. She encourages businesses to start small with scalable automation projects and emphasizes empathy and employee training to ease fears about job loss. Companies can reframe automation as a supportive tool to boost workplace satisfaction. By offering hands-on support and empowering employees through training, businesses can take ownership of new systems and embrace change.

Join Danielle Neely in this episode of Industry Edge as she chats with Lauren Rinne Van De Mark, Sales and Project Manager at Flex-Line Automation, Inc., about breaking down barriers to automation in manufacturing. Lauren discusses how growing up in a family-run business shaped her leadership approach, how to build a supportive workplace culture, and how to break into the automation industry.

Tom Camacho is the Chair of C12, the nation's leading peer advisory forum for Christian CEOs and business owners. He served as a US Army Officer and helicopter pilot during Operation Desert Storm before holding manufacturing and organizational development roles at General Electric. After transitioning into ministry, Tom served as a church planter, ordained pastor, and national leadership coach, developing Christ-centered leaders through coaching and writing. He is also the author of Mining for Gold: Developing Kingdom Leaders through Coaching.

Many business leaders struggle with balancing professional ambition and personal fulfillment. In high-stakes roles, it's easy to become the bottleneck, lose sight of purpose, or feel isolated at the top. How can leaders stay grounded, lead authentically, and integrate faith and values into their business?

After losing his son in a car accident, leadership coach and military veteran Tom Camacho leveraged his grief to lead with authenticity and encourage other leaders to build resilience. Faith-driven leaders should embrace their God-given identity, prioritize emotional connection, and delegate effectively. To integrate faith into the workplace, Tom recommends clearly communicating your organization's values and approach to customers and employees while making faith-based elements voluntary and inclusive.

In today's Industry Edge episode, Danielle Neely sits down with Tom Camacho, Chair of C12, to discuss navigating faith and grief in the workplace through authentic leadership. Tom explains the importance of aligning leadership with faith, the value of peer accountability, and how to create a workplace culture rooted in care.

Randy Rozema is the Director of Applications Engineering and a Principal at ACS, which delivers equipment, controls, and facilities solutions to the automotive, aerospace, energy, and industrial manufacturing industries. In his role, he develops design criteria and oversees the construction and testing of advanced test facilities. As an acoustics and vibration engineer, Randy specializes in product development and health and safety requirements. He is also a thought leader in systems integration and speaks about topics like NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) testing and facility performance optimization.

As manufacturers and engineers design testing facilities that can adapt to industry changes, traditional methods of building prototypes and collecting real-world data are costly, time-consuming, and often fail to anticipate future needs. How can companies create flexible, future-proof testing environments that balance physical testing with digital innovation?

Acoustics and vibration engineer Randy Rozema urges industrial companies to reimagine how they design testing spaces. He presents an "inside-out" approach that begins with the product's testing requirements and data needs and then designs the facility to fit those parameters rather than retrofitting a preexisting space. Randy also recommends leveraging digital models alongside physical tests to improve efficiency while maintaining accuracy. By anticipating future industry shifts, such as quieter electric vehicles and stricter sound regulations, engineers can design with adaptability.

In today's Industry Edge episode, Danielle Neely sits down with Randy Rozema, Director of Applications Engineering and Principal at ACS, to discuss creating cutting-edge NVH testing facilities. Randy shares case studies of unique facility challenges, advice for young engineers, and how to future-proof testing facilities.

Angie McKuin is the Business Development Manager at PMS, Inc., a custom steel fabrication company serving industrial and agricultural businesses. She is a fourth-generation employee of the family business.

Family businesses face a unique challenge to honor long-standing legacies while evolving for future growth. Balancing tradition with innovation can feel like a gamble. How can the next generation bring new perspectives without disrupting what already works?

Fourth-generation employee Angie McKuin has brought diverse viewpoints and a customer-first mindset to her family's industrial business. She emphasizes the importance of improving internal culture through enhanced employee benefits, fostering a family-like work environment, and embracing technology to double production capacity. By maintaining the company's service-based mission while innovating for the future, Angie has created intentional change.

In this week's episode of Industry Edge, Michelle Keckler chats with Angie McKuin, Business Development Manager at PMS, Inc., about blending legacy and leadership in a fourth-generation business. Angie discusses the value of patience in driving lasting change, how she learned to navigate a male-dominated industry, and the importance of building a strong internal culture.

Heather Stone, PhD, MBA, is the Founder and CEO of Practical PhD, a leadership consultancy that helps CEOs and their second-in-command executives build effective, scalable partnerships. As a four-time company president, two-time business owner, and award-winning instructor, she created the Getting the Right Hand Right leadership training program, which offers frameworks for executives to structure, measure, and manage the COO or VP role. Heather is the co-author of the upcoming book The Problem of Togetherness and the author of Getting the Right Hand Right.

Many business owners reach a point where they know they need support at the top, but hiring a second-in-command can feel risky, even threatening. Questions of identity, trust, and control hinder the decision, and leaders often misstep. How can you structure and manage a second-in-command role to strengthen your leadership?

Leadership strategist Heather Stone has developed a five-part RIGHT framework — responsibilities, interaction, governance, heads-up, time/place — to help leaders clarify expectations and build high-functioning partnerships. Rather than viewing delegation as relinquishing responsibility, she encourages leaders to reframe it as managing risk wisely, urging them to define their goals before hiring. The key trait in any right-hand leader is a genuine commitment to helping the CEO execute their vision.

Tune in to this episode of Industry Edge as Danielle Neely chats with Heather Stone, PhD, MBA, Founder and CEO of Practical PhD, about building effective second-in-command relationships for CEOs. Heather explains how to create clear role structures, time your hire appropriately, and customize the role to your growth stage.

Pete Hayes is the Branch Manager of The Hayes Company's Nashville branch, Hayes Insulation, which provides insulation solutions for builders and homeowners. Before launching Hayes Insulation, he worked in the automotive industry at Nissan Motor Corporation. With eight years of experience in construction and a lifetime of exposure to his family's business, Pete specializes in small business development.

Starting and scaling a construction business can be daunting, especially when facing the pressures of a family legacy, leadership, and limited resources. Many first-time entrepreneurs in this space struggle with burnout, maintaining cash flow, and building a team that shares their vision and values. How can you transform a family-owned business into a reputable operation while staying true to your principles?

After missing a crucial family milestone, construction professional Pete Hayes left the corporate sector to return to his roots and scale his family's business. Throughout the process of launching a new franchise location, he learned the importance of hiring based on values, not just skills, and creating a workplace where employees feel seen and invested. Pete also encourages business owners to maintain transparency with customers and employees, delegate intentionally, and mentor team members to reflect the company's vision.

Join Michelle Keckler in this episode of Industry Edge as she hosts Pete Hayes, Branch Manager of Hayes Insulation, to discuss his process for building a family franchise business from the ground up. Pete talks about balancing growth with culture, customer service strategies, and how to manage delayed payments from customers.

Israel Woodson is the Founder and CEO of HydroCare Cleaning and Restoration, an independent company specializing in commercial tile restoration, residential floor cleaning, and water removal services. He grew up immersed in the flooring and construction industries through his father's business. After nearly a decade of owning a retail business, Israel founded HydroCare in 2011.

Many business owners underestimate how much cleanliness impacts their reputation and customer retention. A smelly bathroom, streaky floors, or dusty corners can quietly drive customers away without a word. How can you ensure your commercial space leaves a lasting impression in the areas that matter most?

According to cleaning and restoration expert Israel Woodson, cleanliness is more than aesthetic appearances; it's a critical component of the customer experience. Commercial businesses should prioritize areas like restrooms and entryways, as these often form a guest's first impression and can make or break their decision to return. Israel encourages moving away from outdated cleaning methods in favor of advanced tools and deep cleaning techniques that target overlooked spaces like corners and high-traffic zones. When in-house efforts fall short of expectations, hiring a cleaning company that recognizes your needs can help create a welcoming environment that supports business growth.

In this episode of Industry Edge, Danielle Neely hosts Israel Woodson, the Founder and CEO of HydroCare, to discuss building customer trust through service excellence. Israel talks about how he balances his personal and professional life, why commercial businesses turn to professional cleaning companies, and how to build trust and long-term relationships with commercial customers.