Host Jeff Cass interviews Mart Rovers, founder of Rovers Strategic Advisory, about how mid-market leaders can adopt AI without creating major risk. Rovers argues that AI governance is an enabler, not red tape, because it clarifies decision rights, ownership of risk, and escalation paths before go-live. He highlights common mid-market gaps in data quality and inconsistent definitions (e.g., what counts as a “customer”), warning that AI amplifies “garbage in, garbage out” and can hallucinate or drift in accuracy. They discuss “shadow AI,” where employees use public tools like ChatGPT and unknowingly expose company data, and recommend using protected, behind-the-firewall options when needed. Rovers emphasizes that CEOs ultimately own AI outcomes, that vendor vetting and data ownership matter, and that successful AI requires early, cross-functional collaboration across legal, finance, HR, risk, and IT.

01:17 Steering Wheel and Brakes

01:49 Governance Speeds Decisions

04:53 Data Quality Comes First

08:56 Garbage In Garbage Out

10:51 How Mart Uses AI

12:38 Shadow AI and Privacy

18:06 Who Owns the Mistake

20:31 Vetting AI Vendors

22:56 What CEOs Should Do Now

26:03 AI Is Not If Then Else

28:18 Why AI Projects Fail

30:18 Rovers Advisory Approach

33:15 Final Advice for Leaders

35:42 Closing Thanks and Wrap

Connect with Mart on LinkedIn or by email:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martrovers/

[email protected]

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like and subscribe if you'd like more content like this :)  @JeffCass-ImpactCoaching

Middle Market ($10M to $1B annual Sales) Businesses make up 3-4% of US businesses but represent over 1/3 of our private sector GDP and consistently grow 2-3x's faster than their smaller or larger counterparts...WOW!!  These companies are extremely important to our economy!! 

Join me as I share the journeys of leaders who run these "Rock Star" middle-market businesses in the US. 

In this episode of Mid-Market Leaders, host Jeff Cass sits down with Joe Gallaher, founder of Gallaher Fleet Solutions, a thriving fleet repair and maintenance company based in Statesville, NC.

Joe shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a blue-collar family in Bakersfield, CA to becoming a Marine, and eventually an entrepreneur. 

He discusses his early struggles, the challenges of starting a business from scratch, and the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership style. Joe emphasizes the importance of discipline, continuous learning, and setting a strong company culture.

He also shares his vision for the future of Gallaher Fleet Solutions, aiming to dominate the Charlotte market and expand further. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, Joe's story offers valuable insights into the grit and determination needed to succeed in mid-market businesses.

00:15 Meet Joe Gallaher: From Marine to Entrepreneur

00:58 Joe's Early Life and Career Beginnings

02:10 Joining the Marine Corps: Discipline and Growth

04:58 Starting Gallaher Fleet Solutions

11:44 Lessons Learned and Leadership Evolution

29:27 Embracing Lifelong Learning

33:47 Finding and Retaining Top Talent

36:33 Implementing Profit Sharing

37:14 Defining and Shaping Company Culture

42:42 Future Aspirations and Vision

44:53 Personal Challenges and Growth

53:09 Advice for New Executives

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn or by email:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-gallaher-b1b599a3/

[email protected]

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like and subscribe if you'd like more content like this :)  @JeffCass-ImpactCoaching

Middle Market ($10M to $1B annual Sales) Businesses make up 3-4% of US businesses but represent over 1/3 of our private sector GDP and consistently grow 2-3x's faster than their smaller or larger counterparts...WOW!! 

These companies are extremely important to our economy!! 

Join me as I share the journeys of leaders who run these "Rock Star" middle-market businesses in the US.

In this episode of Mid-Market Leaders, host Jeff Cass sits down with Stefan Joens, President of Elnik Systems, a 2nd generation international industrial furnace manufacturer based in Charlotte, NC. They discuss the company's transition from New Jersey to North Carolina, focusing on the role of culture and leadership in that move. Stefan shares insights on the importance of core values, fostering a family-like work culture, innovative hiring practices, and using AI in business operations.

In this episode of Mid-Market Leaders, host Jeff Cass interviews

George shares some of the adversity he’s dealt with and used to fuel

His final role before retiring early in 2024 was as President of LINQ Services, where he led a team providing managed services for the cellular industry, growing the company from $10 million to $100 million in seven years.

George discusses the significant impact of his college football experience on his leadership style, the importance of building a strong company culture, the need for adapting to change and hiring top talent. 

Don’t miss the many insights this very genuine business leader shares on his career, as well as some thoughts on retiring early.  

Connect with George Hall on LinkedIn or by email:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-hall-37976a3/

[email protected]

 I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like and subscribe if

#businesssuccess  #ceointerviews  #businessleaders #ceo

In this episode of Mid-Market Leaders, host Jeff Cass talks with

Mike shares his journey from a small town in Grove City, PA, through public accounting, to leading Eagle Crusher.

They discuss the company's focus on culture, retention, and leadership development through programs like SOAR and personalized “success” coaching.

Mike highlights the value of adaptability, health, and balance in leadership while shedding light on the challenges and values that make Eagle Crusher unique.

00:43 Meet Mike Tinkey from a small town

05:40 From CFO to President at Eagle Crusher

09:15 Solution for 70% turnover in ‘23 was

12:41 Innovating with “SOAR” Leadership

20:41 Personal Growth and Management Style

24:15 Mike talks about how his role changed

31:50 The Unique “Family” Culture at Eagle

34:37 Mike talks about his best coaches &

45:14 Reflections on what Mike has learned

50:20 Two pieces of advice for new executives

 Connect with Mike Tinkey on LinkedIn or by

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tinkey-1a719335/

[email protected]

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like

#businesssuccess  #ceointerviews 

Middle Market ($10M to $1B annual Sales) Businesses make up 3-4% of US businesses but represent over 1/3 of our private sector GDP and consistently grow 2-3x faster than their smaller or larger counterparts...WOW!!  These companies are extremely important to our economy!!  Join me as I share the journeys of leaders who run these "Rock Star" middle-market businesses in the US. 

In this episode, Matt Bradbury, who is the Managing Director for Business Acquisitions & Merger Associates (BAMA), talks about his experiences over the last 2 decades where he & his team have sold more than 200 businesses worth more than $2 billion.

Below are some of the key insights Matt shared, along with these other interesting topics that came up during our discussion… Why business leaders sell all or part of their business  

16:00 Matt’s experience on why middle-market companies grow 2-3x’s faster  

18:00 Importance of Culture when finding the right investor or acquiring company

24:05 Impressive business leaders Matt has met over the last 20 years

42:40 Some commentary on executive coaching

50:15 What Matt really likes about his job

55:05 Advice for a new executive or CEO

57:20 Connect with Matt Bradbury on LinkedIn or by email:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad...[email protected] 

704-295-0102

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like and subscribe if you'd like more content like this :)  @JeffCass-ImpactCoaching 

Middle Market ($10M to $1B annual Sales) Businesses make up 3-4% of US businesses but represent over 1/3 of our private sector GDP and consistently grow 2-3x faster than their smaller or larger counterparts...WOW!!  These companies are extremely important to our economy!!  Join me as I share the journeys of leaders who run these "Rock Star" middle-market businesses in the US. 

Middle Market Companies make up 3-4% of all companies in the US, but these relatively unknown companies grow 2-3x's faster than new startups or large corporate businesses.  Yes, you heard me correctly...these companies grow their top line and their employment faster than a majority of US businesses!! 

So, who are these "rock star" companies, and how do they grow so fast?? 

That is the question Doug Farren from the National Center for the Middle Market has been studying for more than 13 years!! 

In this episode, hear what Doug & his team at the National Center have learned about what makes these companies and their leaders successful.  They are the only organization in the US focused on studying and supporting this very important market for our economy.

Use the link below if you would like to contact Doug Farren or learn more about the Middle Market. https://www.middlemarketcenter.org/

Learn how Aaron Bock and his two partners

It seems simple, but they found this was a huge gap for most companies with less than 2,000 employees. 

Six years later, they've been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the US and have been named to the Inc. 5000 multiple times. 

Retired executive and host Jeff Cass launches a new podcast to learn more about some of the most impactful yet unknown American business leaders. Mid-Market businesses make up just 3% of US companies, yet they account for 1/3 of our private sector GDP and employment!! These leaders are truly "Rock Stars" of our economy, and in this first episode, Jeff introduces Chad Beatty, who runs a trucking company in Charlotte, NC to learn more about how he became successful.