What does it take to lead real digital transformation—while keeping food on shelves across the globe?

At Schreiber Foods, that question isn’t theoretical. It’s the work of SriRaj Kantamneni, EVP & Chief Information and Digital Officer at Schreiber and the architect behind an ambitious digital overhaul in one of the most critical global industries — food and ag.

But Sri didn’t come up through Silicon Valley. He grew up under the hood of his family’s auto shop in Iowa. That beginning shaped everything: how he leads, what he builds, and why he believes transformation isn’t about chasing shiny tools. It’s about solving the hard stuff: Making food more affordable, more accessible, and more reliable on a global scale.

In this episode of Real Leadership, Sri walks us through how Schreiber is building a digital system that doesn’t break the business—and why food and ag is quietly becoming one of the most advanced tech fields on the planet.

02:50 - Digital Transformation Vision and Strategy

08:53 - Future of the Food Industry

11:58 - Local vs Global Food Production

15:01- Innovations at Schreiber Foods

17:47 - The Hive: A User-Friendly Software Solution

20:52 - Digital Adoption in Agriculture

23:47 - AI and Technology in Agriculture

26:54 - Fostering a Problem-Solving Mindset

29:59 - AI's Impact on Workforce Dynamics

32:48 - Upskilling and Navigating AI Transition

What if the future of logistics isn’t about bigger fleets—but about smarter connections?

Chris Condon grew up with the grit of farm country and the drive to fix what’s broken. After decades in the freight industry, he realized the real opportunity wasn’t in moving more freight. It was in empowering the small and mid-sized freight forwarders who move 80% of the world’s cargo.

In this episode of Real Leadership, Chris shares the journey that led him to found Aircon, an AI-powered platform reshaping how freight forwarders quote, book, and manage cargo. From sleepless nights building early-stage tech to rethinking how the industry uses capacity, Chris unpacks the lessons he’s learned about leadership, adaptability, and the power of putting people—and partners—first.

In this episode, we cover:

Time Stamps

04:10 - Understanding AirCon's Role in Freight Forwarding

06:56 - The Decision to Start AirCon

07:11 - The Importance of Freight Forwarders

08:03 - AI's Impact on Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

10:11 - The Future of the Logistics Workforce

11:54 - Leadership Lessons from Farming Background

Show Notes

Chris Cochran didn’t set out to disrupt one of the most entrenched industries in the U.S. — he just knew there had to be a better way. Now, as founder and CEO of FreightWise, he’s led one of the fastest-growing logistics tech companies in the country—proving that innovation doesn’t have to come from Silicon Valley to change everything.

In this episode of Real Leadership, Chris shares the story behind FreightWise’s rise, the lessons he’s learned from building in one of the most complex sectors, and why the AI revolution is less about hype—and more about what’s possible when leaders stay focused on value.

In this episode, we cover:

Time Stamps

02:17 - Understanding FreightWise and Its Market

13:25 - The Future of AI in Logistics

23:15 - Career Guidance in an AI-Driven World

29:14 - Lessons from Entrepreneurial Journey

36:01 - The Value of EBITDA in Business Growth

Show Notes

Chad Wiegand didn’t follow a corporate blueprint. He built a leadership model designed for complexity.

From pharmacy school to law, from boardroom legal counsel to global strategy, Chad built his career by stepping into uncertainty—and bringing clarity.

Today, he’s EVP and Chief Risk Officer at Schreiber Foods, an $8 billion, employee-owned food giant. He oversees everything from legal and audit to food safety, regulatory, compliance, and culture.

But Chad will tell you: his impact isn’t about saying no. It’s about helping leaders make better decisions in the gray.

In this episode of Real Leadership, Chad shares the pivotal moments that shaped his philosophy—from learning how to lead through risk to discovering why vulnerability might be a leader’s sharpest edge.

In this episode, we cover:

🔥 The “Red Team / Green Team” structure that takes ego out of strategy

05:47 - Attributes of a Great In-House Legal Program

12:05 - Negotiation Styles in Legal Interactions

18:02 - Chad's Evolution at Schreiber Foods

25:14 - Risk Management and Decision Making

30:37 - Nose In, Hands Out Leadership

35:43 - The Impact of ESOP on Culture

42:10 - The Power of Vulnerability

You don’t have to choose between legacy and innovation. Jessica Warnke is proof — she’s doing both—and doing it exceptionally well.

Jessica grew up in the logistics world—her grandfather started a truck dealership with poker winnings, her father scaled Carter Express from 13 trucks to a national logistics force. 

Today, Jessica is the President & CEO of Carter Logistics, leading a 900-truck operation with global ties and deep family roots.

But taking the reins wasn’t guaranteed—and it wasn’t easy.

In this episode of Real Leadership, Jessica shares her real-world lessons on building culture, driving innovation in a male-dominated industry, and what it really means to lead when the stakes are personal and global.

In this episode, we cover:

🔥 Why chasing “balance” is a myth—and what to do instead

Time Stamps

06:10: Jessica's Journey into Trucking

12:47: Navigating Second Generation Leadership

14:49: Breaking Gender Barriers in Logistics

18:20: Challenges in the Automotive Supply Chain

22:30: Embracing Technology in Logistics

25:15: The Impact of Global Partnerships

29:01: Building a Strong Company Culture

30:34: Balancing Work and Family Life

Show Notes

Andrew Tidwell has never followed the traditional HR playbook.

With a background in labor negotiations, international chaos, and what he calls “solving difficult people problems,” Andrew built a career by saying yes to the messy stuff—and figuring it out mid-flight.

Today, he’s CHRO at WineShipping, where he’s helped transform a fast-scaling logistics company into a culture-first, award-winning workplace. 

But ask him how he got there, and he’ll tell you: It wasn’t by being the smartest guy in the room. It was by being the most useful.

In this episode of Real Leadership, Andrew shares the moments that shaped his leadership style—from giving away a beat-up Jeep to settle a dispute in Mexico to building HR teams that operators actually trust.

🔥 The myth of “don’t bring me problems” — and what to say instead

06:53 – The Mexico City Jeep story: creative problem-solving in action

What if everything you thought about leadership was wrong?

Rudy Alanis grew up in a family where leadership meant service, purpose, and people. But after 25 years in global HR leadership—working at GE, TE Connectivity, Helix Electric, and now as Chief People Officer at Facility Solutions Group (FSG)—he’s learned that success isn’t just about working hard or getting results. It’s about how you lead people along the way.

In this episode of Real Leadership, Rudy shares the defining moments that shaped his leadership philosophy, from his first big reality check with Jack Welch to navigating a high-stakes leadership challenge in post-communist Prague, where trust wasn’t given—it had to be earned.

In this episode, we cover:

🔥 The biggest leadership myth that’s holding companies back

🔥 Why great results don’t always mean great leadership

🔥 How to build a winning team without creating “corporate carnage”

🔥 The mistake that turns high performers into company risks

🔥 Mentors vs. Sponsors – The career secret no one tells you

Time Stamps

08:01: Lessons from Jack Welch: The HR Perspective

14:28: Building Value in the Workplace

20:04: Finding Potential in Adversity

26:05: Cultural Insights from Prague: A New Perspective

27:08: Cultural Connections and Resilience

29:00: The Importance of Respect in M&A

30:21: Transforming Hard Work into Value

33:25: Understanding Facility Solutions Group

37:11: Attracting Talent in a Changing Landscape

40:42: Engaging Employees for Success

43:24: Staying Inspired as a Cultural Ambassador

Show Notes

Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com

What keeps a logistics company thriving for nearly six decades?

Plenty of companies throw around words like trust and transparency, but few actually walk the talk. Even fewer know how to turn these values into a competitive edge.

In this episode, Paul shares what most leaders overlook when it comes to building a resilient, high-performing organization—whether you're leading a logistics team, navigating an acquisition, or thinking about long-term growth.

🎙️ Inside this episode, you’ll discover:

Whether you're a seasoned executive or a rising star in logistics, this episode is packed with real-world leadership lessons that will challenge the way you think about trust, growth, and success.

[07:00] The technology shift that will make or break logistics companies

WSI Website: wsinc.com

The Psychologist Who Built a Life-Saving Logistics Empire

Most people don’t wake up thinking they’ll run a high-stakes logistics company. Matt Silverberg didn’t either.

Armed with a master’s in clinical psychology, he was working in the nonprofit sector—until a phone call changed everything. His father-in-law needed help in a niche logistics business. What started as a favor turned into a full-scale leadership pivot.

Today, Matt is the CEO of Associated Couriers and Chief Commercial Officer of Life Couriers, leading an industry where:

In this episode, Matt shares:

Timestamps:

[03:22] – The hidden world of life-critical logistics

Resources & Links:

From transforming a struggling division into a $6 billion powerhouse to tackling the unprecedented challenges of modern warfare, Matt Milas, President of Defense & Space at Honeywell Aerospace, knows what it means to lead under pressure. 

His journey is a masterclass in turning obstacles into opportunities, and he shares it all on this week’s episode of Real Leadership.

With 20+ years in aerospace leadership, Matt has held executive roles at L3Harris, Raytheon, and Spirit AeroSystems. Now, he’s leading one of the most critical sectors in global defense, driving innovation in AI, automation, and advanced military technology—all while navigating supply chain bottlenecks and the rapidly evolving battlefield.

In this episode, Matt dives into how Honeywell is shaping the future of defense, the leadership principles behind scaling a multi-billion-dollar business, and the bold decisions required to stay ahead in an increasingly complex industry.

With candid insights, battle-tested strategies, and a deep understanding of what it takes to lead high-performing teams, Matt’s story is packed with valuable lessons for leaders across all industries.

🔹 The Changing Face of Warfare: How drones, AI, and autonomous systems are redefining military strategy—and what leaders need to know.

⏱ 00:02:15 – How Matt’s aerospace career prepared him for leading in defense

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Show Notes

Real Leadership Podcat: https://realleadership.oningroup.com/