The Business Samurai

Linda Westfall is the President of The Westfall Team and one of their lead consultants and trainers. Her specialties include Software Quality Engineering, Metrics, Project & Risk Management, Requirements Engineering & Management, Peer Reviews, Testing, and Process Definition & Improvement.

Prior to starting her own business, Linda was the Senior Manager of Quality Metrics and Analysis at DSC Communications. Linda has more than forty years of experience in real-time software engineering, quality, project and risk management, agile, and metrics. She has worked as a Software Engineer, Systems Analyst, Software Process Engineer, and Manager of Production Software.

Linda and her husband Rob also have an active fireworks hobby.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-westfall-668191/

https://www.softwareexcellenceacademy.com/

https://asq.org/quality-press/display-item?item=H1516

Mentioned in this episode:

LammarMarie.com Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off

This episode of the business samurai podcast is brought to you by Lammar Marie popcorn. You can get now one bag and get a second bag for half off with the code Barker at checkout. So if you like your snacks, a little sweet, a little salty, a little mixture of both. Go check out lammarmarie.com and all of the flavors that they have for your next snacking sensation.

Jeff Say is the President of the Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce. Jeff took the role just one month prior to the COVID-19 epidemic. In this episode, we discuss the challenge of taking on a membership-based, event-driven organization at the start of the pandemic.

Jeff describes how they utilized the Chamber resources and connections as the hub for other business owners, connecting people and services to the right areas during the most difficult times. Jeff discusses their strategy for quickly pivoting the most important events online and in a way that still provides tremendous value to the community.

And in the waning days of the pandemic, now the Chamber not only survived but is now thriving when higher than expected new memberships and stronger relationships formed.

In addition we discuss:

• A new "Shark Tank" style program aimed at high school youth with significant prizes involved.
• Several upcoming events in 2022
• How Jeff learned by a major mistake at his college 20 years earlier, he actually didn't graduate and had to take one 2 credit class but he walked during the ceremony. Its a crazy story.

You can reach out to Jeff:

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-say-742247131/

https://culpeperchamber.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

LammarMarie.com Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off

This episode of the business samurai podcast is brought to you by Lammar Marie popcorn. You can get now one bag and get a second bag for half off with the code Barker at checkout. So if you like your snacks, a little sweet, a little salty, a little mixture of both. Go check out lammarmarie.com and all of the flavors that they have for your next snacking sensation.

Justin Holroyd served 14 years in the USMC before an unknown medical condition prompted an unexpected early retirement. Justin had to get a pacemaker installed.  Justin played in and was project manager for the USMC Fleet Band where he played the trombone.  Justin has played music for KIngs and Queens, Presidents, and has traveled the world building strong relationships between the United States and Foreign Countries.

Justin oversaw over 500+ productions during his active-duty time, managing multi-million dollar productions.  He recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Communications and Project Management.

https://www.marines.com/about-the-marine-corps/roles/musician-enlistment-option-program.html

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-holroyd/

Mentioned in this episode:

LammarMarie.com Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off

This episode of the business samurai podcast is brought to you by Lammar Marie popcorn. You can get now one bag and get a second bag for half off with the code Barker at checkout. So if you like your snacks, a little sweet, a little salty, a little mixture of both. Go check out lammarmarie.com and all of the flavors that they have for your next snacking sensation.

My next guest holds a position that for many of you is probably an underutilized resource in your own community to help you grow your business.

John Holden is the Economic Development Director of Stafford County.

For over 25 years, John navigated Maine tourism, community and economic development, and international business development. In 2018, he brought his knack for consensus building, and entrepreneurship to the Mid-Atlantic. Whether he’s stirring up new initiatives in Stafford or a recipe in the kitchen, John is passionate about creativity and innovation and seeks phenomenal results in the community.

John holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in regional economics from the University of Maine.

https://www.gostaffordva.com

https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/mammoth-amazon-fulfillment-center-slated-for-centreport-parkway-in-stafford/article_077f403e-ee69-56f0-9abe-cf1dbc2ffb05.html

https://www.gostaffordva.com/2021/10/the-garrison-groundbreaking-ceremony/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-holden-65142513/

Mentioned in this episode:

LammarMarie.com Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off

This episode of the business samurai podcast is brought to you by Lammar Marie popcorn. You can get now one bag and get a second bag for half off with the code Barker at checkout. So if you like your snacks, a little sweet, a little salty, a little mixture of both. Go check out lammarmarie.com and all of the flavors that they have for your next snacking sensation.

Bojan Simic is the Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technology Officer of HYPR (spell it out). Bojan’s vision is for the elimination of shared secrets and his experience in authentication & cryptography serves as the underlying foundation for HYPR technology and company strategy. Previously, he served as an information security consultant for Fortune 500 enterprises in the financial and insurance verticals conducting security architecture reviews, threat modeling, and penetration testing.

April 2021 that HYPR closed series C Funding of $35 Million doubling the company's total to $70M.

Bojan also serves as HYPR’s delegate to the FIDO(Fast IDentity Online) Alliance board of directors, empowering the alliance’s mission to rid the world of passwords

Alex Winter is the President of Hake’s Americana and Collectibles Auction House. Alex got his start collecting comic books at the age of 8. He started working for Hakes in 1985 as a shipping assistant, working his way through the ranks to become President in 2014. 

Founded in 1967 by Ted Hake, Hakes became the first auction house to specialize in 20th century culture artifacts.  Hake’s specializes in political memorabilia, rare and unique toys of the 20th century, comic books, original art, rare sports memorabilia, items from tvs, movies and music. 

In 2004 the founder Ted Hakes sold the company to Steve Geppi, a long-time collaborating partner and owner of Diamond Comic Distributors (the only comic distribution company to my knowledge left) among several other companies he owns.

Some big ticket items that Hakes has sold include:  Captain Americas screen used shield from Avengers Infinity War for over $250K, a pair of Mickey and Minnie dolls for over $150K, and their most recent auction that closed on March 16th 2022 a Boba Fett Star Wars prototype figure that closed at over $204K.

Visit Hakes.com

Mentioned in this episode:

LammarMarie.com Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off

This episode of the business samurai podcast is brought to you by Lammar Marie popcorn. You can get now one bag and get a second bag for half off with the code Barker at checkout. So if you like your snacks, a little sweet, a little salty, a little mixture of both. Go check out lammarmarie.com and all of the flavors that they have for your next snacking sensation.

Dr. Christopher Ali is an Associate Professor in the Department of Media Studies at the University of Virginia. He holds a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. His research interests include communication policy and regulation, rural broadband, critical political economy, critical geography, media localism, and local news.

Christopher’s work has been published in The New York Times, The Hill, and Realtor Magazine is a frequent commentator on the subjects of broadband, media policy, and local news, with interviews in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, NPR, CNET, CBC, Bloomberg, and other major national and international news outlets.

Christopher’s current research focuses on broadband policy and deployment in the US, specifically in rural areas. His recently released book, Farm Fresh Broadband: The Politics of Rural Connectivity examines the complicated terrain of rural broadband policy in the US. Farm Fresh unpacks the politics of broadband policy, asking why millions of rural Americans lack broadband access and why the federal government, and large providers, are not doing more to connect the unconnected.

Buy His Book Here

View UVA Presentation

Ben Canning is a personal trainer and founder and CEO of BC Training. BC Training is a personal training and fitness organization that assists both men and women to reach their desired goals and hit their maximum potential. Ben works with a number of clients worldwide around physical fitness, training, and mental health.

Ben is co-host of the weekly podcast We Hack Health with Dave Kennedy which has started a fitness and wellness movement online with the #WeHackHealth

Mentioned in this episode:

LammarMarie.com Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off

This episode of the business samurai podcast is brought to you by Lammar Marie popcorn. You can get now one bag and get a second bag for half off with the code Barker at checkout. So if you like your snacks, a little sweet, a little salty, a little mixture of both. Go check out lammarmarie.com and all of the flavors that they have for your next snacking sensation.

John Barker discusses his experiences where a leader's emotional states transfer to other team members that in most cases negatively affecting performance.

John discusses the need to remain stoic and a "we got this" attitude when things are not going your way to have any chance of success.

Mentioned in this episode:

LammarMarie.com Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off

This episode of the business samurai podcast is brought to you by Lammar Marie popcorn. You can get now one bag and get a second bag for half off with the code Barker at checkout. So if you like your snacks, a little sweet, a little salty, a little mixture of both. Go check out lammarmarie.com and all of the flavors that they have for your next snacking sensation.

Dan Persico CIO for the Virginia Department of Elections

Dan Persico served 15 years in the United States Air Force working a variety of duties including tactical aircraft maintenance, Command and control actions supporting homeland security, military police, security forces, and advance program management that included protection of classified and unclassified systems, designing continuity plans, and oversight of information assurance officers.

Dan was most recent CIO/CISO for the Virginia Department of Elections.  Responsible for overseeing business operations, technology support, software development, project management, cybersecurity, data privacy and governance within the unique realm of elections oversight, designated as national critical infrastructure. Uses knowledge of elections policy and procedures to drive initiatives within the organization.

Plans, organizes, and controls all activities and services ensuring the effective, efficient, and secure operations of each product line within the portfolio of services and offerings.

He is also a season Ski Race coach instructor.

Connect with Dan on LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

LammarMarie.com Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off

This episode of the business samurai podcast is brought to you by Lammar Marie popcorn. You can get now one bag and get a second bag for half off with the code Barker at checkout. So if you like your snacks, a little sweet, a little salty, a little mixture of both. Go check out lammarmarie.com and all of the flavors that they have for your next snacking sensation.