On this episode of The Edge, host Alex Rodriguez sits down with Grenee Martacho, CEO of Concord General Contracting, to unpack a leadership journey shaped by authenticity, resilience, and employee ownership. Grenee shares how she grew from a marketing coordinator into the CEO role, helped guide Concord through an ESOP transition, and led cultural and operational transformation during periods of rapid growth. From defining the ultimate client experience to navigating missteps, accountability, and succession, this conversation offers a grounded, human look at leadership done the right way.

Connect with Grenee on LinkedIn. Learn more about Concord General Contracting.

Key Takeaways:

• Grenee's journey to CEO (1:13)
• The ultimate client experience (4:50)
• Leadership development (7:40)
• Making decisions based on the heart, but also the data (9:05)
• Introducing an ESOP (10:14)
• Succession planning (14:05)
• Intentional focus on fixing and defining processes (17:31)
• Grenee's edge (20:12)
• Lessons from leadership missteps (22:47)

What if the goal of building a business wasn't just growth, but freedom? On this episode of The Edge, Todd Smart, co-founder of Bloom Growth, joins Tim Leman to explore the difference between small business ownership and true entrepreneurship. Todd shares why peace and predictability are possible at any stage of life when the right people and processes are in place, how leadership teams become the ceiling for growth, and why emotional maturity matters more than strategy. From operating systems to human flourishing to sailing the Caribbean with his family, Todd offers a compelling vision for building a business that supports a meaningful life.

Connect with Todd Smart on LinkedIn. Learn more about Bloom Growth.

Key Takeaways:

• The distinction between small business and entrepreneurship (2:19)
• The role of operating systems (5:00)
• Peace and predictability (6:46)
• Why founders "resist" structure (7:05)
• The evolution of Bloom Growth and it's unique approach (10:24)
• The relationship curriculum (14:15)
• The impact of peer groups in entrepreneurial growth (15:51)
• Todd's front row seat to Gibson implementing an operating system (17:40)
• Internal champions who are passionate and continuously learning (21:28)
• Leading an interesting life (22:02)
• Human flourishing (29:06)
• The future of operating systems (32:29)
• Harnessing optimism, love, and vulnerability (34:53)

On this episode of The Edge, host Courtney Montfort sits down with Amanda Wickham, Vice President of People, Culture and Communications at Ivy Hospitality. Amanda shares her unconventional leadership journey from the Air Force to hospitality, the power of saying yes before you feel ready, and how culture is built through middle managers. The conversation also explores imposter syndrome, women in leadership, parenting while leading, and why developing people with intention is the real competitive advantage.

Connect with Amanda Wickham on LinkedIn. Learn more about Ivy Hospitality.

Key Takeaways:

• Amanda's leadership journey (1:04)
• Being open to new opportunities (5:18)
• Battling imposter syndrome (6:12)
• The Ivy Hospitality story (8:49)
• The transition from the Air Force (10:31)
• Middle managers as the culture conduit (13:04)
• Empowering women in hospitality (15:34)
• Work-life "balance" and parenting dynamics (19:02)
• Amanda's edge: finding the courage to say yes (22:57)

On this episode of The Edge, host Taylor Covey sits down with Curtis Anderson, Founder and CEO of Nursa. Curtis shares his journey from growing up in rural Idaho to building a national healthcare staffing platform that connects nurses directly with facilities in need. The conversation explores entrepreneurship through iteration, leadership rooted in trust and execution, and why flexibility and speed are critical advantages in modern healthcare. Curtis also reflects on his mission to ensure a nurse is at the bedside of every patient who needs one.

Connect with Curtis on LinkedIn. Learn more about Nursa.

Key Takeaways:

• Early influences & education (0:52)
• The power of iterations (7:32)
• Acquiring healthcare staffing agency – and reimagining it (10:14)
• There's always a way, and you can always rebuild (18:41)
• Execution is everything (20:31)
• Defining his edge (24:47)

On this episode of The Edge, Courtney Montfort sits down with Kristin Weeden, Chief Talent Officer at Penske Entertainment Corp., the organization behind the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, INDYCAR, and IMS Productions. Kristin shares her winding career path, why culture has always been her north star, and how "pitching your own promotion" can change the trajectory of your career. From leading people strategy in sports to redefining authenticity in leadership, this conversation is packed with practical insight for leaders at every stage.

Connect with Kristin Weeden on LinkedIn. Learn more about Penske Entertainment Corp.

Key Takeaways:

• Penske & Kristin's role (1:15)
• Kristin's winding career path (2:34)
• The importance of culture (3:50)
• Always ask the next question (10:00)
• Pitch your own promotion (10:45)
• Lessons in motherhood (14:17)
• Kristin's edge (18:51)
• The Indy 500 experience (21:32)

Robert Chavez's journey is a full-circle leadership story. From entering YDI's youth employment program at age 14 to now serving as CEO, Robert reflects on how discipline, fairness, and perspective shaped his career. He and host Alex Rodriguez discuss servant leadership, building strong executive teams, and why supporting families and communities is essential to long-term impact. This episode highlights how lived experience, hard work, and mentorship can become a lifelong edge in leadership.

Connect with Robert on LinkedIn. Learn more about Youth Development, Inc.

Key Takeaways:

• What is YDI? (1:40)
• How joining YDI at 14 shaped his entire leadership path (4:35)
• Lessons on managing older, more experienced teams at age 21 (8:34)
• Building elite teams through complementary skills at Intel and YDI (14:20)
• Disagree and commit (16:08)
• Staying close to family (17:38)
• Why perspective, not privilege, became Robert's greatest edge (18:30)

For nearly seven years, Casey Crouse has been quietly building a movement in Indiana. As co‑founder and Executive Director of New Shoe Day, he is leading the effort to create the state's first shoe bank and end "shoe insecurity" for kids who cannot access new, proper footwear. In this episode, Casey joins host Tim Leman to share how a simple volunteer project grew into a statewide initiative, the power of something as small as a shoebox to restore dignity and confidence, and what it really takes to blend entrepreneurial rigor, faith, and community into meaningful impact.

Connect with Casey on LinkedIn. Learn more about New Shoe Day.

Key Takeaways:

• What a "shoe bank" really is (00:47)
• The moment everything shifted (2:20)
• Small details create big dignity (4:17)
• Building trust (5:11)
• The journey of New Shoe Day (6:41)
• Defining shoe insecurity (9:59)
• Blending fundamentals with mission (12:04)
• Building a strong board of directors (14:43)
• Impact starts at home and in community (18:15)
• Casey's edge (21:27)
• Team dynamics (23:23)

On this episode of The Edge, host Alex Rodriguez sits down with Tim Roemer, CEO of GMI (Global Market Innovators), an IT and managed security services provider based in Scottsdale and Seattle. Tim shares his journey from the CIA, White House Situation Room, Arizona Director of Homeland Security, and now CEO. He unpacks what it means to lead with trust instead of micromanagement, why the best teams are built on diverse perspectives, and how he is learning to listen twice as much as he talks. Tim also opens up about trial and error with work life balance, putting family first when it counts, and how continuously refining his natural people skills has become his leadership edge.

Connect with Tim Roemer on LinkedIn. Learn more about Global Market Innovators (GMI).

Key Takeaways:

• Tim's role & vision at GMI (2:31)
• Leadership roots start earlier than you think (6:49)
• Leaders who trust, delegate, and avoid management (9:28)
• The best teams are built on diverse perspectives (13:54)
• Hire complements, not clones (17:45)
• Your edge can become a weakness if you stop refining it (20:38)
• Work life balance is built through trial and error (25:37)

Scott Becker, founder of Becker's Healthcare and partner at McGuireWoods, joins Tim Leman to share hard-earned lessons from decades of building businesses. From early setbacks to creating a media empire, Scott reveals why great teams beat great ideas, the importance of knowing your business inside and out, and how founders must evolve to stay out of their own way. They explore hiring philosophy, the "desert of nothing" that tests every builder, and why the best leaders are judged by what happens after they leave. Scott also previews his upcoming book, Building Great Businesses, offering lessons on growth, grit, and long-term thinking.

Connect with Scott Becker on LinkedIn.

Key Takeaways:

• Scott's growth journey (1:40)
• Great teams, great customers, and having a niche (5:00)
• You have to know your own business (7:15)
• The value of a live event (15:28)
• The evolution of the founder (17:05)
• You have to learn to stay out of your way of your leaders (18:56)
• Leadership legacy (23:00)
• 'Desert of Nothing' - there is a lot of input before you see results (25:18)
• The rising cost of talent and its impact (30:30)
• "And" solutions (32:08)
• Value creation vs. value extraction: the founder's dilemma (39:36)
• Scott's new book: Building Great Businesses, Create Momentum, Overcome Setbacks, and Scale with Confidence (42:43)
• Finding your edge (45:53)

In this episode of The Edge, co-host Taylor Covey sits down with Jaime Zawmon, Founder and President of Titan CEO and The Titan 100. Jaime shares her inspiring journey from growing up in her Czech immigrant father's wire stripping business to building one of the most influential CEO communities in the country. They explore her pivotal career shift from pharmaceutical sales aspirations to magazine publishing, the adversity that led to launching Titan, and what it takes to curate authentic communities of visionary leaders. Jaime also reveals the core values that define modern-day Titans and shares powerful stories of how the community creates real impact.

Connect with Jaime on LinkedIn. Learn more about Titan CEO.

Key Takeaways:

• Growing up in an immigrant family business and learning early sales skills (1:47)
• The career pivot from pharmaceutical to advertising sales that changed everything (7:04)
• Discovering her Ikigai - the intersection of passion and purpose (10:41)
• The adversity that forced her to start Titan and go out on her own (13:34)
• Building Titan to 2,500+ CEOs across 10 markets in 7 years (15:44)
• The three divisions: peer groups, Titan 100 awards, and executive retreats (17:47)
• Why who's in the room matters more than the venue (23:29)
• The Make-A-Wish Casa Bonita story - community in action (24:17)
• The four pillars of a modern-day Titan (31:04)