In this episode of The Founders Table, I sit down with Kyle Mead — President of the Heartland Center for Behavioral Change, a nonprofit organization that has been helping Missourians overcome addiction and rebuild their lives since 1982.

With more than 20 years at Heartland, Kyle has guided the organization through a mission of hope, healing, and recovery, while navigating the complex challenges of leading a nonprofit in behavioral healthcare.

We explore:

• Kyle’s early career path and what inspired him to pursue behavioral health and addiction recovery

• The evolution of Heartland’s mission over four decades of service

• The programs and initiatives making the biggest impact today

• How to balance mission-driven leadership with financial and operational sustainability

• The challenges of hiring, retention, and staff morale in behavioral health

• What it takes to build strong, motivated teams in a demanding industry

• Kyle’s vision for the future of Heartland and his advice for nonprofit leaders everywhere

  Connect with Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-mead-793ba620/

This is a story of purpose-driven leadership, resilience, and the power of helping people transform their lives.

In this episode of The Founders Table, I sit down with Marc Interial — President of Growth & Development at Process Technical Services (PTS).

With a career spanning decades in the oil and energy industry, Marc has led large-scale operations, business development, and strategic growth initiatives that have helped strengthen the backbone of America’s energy infrastructure.

In addition to his role at PTS, Marc serves as Vice Chairman of the TLIM Technology Division Board at the University of Houston, where he mentors and supports the next generation of industry leaders.

We cover:

• Marc’s journey from technical and project management roles to executive leadership

• How technology and human resource development have shaped his leadership style

• What PTS does and how it serves clients across the energy sector

• Key wins and challenges from his time leading growth at PTS

• The role of mentorship, education, and workforce development in building resilient industries

• The biggest hiring and retention challenges in oil and energy today

• And Marc’s advice for emerging leaders on building organizations that stand the test of time

This episode is a great listen for anyone passionate about leadership, workforce growth, and the intersection of industry and education.

Connect with Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcinterial/

In this episode of The Founders Table, I sit down with Dr. Vince Hafeli, President of Ajax Paving Industries of Florida.

With over four decades in leadership and a career that’s helped shape Florida’s infrastructure, Vince leads one of the state’s largest construction companies — employing over 600 people and delivering some of Florida’s most essential highway and airport projects.

Beyond construction, Vince has become a national voice for mental health advocacy in the industry, championing cultural change and employee well-being.

We cover:

• Vince’s journey from project management to President of Ajax Paving

• Lessons learned leading large-scale teams in construction

• Ajax’s biggest milestones and contributions to Florida’s infrastructure

• The importance of mental health awareness in high-stress industries

• The hiring and retention challenges facing construction today

• How leaders can build stronger, more supportive workplaces

• And Vince’s advice for executives who want to build companies that endure

This conversation is a powerful look at leadership, growth, and creating impact beyond the bottom line.

Connect with Dr. Hafeli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-hafeli-dba/

In this episode of The Founders Table, I sit down with Anthony F. Porter — Head of 360 Partnerships at Salesforce.

Anthony’s background spans leadership roles at MetLife, EA, and Goldman Sachs, where he managed billion-dollar global supply chains, built vendor frameworks, and modernized procurement at scale. Now, at Salesforce, he’s driving a new era of strategic partnerships that blend operational excellence with empathetic leadership.

We dive into:

• Anthony’s career journey and what first drew him to procurement and vendor management

• How his experiences at MetLife, EA, and Goldman Sachs shaped his leadership philosophy

• What it means to lead 360 Partnerships at Salesforce

• The strategies behind scaling procurement operations while reducing risk

• Balancing cost savings, innovation, and talent in a changing landscape

• How to build and retain high-performing teams across global organizations

• The biggest challenges and lessons from modernizing procurement systems

• And Anthony’s outlook for 2026 and beyond in procurement and partnerships

  
  

This episode offers rare insights from a leader who’s transformed how Fortune 500 companies operate — and how they empower their people along the way.

Welcome back to The Founders Table!

Today I’m joined by Melissa Fors Shackelford — Executive Marketing and Growth Leader, Author, and Principal Consultant at Shackelford Strategies. Melissa has spent over two decades leading marketing strategy and growth across healthcare and technology, advising CEOs, founders, and executive teams on building purpose-driven brands that connect authentically and deliver measurable impact.

She’s also the author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Harnessing Purpose: A Marketer’s Guide to Inspiring Connection, a keynote speaker, and was recently named one of the Top 50 Women in Healthcare (2025).

In this episode, we dive into:

• Melissa’s career journey and what first inspired her to pursue marketing at the intersection of healthcare and technology

• Her insights from leading marketing at Optum, Evernorth, and Hazelden Betty Ford

• What she’s focused on today through Shackelford Strategies

• The inspiration behind her bestselling book Harnessing Purpose and the impact it’s made

• Lessons from leading through high-stakes healthcare mergers and integrations

• How to balance creativity with data-driven ROI

• The future of purpose-driven and inclusive marketing

  
  

This is a must-listen for leaders, marketers, and anyone passionate about building brands that truly connect.

Connect with Melissa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfors/

📌 Subscribe to The Founders Table for more conversations with today’s top business leaders.

In this episode of The Founders Table, I sit down with George Ballew, Senior Vice President at the University of Virginia Community Credit Union, where he leads in the realm of mortgage banking.

George’s career spans CEO roles and leadership positions across multiple mortgage divisions, giving him a unique perspective on growth, challenges, and what it takes to lead with both discipline and a people-first approach.

We dive into:

• George’s early career path and the defining moments that confirmed his direction

• What makes UVA Community Credit Union’s mortgage division stand out from larger institutions

• A recent team or operational win he’s most proud of

• How he balances efficiency with personalized service in a community-focused financial institution

• His strategies for hiring, retaining, and leading top talent in a competitive space

• The single biggest bottleneck he sees slowing down growth in the industry

• And his outlook for 2026 and beyond in mortgage banking

This conversation offers hard-earned lessons in leadership, growth, and building resilient teams in one of the most dynamic financial sectors.

Welcome back to The Founders Table, where we sit down with the people building America’s backbone industries.In this episode, I’m joined by Kevin Damoa, Founder & CEO of Glīd Technologies. Kevin’s career spans from designing rocket logistics systems at SpaceX, to leading advanced programs at Northrop Grumman, to pioneering hydrogen-powered aviation.

Now, with Glīd, he’s reshaping the future of freight and defense logistics through autonomous mobility.

We dive into:

- Kevin’s origin story and what motivated him to start Glīd

- The moment he knew the company was going to work

- What Glīd does today and the industries they serve

- Some of the biggest wins they’ve achieved so far

- The challenges of scaling a deep-tech team and keeping operations smooth

- Kevin’s vision for the future of logistics and autonomous mobility

From rockets to rail, Kevin Damoa is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in mobility. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Get connected with Kevin on LinkedIn + check out what they're doing at Glīd Technologies below.Connect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-a-damoa-9b514770/

Glīd Technologies: glidtech.us

📌 Subscribe to the Founders Table Podcast for more stories from leaders shaping the industries that keep America moving.

Pull up a seat at The Founder’s Table, where today’s top business leaders share the real stories behind building and scaling eight and nine-figure companies. Each episode features a one-on-one conversation with visionary founders, CEOs, and executives, diving into their path to success, leadership philosophies, and the bold strategies driving their next chapter of growth.

What to Expect:

1. The Founding Journey

Hear the inspiration behind industry-leading companies

Explore pivotal wins and challenges that shaped their path

Take away hard-earned lessons in leadership and innovation

2. Scaling & Growth

Gain insider perspectives on scaling teams and operations

Learn proven approaches to market expansion and client acquisition

Get a glimpse of where the biggest players see their industries headed.

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