The Wow Factor

Lindsey Ueberroth is Chief Executive Officer of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and a member of its Board of Directors. Since joining the company in 2004, Lindsey has helped solidify the position of Preferred Hotels & Resorts as an iconic global hospitality brand, a preferred partner for independent hotels, and a trusted resource for travelers seeking an authentic, independent luxury hotel experience. Her strength and success as the Preferred Hotels & Resorts leader earned her recognition in 2017 by Hotel Management as one of the 30 most influential women in hospitality. She also received back-to-back accolades in 2015, first by HOTELS magazine as one of the top 10 most noteworthy hoteliers in the world and then by Lodging Magazine as one of the 20 most influential females in the lodging industry.

I feel privileged to have Lindsey join me on The Wow Factor to share her journey into hotel management and how her understanding of the change management space led her to work with her parents at Preferred Hotels & Resorts. She dives into why she is committed to leading with kindness and why it's critical to understand that kindness is a gift and a strength when used correctly. We also talk about what the Preferred Hotels & Resorts acronym GIFTTS stands for and how it encourages hotel partners to invest in their communities.

"Change creates opportunity." - Lindsey Ueberroth

"We look at our people as an extension of our family and we look at our hotel partners as an extension of our family." - Lindsey Ueberroth

"The concept of leading with love is important — I've learned over time it's better to be kind than right." - Lindsey Ueberroth

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• How Lindsey shed her natural shyness and learned to embrace diversity and change
• Why Lindsey has travel in her blood
• What she learned from watching her dad pull an airline out of bankruptcy
• What Preferred Hotels & Resorts does to serve independent, unique travel destinations
• How Lindsey and her team communicate their expectations to the hotel owners in the group
• Some of the global events and conferences that Preferred Hotels & Resorts host
• The perks of booking your hotel stay via Preferred Hotels & Resorts as a traveler
• What Lindsey and her team do to encourage philanthropy in their communities
• The two global causes that Preferred Hotels & Resorts are actively supporting
• Why the company decided to rebrand in 2015 and how it has made a difference in their business

Lindsey Ueberroth's Word of Wisdom:

The principle I love to lead by is 'if it's not a hell yes, it's a hell no!' Because I don't believe in hell maybe.

Connect with Lindsey Ueberroth:

• Preferred Hotels Website
• Preferred Hotels and Resorts Philanthropic Partners

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

John Maly began his career in the beauty industry when he took over his family's company, Maly's, and turned it into a $200 million business before selling it to L'Oreal. He then became the CEO of Mirabella Beauty, where he loved leading and developing people in addition to building the largest cosmetic company in the Professional Salon Industry. John is currently President of Wolf Creek Brewery, a role he has held since January 2016, and since April 2021, he has also been the Principal Owner at Atomic Filament.

I'm excited to welcome John to The Wow Factor to discuss how Maly's moved from a small family business to a household name and share the early lessons he learned from his father and four elder siblings. We also dive into the differences in how each generation manages a business and how the Maly's moved forward when the company changed hands from parents to children. John also describes the faith perspective that continues to drive him as a business leader today.

"Slowly, but surely, I kept letting my hands off the steering wheel and letting others really run the strip, and it worked great." - John Maly

"Once you can surround yourself with great people, great things can happen." - John Maly

"If you think you're in charge, if you think everything is all about you, at some point in your life, you're going to realize that's not true. You're going to realize that God's in charge, and He's always been in charge." - John Maly

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• John's strong connection with his family's beauty business
• The impact of changes in fashion on the beauty business
• The importance of helping your kids move forward and become independent
• Why John decided to go to college to become an accountant and how that drew him back round into the family business
• Some of the professional challenges John ran into growing the business from $2 million to $200 million
• What John learned as a leader through building his business
• How hair guru Paul Mitchell shocked John's conservative parents
• How John and his siblings worked through serious conflict in the business
• Where life took John after he sold the family business
• How John gives back to the community via his businesses

John Maly's Word of Wisdom:

Business leaders should understand that ultimately, God is in charge, He's always been in charge, and He's always cared for you. God has you in the palm of His hand, always.

Connect with John Maly:

• A Beautiful Story: The Maly's Story by John Maly

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Daria Foster is the retired Managing Partner of Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC. She has more than 40 years of financial services industry experience, more than half of which has been with Lord Abbett. She joined the firm in 1990 as Director of Fixed-Income Marketing and was responsible for establishing the firm's institutional investment business. In 2006, she was elected Director and President of Lord Abbett Mutual Funds, and she was named Managing Partner of Lord Abbett in 2007. Daria is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, serves as the Vice Chair of the New York Philharmonic, and is the Chairman of ReadWorks, a nonprofit organization committed to creating a culture of academic excellence in urban elementary schools.

Daria joins me on The Wow Factor to share her career trajectory from paralegal to CEO at Lord, Abbett & Co. She shares some of the early challenges her job as CEO entailed, how they were balanced by the valuable benefits of working with such a strong supportive team, and why she believes that humility and empathy are the foundation of successful leadership. Daria also shares why she firmly believes that liberal arts form the foundation of a satisfying and rewarding life and how she is fulfilling that aspect of her life now that she has retired from the world of finance.

"If you show your interest, people will be interested in you." - Daria Foster

"The only reason we're here is for the clients. So everything needs to be done through the lens of the client." - Daria Foster

"I was so grateful for the opportunities that were given to me and for the people that I worked with." - Daria Foster

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Daria's early involvement in student leadership roles
• Why Daria opted for a career in finance when she finished college
• When Daria made the move to work at Lord, Abbett & Co
• Her experience as the first female CEO of the company
• Whether Daria feels there was a glass ceiling in finance at that time
• Why it is essential to be honest when you don't understand something
• The value of making yourself available and trustworthy because you will ultimately learn more about what's going on
• Why gratitude is a gamechanger
• What Daria is doing in her retirement, including her involvement with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Foundation, the New York Philharmonic, ReadWorks, and select organizations in Naples, Florida focusing on education
• Why understanding how to connect genuinely with others is a key skill for any leader

Daria Foster's Word of Wisdom:

Humility and empathy as critical skills for any leader. When you're in a position of leadership, having that sensitivity to others is so important.

Connect with Daria Foster:

• ReadWorks Website

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Admiral Vernon Eugene Clark is a retired admiral who served as the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) of the United States Navy. He retired on July 22, 2005, making his tenure of five years the second-longest serving CNO behind Arleigh Burke. Admiral Clark has received numerous military decorations for his service, including four awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, three Navy Distinguished Medals, and three awards of the Legion of Merit. Since his retirement, he has been honored with the Eisenhower Award from the Business Executives of North America, the Distinguished Sea Service Award from the Naval Order of the United States, and the Distinguished Service Medal of the Military Order of the World Wars.

Admiral Clark earned his undergraduate degree from Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri, and has an MBA from the University of Arkansas. He has since received Honorary Doctorate degrees from the University of Toledo, Old Dominion University, Northwest University, and Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Admiral Vern Clark continues to share the wisdom gleaned over a long and distinguished Naval career and dives into leadership conundrums, including the attrition rate in the US Navy when he took over as Sea Chief and what he did to solve that problem. He defines what alignment means to him and why he made it one of the central themes of his leadership. Admiral Vern also shines a spotlight on leadership, his belief in having vision as a leader, and how that belief guided him in the wake of the tragic events of 9/11.

"It's been said before that I bring a little bit of passion to the game." - Admiral Vern Clark

"Alignment is really about communication." - Admiral Vern Clark

"More is caught than taught." - Admiral Vern Clark

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• The five principles on which Admiral Vern founded his leadership
• The importance of culture in a large organization
• The importance of getting buy-in from the sailors and how Admiral Vern brought his Master Chiefs on board with his plans
• Admiral Vern's goals of equipping and empowering the whole team
• How Admiral Vern and his team solved the problem of attrition
• Where Admiral Vern was when the tragic events of 9/11 occurred and his immediate response to deploy loaded aircraft carriers and destroyers to strategic positions
• When Admiral Vern first met President Bush at his inauguration and the promise he made him
• The story of Admiral Vern's relationship with Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense
• The importance of listening as a leader
• Why Admiral Vern feels that the Lord was watching over him throughout his career

Admiral Vern Clark's Word of Wisdom:

Having a strategic communications plan that moves you forward as a team or organization is vital.

Connect with Admiral Vern Clark:

• Any questions for Admiral Clark can be sent to [email protected]

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Admiral Vernon Eugene Clark is a retired admiral who served as the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) of the United States Navy. He retired on July 22, 2005, making his tenure of five years the second-longest serving CNO behind Arleigh Burke. Admiral Clark has received numerous military decorations for his service, including four awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, three Navy Distinguished Medals, and three awards of the Legion of Merit. Since his retirement, he has been honored with the Eisenhower Award from the Business Executives of North America, the Distinguished Sea Service Award from the Naval Order of the United States, and the Distinguished Service Medal of the Military Order of the World Wars.

Admiral Clark earned his undergraduate degree from Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri, and has an MBA from the University of Arkansas. He has since received Honorary Doctorate degrees from the University of Toledo, Old Dominion University, Northwest University, and Palm Beach Atlantic University.

This week on The Wow Factor podcast, I'm excited and honored to be joined by Admiral Vern Clark, who shares some of the lessons learned over his distinguished Naval career. He shares his commitment to covenant leadership, what that means, and how he strives to embody its principles in his own leadership. Admiral Vern also describes his top five priorities of manpower, current readiness, future-readiness, quality of service, and alignment when he became Chief of Naval Operations and what that meant practically for him and his teams

"I was raised in a home where we constantly heard about God's plan for our life - and that really framed my background in a very important way.." - Admiral Vern Clark

"There's no need for me to have a big program on covenant leadership. I need to just demonstrate it." - Admiral Vern Clark

"Our actions are screaming so loud, they can't hear a word we say, so if we're not living it and walking it, it doesn't matter what all the words are." - Admiral Vern Clark

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Admiral Vern's experience of growing up the son of a Pastor in the central section of the USA
• His early experiences of leadership, including on a kids baseball team
• The experience of gaining an MBA at the University of Arkansas against the backdrop of the Vietnam war
• How he came to find his life's path as a Commissioned Officer in the US Navy and why he was convinced he would be staying in for only three years only
• What convinced Admiral Vern to rejoin the Navy and the career that followed
• Why he believes that leadership is a two-way relationship
• Resources that Admiral Vern has used in his commitment to being a lifelong learner
• The questions that the term 'heart of covenant' bring up
• How Admiral Vern's strong faith has helped him in his role as a leader

Connect with Admiral Vern Clark:

• Any questions for Admiral Clark can be sent to [email protected]

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Brian E. Mueller is an American academic and university administrator. He is the current president of Grand Canyon University and CEO of Grand Canyon Education. Before taking the reins of Grand Canyon University, Brian was the president and a director of Apollo Education Group, the parent company of the University of Phoenix. Brian also held executive positions with the University of Phoenix Online, including CEO, chief operating officer, and senior vice president.

Brian joins us on the show to share what he has built at Grand Canyon University and why he was so committed to building a Christian university that catered to all socio-economic backgrounds. He describes the impact of the 2008 recession on his team's mission to raise capital to support Grand Canyon's mission. Brian also describes some of the social programs Grand Canyon is involved in, including CityServe (a network of churches and community service organizations dedicated to helping the needy and transforming broken communities), The Learning Lounge, which supports elementary-age kids, the largest Habitat for Humanity program in the world, and crime prevention initiatives in the local area.

"We believe in partnerships. Christians should be the most collaborative group of people in the world." - Brian Mueller

"Our goal in coming here was to make private Christian higher education affordable to all socioeconomic classes of Americans." - Brian Mueller

"What we're learning is the appetite for people in this country to get their young people in an environment where they can learn about the world in the context of the biblical narrative." - Brian Mueller

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• What Brian learned about the value of hard work from an early age
• Where Brian went professionally when he left college
• Why he moved to Denver, his time as a head basketball coach, and the decision to return to Arizona
• How his wife's big surprise led to Brian leaving his Ph.D. program and signing up to teach at the University of Phoenix
• The two key lessons that Brian learned when he was growing the University of Phoenix online
• Lessons that Brian has learned about making private Christian higher education affordable to all socioeconomic classes of Americans through Grand Canyon University
• Why Brian's past experience in raising money through capital markets gave him a vision for how to fund Grand Canyon University, which has meant they haven't had to raise tuition fees in 14 years
• How Brian went about marketing the university and increasing the number of students so dramatically
• Brian's five-point plan for achieving his vision for Grand Canyon University's role in building a Christian community here

Brian Mueller's Words of Wisdom:

When people ask me about leadership, I always tell them that vision is the most critical component. You have to see the future; you have to focus on who your customer is and stay focused on getting better every day, every week, every month, and every year to stay out in front of the competition.

The Church needs to develop leaders who are visionaries who are forward-thinking so that the Christian community can lead the world and not react to the world.

Connect with Brian Mueller:

• Grand Canyon University Website
• Grand Canyon University on Instagram
• Grand Canyon University on Facebook

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Dr. Meg Meeker has spoken nationally about parenting issues on national radio and TV, which has created a strong national and international following. She has spent almost thirty years writing, teaching, speaking, and working as a practicing pediatrician. Her life's work has been about equipping parents and children with the tools necessary for health and happiness. Dr. Meg has written six books and spoken to thousands of families, always with the goal of helping strong parents build strong children for a brighter future.

Dr. Meg joins us on the show to share how her book Strong Fathers Strong Daughters aims to help fathers to see themselves through the lens of their daughters and give them a roadmap to developing a great relationship. We discuss the importance of being intentional with your kids and giving them the time they crave rather than spending too much time focusing on your phone! Dr. Meg also shares why patience, perseverance, courage, strength, and fortitude are the keys to connecting with your child.

"Even that small thing, 20 minutes here and there having coffee with your daughter, will change who she becomes as an adult." - Dr. Meg Meeker

"When a dad takes the time to stop and listen. That's a big deal." - Dr. Meg Meeker

"We need to train ourselves to look at people and turn off the noise. Our kids need to learn how to be quiet with us, and that's when deep relationships really begin to form." - Dr. Meg Meeker

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Meg's journey to becoming a pediatrician, including the emotional and psychological aspects of her vocation
• The experience of moving from New England to the Midwest and what Meg loved about raising children in her new home
• How Dr. Meg's writing career evolved and how her own kids' influenced her decision to write her first book
• The difference between a mom listening and a dad listening
• Why parents need to turn their phones off and pay attention to your child
• Why the way a father treats his daughter sets the tone for her future relationships with men
• Why Dr. Meg advises parents to encourage their children to work
• How the relationship between a mother and a son differs from the relationship between a mother and her daughter

Meg Meeker's Words of Wisdom:

Pay attention and focus on your child's heart. Stop worrying about the outer layer, peel it back, and focus on character because that's what your kids need.

Connect with Meg Meeker:

• Meeker Parenting Website
• Strong Fathers Strong Daughters by Dr. Meg Meeker

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

For nearly 30 years, Michael Komara has been helping people gain clarity and direction on challenges they face by lighting the way forward with direction and solutions, so they can experience all they were designed to be. He offers boutique-style service to his clients at Solas Wealth by developing each financial plan and investment portfolio to fit each client's specific needs. Michael believes in continual personal and professional improvement, utilizing a collaborative approach in his work, speaking the truth in love, seeing the humor in situations and life, and having a lot of fun along the way.

Michael joins us on The Wow Factor to discuss what he learned as a young man working in the family business, including lessons in human behavior. He shares why his career path took him from teaching to ministry and on to founding his own financial services company. In addition, he describes some of the challenges he encountered along the way. Michael also discusses the goal of his book, Unlimited Upside, unpacks his seven F's, explains the process of creating them, and shares why the first one on the list is fun.

"A person can be successful in one or two areas of their life. But if they continue to avoid or neglect some of these other key areas, it's only a matter of time before the cracks start to surface." - Michael Komara

"If you stay in a 'have to' job for too long of a time, you start getting crusty, your attitudes start changing, and people pick up on it." - Michael Komara

"Be aware — as we grow and can increase in our level of awareness, we will become that much more effective as leaders." - Michael Komara

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• How Michael's love of sport impacted his leadership skills
• Where Michael's interest in money management came from
• The importance of understanding the necessity of finding balance in life
• Michael's book Unlimited Upside and why he was inspired to write it
• How finding $30,000 in a freezer made Michael reevaluate the role of money in life
• Why Michael decided to move from teaching into ministry after college
• Why Michael's plans to build his own business in the financial sector were almost torpedoed before they really got underway
• Why Michael and his wife Mary Ann came up with the term 'fun meter' and what it means
• Where he got the idea to write a tribute to his parents in his book
• Why Michael feels it's critical to find a job that gets your heart pumping
• How to be a 'can do' leader in life

Michael Komara's Words of Wisdom:

I've discovered over the years that as we grow and increase our awareness level, we will become much more effective as leaders. I'm talking about both self-awareness and the awareness of how others are feeling in the moment, and whether you're connecting effectively and authentically.

Connect with Michael Komara:

• Solas Wealth Website
• Michael Komara on LinkedIn
• Unlimited Upside by Michael Komara
• The Tribute and the Promise: How Honoring Your Parents Will Bring a Blessing to Your Life by Dennis Rainey

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Paul Hiltz is President and CEO of NCH Healthcare System in Naples, Florida. With over 30 years of experience innovating and improving organizations, Paul is committed to maintaining high standards in clinical quality and patient satisfaction. Prior to joining NCH in 2019, Paul served as the President and CEO of Mercy Medical Center, where he was responsible for implementing and heading Mercy Health's Accountable Care Organization, Mercy Health Select, one of the top ACO's in the United States. Hiltz is an accomplished strategist who can translate vision and policy into action. With his vast experience in working with communities, hospital boards, and healthcare systems across America, Paul Hiltz leads NCH into the future of healthcare as a top-tier medical institution, not only in Southwest Florida but across the country, as well.

Paul joins the show today to talk about the work he's accomplished at NCH. He explains how he uses vulnerability in his leadership and asks the leadership team for advice when he is trying to problem solve. In addition, Paul walks us through how the NCH handled Covid 19 and the new protocols they put in place. Perhaps the most impressive feat Paul has accomplished at his time at NCH is cutting down the time on "door to balloon" treatments, which you'll hear about in the episode.

"Burnout comes because people don't feel like they've been heard" -Paul Hiltz

"At every level of the organization I try to be very transparent about goals and I encourage people to give me their opinions and suggestions, that creates a strong team." -Paul Hiltz

"Healthcare is a team sport, we can do very little things on our own. We need community partners." -Paul Hiltz

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Paul's simple idea of gratitude
• Paul's drive to take the hospital to the highest level
• The hospitals culture of volunteers
• Pau's willingness to ask for help
• The collaboration between NCH and the community
• Cutting down on their "door to balloon" time
• NCH's goal of raising over 200 million dollars to build a state of the art heart facility

Paul Hiltz's Words of Wisdom:

The importance of practicing gratitude and service in your workplace.

Connect with Paul Hiltz:

• Paul Hiltz on LinkedIn
• NCH Healthcare System
• NCH Florida Facebook
• NCH Florida YouTube
• NCH Florida Twitter

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Michael (Mike) McCarthy is the co-chairman of Bridges Trust. In addition to his role at Bridges Trust, he is also the chairman and founder of McCarthy Group, LLC, an investment holding company headquartered in Omaha. Mike serves on the boards of a number of public, private, and not-for-profit entities, including Union Pacific Corp., Peter Kiewit Sons, Inc., Election Systems & Software, Creighton University, Heritage Services, and Lasting Hope Recovery Center. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from St. John's University in Minnesota.

Mike joins me this week to discuss the early core disciplines that he has lived his life around, and how they have served him over the years. He reveals some of the expensive failures that happened along his entrepreneurial journey and how they ultimately ended up moving the business forward. Mike also shares the importance of disconnecting net worth and self-worth and how he works on sustaining his personal self-worth through self-reflection and taking an annual retreat.

"Productivity is core to who we are — we want to produce more than we consume." - Mike McCarthy

"Perseverance is the most important attribute of people who survive tragedy." - Mike McCarthy

"The foundation of the future built on gratitude for the present is powerful. And that's why, when you can demonstrate that gratitude by giving whatever you've got — time, money, power — it's a very freeing experience." - Mike McCarthy

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Why Mike decided to turn away from his initial thoughts of training for the priesthood and become an entrepreneur
• When Mike started the McCarthy Group and how it grew out of the egg crisis in rural America
• Why Mike believes that drifting through life is a missed opportunity
• How the McCarthy Groups provide continuity for people who have created or inherited wealth and free their heirs to maximize their own existence
• The idea of producing more than you need and how this philosophy, alongside maintaining a giving heart, has developed over the years for Mike
• Mike's charitable work, including his role on the board of United Way
• Mike's leadership style and why he starts with encouraging his team to get closer to the people they're trying to serve
• Why the enemy of good thinking is short-term thinking
• Why Mike feels that empowering people is it is the most significant multiplier there is

Mike McCarthy's Words of Wisdom:

If you like giving, you're going to be a good leader, and if you like taking, you're going to be a bad leader.

Connect with Mike McCarthy:

• Bridges Trust Website
• McCarthy Financial Group Website

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter