Shows
Industry Ignited PodcastHow Executive Coaching Unlocks the Leader You Already Are: Gabrielle Vasquez Baumeyer, CEO of Baumeyer Coaching | Ep. 40In this episode of Industry Ignited, host Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Gabrielle Vasquez Baumeyer, CEO and Founder of Baumeyer Coaching and ACC-ICF Certified Executive Coach, to explore what truly unlocks sustainable leadership and performance from the inside out. Drawing on over 25 years in training, consulting, and executive coaching, Gabrielle shares how real transformation begins with slowing down, increasing self-awareness, questioning limiting beliefs, and learning to truly listen—to ourselves and others. She demystifies the difference between coaching, consulting, mentoring, and training, and explains why high-achieving leaders often resist presence and connection in a hy...
2025-11-2141 minIndustry Ignited PodcastHow a Greek Farmer Transformed Setbacks into Sustainable Success: Thomas Moschos, CEO of Moschos Farm | Ep. 39In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Thomas Moschos, CEO, agronomist, and dairy production expert at Moschos Farm in Greece, to explore how a multigenerational farm is preserving the authenticity of true Greek dairy while scaling sustainably. Thomas shares the pivotal moment that drove him to bring cheese and yogurt production in-house, how agronomy choices like organic soil health, silage timing, and feed chemistry directly shape milk quality, and why real strained Greek yogurt has nothing to do with the “Greek-style” products found in most supermarkets. From navigating Gree...
2025-11-1935 minIndustry Ignited PodcastBlending Biotechnology and Nature for Safer Personal Care: Paul Dempers, CEO of Demron Naturals | Ep. 38In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Paul Dempers, chemist and CEO of Demron Naturals, whose science-driven approach to natural formulations is reshaping personal care, home care, and pet care across Africa and beyond. Dempers shares how witnessing the toxicity of traditional detergents sparked his mission to develop effective, ethically sourced, and environmentally safe alternatives—long before sustainability became a trend. From transparent ingredient sourcing and stem-cell-derived botanical actives to localized manufacturing that reduces carbon footprint, he reveals how Demron Naturals blends natural integrity with biotechnology, global regulations, and deep cu...
2025-11-1732 minIndustry Ignited PodcastHow Robotics and AI are Reshaping the Future of City Skylines: Michael Brown of Skyline Robotics | Ep. 37In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Michael Brown, Chairman and CEO of Skyline Robotics, the company behind Osmo—the world’s first robotic-armed window-cleaning system. Brown shares how a shrinking labor pool, extreme safety risks, and rising urban skylines sparked Skyline’s mission to reinvent facade maintenance using AI, LIDAR, computer vision, and real-time force sensing. He explains how Osmo cleans up to three times faster than human crews, captures structural data for predictive maintenance, and creates new career pathways for operators rather than replacing jobs. With global...
2025-11-1257 minIndustry Ignited PodcastInnovating for a Sustainable Future: Jeff Monroe of LifeSpaces Innovation Group | Ep. 36In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar speaks with Jeff Monroe, CEO and Chief Innovation Officer of LifeSpaces Innovation Group, about how disruptive sustainable technologies are reshaping the B2B and manufacturing landscape. With over four decades of experience spanning consumer goods, food service, and industrial markets, Monroe shares how his company bridges innovation and sustainability—bringing robotics, AI, and eco-friendly materials like grass-based packaging and compostable films to everyday operations. His message is clear: true progress comes from thinking five to ten years ahead, driving efficiency, safety, and sustainability while cr...
2025-11-1035 minIndustry Ignited PodcastHow Can Paper Replace Plastic? Ariadne Dimoula of Paramount Planet Product on Nature-Inspired Innovation | Ep. 35In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Ariadne Dimoula, CEO and founder of Paramount Planet Product (P3RD.Earth), whose groundbreaking innovation in microfibrillated cellulose could replace the world’s most common plastic pollutants—wrappers, lids, filters, and straws—with biodegradable, ocean-safe materials. Drawing from her background as an oceanographer and a family legacy in pulp and paper engineering, Ariadne shares how her company is redesigning packaging from the ground up to mimic nature’s closed-loop systems—where waste becomes nourishment instead of pollution. Her story is a powerful r...
2025-11-051h 00Industry Ignited PodcastHow Can Loyalty and Leadership Scale a Company to $1 Billion? Skip Giessing of DXP Shares the Secrets | Ep. 34In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Skip Giessing, President of the Rotating Equipment Division at DXP Enterprises, to explore how he helped grow the division from $150 million to over $1 billion while preserving the company’s core culture of loyalty, entrepreneurship, and long-term vision. Skip shares how lessons from the U.S. Navy and owning his own business shaped his leadership approach—fostering innovation, empowering regional autonomy, and driving growth through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. His story is a masterclass in building billion-dollar success without compromising inte...
2025-11-0350 minIndustry Ignited PodcastDesigning Innovation from the Ground Up: Circle R Engineering’s T’Ray Rutledge on Turning Ideas into Systems | Ep. 33In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews T’Ray Rutledge, P.E., CEO of Circle R Engineering, whose career spans the U.S. Air Force flight line to founding a design-build firm that turns napkin sketches into working machines. Rutledge shares how aerospace discipline, curiosity, and safety culture shaped his approach to hydraulics, pneumatics, and electric-drive systems across industries from agriculture to steel. He explains how Circle R Engineering helps inventors and manufacturers accelerate innovation with maintenance-friendly, power-efficient, patent-ready designs—demonstrating how precision engineering and servant leadership can move ideas from concept to m...
2025-10-3138 minIndustry Ignited PodcastThe Safe and Effective Cure to Cancer: Angiex Founder Paul Jaminet Shares the Science | Ep. 32In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Paul Jaminet, Ph.D., Founder and President of Angiex, to discuss a revolutionary new approach to cancer therapy that delivers drugs directly into tumor cell nuclei while sparing healthy tissue. Drawing from his journey through MIT physics, Harvard astrophysics, software entrepreneurship, and natural health research, Jaminet shares how he and his wife, Angiex’s scientific co-founder, developed AGX-101, a TM4SF1-targeted nuclear-delivered antibody drug conjugate now in Phase 1 clinical trials. This conversation explores how physics, biology, and patient-first engineering converge to change th...
2025-10-291h 00Industry Ignited PodcastHow Can Early-Life Nutrition Transform Global Protein Production? Erik Visser, CEO of Hamlet Protein Shares His Vision | Ep. 31In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Erik Visser, CEO of Hamlet Protein, to explore how early-life animal nutrition is shaping the future of sustainable protein. From law and political science to leading global feed innovation, Visser shares how strategy, culture, and servant leadership drive transformation across the feed and food value chain. He discusses how Hamlet Protein’s soy-based specialty proteins improve gut health and long-term performance in young animals, why data sharing and collaboration accelerate progress, and how global leaders can balance sustainability, efficiency, and affordability in a ra...
2025-10-2753 minIndustry Ignited PodcastWhat’s the Secret to Sustainable Process Improvement? Ann Marie O’Connell Explains | Ep. 30In this episode of Industry Ignited, host Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Ann Marie O’Connell, professional engineer, MBA, and certified Six Sigma Black Belt, to explore the intersection of process discipline and creativity. With over four decades leading MCU Limited, Ann Marie shares how flexible, physics- and economics-based design thinking can drive real innovation—without stifling imagination. She reveals why true process excellence isn’t about rigid control, but about empowering teams to think critically, identify root causes, and design systems that sustain improvement even in disruption. From digita...
2025-10-2459 minIndustry Ignited PodcastFuture of Inclusive Marketplaces: Sara Quintero on KarmaChic | Ep. 29On Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Sara Quintero, founder & chief innovation officer of KarmaChic Marketplace—an e-commerce platform built to scale women-owned and minority-owned businesses. Sara shares how a boutique setback became the launchpad for a human-first, AI-powered marketplace with low fees, geolocation discovery, and a CreatorLab vendor hub for content, analytics, and social scheduling. We cover why storytelling converts, which KPIs matter for small sellers, and how KarmaChic blends video, real-time analytics, and simple dashboards to turn data into action. Sara talks community-building, referrals, and mentorship, plus expanding from Tampa to Texas and Lo...
2025-10-2244 minIndustry Ignited PodcastHow to Build a Bankable Business: Thomas Gilman on the Financial Habits of Thriving Companies | Ep. 28In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar talks with Thomas Gilman, founder of Driving Business Growth and former BP executive, about how CEOs can move from running their business to truly scaling it. Drawing on decades of global leadership and financial strategy experience, Gilman reveals the Wall Street techniques that every Main Street CEO should know—from improving business credit and building bankability to mastering cash flow and reducing expenses by up to 30%. He explains how to avoid the most common blind spot in growth planning, why humility is a CEO’s gr...
2025-10-2035 minIndustry Ignited PodcastBringing Research Home: LaToya Hinton-Howery on Building Trust and Inclusion in Clinical Trials | Ep. 27In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar talks with LaToya Hinton-Howery, MPH, CEO and Research Director of Next Innovative Clinical Research (Next ICR), about reshaping the future of clinical trials through representation, accessibility, and trust. From Chicago to Houston and beyond, Hinton-Howery is proving that innovation doesn’t just come from labs—it comes from the communities research serves. She shares how her team trains local coordinators, partners with minority physicians, and creates culturally competent sites that welcome participants who have historically been overlooked. The discussion covers inclusive trial design, the importance of diverse investigators, and how comm...
2025-10-1741 minIndustry Ignited PodcastReversing Brain Injury by Mimicking Nature: Dr. David Smith Explains How | Ep. 26In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Dr. David Smith, physician, innovator, and founder of DeltaChase and TBI Innovations, to explore how nature-inspired science is revolutionizing medicine. Known for the FDA-cleared Q-Collar—the first medical device proven to help protect against traumatic brain injury—Dr. Smith shares how studying woodpeckers, giraffes, and sheep led to breakthrough solutions in brain protection, sleep apnea, altitude illness, and even dementia research. With over 40 patents and decades of research, he reveals how biomimicry—copying nature’s own designs—could hold the key to solving medicine’s toughest challenges, from the bat...
2025-10-1545 minIndustry Ignited PodcastBuilding the Impossible: Daniel Williams on Grit, Growth, and the Future of Steel Construction | Ep. 25In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Daniel Williams, CEO of Steel Design & Build, to explore what it takes to construct some of America’s most complex and iconic steel structures—from stadiums and airports to large-scale government projects. With over 25 years in the industry, Daniel shares how he rose from field laborer to executive consultant, leading multi-million-dollar projects through grit, persistence, and people-first leadership. He reveals lessons learned from working on projects like SoFi Stadium and The Hollywood Bowl, why he embraces high-risk buil...
2025-10-131h 05Industry Ignited PodcastThe AgTech Revolution That’s Actually Working: Tal Maor of Lighthouse Ag | Ep. 24In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Tal Maor, founder & CEO of Lighthouse Ag (Israel), on how to de-risk AgTech adoption and deliver measurable field results. Combining his background as a farmer, technologist, and business strategist, Maor shares how Lighthouse Ag bridges the gap between innovation and implementation by acting as an integrator and single source of support for growers worldwide. He explains why success in AgTech isn’t just about better technology—it’s about reducing risk, building trust, and helpin...
2025-10-0841 minIndustry Ignited PodcastLightning for the Unbanked: Shawn Kim on Bitcoin’s Real-World Breakthroughs | Ep. 23In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leanne Aguilar interviews Shawn Kim, founder & CEO of Between Bits, about how the Bitcoin Lightning Network is redefining global finance. Kim explains why Bitcoin’s creation of digital scarcity was a world-changing innovation, and how Lightning makes Bitcoin faster, cheaper, and more practical for everyday use. He shares how his company is pioneering stablecoin transactions on the Lightning Network, enabling instant, low-fee cross-border payments and empowering the 1.7 billion unbanked with only a smartphone and internet connection. Fr...
2025-10-0625 minIndustry Ignited PodcastFrom Silicon to Sci-Fi: Michael Choate on Problem-Solving, AI Risks, and the Future of Technology | Ep. 22In this Industry Ignited episode, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Michael Choate, president of Solutions Press and author of Silicon Trenches, to explore the fascinating evolution of technology—from hands-on debugging in the pre-AI era to today’s rapid rise of artificial intelligence. Drawing on decades in semiconductor engineering and product development, Choate shares his proven methods for solving “impossible” problems, building resilient teams, and teaching critical thinking in high-tech environments. He also warns of the growing risks of AI dependency, from energy demand to infrastructure vulnerabilities, while offering insights into how...
2025-10-0355 minIndustry Ignited PodcastIs This the Biggest Breakthrough in Orthodontics? Mark Terrill’s Bioelectric Solution | Ep. 21In this episode of Industry Ignited, CEO Mark Terrill of OrthodontiCell reveals how a patented bioelectric stimulation device accelerates orthodontic treatment from ~2 years to 3–6 months, cuts pain by 70%, and permanently stabilizes teeth—all while working alongside braces or clear aligners. Terrill explains the science (targeted waveforms that modulate proteins to loosen, move, and re-calcify teeth), real-world outcomes (fewer refinements, no removable retainers), and why a recent AJO-DO study flagged the approach as “best evidence.” We cover patient convenience (25 minutes, twice weekly at home...
2025-10-0126 minIndustry Ignited PodcastHow to Turn Governance into Competitive Advantage: Morgan Templar on Healthy Data, Healthy AI | Ep. 20In this Industry Ignited episode, Dr. Leanne Aguilar interviews Morgan Templar, CEO of First CDO Partners and founder of Get Governed, on how to build healthy data that powers trustworthy AI and real business results. Morgan shares the pivotal lessons that took her from paper-bound healthcare ops to enterprise Chief Data Officer, then breaks down practical playbooks: diagnosing data debt vs tech debt, mapping unstructured data (email, SharePoint, chats) to reduce legal risk, and using knowledge graphs + ontologies to...
2025-09-2950 minIndustry Ignited PodcastSupercharged Water, Real-World Results: Charlles Bohdy on Nanobubbles Transforming Wellness, Hospitality & Ag | Ep. 19On Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Charlles Bohdy, CEO of NANEAU, about “supercharged” water powered by nanobubbles/nanoplasmoids and structured filtration. Bohdy explains how metastable nano-gases (hydrogen, oxygen, CO₂, nitric oxide) enhance cellular hydration, vasodilation, and anti-inflammatory responses, enabling applications from NBOT hydrotherapy (a hyperbaric-like soak) to chemical-free oxygenated pools, whole-house water systems, and high-yield agriculture. He shares how on-site purification, vortex structuring, and gas infusion can cut chemicals, boost plant growth, and elevate guest experiences in hotels and spas—while reducing operatio...
2025-09-2946 minIndustry Ignited PodcastDisrupting Hospitality’s Most Wasteful Habit: Floris Graziosi’s Water Revolution | Ep. 18On Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Floris Graziosi, CEO & founder of AYR Water (Bali, Indonesia), on how on-site purification, chilling, and bottling systems let hotels and restaurants serve premium still and sparkling water without single-use bottles. Graziosi explains the operational model—dishwasher-safe refillable glass, tap-and-chill systems with CO₂, HACCP-aligned SOPs, and third-party lab testing—that cuts logistics, reduces plastic waste and CO₂, and lowers total cost while elevating guest experience. He shares adoption wins, pre-opening integration for new builds, and why replacing trucked-in bottled water with on-demand, zero-waste service is th...
2025-09-2441 minIndustry Ignited PodcastStrategy Before Tools: Steven Ward on Aligning Technology with Business Objectives | Ep. 17In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Steven Ward, founder of ITech Governance Consulting and author of Strategy Before Tools. Ward shares lessons from his journey through business ownership, banking, and IT leadership—revealing why most companies overspend on technology while underinvesting in strategy. He explains how leaders can shift from reactive IT to proactive governance by focusing on clarity, accountability, and alignment with business objectives. From avoiding bloated tech stacks to preparing for the disruptive impacts of AI and automation, Ward offers practical insights for executives who want technology to serve their mission—not...
2025-09-221h 17Industry Ignited PodcastTurning Food Waste into Climate Prosperity: Shannon J. Dobbs on Regenerative Systems Innovation | Ep. 16In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar speaks with Shannon J. Dobbs, disabled veteran, regenerative entrepreneur, and founder of the Fellowship of Living Systems. Dobbs shares how his team is redefining food infrastructure by converting organic waste into climate-resilient prosperity. From Humisoil technology that transforms biomass into carbon-sequestering topsoil, to blast chiller food rescue systems that repurpose surplus meals, Dobbs outlines a bold vision for circular economies that connect communities, industries, and global supply chains. Listeners will learn how regenerative models can cut waste, unlock manufacturing efficiencies, and empower farmers and municipalities to build community-controlled, climate-smart food...
2025-09-1756 minIndustry Ignited PodcastTurning B2B Events into Strategy, Fractional Chief Events Officer Sara Beth Raab | Ep. 15In this Industry Ignited episode, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Sara Beth Raab, award-winning fractional Chief Events Officer at SB Events, on how to transform trade shows and large-scale activations into measurable B2B growth engines. Sara Beth explains building an event strategy that aligns C-suite goals with marketing and sales, how to quantify “squishy” metrics like trust, relationships, and brand perception, and practical ways to design neurodiverse-friendly experiences that remove barriers to connection. She also shares a realistic playbook for integrating AI in event planning—choosing tools that solve real problems without creating friction for attendees or teams. If you wa...
2025-09-1544 minIndustry Ignited PodcastPowering the Future: Tal Mund on Scaling Battery Energy Storage in Israel and Beyond | Ep. 14In this Industry Ignited episode, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Tal Mund, founder and chairman of BL Energy, to unpack how he helped turn battery energy storage from a blank slate into Israel’s new grid backbone. Mund shares the mindset behind entering complex, capital-intensive markets early, the pivotal partnerships (including top-tier battery manufacturers) that fueled BL Energy’s growth past 1 GWh in contracted projects, and why BESS is the flexibility layer modern grids can’t live without. He explains moving from integrator to asset developer, Europe’s early-stage expansion opportunities (Baltics, Balkans/Romania), and the rising energy demands...
2025-09-1042 minIndustry Ignited PodcastHow Smart Design and Strong Culture Drive Industrial Performance: Marvin Woodie, President of Conn-Weld Industries | Ep. 13In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar talks with Marvin Woodie, President of Conn-Weld Industries, Inc., a West Virginia leader in custom-engineered vibrating screens, separation equipment, and precision parts. Woodie traces his four-decade journey from field operations (1986) to the presidency and breaks down Conn-Weld’s ethos of “smart engineering for real-world applications.” He explains how problem identification, design-for-manufacture, and dense-media/fine-particle separations (down to ~50 microns) drive efficiency in mining, aggregates, recycling, and food processing. The conversation covers balancing custom builds with operational efficiency, new solutions for recycled concrete and clean metal recovery, thoughtful adoption of ERP/CAD...
2025-09-0849 minIndustry Ignited PodcastCellular Zip Codes and Cancer Care: David Loynd on Endurex’s Breakthrough Delivery Platform | Ep. 12In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews David Loynd, President & CEO of Endurex Pharmaceuticals, on how a peptide-directed nanoparticle drug delivery platform—built around “cellular zip codes”—targets tumors while sparing healthy tissue. Drawing on engineering discipline, systems thinking, and partnerships with institutions like MD Anderson, David explains why traditional chemotherapy’s systemic toxicity falls short and how Endurex localizes payloads to hard-to-treat cancers such as triple-negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and glioblastoma. We dive into manufacturing-minded optimization (design of experiments, polymeric nanocarriers), scale-up paths (microfluidics, impinging-jet, or patient-specific small-scale units), and a pipeline that extends beyond che...
2025-09-0329 minIndustry Ignited PodcastFind a Way or Make One: Chris Przybyszewski on Scaling US BIOLOGIC's Vaccine Revolution | Ep. 11In this Industry Ignited episode, US BIOLOGIC leader Chris Przybyszewski traces a career spanning neuroscience, public health, medical devices, high-tech, and infectious disease—and how it shaped his “translator” leadership style that aligns diverse experts around clear goals, shared definitions, and measurable success. He unpacks lessons from funding science across venture capital, government, and philanthropy—matching missions and ROI while never wasting stakeholders’ time. Chris spotlights US BIOLOGIC’s breakthrough: orally delivered, thermostable vaccines deployed via backyard pellet stations to immunize reservoir species (like mice) against Lyme disease—an innovation that demanded new chemistry, manufacturing, distribution, and regulatory path...
2025-09-0158 minIndustry Ignited PodcastMission, Mindset, and Momentum: Justin Mayer of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives | Ep. 10In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar chats with Justin Mayer—Brand President at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Darden MBA, and former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot—about leading with discipline, humility, and a people-first mindset. Justin shares battlefield-tested lessons like servant leadership, rapid decision-making, and driving initiative “down to the lowest level,” then connects them to building trust, alignment, and cross-functional excellence in business. From DuPont product launches to scaling a 130+ location franchise, he shows how data, candor, and culture power growth—especially when leaders move fast, communicate clearly, and empower teams to own the mission.
2025-08-2746 minIndustry Ignited PodcastHow to Elevate Leadership and Transform Teams: Beckie Barta of RB Elevate | Ep. 9In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Beckie Barta, Chief Elevation Officer at RB Elevate, to unpack what leadership looks like when it’s truly a catalyst for growth. Drawing on two decades in global operations, Beckie shares how clarity, confident preparation, and purpose-driven, human-centered leadership turn teams into high performers—especially through acquisitions, restructures, and rapid change. She tackles common leader traps like overcommitment and under-delegation (“treat time like currency”), explains why transformation must be managed like a product (not a project), and shows how data and storytelling belong together. Looking ahead, she argues A...
2025-08-2548 minIndustry Ignited PodcastTurning Adversity Into Innovation: Robert Lewis of Quester and Freedom to Roam Walker | Ep. 8In this episode of Industry Ignited, host Dr. Leeanne Aguilar welcomes Robert Louis Lewis, owner of Quester, a world-renowned market research firm, and founder of Freedom to Roam Walker, a company pioneering mobility solutions for individuals with limited mobility. With over four decades of entrepreneurial leadership across industries like land management, finance, consulting, and global research, Lewis shares how resilience, creativity, and purpose have fueled his journey.After a personal health challenge left him an incomplete quadriplegic, Lewis transformed frustration into innovation by inventing the Independent Stand-Up Walker, a device that restores dignity, independence, and freedom to...
2025-08-2043 minIndustry Ignited PodcastHow Businesses Help Employees Thrive: Christina Blunt & Justin Worthley, Rhino Foods Foundation | Ep. 7In this episode of Industry Ignited, host Leeanne Aguilar talks with Christina Blunt, Executive Director of Rhino Foods Foundation, and board member Justin Worthley about how businesses can go beyond paychecks to create real stability and dignity for employees. They share how Rhino pioneered programs like the Income Advance Loan, which provides quick, judgment-free access to emergency funds while helping workers build credit and savings, and the Employee Exchange Program, which partners with other companies to keep staff employed during seasonal slowdowns. Christina and Justin explain how these practices—born out of listening directly to employees—have boosted retention, prod...
2025-08-1850 minIndustry Ignited PodcastCraft, Care, and Community: William "Bill E." Stitt of Bill-E's Small Batch Bacon | Ep. 6In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with William “Billy” Stitt, founder of Billy’s Small Batch Bacon and Billy’s Restaurant in Fairhope, Alabama. From humble beginnings in a roadhouse kitchen to becoming one of America’s most talked-about artisanal bacon makers, Billy shares how passion, tradition, and relentless dedication shaped his journey.He reveals the craft behind his eight-day curing and cold-smoking process, the importance of animal care, and why every detail—from wood selection to packaging—matters. Along the way, listeners hear stories of soulful traditions like serenading bacon, scaling a handcrafted...
2025-08-1441 minIndustry Ignited PodcastEngineering Innovation in Action with Andy Johnston, CEO of Johnston Engineering | Ep. 5In this episode of Industry Ignited, host Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Andy Johnston, PE—Principal Mechanical Engineer at Johnston Engineering, licensed professional engineer in Washington State, and instructor at Gonzaga University.With over 20 years of experience in product development, thermal management, two-phase flow, and heat transfer, Andy has built a career tackling the toughest technical challenges in industries like aerospace, biotechnology, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.We discuss:🔹 Andy’s journey from aerospace engineering to launching Johnston Engineering🔹 The innovation process and applying advanced analysis to real-world problems🔹 Lessons learned from entrepreneurs...
2025-08-1147 minIndustry Ignited PodcastFlexibility, Faith, and Uncommon Threads of Leadership: John Wieland, CEO of MH Equipment | Ep. 4In this inspiring episode of Industry Ignited, host Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with John Wieland, CEO of MH Equipment and author of Uncommon Threads. Since acquiring MH Equipment in 1994, John has grown the company from 50 employees to over 1,100 across 30+ locations—without a formal strategic growth plan. Instead, his philosophy has been simple: stay flexible, seize opportunities, and never lose sight of purpose.John shares candidly about his early challenges as an inexperienced business owner, how humility and timing shaped his success, and the pivotal decision to create His First Foundation, which has since given over $35 million to...
2025-08-0438 minIndustry Ignited PodcastEngineering Breakthroughs for a Clean Energy Future: Guy Babbitt, CEO of CZERO | Ep. 3In this episode of Industry Ignited, host Dr. Leanne Aguilar sits down with Guy Babbitt, PhD, the co-founder and CEO of CZERO, a cutting-edge mechanical engineering services firm at the forefront of clean energy innovation. With a mission to reduce energy consumption, improve efficiency, and fight climate change, CZERO specializes in taking bold energy concepts from initial idea to prototype, spanning industries from renewables to fossil fuels, and even industrial decarbonization.Guy shares his journey, from his environmentalist roots to his entrepreneurial spirit, and the inspiration behind founding CZERO. He dives into the company's role in accelerating...
2025-07-2835 minIndustry Ignited PodcastTurning Your Business into a Sellable Asset: Austin Tenette of Transworld Business Advisors | Ep. 2In this episode, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Austin Tenette, Senior Business Advisor at Transworld Business Advisors and creator of the Prepare to Sell coaching program. Together, they explore how business owners—especially in light of the “Silver Tsunami” of baby boomer retirements—can prepare to sell their businesses for maximum value.Austin shares insights from his career transition from corporate leadership to business coaching and brokerage. He outlines three essential pillars for selling a business successfully.He also discusses common valuation pitfalls, like “key man syndrome,” overreliance on personal relationship...
2025-07-2246 minIndustry Ignited PodcastSmarter Hiring Strategies to Safeguard Your Business: Mike Henzell of Davis Investigation Services | Ep. 1In this episode of Industry Ignited, host Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Mike Henzell, CEO of Davis Investigation Services, to uncover how businesses can protect themselves through smarter hiring practices and comprehensive pre-employment screening. Since 2005, Davis Investigation Services has been trusted by Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, and top employers nationwide for its thorough background checks, drug testing, and risk management solutions.Mike shares his journey from a 30-year career in global risk management and compliance to becoming the new owner of Davis Investigation Services. He explains why traditional “click-button” background checks fall short, how his team’s multi-point screen...
2025-07-1424 min