Shows
The VMI Leader Journey PodcastLeading with Faith: A Cadet's Journey of Balance, Resilience, and Leadership at VMIWelcome to an inspiring VMI Leader Journey podcast episode, "Leading with Faith." In this episode, we introduce you to Cadet Collin Shannon from the Class of 2026, a psychology major and VMI's quarterback, who shares his insightful journey about leadership, teamwork, time management, and relentless perseverance.
From balancing the rigorous life of a student-athlete to identifying the transformative power of seeking help, Cadet Shannon's experiences paint an intricate picture of fortitude. He emphasizes the role faith and camaraderie play as the underpinnings of a reliable support system. He also discusses the importance of humility, authenticity, and unity within...
2024-05-1426 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastTap and Advance: Behind-the-Scenes of Writing 'Fire in my Eyes' with Veteran and Paralympian Brad SnyderIn this episode, we're doing something a little different. Our conversation with Brad Snyder, a Navy veteran, Paralympic gold medalist, and author, will reveal some behind-the-scenes insights into his memoir, "Fire in My Eyes." We'll discover what inspired him to write a memoir, what it was like to put some painful and confusing memories down on paper, and other details about his process. We will also talk about some leadership lessons that go beyond the pages of a book.
2024-04-2529 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastExamining Leadership with Brigadier General Christopher BurnsIn this exciting episode of the VMI Leader Journey, host Major Catherine Roy invites Retired Brigadier General Christopher Burns, the 2023-24 Leader in Residence at VMI. Burns gives a succinct overview of his career journey, laying out potent leadership philosophies he's learned from his time in the military and Wall Street. He delves deep into the distinction between managing and leading, emphasizing the centrality of clear communication and vision in inspiring successful endeavors.
Burns takes listeners on a whirlwind tour examining leadership in the light of rapidly evolving technology and societal shifts. He underscores the necessity of...
2024-03-2140 minThe VMI Leader Journey Podcast"Finding Abundance in Structure" with Kate Taylor, '24Beginning in her third class year, Kate Taylor, VMI Class of 2024, got involved with programs at the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics. A civil engineering major, she attended the Annual Leadership and Ethics Conference three times, twice as a table group facilitator, and was a member of the VMI Swim and Dive Club and the Cadets' Superintendent's Advisory Board.
In this episode of the VMI Leader Journey, we predominantly cover the leadership domain of efficacy, which concerns an individual's confidence. Her leadership journey covers why she chose VMI out of 21 other choices, some of t...
2024-03-0534 minThe VMI Leader Journey Podcast"Something Beyond the Routine" with Riley Shultz, '24Today's episode, "Something Beyond," is a conversation with Riley Shultz, VMI Class of 2024. They explore two of the Center's cadet clubs: The Cadets' Superintendent's Advisory Board, a diverse make-up of cadet representatives from thirds to firsts who explore aspects of cadet life and how to make improvements, and the Intercollegiate Ethics and Debate club, which competes in intercollegiate debate competitions. In addition to learning about these cadet experiences, he talks about peer leadership, accountability, and humility, and he includes some excellent advice for rats.
Major Roy's conversation with Shultz touches on leadership competencies such as interpersonal interaction, g...
2024-01-3130 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastDevelop Leadership Practices with Cmdr. Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.)Our guest, Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.), was the Commanding Officer of the USS Cole when it came under a suicide terrorist attack by al Qaeda in the port of Aden, Yemen, on October 12, 2000. During his command, he and his crew distinguished themselves by saving the American warship from sinking.
We sat down before his talk as the closing speaker for the 14th Annual VMI Leadership and Ethics Conference titled “Leading During Crises: Culture, Conflict, Collaboration” to discuss the leadership insights that would be share-worthy for our Corps of Cadets.
We hope you enjoy this epis...
2023-11-1731 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastVMI - a College Debates and Discourse Alliance Community of PracticeVMI is one of 10 colleges in the country to be named a Braver Angels' College Debates and Discourse Alliance’s Communities of Practice. As such, we are taking part in a national research grant from the John Templeton Foundation on the effect of participating in these moderated debates for college students. The overall goal is to promote civil discourse and give participants the tools they need to have useful and respectful conversations on contentious topics.
This VMI Leader Journey episode features VMI faculty and cadet fellows involved in this program. You will learn how we became involved an...
2023-09-0716 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastA Discussion About the VMI Honor System with Vice President of Education, Sibi Bagavathy, ’23In this episode, Sibi Bagavathy, an economics and business major, discusses with podcast host Maj. Catherine Roy about the efforts to educate his Honor Court peers and the Corps of Cadets on following VMI's Honor Code.
We discuss some outreach programs offered to cadets, how he and his peers discover opportunities for reinforcement, and the goal to inspire cadets to develop their character in a way that embodies integrity and honorable behavior, the true intent of VMI's 'three-legged stool' Institutional programs.
Learn more about VMI's system from the Center's free publication, "The VMI Leader Journey."
2023-05-0124 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastA Chronicle of the VMI Journey with First-Class President Cameron CavanaughCOVID, an investigation, loss... VMI's Class of 2023 has had a unique and 'wild ride,' according to First-Class President Cadet Cameron Cavanaugh.
Join us for this discussion of the challenges they faced and some of their lessons learned. Said Cavanaugh, ‘You’re not going to get through it alone, and it’s not worth doing alone.’
We touch on his deep faith, gratitude, leadership style, and our annual leadership theme, the courage of convictions, that inspired him and other corps leaders to lead by example.
On behalf of my colleagues at the Center, I hope yo...
2023-03-0942 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastCadets of Character Then and Now: Perspectives with Retired Public Affairs Officer Col. Rick Kiernan, ’66*Video Podcast Episode*
Retired Col. Rick Kiernan, VMI Class of 1966, shares his insights on the longstanding tradition of graduating cadets of character from the Institute. He discusses the media's propensity for negativity, the importance of context in any story or discussion, and his thoughts on leadership as an iterative process.
"And I think the character of the men and women that come out of the school today are certainly as good as when we were cadets. It just epitomizes itself. And I'm so very proud, too, to look at the young graduates that we have t...
2023-02-0742 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastEthics in Entrepreneurship with Erika CheungIf the name Erika Cheung sounds familiar, it may be because you followed the rise and fall of the multi-billing-dollar tech startup company Theranos. Cheung was a whistleblower in that case who came forward to raise concerns over its lab practices, ultimately opting to separate herself from the company due to medical ethics violations. Nowadays, she helps other tech startup companies build out their organizations with ethics in mind from the get-go.
During our interview, we examined some of the ethical issues and lessons learned in the Theranos case, how she is building the need for startup...
2022-12-021h 00The VMI Leader Journey PodcastRat Line Lessons and the Value of Self-Reflection: An In-Depth Interview with 2nd Lt. Derek Shockey, ’222022 first battalion executive officer and international studies major 2nd Lt. Derek Shockey is interning at the center through October 10th and making major contributions to three of the active learning sessions for the Annual Leadership Conference titled "Principled Dissent: Navigating Moral Challenges." His academic research for his national security and Asian studies minor was great preparation for the work he's doing, which we will discuss during this interview. We will also talk in-depth about how his rat year focus, which for every cadet is on followership, became a foundation for his leadership journey at VMI. More specifically, learning how t...
2022-09-0850 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastSeth McRoberts and Ryan Cooper, ’22: Making a Lasting ImpactI’m Maj. Catherine Roy, your host for this episode titled “Making a Lasting Impact.” With me are VMI Class of 2022 and newly commissioned Army officers Seth McRoberts and Ryan Cooper.
McRoberts was a platoon leader for Charlie company, an English major, a member of the triathlon club, and cadet-in-charge (or CIC) for the Center’s Cadet-Superintendent’s Advisory Board (or CSAB) – a diverse group of cadets who volunteer their time to make recommendations on improvements to processes or policies affecting cadet life.
Cooper is an economics and business major, former captain of the NCAA Swim & Dive...
2022-08-1540 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastSolution-Focused Leadership with Former CIA and FBI Operations Agent Tracy WalderOur guest is former CIA & FBI Operations Agent Tracy Walder. She is also the author of The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World’s Most Notorious Terrorists. Maj. Catherine Roy, communications and marketing specialist for the Center, got to meet Ms. Walder during her visit to VMI for our third Courageous Leaders Speaker event for 2022. Here is the link to her talk on our YouTube Channel.
During our conversation, we discussed her experiences working in the male-dominated world of national security, her leadership competencies, and how she...
2022-05-1838 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastBe Vigilant with Scott Spellmeyer, ’90 and Col. Justin Sapp, ’94Both Scott Spellmeyer, VMI Class of 1990, and Col. Justin Sapp, VMI Class of 1994, were part of Team Alpha, the first U.S. Mission behind enemy lines in Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Other panelists included Dave Tyson, linguist and CIA agent for the mission, and Toby Harndon, author of First Casualty, his book detailing the historical account.
You can watch the panel discussion on our YouTube channel.
During the panel discussions Sapp said to the audience, ‘I was just six or seven years out of VMI graduation and I was faced with this mission assigned to...
2022-04-0634 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastTeaching Inclusivity Challenged Me to Live It with Chief Diversity Officer, Lt. Col. Jamica Love, Ph.D.Lt. Col. Jamica Love has her Ph.D. in psychology and has worked in higher education for about 20 years. When I asked her what inspired her to use her talents as a diversity officer, she shared with me the story of her career journey where she began to specialize in DEI over the last 12 years. Said Love, “I didn’t just want to teach people about something that I wasn’t actually living out.”
During our conversation, you will learn how she has challenged herself to seek out opportunities to connect in diverse settings, to incorporate feedback in her pr...
2022-02-1441 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastJoin us Friday, Feb. 18th for CIA and Special Forces Panel DiscussionThe public is invited to attend a free event at VMI on Friday, February 18th at noon in the Gillis Theater at Marshall Hall. Toby Harnden, author of “First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11” along with some of the people featured in the book: retired senior CIA officer David Tyson, and Scott Spellmeyer, VMI '90 and Justin Sapp, VMI '94, will participate in a panel discussion. Followed by a book signing. Books will be on sale in the lobby of Marshall Hall. Visit our website for more information on the speakers, or email Kim Conno...
2022-02-0900 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastDoes Your Audio Match Your Video? with Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Gwen BinghamLt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, U.S. Army (Ret.), is this year’s Binford J. H. Peay Leader-in-Residence. The VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics hosts this program and produces this podcast to educate, engage, and inspire the VMI Corps of Cadets, the greater VMI Community, and listeners like you!
Bingham’s visit coincides with this year’s leadership theme titled ‘Citizen Leaders.’ During our conversation, Bingham said that she believes leaders should communicate, coordinate, and collaborate, but which one of these does she believe is the most important?
Let’s listen in to find out! Don't forget...
2021-11-1942 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastLeading and Learning with VMI Regimental Commander Kasey Meredith ‘22VMI's first female regimental commander, Kasey Meredith '22, sat down for the first episode of the 2021-22 academic year. During our interview, we were able to ask her more about her leadership style. She stressed the importance of working as a team, especially between the two leadership systems here at VMI, the traditional university class system with the military or regimental leadership system. We also got some insights into her support system. We even talked about her role as a 'dyke' mentor. Meredith has taken part in several interviews, especially given her historic role, but we think you'll agree t...
2021-10-0126 minThe VMI Leader Journey Podcast"Be Humble - There's More to Learn" with Allen Xu '21Episode No. 23 features Chief EMT Allen Xu '21 who has commissioned in the Army and plans to one day become an Army doctor. Xu is a New Jersey native. In addition to EMT chief, he was a prosecutor on the Honor Court and president of the Omicron Delta Kappa honor society. Xu said VMI gave him the opportunity to put his textbook understanding of leadership into practice. As an EMT, he's deepened his understanding of team dynamics, particularly in crises.
As you listen to our interview, it will be no surprise to learn that Xu's top personal valu...
2021-05-2517 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastLittle Moments - Big Leadership Lessons with Whitney Edwards-Roberson '22We caught up with Whitney Roberson in the PX to chat about her VMI leader journey. Whitney is a history major from Chesapeake, VA. She is the captain of the women’s soccer team, president of the Promaji club, an investigator for the CEA (Cadet Equity Association), and the vice president of SAAC (Student Athletic Advisory Committee).
In this episode, we discussed how her views on leadership have changed since the Rat Line and how VMI has prepared her to lead in diverse settings. She talked about the ‘little moments’ that change you and teach you how to lea...
2021-05-1113 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastAll-In Commitment and Passion with Jordan Ward '21Defensive Lineman and team captain for VMI's Keydets football team Jordan Ward dreamed of playing Division I football in college. He helped the Keydets to their first SoCon football title since 1977 and the program's first-ever FCS playoffs bid. But that's not the only 'feather' in Ward's cap. He has been an NCAA football player all four years of his cadetship, but also served as an S6 sergeant, a corporal, and worked with cadet-athletes. In his third-class year, he was voted as a member of the Honor Court and served as an assistant prosecutor. In his 2nd class year, he w...
2021-05-0412 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastFULL EPISODE: The Art & Science of Leadership with Kevin Black ‘99In this full-length episode of our interview with Kevin Black '99, you will hear all the engaging dialogue of our conversation hosted by Maj. Catherine Roy, communications and marketing specialist at the VMI Center for Leadership & Ethics.
This full-length interview touches on Black's leadership journey beginning with his cadetship at VMI, some lessons learned from his years in the Army as well as his passion for World War II and how that led to learning leadership through running war game scenarios. Identifying a gap in leadership development that links strategy with leadership, Black founded Black Market Leadership l...
2021-04-2050 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastThe Art & Science of Leadership with Kevin Black ‘99Forbes coach, entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and founder of Black Market Leadership alumnus Kevin Black '99 shares how VMI provided him the hands-on opportunities to lead and feel in real-time what went well and what did not. In this episode, we looked at the highlights of our conversation to focus on specific insights which connect leadership with strategy. We hope you will enjoy Black's engaging and energetic style of speaking.
Listen to the full-length episode here.
2021-04-2008 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastThe Institute Relies on the Strength of the Corps with LeAndrew Jefferson '21LeAndrew Jefferson is a First-Class Cadet from Southwest Detroit, MI. He is an international studies major, a member of the Promaji Club, a member of the Cadets' Superintendent's Advisory Board, and a Cadet Chaplain. LeAndrew discussed his introduction to VMI, the VMI network, VMI as a leadership laboratory, growing into his studies, and the difficulty of the new reality during COVID restrictions.
2020-11-2019 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastMeaningful Leadership Experiences as a First-Class Private with Will Nicholson '21Peer-to-peer leadership is the most challenging leadership position, particularly when rank (or job title) doesn't require your peers to follow you or respond to your requests.
For this installment of the VMI Leader Journey podcast, we chose to highlight a First-Class cadet whose leadership example has been nonetheless meaningful.
We welcomed Officer of the Guard Association president, the cadet-in-charge (CIC) for the Cadets' Superintendents Advisory Board (CSAB), and a computer science and engineering major Will Nicholson VMI class of 2021 to sit down with us for this interview. He shared with us how he came to be i...
2020-11-0518 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastGo with the Flow with Holly Njabo '20Holly Njabo, VMI Class of '20, says VMI's recruitment video, research, and a beautiful acceptance letter influenced her decision to enroll sight-unseen! She didn't know it, but she was learning even then to 'Go with the Flow.' Hear more about her leadership development journey in this episode!
2020-10-1422 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastBe Patient and Learn from a Variety of Leaders with Karl Renne '96Retired CIA Agent, former marine, and entrepreneur Karl Renne, VMI Class of 1996, is a founding partner and CEO of Ghost Wolf Industries. Renne spent nearly 17 years with the CIA as a Chief Operations officer. Learn why Renne says leaders benefit from learning from all kinds of individuals and the common mistake he and others make early in their careers. Join us! You can learn more from Renne by watching his presentation from last year's alumni breakout session during our 'Disruption' leadership conference.
The VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics (Center) sponsors this podcast as part of our s...
2020-09-2818 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastLeaders Sacrifice with Bob Fricke '78
Bob Fricke, VMI Class of 1978, was one of our 2019 leadership conference breakout speakers.
Alumni speakers provided our audience with personal examples where individuals had to lead through or despite the disruption, addressing our theme.
In this episode, Fricke shared his definition of leadership and how that remained fairly consistent throughout his life, the powerful lessons he learned as a young lieutenant, and how that's carried over into a new teaching career. Fricke said that teaching has tested his leadership more than any other job he's had from the military, FBI, and government contracting...
2020-09-0217 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastLearning to Rely on Each Other with Joshua Austin '20Josh Austin, Vice President of the VMI Class of 2020, says that the military-style structure at VMI was something he sought in a higher-education environment, but that the practice and routines of that structure gave him a kind of template he could maintain off-Post during the Coronavirus shut-down.
His role as class vice president helped him understand the value of leading by example. We talked extensively about his role in that position, which includes duties on the General Committee that evaluates and applies accountability for cadet infractions, and the dilemmas of peer-to-peer leadership.
In our conversation...
2020-08-2225 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastLeadership Roles A-Plenty with Madeleine Barrett '20In this remote episode of our podcast prior to 2020's graduation, we got to know Madeleine Barrett,VMI ring designer for her class. Her leadership journey was an exercise in learning how to pick the right leadership roles, but admits she tried several ranging from ethics debate team to club Cadet-in-Charge. Her desire to get involved with so many gave her the chance to figure out who she is. 'Good & Plenty' is the name of a candy one typically sees at a movie theater candy counter. Said Barrett, VMI had so many leadership opportunities, she was like a 'kid in...
2020-07-3022 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastLearn by Observing with Jeremiah Gaulding '22Learn by observing is great advice when you are the new kid on the block. Through Jeremiah Gaulding's various leadership roles, even coming into VMI, he found this to be a good rule of thumb. He says he finds certain challenges are easier to bear when you know everyone else is going through the same thing. Prior to attending VMI, Gaulding faced a few serious life challenges and says he was able to push through thanks to that perspective and the close relationships he had around him, including his dyke [an upper-class cadet mentor].
In this episode, y...
2020-07-0619 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastWhen the Going Gets Tough, Control What You Can with Sam Trepp '20On this remote podcast episode, we talked with Sam Trepp, VMI Class of 2020's class president. He discusses his unique leader journey which started with his initial decision to attend the University of Richmond. Remaining close to a buddy of his who was attending VMI, he decided to transfer to VMI sight-unseen and says it was the best decision he ever made. Said Trepp, it felt like home. During his time at VMI, he experienced personal growth as a result of his experiences through the VMI system but is careful to say that the school's tagline 'No Ordinary College...
2020-06-1820 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastBe Adaptive with Cadet Paul Boucher '21Our Center's mission is to enhance the VMI citizen-soldier journey with programming that educates, engages and inspires critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and leader development. The VMI Leader Journey podcast is an outreach program where our guests can share insights from their own leadership journey, and where VMI may have contributed to their personal growth.
In this episode, we touched on the following leadership competencies taught in the mandatory course on leadership in organizations and addressed in the publication VMI Leader Journey Booklet: adaptive leadership, decision-making, communications, teamwork, and organizational behavior.
Our guest Paul Boucher is currently a seco...
2020-05-2716 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastLess than Picturesque with Carrie Papke '07In this episode of the VMI Leader Journey podcast, our guest, VMI Class of 2007, former Marine, and entrepreneur Carrie Papke talks about how being open to new challenges and opportunities can be both exciting and rewarding. Though she had, as she describes it, a 'less than picturesque' cadetship at VMI, she still had a successful military career and founded her own 'ath-leisure' line of clothing. As if being a mother and entrepreneur weren't challenging enough, she also works in public relations - experiential learning that she then feeds back into her own business endeavors.
Hear her comments at...
2020-05-1425 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastVMI: The Right Kind of Challenge with Cadet Karl Skerry '20In this episode of the podcast, we sat down with Cadet Carl Skerry Class of '20 to talk about his leadership journey and his experiences at VMI. Skerry explains the reasons why VMI presented the kind of challenge he sought after high school. Skerry is the F-Company Commander, an international studies major, and plans on commissioning into the Marines.
Our Center's mission is to enhance the VMI citizen-soldier journey with programming that educates, engages and inspires critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and leader development. For more information about our Center and its programming, please visit vmi.edu/cle. ...
2020-05-0616 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastA General's Advice on 'Personal' Leadership with Dennis ViaEach spring, VMI hosts a leader-in-residence to visit Post for a mutual exchange of ideas on leadership and ethics. The individual is a leader in business, industry, government, military, or academia. Their visit takes place, ideally, over a two-week period of time where they visit VMI academic departments, meet with staff and faculty, and give the keynote speech for the superintendent's Annual Leadership Dinner.
In 2020, Gen. Richard 'Butch' Neal spent one week with us visiting various groups and classes on post with the intention of having him return for two more week-long visits. Due to the restrictions r...
2020-04-2030 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastEffective, Positive Influence with Court Whitman '99Court Whitman '99 discussed his leadership journey with Emily and Derek on a break during the 10th Annual VMI Leadership Conference this past October where he was a guest speaker. Court is energetic and dynamic on stage and focusses his latest efforts on high performance in individuals and teams. He also hosts his own podcast, High Performance Pathways!
Whitman is a former NCAA D1 Football player, retired US Army Special Forces Green Beret, speaker, International Coach Federation certified leadership coach and facilitator committed to unlocking the hidden potential in others and teams to develop competence so others p...
2020-04-0122 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastLeverage Your Opportunities with Cadets Szczepanik and Neikirk '20This is a mobile edition of the VMI Leader Journey podcast recorded live in the Green Room of Marshall Hall.
Our podcast hosts Emily Coleman and Derek Pinkham, staff members at the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics, sat down with Cadets Brittany Szczepanik '20 and Will Neikirk '20 this past November just after our Annual VMI Leadership and Ethics Conference to discuss their leadership journeys. After brief introductions, Will and Brittany talked about their involvement in the Center for Leadership and Ethics programs and the importance of getting involved in leadership opportunities at VMI. Both commissioning into...
2020-03-1820 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastThe First Form of Leadership with John UrschelIn this episode with former NFL offensive lineman, PhD mathematics candidate at MIT, and author John Urschel, we spoke about his football and math careers and how he developed and applied his leadership style. He came to post spring 2020 as part of our Courageous Leader speaker series.
This podcast is hosted by the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics. The Center's mission is to enhance the VMI cadet's citizen-soldier journey with programming that educates, engages and inspires critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and leader development. For more information about our Center and its programming, please visit Center for Le...
2020-03-1318 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastThe Importance of Culture and the Academy Advantage with Alejandro VillanuevaThis is a mobile edition of the VMI Leader Journey podcast recorded live on the stage of Gillis Theater in Marshall Hall.
Our podcast hosts Emily Coleman and Derek Pinkham, staff members at the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics, sat down with our first Courageous Leaders speaker from February of 2019 Alejandro Villanueva to discuss his insights on leadership based upon his experiences as a West Point graduate, Army veteran, and offensive lineman in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Our Center's mission is to enhance the VMI citizen-soldier journey with programming that educates, engages...
2020-03-0412 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastChallenging Yourself with Sean Matson '05VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics' conference project manager Derek Pinkham and conference assistant Emily Coleman sat down last spring with Sean Matson '05, co-founder & CEO of MATBOCK and the co-founder and president of Strike Force Beverage. Matson spent 13 years (2005 - 2018) as a Navy SEAL Officer, with multiple deployments in strategic locations. Matson is currently an entrepreneur. We heard from him spring of 2019 during VMI's Business Leadership and Innovation Conference. He has been instrumental in the success with MATBOCK and Strike Force by leveraging the leadership skills from his time on active duty.
Our Center's mission is to...
2020-02-1916 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastThe Rat Line and Leadership Transformations with 2nd Lts. Townsend & Forehand '19
This mobile episode captured in our Center's Green Room features our 2019 summer interns and brand new VMI alumni 2nd Lt. Jeybriel Townsend and 2nd Lt. John 'Jay' Forehand. They spoke with Emily and Derek about experiences at VMI before they left town for duty assignments. They talked about the unique VMI experience, the Rat Line, and leadership transformations.
Hailing from Fayetteville, NC, Townsend was introduced to VMI by a high school teacher. He was a computer science major here at VMI now a 2nd Lt. in the Army Reserves.
Forehand is a Roanoke, V...
2020-02-1925 minThe VMI Leader Journey PodcastIt's Not About You Anymore with Stewart Spurry '20This is a mobile edition of our podcast (on remote location) taped in the Center's Green Room (speaker lounge).
VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics' conference project manager Derek Pinkham and conference assistant Emily Coleman sat down at the beginning of the 2019-20 academic year to talk leadership with Stewart Spurry '20 including his journey to becoming the Rat Disciplinary Committee (RDC) president and his future goals. During this episode, Spurry talks about a tactic unique to VMI called 'the strain.' A strain is when you march very erect with your chin pulled in as far...
2020-02-1917 min