executive sessions
Industrial manufacturing, operational excellence, middle market investing, specialty distribution, and other complex topics made simple with executive sessions. Join MiddleGround Capital, as we invite industry experts to share key insights from from the factory floor to the board room about topics ranging from ESG and automation, to industry 4.0.
Episodes
On MiddleGround’s twenty-second episode of executive sessions, Clayton Gullet leads discussions with Ryan McComb, our Managing Director on the Transaction Team, and Dan Stoettner, CEO of A. M. Castle & Co. This episode covers:
- Strategic Benefits of Company Mergers
- Culture Alignment in Mergers
- Effective Merger Communication and Integration
- Overcoming Merger Challenges
Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https...
On MiddleGround’s twenty-first episode of executive sessions, Clayton Gullet leads discussions with John Dotson and Miles Anderson from MiddleGround’s Automation. This episode covers:
- Automation as a response to labor shortages
- How to identify tasks to automate
- Ensuring success: training, ROI, and culture
Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3Ry8BdE
Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://mi...
On MiddleGround’s twentieth episode of executive sessions, Clayton Gullet leads discussions with Nate Wheeler, Founder of marketing agency weCreate, and Leanne Walmsley, Communications & Marketing Manager at our portfolio company, Xtrac. This episode covers:
- Developing an effective marketing strategy
- The importance of digital marketing in B2B manufacturing
- Leveraging cost-effective marketing for growth
Check out our comp...
On MiddleGround’s nineteenth episode of executive sessions, Clayton Gullet leads discussions with John Stewart, MiddleGround’s Founding Partner, and Steve Myers, former operations leader at Parker Hannifin. This episode covers:
- Innovation process and customer-centric development
- Challenges and risk management
- Success factors for innovation
Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4gHJUpc
Learn...
On MiddleGround’s eighteenth episode of executive sessions, Clayton Gullet leads discussions with Bill Krueger, President of Global Manufacturing Operations at The Greenbrier Companies. This episode covers:
- Transitioning from automotive to rail
- Key differences between automotive and rail manufacturing
- Developing ESG practices in a new industry
Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3E1PSnk
L...
On MiddleGround’s seventeenth episode of executive sessions, Clayton Gullet leads discussions with MiddleGround's very own Ryan McComb, Managing Director and Infrastructure Thesis leader, and David Walden, Director, from the Transaction Team. This episode covers:
- Trends driving growth in the sector
- How aging infrastructure creates pressure to innovate
- Strategies for overcoming hurdles such as labor shortages and rising costs
- E...
On MiddleGround’s sixteenth episode of executive sessions, Clayton Gullet leads discussions with MiddleGround portfolio CEOs Ron Lindsay of Lindsay Precast and Tom Brockley of Arrow Tru-Line. This episode covers:
- Creating an Engaged Workforce
- Strong Management, Communication, and Trust
- Adapting to Labor Market Challenges
Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4fDzQ0i
Learn more about MiddleGr...
In episode 15 of Executive Sessions, we explore practical approaches to cutting energy usage in manufacturing with MiddleGround Capital’s Director of Operations, Jason Jacob, and Director of ESG, Madelyn Tutewiler. In this episode, they explore:
1. Strategies for improving energy efficiency with case studies from across the MiddleGround portfolio
2. Common barriers to implementation
3. Creating a culture of sustai...
On MiddleGround’s thirteenth episode of Executive Sessions, Clayton Gullet leads discussions with MiddleGround Founding Partner, Scot Duncan, and our Vice President of Operations, Zach Jackson. This episode covers:
- Building a diverse and resilient team
- Practical tips on how to manage teams
- Lessons in proactive problem-solving
Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4iYFHie
Learn more about Mid...
On MiddleGround’s twelfth episode of Executive Sessions, Clayton Gullet leads discussions with MiddleGround Founding Partner, Scot Duncan, and our Managing Director of Operations, Stan Stanford. This episode covers:
1. Importance of Simple Technological Solutions in Manufacturing
2. Bridging the Experience Gap in Manufacturing
3. Real-time Shop Floor Management
Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly...
On MiddleGround’s eleventh episode of Executive Sessions, Clayton Gullet leads a discussion with our Director and Head of NA Business Development, Dyana Baurley, recapping her interview with David Bookbinder on the “Behind the Numbers” podcast. This episode covers:
1. Private Equity as a Liquidity Strategy
2. Factors Making a Company Investable
3. Aspects of Selling a Business
4. Overcoming Misconceptions about Private ...
Under the leadership of our Founding and Managing Partner, John Stewart, we have carved out a unique and successful niche in the competitive world of private equity. On MiddleGround’s tenth episode of Executive Sessions, John meets with Sean Mooney, BluWave’s Founder, and CEO, sharing his journey and lending insight into the differentiated approach that has led us to success.
1. From the Factory Floor to Private Equity
On MiddleGround’s eighth episode of Executive Sessions, Clayton Gullett leads discussions with MiddleGround Founding Partner, John Stewart, and the Dean of the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, Dr. Simon Sheather to talk all things AI. This episode covers:
1. AI Opportunities and Benefits
2. Setbacks and dangers of AI
3. AI in Manufacturing and Private Equity
Check out our ...
On MiddleGround’s eighth episode of Executive Sessions, Clayton Gullett leads discussions with MiddleGround Founding Partner, John Stewart, and Head of our Transaction Team, Justin Steil. This episode covers:
- The United Auto Workers Strike
- Electric Vehicles
- 2017-2024: A New Normal
Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3HFyoLX
Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/
On MiddleGound’s seventh episode of Executive Sessions, Clayton Gullett leads discussion with MiddleGround’s Founding Partner, John Stewart, and the Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, Dr. Mike Clark. This episode covers:
- 2023 Economic Status
- A Resurgence in US Manufacturing
- Economic Resilience
- Looking A...
On MiddleGound’s sixth episode of Executive Sessions, Clayton Gullett leads discussions with MiddleGround Founding Partner, John Stewart, Managing Director of our European Transaction Team, Alex Van Der Have, and Head of EU Business Development, Anthony Denaix. This episode covers:
- Considerations of European Expansion
- The Importance of Hiring Locally
- Differences in strategy between the US/EU
- Challenging Economic Environments
On MiddleGround’s fifth episode of Executive Sessions, Clayton Gullett leads discussions with MiddleGround Founding Partner John Stewart and his brother, Co-Partner of Banner Industries, David Stewart. This episode covers:
1. Building a Bootcamp
2. Creating and Maintaining Cooperative Change
3. Lean Manufacturing Requires Standardization
4. The Impact of Bootcamps
Check out our company blog recapping t...
On MiddleGround’s fourth episode of executive sessions, Clayton Gullett leads discussions with two guests: Madelyn Tutewiler, Director of ESG, and Managing Director of ESG, Mike Bridge. This episode covers:
1. The importance of involving ESG in businesses
2. Raising minimum full-time pay to $25/Hour by 2025
3. Equitable hiring to reflect local communities
4. How we bring ESG to life in portfolio companies
Chec...
In MiddleGround’s third episode of executive sessions, Clayton Gullett leads discussions with two guests: Founding and Managing Partner, John Stewart, and a VP on the Transaction Team, Tyler May. This episode covers:
1. Factors in driving electrification and autonomous vehicles forward
2. Shift from the automotive industry to the mobility industry
3. Barriers to full autonomy
Check out our company blog recapping t...
In MiddleGround’s second episode of executive sessions, Clayton Gullett, leads discussions with two guests with operations experience: a VP of operations, Alicia Motomura, and a senior associate, Jordan Gabbert. This episode covers:
1. Respecting and valuing shop floor employees
2. Connection between adding value and employee retention/company stability
3. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of great
Check out our company blog...
Popular Podcasts
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus