Industry Edge

In this episode of the Industry Edge Podcast, Michelle interviews Justin Larson, Owner of Family Water Treatment, a third-generation family business specializing in water treatment solutions. Justin shares his journey from a career in vehicle manufacturing to joining the family business, emphasizing the importance of customer care, innovation, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He discusses the unique dynamics of working ...

In this episode of the Industry Edge podcast, host Danielle Neely discusses the importance of not just having core values but actively living them within an organization. She emphasizes that core values should be integrated into hiring practices, rewarded, communicated regularly, and made tangible for employees. Through real-life examples, such as the BOLD campaign at Toyota Material Handling Mid-South, Danielle illust...

Mark Young is the COO of BAR Environmental, a company specializing in water and wastewater equipment and services. With experience scaling local and national brands, he leads BAR’s service operations, marketing strategies, and manufacturing partnerships. 

In this episode…

Many B2B service companies struggle to scale while maintaining high-touch customer relationships and operational excellence. As businesses grow, they oft...

Angela Rakis is the Founder of Metis Sales Solutions, a consulting firm focused on helping companies create sales growth strategies and implement sales teams. With over 25 years of experience in sales, she has sold for IBM and Xerox and served as a sales leader at various midsize companies.

In this episode…

Sales leaders at growing companies often struggle to keep pace with rapid changes in technology, evolving buyer behav...

Mark Carlton is the Director of Operations at Schaefer’s Electrical Enclosures, a leading manufacturer of customized electrical enclosures. In his role, he oversees daily operations and strategic initiatives to ensure the efficient production and delivery of high-quality products. With nearly 20 years of manufacturing experience, Mark has held various roles at Schaefer’s, including Project Manager, Plant Engineer, and Operations Ma...

Cathy Rinne is the Co-founder and President of Flex-Line Automation, a family-owned industrial automation company. Under her leadership, Flex-Line earned the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification. Cathy also creates content on TikTok as The Conveyor Cougar, where she shares her 40 years of experience in the factory automation industry. 

In this episode…

Many industrial businesses struggle to stay relevant as mark...

Greg Richards is an Independent Consultant and Project Manager for the Kitchen Innovation Awards at the National Restaurant Association Show, a network for food service innovation and inspiration. He is also the Founder of GBR Consulting, where he advises on food service technology and equipment strategy. With over two decades of experience in food service equipment and technology, Greg focuses on enhancing operational efficiency, ...

Lauren Rinne Van De Mark is the Sales and Project Manager at Flex-Line Automation, Inc., a family-owned industrial automation company. Born into the business and growing up alongside the company, she is the third generation of her family to work in automation. Lauren played a key role in Flex-Line’s evolution from conveyor systems to advanced robotics and end-of-line automation solutions. 

In this episode…

For many manufac...

Tom Camacho is the Chair of C12, the nation’s leading peer advisory forum for Christian CEOs and business owners. He served as a US Army Officer and helicopter pilot during Operation Desert Storm before holding manufacturing and organizational development roles at General Electric. After transitioning into ministry, Tom served as a church planter, ordained pastor, and national leadership coach, developing Christ-centered leaders th...

Randy Rozema is the Director of Applications Engineering and a Principal at ACS, which delivers equipment, controls, and facilities solutions to the automotive, aerospace, energy, and industrial manufacturing industries. In his role, he develops design criteria and oversees the construction and testing of advanced test facilities. As an acoustics and vibration engineer, Randy specializes in product development and health and safety...

Angie McKuin is the Business Development Manager at PMS, Inc., a custom steel fabrication company serving industrial and agricultural businesses. She is a fourth-generation employee of the family business. 

In this episode…

Family businesses face a unique challenge to honor long-standing legacies while evolving for future growth. Balancing tradition with innovation can feel like a gamble. How can the next generation bring ...

Heather Stone, PhD, MBA, is the Founder and CEO of Practical PhD, a leadership consultancy that helps CEOs and their second-in-command executives build effective, scalable partnerships. As a four-time company president, two-time business owner, and award-winning instructor, she created the Getting the Right Hand Right leadership training program, which offers frameworks for executives to structure, measure, and manage the COO or VP...

Pete Hayes is the Branch Manager of The Hayes Company’s Nashville branch, Hayes Insulation, which provides insulation solutions for builders and homeowners. Before launching Hayes Insulation, he worked in the automotive industry at Nissan Motor Corporation. With eight years of experience in construction and a lifetime of exposure to his family’s business, Pete specializes in small business development. 

In this episode…

St...

Israel Woodson is the Founder and CEO of HydroCare Cleaning and Restoration, an independent company specializing in commercial tile restoration, residential floor cleaning, and water removal services. He grew up immersed in the flooring and construction industries through his father's business. After nearly a decade of owning a retail business, Israel founded HydroCare in 2011. 

In this episode…

Many business owners undere...

Charles Scott is an executive mentor who helps individuals achieve ambitious goals while crafting meaningful lives. After a 14-year career at Intel Corporation, he co-founded the non-profit Team See Possibilities, which offers scholarships and mentoring to college students with vision impairment. Charles also developed an executive workshop titled “What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?,” which he delivered to thousands of CEOs a...

Justin Kelly is the Owner of Fifth & Broad, a media production company. He is also the Deacon of Audio Visual at Edgefield Church. Before founding Fifth & Broad, Justin was an Audio Technician at Bryan College and Westwood Baptist Church and the Director of Visual Content at South Street Co.

In this episode…

In industries like manufacturing, construction, and distribution, standing out in a crowded market can feel impossib...

Reggie D. Ford is the Founder and President of RoseCrete Wealth Management, a financial services company for high-net-worth clients. He is also a Wellness and Resilience Architect at RoseCrete Wellness Company, where he works with corporate teams, educational institutions, and sports organizations to foster cultures of mental wellness and peak performance. As an award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and mental health advocat...

Jason Sain is the Founder of 1 Degree Consulting, a consulting company for the construction industry. Through 1 Degree Consulting, he implements small, incremental changes that lead to significant improvements in the lives of individuals within the construction sector. With 25 years of experience in construction leadership, Jason has served as Executive Vice President, VP, and COO of various construction firms, managing projects ra...

Duane Murray is the Principal Chair of C12, a leading peer advisory forum for Christian CEOs and business owners. Before joining C12, he served as an Executive Pastor at Thompson Station Church, where he led local development, international missions, and church planting efforts. Duane began his career in the healthcare space, serving as the CEO of a 12-physician orthopedic surgery group, driving profitability, expansion, and the de...