The Matt Waller Podcast

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Chris Ladd, a seasoned private equity investor and board member. Chris shared insights from his extensive career in corporate development, M&A, and private equity. Here are some highlights:

How Chris Identifies High-Potential Companies
When considering investments, Chris looks for two key ingredients - a market need/gap, and a solution that can fill that gap in a way that's co...

I recently had the chance to chat with Stefan Sterns, a partner at private equity firm NewRoad Capital Partners, about his extensive career in investment banking and private equity. Stefan spent over 8 years at Barclays Investment Bank in New York, working on M&A advisory assignments and debt/equity capital raises totaling over $200 billion.

Some of the most valuable lessons Stefan learned during his time in banking in...

Discover the transformative world of executive coaching through the eyes of Steve Graves, a seasoned mentor with over three decades of experience. Join us as Steve reveals the secrets behind his dynamic coaching approach that favors impactful, short-term partnerships over long-term commitments. From guiding CEOs of global corporations to advising small family businesses, Steve has honed a method that adapts to the unique environmen...

Chris Sultemeier recently sat down for an insightful interview on The Matt Waller Podcast. With nearly 30 years of experience leading supply chain and logistics at retail giant Walmart, Chris has a wealth of wisdom to share. A few key themes around leadership and innovation emerged from the conversation.

Humility and Teamwork

Despite his many high-level roles, including EVP of Logistics, Chris maintains a humble, ...

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Tracy Black, an accomplished technology executive in the logistics industry and partner at NewRoad Capital Partners. Tracy served as Senior Vice President of Information Technology at J.B. Hunt Transport, leading major technology transformations for the company. She now serves on the boards of several early-stage companies and offers advice to founders in the logistics and supply cha...

Clete Brewer is the founder and managing partner of New Road Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in and scaling companies in the supply chain logistics and retail technology sectors. He has over 30 years of experience leading and advising high-growth companies, previously serving as CEO of staffing company Staffmark and President of Sport Clips.

In the interview, Brewer provides his perspective on ...

The balance between supply and demand has a significant impact on pricing and behavior in the trucking industry. During periods of excess capacity, known as soft markets, prices tend to fall as carriers are willing to honor existing contracts, as evidenced by high acceptance rates. However, in tight markets where demand outweighs supply, prices rise and carriers may prioritize more lucrative spot freight opportunities over contract...

I interviewed Gordon Downes, the founder and CEO of NYSHEX, an innovative company providing technology solutions to address major challenges in the ocean container shipping industry. With 80% of the top 10 ocean container carriers and many shippers already using the NYSHEX platform, it has significant implications for reducing expected lead times, lead time variance, safety stock, and out-of-stocks for shippers, while also enabling...

The venture capital industry in the United States is a crucial driver of innovation and economic growth, providing early-stage funding and guidance to transform ideas into groundbreaking technologies and companies. Recent years have seen record levels of investment and dealmaking, fueling a wave of innovation across the country. However, the industry faces challenges from a complex policy environment and uncertainties arising ...

Today, I spoke with Jared Smith, CEO of Kitestring Technical Services in Bentonville, Arkansas. Jared, who has a PhD in physical chemistry from UC Berkeley, has led Kitestring, a 150-person firm specializing in retail technology, for the past 12 years. Our discussion ranged from the evolution of point-of-sale (POS) systems and the potential of AI in retail to the importance of self-care for entrepreneurs.

Evolution of POS ...

In a rapidly changing global landscape, managing supply chain risk is crucial. This article explores risk mitigation strategies such as diversification, reshoring, and nearshoring, and examines the impact of legislation and technology on supply chain management.

Diversification: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the vulnerabilities associated with concentrated supply chains. Companies heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturi...

This podcast episode dissects Walmart's enduring success, drawing on over 30 years of experience with the company. It begins by recommending Sam Walton's autobiography, Made in America, to understand Walmart's origins and principles. Walmart stands out for its agility, adapting to its massive scale with a consistent purpose: "to help people save money and live better."

Walmart's strategy today is a &quo...

I'd like to share the inspiring story of LockStop, a startup founded by Clayton Woodruff and Mike Burton, who are both alumni of the executive MBA program at the Walton College. Their venture stands as a testament to the power of innovative thinking in solving everyday problems — in this case, enhancing urban mobility by simplifying bike security.

The Problem and the Innovative Solution
Imagine riding your bike to...

In our latest episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Omid Moghadam, a seasoned innovator and entrepreneur whose career has spanned impressive stints at major companies like Eastman Kodak and Intel, and who holds over 40 patents. Omid's journey is particularly fascinating due to his involvement in spawning companies directly from within Intel—a testament to his unique blend of creativity and strategic execution within cor...

The retail landscape is changing faster than ever. Customers demand speed, convenience, and above all, a seamless experience. This puts immense pressure on supply chains, especially with the rise of omnichannel retail. As this complex world is navigated, one thing is clear: AI is not just a buzzword; it's the key to unlocking a new era of quality and efficiency.

Captur, a company at the intersection of quality and supply chain,...

Ever wondered how the retail industry has evolved in response to technological advancements and global crises? Join us as we explore these seismic shifts with Professors Travis Tokar from TCU and Henry Jin from Miami University of Ohio. Discover how the leap from 3G to 4G and the proliferation of smartphones have reshaped consumer expectations and driven traditional retailers to adopt omnichannel strategies initially pioneered by e...

Eric's Journey into Transportation and Logistics Investing

Eric enjoys the privilege of a highly engaging career. His primary responsibility involves exploring the breadth of the investment landscape to identify attractive strategies that have the potential to enhance his clients' portfolios. As a generalist, his search extends globally.

His interest in transportation and logistics stemmed from networkin...

Deming explains that fossil fuels will likely remain the world's main energy source for decades to come. This poses a tremendous dilemma that we must grapple with.

Claiborne explained that global temperatures have risen about 1.8°F since pre-industrial times, coinciding with increased burning of fossil fuels as countries have industrialized. Simply stopping fossil fuel use is extremely difficult due to some key barrie...

What's the real story behind the recent turmoil in the supply chain industry? Join us as we uncover the truth with Jason Miller, a full professor at Michigan State University. This episode kicks off with Jason's riveting analysis of a Census Bureau graph showing dramatic shifts in manufacturing plants' material supply since 2021. By leveraging economic theory and robust data, Jason debunks common industry myths and r...