The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends

Tony Hofmann, Your Chief Motivation Officer - Embracing Grit, Lessons from Being An Army Ranger, and His Goal of Preventing Military Veteran Suicide

This episode is brought to you by Connect5000 (Website) your outsource lead generation, BDR, and inside sales partner. To download a free copy of the best tactical sales book you will ever read (written by its founder Ray Ruecker), go to https://connect5000.com/resources/book/.  
 
Many leadership and mindset lessons from the self-proclaimed "endurance junkie" (over 50 marathons including 5 Ultra Marathons) Tony Hofmann in this week's podcast. From breaking into his high school gym at night to play basketball to retiring after 26 years in the Army as a colonel you will enjoy Tony talk about why he embraces grit, how he was lucky to get into West Point, how he transitioned from the military to corporate America, and why he is so passionate about preventing veteran suicide in the United States. Please enjoy my conversation with Tony!
 
Tony Hofmann (Tony's Website/) is a proven leader, endurance athlete, West Point graduate, and social entrepreneur focused on stopping military veteran suicide. A rebel at heart fueled by a Midwest spirit, he likes to challenge the status quo--with a sly grin--while seeking physical endeavors that require toughness and grit. As a running “professional enthusiast” entering his fourth decade of competition, he has completed over 50 marathons/ultras, including 14 Boston Marathons and the legendary Leadville 100 Race Across the Sky. A 26-year military veteran, retired US Army colonel, and qualified Ranger, Tony has combined his love of running with a passion to save veteran lives through his high-altitude running team, Team Leadville. He continues to serve as aninnovator and leader within the engineering profession. Husband and father of three, hispurpose is simple: inspire others to self-improvement through action and word.
 
Tony's latest book is "Rim To Rim to Rim On A Whim: An Endurance Junkie's Guide to the Grand Canyon" - Amazon.

Brad Hill, The Heart-Centered Leader - Making People's Souls Smile, Being A Podcast Pioneer, and Why Stories Are Sacred

A fun conversation with Louisana-born Brad Hill. We chat about doing what it takes to make a living (including delivering pizza to people who were your former clients), being a podcast pioneer (he started in 2009 and has had Gary Vaynerchuk on his podcast), overcoming the fear of changing jobs when it is time to move on, the brilliance of the movie "Napolean Dynamite", and doing immersive coaching/counseling weekend seminars (think Brene Brown meets Tony Robbins).
Please enjoy my conversation with Brad!
 
"Live Honestly.  Do the Next Right Thing".That’s Brad Hill's life motto (LinkedIn Profile).  My journey has taken me from Louisiana to KC (through OKC).  Lawnmowing.  Pastoring.  Working at Blockbuster Video (for a day).  Writing.  Podcasting.  Coaching.  Leadership development.  Leading an organization called HeartConnexion Seminars (think Brene Brown with Tony Robbins) over the Midwest and doing incredible work.   Currently, I participate in the Freedom Project (website) and Coaching and Consulting.  Transcendence and transformation.  That’s what resonates with me. Give your time.Give you energy.Give your resources.To stuff you actually believe in.

Ebrima “Abraham” Sisay, The Chief Empathy Officer - Running a Company With "No" Culture, His Goal of Guiding a Billion People To Mental Health Breakthroughs, and Overcoming His PTSD

Ebrima's ("Abraham") life/career journey is unlike anyone on the podcast. We talk about his focus on mental health including his own (as well as the role of responsible AI), getting his "break" from Gary Vaynerchuck on Twitter (now "X"), not having the maturity to lead a company, creating the "Oscars" for mental health professionals, and the power of thinking big.
Please enjoy my conversation with Abraham!
 
Ebrima “Abraham” Sisay is the founder and Chief Empathy Officer at Freedom Project (https://partner.freedomprojectkc.com/)  - A multicultural Impact Creative Agency with the goal of making positive change by guiding a billion people to mental health breakthroughs – All with A unique twist! Previously, Abraham worked as a fractional marketing & distribution executive for software startups and distributed content for local and national brands like Yoobi, Marvel Studios, Humana, University Of Kansas Health System, Shake Shack, etc. Abraham loves to write about mental health breakthroughs, Responsible AI in Mental Health & Health Care, making content experiences, engagement campaigns, & Storytelling.

The Greatest CEO Who Ever Lived

Who is the CEO GOAT?
 
I was shocked this week's guest said "Yes" to be on The Corporate Couch. Richard Dickels as he was named the greatest CEO of the 20th century. He has been the CEO of some of the most iconic companies in our lifetime. Richard had the following criteria I had to honor before he would be interviewed (due to pending lawsuits he is involved in). They were:
We limit the conversation to 15 minutes 
He wanted to see the questions before the interview 
No bio or no headshot would be used.
The conversation was the most unique I have ever had on the podcast and had a major impact on how I view leadership. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever." ~ Charles Lamb

Justin Ricklefs, The Transparent CEO - Why He Quit The KC Chiefs Front Office, What To Do When You Feel Like An Empty Suit, and Why Experiencing Pain Is When You Learn $h*t

You will enjoy Justin Ricklef's journey from one of the best jobs in Kansas City (working as an executive in the KC Chiefs front office) to starting his digital ad agency. We chat about the struggles of being a founder/CEO of a start-up, how doing "75 Hard" made him a better CEO by prioritizing unplugging every day, and how working for the Chiefs was a "beautiful and intoxicating" environment (while comparing the front office part of the business like a family-run HVAC company - in a good way).
Enjoy this open conversation with Justin!
 
Justin Ricklefs (LinkedIn Profile) is the Founder and CEO of Guild Collective (Website). He launched Guild in 2017 after spending 13 years in various sales and leadership roles at the Kansas City Chiefs, Learfield Sports, and ECCO Select. After stumbling into a passion for writing, Justin wrote personal pieces for large publications like Huffington Post, The TODAY Show, and Yahoo. While he enjoys writing on personal topics, Guild was formed with the awareness that many brands struggle to connect to the souls of their audience, and Justin believed he could help bridge that gap. Justin is responsible for the Visionary role in the agency, which most often looks like charting the company’s strategy, driving new revenue, developing leaders within the business, and hoping one of his many ideas end up being halfway decent.
Justin is married to his high school sweetheart, Brooke (she was slower to the realization). They live in Liberty, MO, and have been married 20 years and have five children: Kamden, 19; Addi, 17; Rowan, 15; Silas, 13; Henley, 11. He and Brooke love traveling when they can. Justin enjoys writing, running, watching his kids’ activities, and sitting in his cabin where it’s quiet.

Alejandra McAnderson, The Entrepreneur With A Beautiful Soul - Her Mission To Lead Healers and Heal Leaders, Being a Masterpiece and a Work In Progress, and Her 30-Year Journey to Become a US Citizen

Alejandra "Alex" Villalobos-McAnderson has an amazing journey both in her 30-year quest to obtain US citizenship (still in progress) and walking away from corporate America by following her intuition to start her own business in a new field. We chat about cashing in your 401K to fund her new venture, why being kind is better than being nice, what is "mindful leadership coaching", and the unbelievable process she has endured to be a US citizen.
Please enjoy my conversation with Alex!
 
This episode is brought to you by Connect5000 (Website) your outsource lead generation, BDR, and inside sales partner. To download a free copy of the best tactical sales book you will ever read (written by its founder Ray Ruecker), go to https://connect5000.com/resources/book/.
 
Alejandra (Alex) Villalobos-McAnderson, the heart and soul behind Villalobos Vitality (https://villalobosvitality.com/ ), believes in nurturing the powerful, beautiful, and purposeful life that resides within each of us. As a licensed Corporate Energy Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, and Stress Management Consultant, Alex's mission is to facilitate the connection of mind, body, and spirit through indigenous practices and ceremonies.
 
At Villalobos, we specialize in helping individuals reconnect with their soul's purpose, guiding them on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Alex has a unique approach, seamlessly weaving spiritual work into the corporate sector, assisting entrepreneurs, corporations, and executives in leading from a place of oneness and empathy.
 
Through meditation, breathwork, and stress management techniques, Alex empowers her clients to transcend limiting beliefs and cultivate healthy personal and professional growth. She provides a sacred space where clients can align with their higher purpose and tap into their inner wisdom.
 
Known for her powerful, healing influence and genuine warmth, Alex walks alongside her clients with compassion and acceptance, guiding them to discover the light within themselves and embrace their truth. With Alex, clients learn to stay rooted while flowing through life's cycles, trusting in their journey, and knowing they are always evolving and growing.
 
 
 
 
 

Chris Jones, The Start-Up Founder Inspired By The Loss of His 5-Year-Old Son

Chris Jones and I how he was inspired to create his company when he lost his 5-year-old son to inoperable brain cancer. He talks about all the leadership lessons he learned from his son's 11-month journey. Chris is one of the most authentic and caring persons I have ever interviewed. We also had some fun talking about the upcoming KC Chiefs/ San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl game (he almost picked the actual final score).
Chris is an inspiring person so please enjoy our conversation.
 
This episode is brought to you by Connect5000 (Website) your outsource lead generation, BDR, and inside sales partner. To download a free copy of the best tactical sales book you will ever read (written by its founder Ray Ruecker), go to https://connect5000.com/resources/book/.
 
Chris Jones is the founder of Matchrite Care (Website). He is a seasoned Information Technology professional with a career spanning over two decades, during which he has consistently demonstrated his expertise and dedication to the field. With a strong background in healthcare technology, Chris spent nine years as a HealthcareIT Director, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Throughout his illustrious career, Chris has been a driving force behind the transformation of healthcare companies, leveraging technology innovation and automation to enhance theiroperational efficiency and overall performance. His unwavering commitment to improving the healthcare sector's technological landscape has made him a respected figure in the industry.
However, Chris' journey in healthcare IT is not solely defined by his professional achievements. It is deeply intertwined with a personal loss that ignited his passion for healthcare technology. This profound experience became the catalyst for his innovative vision. Fueled by his commitment to making a meaningful difference in healthcare, Chrisembarked on a transformative mission. In a testament to his dedication, he founded MatchRite Care, a groundbreaking software platform designed to facilitate and encourage accessibility and communication between doctors and patients. This platform represents a visionary step forward in the evolution of healthcare technology, offering unprecedented opportunities for healthcare providers and patients to connect, share information, and improve the quality of care. Chris Jones' remarkable journey through the realm of Information Technology and his commitment to revolutionizing healthcare technology have firmly established him as a visionary leader with a heart dedicated to improving the lives of both healthcare professionals and patients alike. His inspiring work and innovative solutions continue to pave the way for a brighter and more connected future in the world of healthcare.

Chelsea Laub, The Chief Enneagram Officer - Trusting Your Intuition, Why You Need To Learn As Much As Possible About Yourself, and How To Overcome Doubt To Help Your Networking Efforts

A fun and insightful conversation with Chelsea Laub. We talk about major career pivots, being a giver in your networking efforts, the Enneagram (Wikipedia) assessment (she shares the same personality type as Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney), and how her "Leisure Studies" major led her to start her own consulting company.
Please enjoy my conversation with Chelsea!
 
This episode is brought to you by Connect5000 (Website) your outsource lead generation, BDR, and inside sales partner. To download a free copy of the best tactical sales book you will ever read (written by its founder Ray Ruecker), go to https://connect5000.com/resources/book/.
 
Chelsea Laub​ (chelsealaub.com) is dedicated to transforming lives through strategic networking and personal development. As an accredited Enneagram Practitioner, facilitator, and speaker Chelsea brings a unique blend of expertise to the table. With nearly a decade of experience in the financial services industry, including her Series 6, 63, 65, and Life & Health Licenses. She understands the challenges of building authentic professional connections and navigating the complex landscape of personal and professional growth. Chelsea's passion lies in empowering individuals and teams to discover their true potential, communicate their value, and create lasting impact. As the creator of mingle, a proven practical networking methodology Chelsea offers an integrative self-aware approach to networking mastery, providing practical strategies that go beyond traditional methods and foster meaningful connections. Whether in one-on-one coaching sessions, team facilitations, or captivating keynotes, Chelsea is committed to guiding others on a journey of self-discovery, connection, and success.
 

Angela Kreps, The Chief Helping Officer - How She Made The Leap from Sales Manager to CEO, Why Everyone Is Capable of More, and Building a Network One Person At A Time

An inspiring conversation with Angela Kreps who decided after surviving a rollover car accident with her three young daughters that she needed to focus on making a difference while being open to new things. She then leaves her successful role as a sales manager for a Fortune 50 company to become a CEO. We talk about what she learned growing up being a pig farmer and having her first job in 3rd grade, why everyone is capable of more, believing in yourself, and why titles don't matter.
 
Please enjoy my conversation with Angela!
 
Angela Kreps (linkedin.com/in/akreps ), co-founder of SolutionBrokers.US and former CEO of BioKansas. Her career titles include CEO, Vice President, and Executive Coach with a consistent record of improving team performance while growing revenue and market share across multiple industries. Angela's career began selling B2B services to C-Suite clients, turning in record-breaking, award-winning results. She has experience in large multinational firms, small privately held companies, and non-profits.
 
 

Cory Scheer, The Trust Doctor - Why Most Companies Have A Trust Gap, The Process of Getting Clear on the Work You Do, and Why Lacking a Career Strategy is Okay

You will enjoy Cory Scheer's career journey and why not having a career strategy is okay. We talk about the leadership lessons he learned from being a whitewater rafting guide, driving a forklift as his first job out of college, running 29 marathons including a 56-mile ultramarathon, what a "Christmas Money Consultant" is, why most companies have a trust gap, and asking yourself what you want to do career-wise while trusting the answers are in the journey.
 
Cory Scheer (linkedin.com/in/coryscheer ) is the Founder and CEO of TrustCentric™ Consulting (TrustCentricConsulting.com), an organizational and leadership development firm. In addition to over twenty-five years in leadership roles in multiple sectors, Cory has obtained an Executive MBA (Rockhurst University) and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (University of Missouri). Cory has worked with small businesses, school districts, corporations, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, ministries, the military, and municipalities to provide vital support and clear direction on how to ensure people, practices, and policies become more trustworthy so that key performance indicators improve. He is the author of the seminal work "Closing the Trust Gap: Taking Action on What Matters Most for Leaders, Teams, and Organizations," (Amazon) each a testament to his commitment to fostering trust within organizations. Cory and his wife live in Kansas City, Missouri with their 4 children.

Sly James, The Servant Leader Driven By His Passion For Purpose - How He Succeeded As Kansas City's Mayor, The Jackie Robinson of KC Law Firms, and Reinventing Himself Every 10 Years

It is so fitting that one day after the Kansas City Chiefs won their fourth Super Bowl, our new episode features one of the best mayors in KC history - Sylvester "Sly" James. I was honored and humbled during our conversation as we discussed how he became mayor of the 37th-largest city having never held any political office, being the Black first associate/partner in one of KC's largest law firms, being the lead singer of a rock band that opened for Jefferson Airplane, why both passion and purpose drive him, and why he does not fall victim to imposter syndrome.
Please enjoy the great Sly James' great career journey!
 
Sly James (linkedin.com/in/sly-james ) was sworn in as the 56th Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri on March 22, 2011. After taking office, he focused on making Kansas City best in four key areas: Education, Employment, Efficiency, and Enforcement. This ‘4 E agenda’ drove all of Mayor James’ major policy decisions. Mayor Sly James was born and raised in Kansas City on the city’s eastside. He graduated from Bishop Hogan High School in Kansas City in 1969. After serving his country as a military police officer in the Marines from 1971-1975 in California, the Philippines, and Japan during theVietnam War, Mayor James graduated cum laude from Rockhurst College with a B.A. inEnglish. He then went on to earn his law degree, also cum laude, from the University ofMinnesota in 1983.
Prior to his election, Mayor James enjoyed a successful legal career which spanned almost three decades. Over the years, Mayor James has served on numerous boards andcommissions in leadership positions including The Missouri Board of Law Examiners, President of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Economic Development Corporation, Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, Jackson County Ethics Commission, Legal Aid of Kansas City, Jackson County Bar Association, Bishop Hogan High School Board, Genesis School Board, and The United Way. Mayor James also served in leadership positions in several national organizations including US Conference of Mayors, African American Mayors Association, National Democratic Mayors, and Urban Land Institute.
He currently is the co-founder and partner at Wickham James Strategy and Solutions (wickhamjames.com ). Sly also has written two books - "A Passion for Purpose: Building Cities for Our Children" and "The Opportunity Agenda: A Bold Democratic Plan To Grow The Middle Class".

David Komar, The CEO Culture Coach - Surviving 9/11 at The Pentagon, Why Most CEOs Don't Have a Clear Vision of The Culture They Want, and Why Great Leadership Equals a Great Culture

David Komar is our third podcast guest who survived 9/11. Born to immigrant parents who lived the American Dream, David wanted to give back to his country by serving in the military for 31 years. We talk about being at the Pentagon on 9/11, his first leadership/culture lesson at 16 years old working for a regional department store, how 90% of CEOs do not have a clear vision of what culture they want their company to have, and how the best companies help their employees be better human beings after their workday is done.
Please enjoy my conversation with David!
 
David Komar (linkedin.com/in/davekomar ) grew up in central New York State and graduated with a BA in Business and Economics from Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania. He was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. He served over 31 years on active duty in a variety of positions and retired at the end of 2018 as a Brigadier General. Komar’s career enabled him to travel and live all over the US as well as across the world. He is a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan. He led the Army’s capability development enterprise that planned and prioritized the Army’s annual $25 billion modernization program. As the Director of Army Business Operations, he led the Army’s business initiatives program, process improvement program, and organizational performance management programs. These programs provided billions of dollars in savings annually across the Army.
Komar was a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow and agraduate of the Executive Development Program at the Kenan-Flagler Business Schoolat the University of North Carolina. He also earned Master’s Degrees in NationalSecurity and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, Military Operational Artsand Science from the Air University and in Management from Webster University.. General Komar is currently the president of EDA Inc. (Company Website ) which is a top-of-the-house executive development service and technology company. He has recently written "Conquer Your Culture" (available late February 2024). It is a “how to” book for CEOs and other senior leaders on how to build an exceptional and enduring company culture. 
 

Franny Goolsby, The All Gas, No Brake Sales Executive - Why Discipline is Freedom, Loving to Prospect, and Her Focus on Hard Work and Mental Toughness

My conversation with senior vice president of sales at Salelytics Franny Goolsby will motivate you in so many ways. We discuss her first job as a crane operator, how she decided to do a half Ironman (70.1 miles: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run) in four months without knowing how to swim, why she loves prospecting, her belief in hard work, why events are neither good nor bad, and balancing being a mom of four daughters. Franny has also done "75 Hard" twice (https://andyfrisella.com/pages/75hard-info).
 
Franny Goolsby began her career at Salelytics in 2008 on the Executive Sales team. Her expertise spans from Fortune 500 Companies to new startups. As she works intimately with prospects and clients to implement strategic business plans beyond traditional feet-on-the-street sales models - she identifies their go-to-market sales challenges and develops solutions to drive incremental revenue.Franny Goolsby has a degree in Psychology from Creighton University, where she was Captain of the Women's Soccer Team and earned All-Conference Honors in each of four seasons. She continues to stay active and busy with her husband, Aaron, and their children Justice, Gwendolyn, Beatrice, and Estelle.

Marc Shaffer, KC's Most Generous Connector - Creating a Culture of Helping People, His "Fail Early" Advice, and Having Kids Later in Life

Marc Shaffer is a gift to the Kansas City community helping everyone from recent college graduates with career advice to CEOs with financial planning. Marc is one of the few guests to sit on The Corporate Couch who knew exactly what career he wanted post-college. We talk about his love for Kansas State University, being a first-generation college graduate, his motocross racing days in high school (his number was 420 :-), why he loves helping people, books that influenced his early career, and his love of travel.
 
Marc Shaffer (linkedin.com/in/marcshaffer) has built his life to enjoy and promote things he loves – family, travel, adventure, and service. He is a co-owner and serves as the CFO of Searcy Financial Services Inc. (https://www.searcyfinancial.com/) and Allos Investment Advisors LLC (https://allosadvisors.com/).  Marc joined Searcy Financial in 2006 and was promoted to Partner in 2010, the same year he became a co-owner of the firm.
As a fee-only financial advisor, Marc specializes in helping clients and their families achieve continuity in their financial planning through generations and achieve their vision of an ideal life by encouraging goal setting and active monitoring of their financial plans. He also mentors students coming up in the industry.
Rotary, the Growing Futures Early Education Center Board, and other organizations keep him busy in the community. He has been recognized locally and nationally for his contributions to others and his profession.
He and his wife, Bridgette, are parents to Grant and Emily.

Sue Tetzlaff, The Caring Healthcare Culture Guru - Why The New R and R Will Make Your Culture Better, Having Intellectual Boyfriends That You've Never Met, and How To Achieve Great Results

Join me and this week's guest Sue Tetzlaff the co-founder of Capstone Leadership Solutions (www.CapstoneLeadership.net) for her great story of how she helps small healthcare organizations improve their patient and employee experience. We discuss her intellectual "boyfriends" (mentors she has never met who just happen to be all male), her reading of 50-60 books a year, and how the best cultures send their employees home every day with the energy to be fully present with their loved ones. We even get a Brady Bunch discussion that relates to our personal lives :-)
 
You will love Sue's energy and caring spirit...please enjoy!
 
 
Sue Tetzlaff, RN, RHIA, MHA, FACHE, has over thirtyyears of healthcare strategic planning, leadershipdevelopment, and execution experience. Thetransformation of organizational culture, successfullynavigating change, developing new programs andexpansion of services, strategic planning, training andcoaching leaders, employees, and teams are among thefavorite aspects of her work. Since co-founding Capstone Leadership Solutions in2012, Sue has served as a strategist, trainer, and coachto dozens of healthcare organizations undergoing wide-scale improvement initiatives.Before co-founding Capstone, she served as a healthcare executive for more than 20years as a Vice President of Quality and Safety, Chief Nursing Officer, Interim CEO, andChief Operating Officer.
Sue has degrees in nursing and health information administration from Ferris StateUniversity, a master's degree in Healthcare Administration from the University ofMinnesota. Sue is a Board Certified Fellow in the American College of HealthcareExecutives.
 

Kyle Doherty, The Fashion Founder - Falling In Love With La Dolce Vita, Competing In An Industry Where There Are No Barriers To Entry, and Creating Impact Not A Brand

You will enjoy one of the most unique career journeys of any guest who has appeared on the podcast when you listen to my conversation with Kyle Doherty (linkedin.com/in/kydoherty). We talk about how making clothes was part of his upbringing as his grandmother worked for one of the first female entrepreneurs in the United States making dresses for the incredible Nell Reed (Wikipedia) and how he started sewing at age 4. The story of why he founded his clothing company Charles & Richards is truly inspiring. You will also find out if he was voted best dressed in his high school senior class :-)
 
For the last 30 years, Kyle Doherty has had his hand in the tailoring world.  He spent time in his teens as a foreign exchange student in Northern Italy.  Falling in love with “la dolce vita” he made it back for a study abroad program in college. Being exposed to Italian manufacturing he was hooked. Post college he worked for several clothiers honing his skills. After years designing clothes for other brands he was drawn back to Italy to create a line stitched by hand providing the perfect marriage of form and function for the guy on the go without compromising the highest standards in quality.  
In 2016 he launched Charles & Richard's (Company Website) lifestyle.  He continues to grow the brand catering to the ever-changing office environment giving gentleman the best quality from jeans to tuxedos.  

Elizabeth Souder, Recovering Attorney Turned Culture Coach - Not Wanting To Do Sh*t Work, Carving Your Own Career Path, and Winning The Hard A$$ Award

A fun conversation with Elizabeth Souder (we worked "together" in the early days of Sprint PCS - now T-Mobile). We talk about her love of basketball and her college basketball records, God/Universe moments, why she stopped practicing law and started her own company, being clear on the work you want to do, and her realization that radical adherence to core values guides and informs every action and decisionof a healthy corporate culture. Please enjoy!
 
Elizabeth McJimsey Souder is a “recovering” attorney andorganizational health consultant and coach (www.whatsnextbiz.com) who helpscompanies and leaders realign the disconnect between who they say they are and how they behave. She has worked with some of Kansas City’s leading organizations as they launched, prepared for growth, prepared for expansion, addressed COVID and post-COVID related interruptions, reimagined who they were, restructured how they functioned, and rebuilt the culture in which they worked. Elizabeth also enjoys working with new managers and their teams to build trust, align and operationalize values, empower one another, and win together. Elizabeth brings 20+ years as a corporate lawyer with two of Kansas City’s largest employers where she witnessed and experienced the relationship between an organization’s health and alignment and its success. As a collegiate and lifelong athlete, the relationship between health and performance has always been obvious. The trick was translating what she knew to be true as an athlete and an attorney into a context that impacts organizations. The result led to therealization that radical adherence to core values guides and informs every action and decision of a healthy and successful organization.

Ray Ruecker, The Introspective CEO - Being Left At The Steps Of An Orphanage, Lessons from Being Fired 7 Times, and How Starting a Company Is Like Parenthood

This is one of the most fun interviews on The Corporate Couch with my friend Ray Ruecker. His journey starts at the end of the Vietnam War on the steps of an orphanage. We talk about everything from the almost tragic (the plane he was supposed to be on from Vietnam to the US to live with the parents who adopted him crashed), to his daily, habit started 23 years ago of journalling every day (approximately 8400 days), to college/pro football. Ray is also the author of "How to Score from First Base! (In Sales)" (Ray's Book), one of the best tactical sales prospecting books ever.
Please enjoy my conversation with Ray!
 
Ray Ruecker is the Managing Director of Connect 5000 (Connect 5000), a Kansas City-based lead generation, prospecting training, and sales consulting company. Since March 2010, Connect 5000 has helped countless software, technology,
and consulting companies boost sales revenue with effective lead-generation
campaigns, sales prospecting strategies, and inside sales management. In
addition to providing support to existing company leadership, Ray has also
served as a firm's interim sales leader until they found a permanent solution.
 
Ray holds two Bachelor's degrees from Washburn University in Business
Administration with an emphasis on marketing and management. Born in
Saigon, Vietnam, and raised in the rural Midwest, Ray now lives in Kansas
City Metro with his wife, Kate, their two children, Olivia and William, and
their mischievous Goldendoodle, Millie.

David Voorhees, The Driven CEO - From Professional Student to Founder/CEO, His Mission to Revolutionize Healthcare, and Why Size (Employee) Does Not Matter

This is a very fun conversation with David Voorhees the founder/CEO of True Captive where we talk about learning about healthcare by accompanying his grandfather while he made house calls to his patients, why he stayed in college so long, how he learned to be confident, being driven by in the same way as Michael Jordan, and his thoughts on the HR function in an organization. You will love David's passion to revolutionize the healthcare industry. 
 
Meet David Voorhees (the founder/CEO of True Captive - truecaptive.com), a progressive, award-winning business leader with a mission to revolutionize healthcare. As a passionate leader, David has led countless implementations of uncomplicated but sophisticated healthcare programs for his clients nationwide, creating win-win solutions for employees and business operators.
Growing up, David saw what uncomplicated healthcare looked like while going on house calls with his grandfather and believes in implementing solutions for companies that can uncomplicate healthcare and deliver savings to businesses.
With a proven track record in benefits strategy, self-funded insurance, risk analysis, and leadership, David has sat in the seat of his clients, running Human Resources and Operations for organizations ranging from small-to-medium size businesses to Fortune 500 organizations in the US and Overseas. He understands the needs of the business and the employees and is committed to making healthcare less complicated, more transparent, and cost-efficient.
When not working to bring stability and control to companies’ healthcare expenses, David enjoys spending time with his family and traveling to new places.
 

Reinhard Mabry, The Servant Leader CEO - Running a Not-For-Profit Like a Commercial Company, Why Good Leaders Build a Network, and Why Your Integrity is Your Currency

Join me in a mini-course in organizational leadership with one of the best CEOs in Kansas City, Reinhard Mabry of the not-for-profit organization Alphapointe. Please consider helping Alphapointe with your time, ideas, or donations - https://www.alphapointe.org/.
 
Bio: Reinhard Mabry has been the President & CEO of Alphapointe since2007, which is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Alphapointe isone of the largest employers of people who are blind in the UnitedStates, with principal operations in Kansas City and New York City.Alphapointe provides employment opportunities for people who areblind through light manufacturing, injection molding, retail, and callcenter services for federal, state, and commercial customers.Alphapointe is the only Comprehensive Rehabilitation and EducationCenter for people who are blind or visually impaired in the state ofMissouri, serving over 7,000 people annually in its various programs.Reinhard is a past president of the Board of Directors of The NationalAssociation for the Employment of People Who Are Blind. He has served on the Board ofDirectors of the National Industries for the Blind. Reinhard currently serves on the KansasAdvisory Committee for the Blind & Visually Impaired, and the Board of Directors of theVisionServe Alliance.
Reinhard began his career in the field in 1994 when he joined RESPECT of Florida, Florida’s state use program, where he was soon appointed as the Director by the Governor’s Commission for Purchase from the Blind and other Severely Handicapped. During his tenure at RESPECT, the program’s sales doubled. Under contract, Reinhard also held the position of Director of Georgia Enterprises, Georgia’s state use program, during a transitional period for that program, growing its sales and employment for people with disabilities. He was a Vice President for the Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, responsible for Marketing, Business Development, and Base Supply Stores for the agency before joining Alphapointe in 2006.
Reinhard received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science and his MBA from Florida State University. He is married and hastwo sons.