Executive Leadership Interviews Archives
Lonnie Phillips
We welcome retired Navy Aviator Lonnie Phillips to the show to discuss his military service, his transition to the civilian world, and his role as Chief Customer Officer for Fanatics Commerce. Randy and Lonnie speak about the growth of Fanatics in ALL areas of the sports and entertainment industry. Thank you to Lonnie for serving our country and joining us for our Executive Leadership Series. Make sure to check out the Fanatics Career Page at: https://jobs.lever.co/fanatics
Bill Radvak
In this segment, we welcome Bill Radvak, co-founder of NervGen Pharma, has been the CEO and director of multiple start-up companies, to talk about the work that NervGen Pharma is doing to help veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries suffered in the line of duty. Randy and Bill talk about the specific advances being made in treating these complicated injuries and more in this interesting segment.
Admiral John Bird
We welcome back retired Admiral John Bird, USAA’s Senior Vice President of Military Affairs. We talk about USAA, how it was founded 100 years ago, what it has become, and what members of USAA can expect in the future from the program. We thank USAA for their long history of serving our active-duty military members, veterans, and their families.
Mike Erwin
We welcome the founder and CEO of Team Red White and Blue, Mike Erwin, to the National Defense. We spoke with Mike at the Kansas Speedway in advance of the Hollywood Casino 400, and Mike lays out to Randy how this type of partnership with NASCAR is so important in their outreach to the veteran community. Randy digs into what exactly the mission of Team Red White and Blue is, and how you can get in touch with them to support their mission, or to address transition and reintegration for those returning from active duty.
Marcus Lemonis
We welcome Marcus Lemonis, to the show this week. We discuss his work as the Chief Executive Officer of Camping World and Good Sam’s. Marcus also shares his works as a creator of great television shows like “The Partner”, “The Profit” and his brand new show, “The Renovator”. Randy and Marcus discuss the series of TV shows and much more in this great segment.
Art delaCruz
We welcome back the CEO of one of our absolute favorite Veteran Service Organizations! Art delaCruz, CEO of Team Rubicon, returns to talk with Randy about his great organization. Art and Randy get the important stuff out of the way first in discussing the new “Top Gun” movie as well as his group’s work in disaster relief efforts with the extreme flooding taking place around the country.
Meredith Rosenbeck
The National Defense welcomes the Chief Executive Officer of Honor Flight Network, Meredith Rosenbeck, to the program to give our veteran listeners in the Hawaiian Islands the great news about Honor Flight Network’s expansion of their unique program. Meredith outlines for Randy what a typical Honor Flight looks like and shares some of the stories of the bonding, healing, and memory-making that take place on those tours.
Nancy Preston
We welcome yet another recipient of Bob Evans Farms “Heroes to CEOs” program to the show. Nancy Preston, the founder of Milk Money Kitchens talks about her background from a military family, how she started up Milk Money Kitchens and how a grant from Bob Evans Farms is expanding her unique company.
Brian Bell
We welcome back Ford Brand Manager Brian Bell to talk about the INCREDIBLE looking (and sounding) Ford F-150 Raptor R! Randy and Brian discuss this brand new 700 horsepower, V8 Shelby workhorse, and how Ford went through the process of listening to their customers and improved upon the already impressive Raptor package.
Ret. Brigadier General Mark Baird
We welcome retired Brig. General Mark Baird to the show to discuss his career in the U.S. Air Force and his recent appointment at Virgin Orbit as the new President of VOX Space. The company’s wholly-owned subsidiary provides responsive, timely, dedicated, and affordable launch services for the national security community.
Hal Zaima
Hal Zaima is Partner and President of an innovative medical device company that helps prevent hospital associated infections, called Sterilogy. Randy talks with Hal about his service in the U.S. Army where he served in the 1st Calvary division, and how his military service has fueled his present-day entrepreneurial spirit. Bob Evans Farms has awarded $75,000 this year to three veterans through their “Heroes to CEOs” competition, and we look forward to talking with our other two grant winners in the very near future.
Zephrine Hanson
We welcome yet another award winner from Bob Evans Farms’ “Heroes to CEOs” grant program, with retired Air Force photojournalist Zephrine Hanson. Medically retired in 2004, she began a healing journey, along the way she welcomed 3 neurodiverse children to her already atypical life. In 2016, Zephrine, her husband, and children moved to Denver to continue the healing journey. After completing a life-changing therapeutic horticulture farm program for veterans, Zephrine pivoted into the agricultural community focusing on food security and entrepreneurship for underserved communities in the Denver metro area.
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