Behind the Win

Today's episode is a special one for us, because I'm joined by someone who helped shape not only my own leadership journey, but also the trajectory of our company and the podcast. Sean Slatter is the former president and CEO of LSI, a lifetime leader in government contracting, and currently serves as chairman of the board. Over the course of his career, he has worked at the intersection of busines...

Are you chasing the right opportunities? Do you know what you're chasing and why? In this episode of Behind the Win's Lift Up Series, learn insider tips and tricks on knowing what opportunities are worth your time and what ones you have the highest chance of winning.

We're joined by Cisco C. Minthorn, an attorney and former federal leader whose career spans public service, law, and highly complex policy environments. Cisco has worked inside systems where decisions are scrutinized, consequences are long-lasting, and the margin for error is thin. This episode is about what it really takes to lead under pressure, beyond theory, beyond headlines, and what leaders...

Our Chief Operations Officer, Sam Beasley, talks us through the differences between activity and progress, and how to tell if there's real movement or just motion. His experiences give him a unique perspective on how to make sure teams are spending their time on what matters the most.

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today's conversation is about something happening right here in our backyard, but with national impact. We're talking about HIPE, the Hill Industry Partner Exchange, taking place May 5th through the 7th in Ogden, Utah. HIPE brings together leaders from Hill Air Force Base, industry partners, and organizations across the defense ecosystem for real conversations aroun...

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today we're joined by Joel C. Spangenberg, a leader whose career spans public service, energy policy, and national competitiveness. Joel has worked at the intersection of government, industry, and innovation as a government senior executive in both career, civil service, and political appointee roles, and today plays a critical role in shaping conversations around n...

So many have asked, "Who knows who you are," or many times we ask, "Who is this other company?" Josh Johnson, talks a little about how you get to know what others know about you, and just as importantly, what how you can get to know other players in your space.

Welcome back to Behind the Win. We are continuing our discussion with Marcie Valdez of Blue Star Families discussing how military families are in need of help and what Blue Star Families is doing to meet those needs. 

Sam Beasley, the Chief Operations Officer at LSI, walks us through some of the great opportunities and also pitfalls that the rise of AI tools brings. He discusses the implications for quality-assurance, compliance, and how to responsibly maximize the value these advancements offer.

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today we're talking with Marci Valdez, the Executive Director of the Utah chapter of Blue Star Families. Blue Star Families is doing transformative work right here in Utah, strengthening military families, bridging the military-civilian divide, and making sure spouses and children have the support and resources they deserve.

In this episode of "Behind the Win: Lift Up", Josh Johnson talks us through how to maximize opportunities you may have to participate in a "Fly-In" to DC through an association, union, or other organization you belong to. These are unique chances to interact directly with your representatives and make them aware of your priorities.

Welcome back to Behind the Win. We are continuing our discussion with Angie Osguthorpe on Why Chambers Matter. 

LSI's own Josh Johnson discusses the difference between the RFP and the RFI, which is also known as "sources sought". He explains how to capitalize on the opportunity that an RFI presents and answers some common questions on the process here. Bottom line: is it worth your time to respond to an RFI?

Welcome back to Behind the Wind. Today we're joined by Angie Osguthorpe, the CEO of the Davis Chamber of Commerce. Angie has spent her career championing businesses, strengthening local economies, and bringing leaders together at a time when connection and advocacy matter more than ever. Today we're talking all things chambers of commerce, why they still matter, why they matter more now than ever,...

Welcome back to Behind the win, as we close out the year Sarah takes a moment to reflect on some of the incredible wins we've seen in 2025. This is our year in review episode, our chance to highlight a few of our favorite lessons from guests, moments with the LSI team, and the things that made this year one to remember.

Welcome to Behind the Win, the podcast that goes inside the minds of leaders shaping business, government, and community innovation. Today's guest is Bill Crim, president and CEO of United Way of Salt Lake. Bill has been at the forefront of building cross-sector partnerships that transform education, strengthen communities, and drive long-term change. From championing cradle to career pathways to...

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today, we're doing something a little different. We're flipping the script. I'm Kevin Jacobson, Director of Administration here at LSI, and Sarah's assistant. And instead of Sarah hosting, I'll be putting her in the hot seat. Sarah is our president and CEO, the force behind this podcast, and today, we're going to get to learn more about her story, her leadership, an...

Welcome back to Behind the Win. This week, we're doing something a little different for Thanksgiving. Instead of talking strategy, innovation, or leadership, I wanted to pause and reflect on gratitude. Wins are important, but so are the people, lessons, and moments that get us there. Today, you'll hear a few reflections from me and from members of our team on what we're thankful for this year.

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today I'm joined by Aniza Brown. She started her career as a software engineer, went on to leadership roles at Hill Air Force Base, and is now shaping Utah's tech and defense innovation ecosystem. We'll talk about deploying innovation in government environments, fostering partnerships across academia, startups and industry, and overcoming resistance to change. And o...

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today we're going deep into the world of supply chain and logistics with someone who has seen it from every angle. Defense, firefighting, classrooms, and command. James Taylor is the Senior Vice President of supply chain management and logistics at LSI, an adjunct professor at Weber State and honorary commander at Hill Air Force Base. We'll talk about what really wo...

Welcome to Behind the Win, the podcast that goes inside the minds of leaders shaping business, government and innovation. Today's guest is Chaitali Patel, founder and CEO of Evergood Impact. Chaitali is an entrepreneur, investor and advisor who has built her career at the intersection of finance, innovation and purpose. From her leadership with the 100 Women in Finance to launching Evergood, she b...

Welcome to Behind the Wind, where we go deeper into how visionary leaders are shaping industries and communities. Today, we're busting the biggest myths about nuclear energy, from safety to cost, and why it could be a quiet engine for American jobs, especially across the West. We'll share how our team helped launch a new association bringing utilities, tribes, manufacturers, universities, and comm...

Welcome to Behind the Win, the podcast that goes inside the minds of leaders shaping business, government, and innovation. Today's guest is Chip Laingen, Executive Director of Defense Alliance at LSI and a nationally recognized voice in defense innovation. A navy veteran turned strategist, Chip has spent over 2 decades building one of the country's top innovation clusters. In this episode we dive...

Welcome to Behind the Win, where we go deeper into how visionary leaders are shaping their industries and communities. Today we're joined by Jessica Dixon, the people-centered leader behind LSI's evolving HR strategy. Jessica has helped transform hiring, culture, and internal development during one of the most complex times in the workforce. In this conversation she shares how to hire with intenti...

Welcome to behind the win, where we dive into the stories and strategies behind game-changing leadership. Today's guest is Val Hale, former Athletic Director at BYU and former Executive Director at the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development. We'll explore how Val built a winning culture in college athletics, mastered the business of sports, and helped shape Utah's economic growth story.