Leading In The Dark

Michael Gross, Chief Sales Officer of Gross Mechanical, joins Leading in the Dark to share the story of a third-generation family business thriving in the heart of St. Louis. In this episode, Michael and Nick dive into the evolution of Gross Mechanical—from sweeping floors to scaling one of the largest pipe fabrication shops in the region. They unpack the challenges of generational transitions, th...

Organizational psychologist Dr. Rik Nemanick has coached thousands of leaders—but leadership itself is evolving fast. In this episode, Nick Akers explores: • How large language models are transforming employee engagement analysis • A real-world chatbot that helps leaders practice tough feedback conversations • The hidden cost of ignoring self-awareness at the C-suite level • Practical steps to dis...

In this powerful episode, Josh Phillips shares what it means to truly serve. As a St. Louis City firefighter, SWAT medic, rescue instructor, and member of Missouri Task Force One, Josh lives a life defined by grit, discipline, and purpose. From running into burning buildings to deploying for national disasters, his story is one of commitment, courage, and deep respect for the culture and legacy of...

In this episode of Leading in the Dark , host Nick Akers sits down with Simon Bailey, CEO of T.-Kartor, a leader in geospatial intelligence and civic mapping solutions supporting the Department of Defense and federal agencies. From humble beginnings as a survey grunt in Florida to running a global company supporting national security and transportation initiatives, Simon shares how he never chased...

In this episode of Leading in the Dark , Nick Akers is joined by Andrew Cohen, President of Moosylvania, a full-service creative agency with deep roots in family business. Andrew shares his unconventional path to leadership, navigating generational differences with his father, the agency's founder, and building a modern creative culture in a hybrid world. From experiential marketing to employee au...

Jared Peno, CEO and Managing Partner of Alliance Technologies, joins Leading In The Dark to share his evolution from hands-on engineer to people-first leader. In this candid conversation, Jared opens up about the challenges of overcoming self-doubt, the shift from micromanaging to empowering, and the intentional culture he’s built over 15 years of growth. He also shares insight into navigating a c...

In this episode of Leading in the Dark, Nick Akers sits down with Taylor Perry, Managing Director of Acquisitions at Nova Stone Capital. They discuss Taylor's journey through investment banking, private equity, and entrepreneurship, and unpack Nova Stone's unique approach to supporting mid-career professionals through the search fund model. From scaling acquisitions across North America to providi...

In the premiere episode of Leading in the Dark , host Nick Akers sits down with Brian Wilcox , a seasoned executive, former CFO/COO, and current board member, to discuss leadership, career transitions, and the lessons learned from decades of experience in corporate America. From GE’s intense culture under Jack Welch to scaling Fortitech into a global leader, Brian shares insights on leadership, st...

In this episode, Nick Akers, President & CEO of Inzo Techolgies, chats with August Felker, CEO and owner of Oberly Risk Strategies. August shares how he built a thriving career in insurance—starting with a traditional search fund acquisition—and how he’s grown Oberly to serve entrepreneurs across the country. They discuss the key points of insurance due diligence, hiring top sales talent, and...

In this episode of  Leading in the Dark , Nick Akers reconnects with Alan Bulmer of Hawkins Watts in New Zealand. Alan shares his unconventional leadership journey—from food technologist to operations and sales leader—and how adversity and adaptability shaped his career. He dives into the cultural nuances of New Zealand’s workplace, the power of mentoring, and the company’s unique approach to hiri...

In this episode of  Leading in the Dark , Nick Akers sits down with Brian Wolfe, former Kirkland & Ellis partner turned investor, educator, and entrepreneur. Brian shares lessons from his early career at Amazon, his unexpected leap into public education leadership, and his deep experience in private equity and ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition). They explore the realities of buying and...