Being Built

In this episode of Being Built, host Aaron Davis sits down with Parag Pujari, CIO of Jurgensen Companies, to break down the real-world challenges of tech adoption and the massive hidden costs behind the AI hype. From skyrocketing cloud bills to the irreplaceable value of human judgment, learn why keeping a "human in the loop" is still the ultimate business strategy. Connect with us: http...

In the world of corporate acquisitions, it’s a common misconception that buyers only look at products and technical assets. The reality is that company valuations are heavily driven by the synergy, trust, and alignment of the leadership team running the show. In this episode of the BEING BUILT Podcast, host Aaron Davis sits down with senior defense and aerospace executive Mike Nelson to break down...

Is your team productive, or just busy? Brad Jordan joins Aaron Davis to peel back the layers of effective leadership, moving beyond what’s on a resume to what’s in a leader's heart and mind. Jordan explains how self-awareness serves as the bedrock for professional growth and team harmonization.

We make money by making good decisions." But how do you ensure your team is empowered to make them? In this episode of the BEING BULT Podcast, host Aaron Davis welcomes Darren Baldwin, President of Pikus 3D for the second time to discuss how to move past the tech and into the heart of modern leadership. They also talk about the "Amazon Effect" on executive decision-making, the dange...

We are kicking off the New Year with a wake-up call: Is your business actually secure, or just lucky? On this episode of the BEING BUILT Podcast, host Aaron Davis (Founder, Reliant Search Group) sits down with Dave Hatter, Cybersecurity Consultant at Intrust IT and Mayor of Fort Wright, KY.Dave isn’t just a "tech guy", he’s a former software engineer who warns of the "Coming Softwar...

In this episode of Being Built , Aaron Davis sits down with Jon Salisbury, CAIO - CEO at Nexigen and a veteran of the tech startup world (17 companies founded). They move beyond the buzzwords to discuss the actual mechanics of AI, the difference between "Deep Learning" and "Genetic Fuzzy" systems, and the looming energy crisis facing data centers. About the Guest: Jon Salisbury...

In this episode of the BEING BUILT Podcast, host Aaron Davis, Founder & Search Consultant at Reliant Search Group sits down with Gurvinder Rekhi, CIO and VP of Technology at the University of Dayton. Gurvinder shares his journey from a programmer to a technology leader, discussing the cultural shift in IT organizations from order-takers to business partners. He also delves into the unique tech...

In this episode, host Aaron Davis sits down with Jacqueline Gamblin, the founder and leader of JYG Innovations, to reflect on her journey as an entrepreneur in the defense industry. Jacqueline shares the wisdom gained from building her company from her kitchen table to a thriving organization. She discusses her people-first leadership philosophy, the importance of honesty and loyalty, and the prof...

Join host Aaron Davis, Founder & Search Consultant at Reliant Search Group and Mike Phillips, VP of IT at Wright-Patt Credit Union, as they discuss Mike's 31-year military career, transitioning to civilian leadership, and his philosophy on building strong, connected teams. Learn about fostering trust, allowing for "fail forward" experiences, and the importance of understanding yo...

In this episode of the Being Built Podcast, host Aaron Davis sits down with Melissa Cutcher, the Executive Director of Technology First. They dive into the strategy behind building a thriving tech community, the practical applications of AI in business, and the leadership philosophies that foster growth and trust. Melissa shares her vision for the future of Technology First, including an innovativ...

In this episode of the BEING BUILT Podcast, host Aaron Davis of Reliant Search Group sits down with Alexis Bonnell, former CIO & Director of Digital Capabilities Directorate at the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and now a Partnership Manager at OpenAI. Alexis shares her unconventional journey into government work, which started at the United Nations in places like Iraq and Afghanistan before sh...

In this episode of the BEING BUILT Podcast, host Aaron Davis (Founder & Search Consultant at Reliant Search Group) sits down with Beth Flippo, CEO and founder of DEXA (also known as Drone Express), to explore the cutting-edge world of drone delivery. Beth shares her journey from embedded software engineering to leading a company that's poised to revolutionize logistics and commerce. They d...

This week on BEING BUILT, host Aaron Davis welcomes Dan Edwards, a 40-year media and broadcasting veteran and host of the "A Greater Date" podcast. They discuss the secrets of body language (like why genuine smiles matter so much), Dan's journey through the changing media landscape, the state of journalism, the importance of genuine connection, and why they both love calling Dayton,...

Join us on the BEING BUILT Podcast as we delve into the captivating story of David Mezera, President and co-founder of DataYard. David takes us on a journey through his remarkable 30-year career in the tech world, starting with a dial-up ISP in 1995 and evolving into a leading cloud consulting firm. Along the way, discover the unexpected challenges, valuable lessons, and the importance of trust, d...

Join us on the BEING BUILT Podcast as we chat with Chris Johnson, CEO & President of the Ralph J. Stolle Countryside YMCA! Chris shares invaluable insights into building thriving social spaces within a large facility, managing a massive team, and the art of hiring the right people. We delve into: - The importance of connection and experience at the YMCA, going beyond just the equipment. - How...

Join Aaron Davis as he interviews Britta August, Operations Manager at Bering Straits Native Corporation, on the BEING BUILT podcast! Britta shares her inspiring career journey, from humble beginnings to leading teams and hiring top talent. Discover valuable leadership wisdom, including how Reliant Search Group helped Britta and her company achieve success. Tune in for an insightful conversation o...

@beingbuiltpodcast  - Great leaders, what they're building, and how they’re being built along the way. About our guest: Shanda McKinney is the Global Head of People & Culture at Woolpert, where she has been shaping and executing the company's culture initiatives on a global scale since May 2024. With over 20 years of experience in human resources, Shanda has held various leadership roles, incl...

@beingbuiltpodcast  - Great leaders, what they're building, and how they’re being built along the way. 🌐 https://www.reliantsearchgroup.com/being-built-podcast About the guest: Scott McGohan is the Co-Founder of One Morning, an organization dedicated to driving mental health engagement and cultural change. With a 35-year tenure at McGohan Brabender, where he recently retired as Co-Chairman, S...

BEING BUILT Podcast - Great leaders, what they're building, and how they’re being built along the way. 🌐 https://www.reliantsearchgroup.com/being-built-podcast About the Guest: Andrea Kunk, a charter employee of Peerless Technologies, has served as President since 2021. She joined Peerless in 2000 as its second employee and has played a pivotal role in the company's growth to more than 50...

BEING BUILT Podcast - Great leaders, what they're building, and how they’re being built along the way. 🌐 https://www.reliantsearchgroup.com/being-built-podcast About the Guest: Chris Kershner is the President & CEO of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. Under his leadership, the chamber has achieved top-tier accreditation in business advocacy, corporate services, and economic development...

The BEING BUILT Podcast - Great leaders, what they're building, and how they’re being built along the way. About the guest: Brian Raison is a Professor and Leadership Field Specialist at The Ohio State University. He has been with the university since 1996, focusing on mentoring, leadership development, and strategic planning. Brian has a rich background in community development and has led nu...

Great leaders, what they're building, and how they’re being built along the way 🌐 https://www.reliantsearchgroup.com/being-built-podcast About the Guest: Laurence Jones is the Chair and President of RiskVersity, a company that focuses on economic development. His background includes expertise in internal controls, financial risk management, and commercial lending. Laurence is also involved in...

Great leaders, what they're building, and how they’re being built along the way! 🌐 BEING BUILT Podcast About the Guest: Jacqueline S. Janning-Lask, currently the CEO at Midwest Microelectronics Consortium, a member of the Senior Executive Service, serves as the Director of Engineering and Technical Management and Chief Engineer at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. In this role, she...

BEING BUILT Podcast - Great leaders, what they're building, and how they’re being built along the way 🌐 https://www.reliantsearchgroup.com/being-built-podcast About the Guest: Alicia Donovan Brainerd is a seasoned engineering leader with a passion for technology and mindfulness practices. As the Director of Engineering at Foursquare, she leads complex projects and orchestrates technical teams...

Your podcast featuring senior leaders and their journey to success. 🌐 https://www.reliantsearchgroup.com/being-built-podcast About the Guest: Stacie Hoelscher is a seasoned professional in business operations and project management, currently serving as the Director of the UDRI Digital Transformation Center (DTC) at the University of Dayton Research Institute. She has a strong background in strat...