Building Great Leaders

Mike Gengler, the President of American Fire Protection Group, discusses his professional journey and his experience with key individuals that have shaped him, both personally and career wise. Gengler offers insights into change management and the use of guiding coalitions to implement new ideas into AFPG. Finally, Gengler shares his opinions on learning from failure and encourages listeners to ta...

Mindy McKean, the Corporate Safety and Risk Leader at International Fire Protection, discusses her journey to finding a job and lifestyle that feeds her soul. She offers insight into the importance of mental health and shares her personal habits she uses to take care of herself, on and off the job. McKean shares anecdotes and offers advice to listeners about not limiting oneself and ensuring that...

Mike Shands, the Vice President of Learning and Development at APi Group Inc., shares his powerful anecdotes about the importance of self reflection. He offers insights on the importance of mentorship and how other individuals have helped him shape a career he now loves. Finally, Shands reflects on embarking on a new journey moving to Europe as APi Group expands. 

Have you ever started a career with no knowledge but with a positive attitude and a desire to learn?  Mike Farren, the President and CEO of Vipond Inc., describes his start as an apprentice in the life safety industry. Farren shares examples of when the business has successfully "fired bullets" and leveraged wins.  Plus, he and Laura talk about the Gettysburg Leadership Training and dive into the...

Heather Salfer, a Project Manager at Jamar Company, dives into her professional journey. She shares insights into her passion for community service and the impact it has had on the business and why she decided to take on a leadership role within her community. 

Mike Leidholm, the Vice President at APi Group, dives into his leadership journey from being a safety professional at an operating company to leading APi's National Service Group (NSG). He discusses mentorship, leadership, and the community that he is so thankful to be a part of.  He shares the secret ingredient that led to the growth of APi's National Service Group over the past year.

Stephanie Flencher, a Project Leader at American Fire Protection Group, shares her enthusiasm, her story of navigating her career pivots, and what she is learning about her new field. She walks us through her journey as a student and professional, emphasizing the importance of advocating for oneself and seeking new opportunities in all aspects of life.

For the final episode of 2021, the Building Great Leaders Podcast Team sits down and shares how they got to where they are now, their goals for 2022, and their favorite holiday traditions. We are so excited for you to meet the team!

Tim Daly, the Executive Vice President at Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors sits down with Laura to talk about his journey to APi group and the transition into the APi family. He shares insights on changing leadership at a company, the growth at MMC and introduces their new residential service offerings.

Have you ever wondered how businesses achieve operational excellence?  Diana Eestermans, the Business Performance Manager at SK Fire, discusses her own journey to her role in helping businesses evolve.  She shares insights into working as a team and highlights effective ways to help those around her. Plus, she talks about her company and gives listeners an understanding of SK Fire and what it will...

API's Vice President of Acquisitions, Scott Hatfield, shares his insights on learning to know ones' company and using that knowledge of self to connect with others and successfully acquire new companies. Scott also walks us through his own personal journey with API Group, reflecting on his many critical years with the company.

Going back over the two decades that she has worked at APi Group, Shannon Swanson, VP of Employee Services, shares insights she has learned along the way: from showing up consistently to actively listening so that employees can be their whole selves at work.  She also reminisces about becoming the first female Vice President at APi Group headquarters and what that meant to both her and the organiz...

Mark Stein, Area Manager for VFP in Houston Texas, shares his experience entering APi Group as a former military officer, offering insight into his transition to a completely new corporate role. Mark and Laura discuss the importance of integrity, honesty, loyalty, and the value in hiring individuals with different perspectives.

Matt Euson, outgoing president of 3S, describes how the practice of recognizing employees became embedded in the company DNA.  Laura and Matt discuss 3S's engagement flywheel, created by the Talent Magnet team, and what 3S does at each step to create their unique company culture.  Plus, he shares advice on focusing on the right strategic initiatives.

In this episode of the Building Great Leaders Podcast, Kelly Nissenbaum, the manager of Business Development for Mid-Ohio Pipeline Services discusses how she made the shift from her previous career in hospitality to business development.  She describes how someone saw her potential and pushed her to make a big and scary change. She also clears up misconceptions about business development, the impo...

Greg Fredlund, president of Northland Constructors, discusses the pathway that brought him to APi and what he learned as a new leader taking over the president role at a company.  He shares the importance of teamwork, engaging employees and the role of friction in decision making.  

Velma Korbel, APi's Vice President and Chief DEI Officer defines diversity, equity, and inclusion for listeners. Velma leads us through her childhood in a segregated town in East Texas and shares how she remains hopeful in the face of discrimination. She reminds us that the key to long lasting inclusion policy is people who are willing to do the work.

Tune in to Phil Harein, the VP of API Construction as he takes us through his leadership journey; from his childhood to now. He discusses his blind spots, how he ended up as VP, and how to bridge gaps between office and field. Most importantly, he highlights the importance of being pushed out of your comfort zone and what it means to truly listen.

Join father-son duo Paul and Colin Javorina as they discuss their paths to their current positions (Chief Financial Leader for the Industrial Services Segment and Support and Systems Leader respectively), what it is like working with family, and navigating what it means to be a trans individual. This week's episode crosses borders of courage, family, and allyship.  Episode contains mention of gend...

CMS (Jamar) Journeyman, Erin Mcquaid, describes the serendipitous experience that led him to become an HVAC technician.  He also shares how he takes ownership of his development and the valuable lesson he learned about storytelling.  Plus, hear an uplifting message from his story about the value of random acts of kindness.      

In this episode, Grunau Company's Manuela Burtscher describes how it felt to be new in the industry, new in the role and new in the branch.  She excelled by taking initiative, asking questions and including herself in as many aspects of the business as she could.  Her "can do" attitude is infectious!

If you had three words to describe your leadership journey, what words would you use?  "Empower the team" is how APi's Chief Financial Leader of the Safety Services Segment, Luke Cope, describes his journey.  He shares his passion for serving people and how he got to where is he today.  We talk about the value of data and understanding the patterns in the business, as well. 

APi's Director of Talent Development Technology, Heather Stuckey, shares her personal story of loss.  The experience taught her to approach problems differently and made her realize there is always a path forward.  

Mark Breslin, CEO of United Contractors and President of Breslin Strategies, talks about the growth he has witnessed in the industry.  He shares the impact and importance of leadership and why everyone should routinely ask for feedback.

As a former board member and legal counsel, Bill Beadie has watched APi Group grow and flourish.  He shares stories of when the company first started acquiring other businesses and some of the challenges faced along the way.  Plus, he explains why integrity is the most important leadership quality.