CEOs You Should Know - Minneapolis

Robert Barrosa is the President and CEO of Electrify America, where he leads the company’s mission to build a seamless and customer-focused EV charging network across North America. Since joining Electrify America in 2018, he has held several executive leadership roles overseeing technology, energy management, product planning, and infrastructure development to support the fast-paced deploym...

Tim Bratland is the President of Crystal Foods Dairy Company, which is headquartered in Edina, Minnesota, and the leading natural retail cheese brand in the upper Midwest. Tim has over 30 years of experience in large and small CPG companies and worked in multiple functions including Finance, Integrated Marketing Communications, Brand Management, Sales, Operations, Integrated Business Planning, and...

Emily was appointed as chief executive officer of Americans for Prosperity in 2017. As CEO, Emily drives the organization’s mission and strategy to build a permanent grassroots presence that educates and activates citizens to advocate for policies that will help people improve their lives. Emily has been a public policy advocate for the past decade, building policy coalitions of principled l...

In this inspiring episode, we're joined by Kathleen Enright, the President & CEO of the Council on Foundations, as she shares her remarkable journey and the incredible work of her organization. From her childhood in Kentucky to her current role as a leader in the philanthropic sector, Kathleen's story is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and collaboration. See omnystudio.com/lis...

In this episode of the podcast, NetApp CMO Gabie Boko, a seasoned tech leader who shares their journey from startups to leading a major company like NetApp, sits down with us. We discuss the importance of learning from failures, finding passion in tech, and making a difference in the industry. The conversation also touches on the company's mission to remove friction between data and innovation, an...

In this episode of CEOs You Should Know, Adam West chats with Kenny Larson, CEO of Slumberland Furniture. Kenny shares the story of how his family business has evolved over the years, from its humble beginnings as a mattress specialty store to its current status as a full-line furniture retailer with 120 locations across 12 states. They discuss the challenges of navigating the ever-changing retail...

Kristi Piehl joins host Adam West on the iHeartMedia podcast  CEOs You Should Know  for a candid conversation about her journey from award‑winning journalist to successful entrepreneur. In this episode, Kristi shares how her background in television news shaped her understanding of storytelling, credibility, and media strategy—skills she later used to launch and grow her PR firm, M...

Brigette Wolf is the Chief Marketing Officer at My/Mochi where she leads marketing and innovation and the brand’s transformation for growth. She is responsible for fueling the company’s innovation pipeline through the creation of beyond the core products and partnerships as well as building the brand’s equity and connection to consumers. Previously she was VP, Global Head of Snac...

Corey Thomas is the Chief Executive Officer of Rapid7, a leading global cybersecurity company based in Boston. His expertise in technology and business have been recognized through his appointments to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) and the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Laura Jacobson serves as Co-Vice President of Heppner’s Auto Body & Glass alongside her husband Jesse. With 20+ years of leadership, she’s driven growth, service excellence, and community impact, solidifying Heppner’s reputation as a trusted leader in auto repair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Vagle is the CEO of Housing First Minnesota, leading efforts to expand homeownership and strengthen the homebuilding industry. A Navy veteran and seasoned advocate, James brings vision, integrity, and deep policy expertise to Minnesota’s housing future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Elizabeth Gray serves as Audubon’s Chief Executive Officer, leading the organization toward its vision of a future where birds thrive. A champion of science-based conservation and a renowned expert in global conservation and climate change, she joined Audubon in March 2021 as President and Chief Conservation Officer and was named CEO later that year—the first woman since Audubon’s founding in...

Reuben D. Rotman is the founding President and CEO of the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. The Network was established in 2017 following the merger of two predecessor associations, as an international membership association, with the mission of strengthening and advancing the Jewish human service sector. Today, The Network serves as the leading voice for the sector; the go-to for best pra...

Alex Neist is the visionary founder and CEO of Hostage Tape, the #1 selling, original mouth tape that has revolutionized the market and drastically changed how millions sleep. The company has inspired over 200,000 customers worldwide and formed high-profile partnerships with the UFC and Joe Rogan's podcast, emphasizing the importance of quality sleep. Before his entrepreneurial success with Hostag...

Cabby Lolmaugh was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer in January 2019. After serving four year years in the U.S. Marine Corps., Mr. Lolmaugh joined our company in 2001, working in the warehouse of our Roseville, Minnesota store. From that time through 2014, he served in various roles at several locations, including Store Manager in Roseville, one of the company’s largest and most success...

In a world where innovation often outpaces empathy, Brandon Sawalich stands out as a rare leader who blends both with purpose. As the President and CEO of Starkey, one of the world’s leading hearing technology companies, Brandon has spent over 31 years transforming not just a business—but an entire industry 1.   From his first job in hearing healthcare at age 19, Brandon discovered a calling, not...

Michael McDermott, founder and former CEO of Kona Grill, is a seasoned restaurant industry leader with a track record of creating and growing successful concepts. His portfolio includes the development of Tavern23, Rojo Mexican Grill, and Sushi on Shea. With extensive experience and a passion for innovation, Michael is now leading Chi-Chi’s into its next chapter. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Carlos M. Llanes Jr. is the founder and CEO of Spartan Carrier Group, one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing logistics companies in North America. A U.S. Army combat veteran, accomplished executive, and man of deep Christian faith, Llanes has built Spartan into a powerhouse—closing in on $75 million in annual revenue in under three years, all without venture capital or outside investment. Rec...

Kent Roers, co-founder of Roers Companies, has 25 years of experience in real estate and finance. Since its founding in 2012, Roers Companies has become a leading developer in the Twin Cities, recognized for its significant contributions to the local real estate market. The company has achieved remarkable growth, being named the top developer in the region. Roers Companies is known for its strong...

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In 2010, I received a call from the hospital that would alter the course of my entire life. The nurse on the other end of the line said bluntly: “You need to stop telling my patients about nutrition.”I was a Home Health Physical Therapist at the time and had just discovered the vast world of nutrition. More specifically, I discovered how poor nutrition was linked to many of the health issues my pa...

Based in St. Louis, Michael Lazaroff is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in jazz. As the director of Entertainment Cruise Productions, he oversees The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise and the most recently added Blue Note at Sea cruise. A former attorney, the energetic Lazaroff came into the business in 2000 when Norwegian Cruise Lines discontinued its jazz cruise and his mother Anita B...

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Courtney Lightfoot began her journey with Squeegee Squad, a window-washing company, as an executive assistant and worked her way up to her current position as CEO. Squeegee Squad was founded by brothers Jack and Joe Ruegsegger in Minnesota. Initially named Jack & Joe’s Window Cleaning, the company grew from local roots to a national franchise. Squeegee Squad specializes in residential and comm...

Ilan Sobel has been the CEO of BioHarvest Sciences since July 2020. Ilan has brought the company’s first product, VINIA, to North America, building a direct-to-consumer machine that is now generating significant revenues. VINIA’s go-to-market success has established a template for the company’s near-term product pipeline of nutraceutical plant cell banks. In addition to commercial focus and planni...