Generation Excellence Podcast

My guest, Alvey Thompson Jr., is a dynamo: part performance coach, part advisor, and fully committed to helping leaders expand their capacity to lead, not just at work, but in life. In our conversation, Alvey takes us well beyond the surface of health and wellness and into the deeper reality of what sustains high-performing individuals over time. He shares candidly about the moments in his own lif...

In this episode of GENeration EXcellence, we crossed the border again to sit down with Derek and Evan Freed, fourth‑generation brothers helping guide FREEDS of Windsor, Canada’s largest independent clothing store and a nearly century‑old family enterprise. Derek and Evan gained meaningful experience outside the family business (interestingly, both in Southern California) before returning with grea...

Episode #74 – Craig Beam, Digging In: The Craft, the Calling, and the Comeback with Master Distiller Craig Beam by Jamie Michelson

In this episode of GENeration EXcellence, we head north to Canada to hear the remarkable story of Pollard Banknote Ltd. - a family business that has grown into a global leader in the lottery and gaming industry. Doug Pollard, Co-CEO, takes us on a journey through his family’s history and the evolution of their business. With humility and candor, Doug shares how Pollard Banknote has navigated pivot...

Exceptional leaders can be found around the world, and I was fortunate to meet one: Rostyslav Vovk, the CEO and co-owner of Kormotech, a leading Ukrainian pet food manufacturer with a growing international presence. In this conversation, Rostyslav takes us from his student days to the bold moves that launched premium and super-premium pet food lines, built state-of-the-art facilities, and shaped a...

Nate Forbes is the Managing Partner and second-generation leader of The Forbes Company, a nationally recognized developer, owner, and manager of luxury shopping destinations. In this episode, Nate shares stories that span from getting his driver’s license to guiding the company into its third generation. Cue “The Victors” and hear from one of “the leaders and best” as Nate brings insight, energy,...

John and Joe Gaither are two of four siblings representing the second generation (with excellence) of Feetures, a business at the forefront of performance sock innovation. In this episode of GENeration EXcellence, we hear from John and Joe Gaither, sons of founder Hugh Gaither, who was inspired in a specialty running store to get back into the sock business—but this time with a focus on performanc...

In this episode of GENeration EXcellence, I sit down with Marshall Rabil, President and CEO of Hubbard Peanut Company, a family business rooted in tradition and flavor since 1954. Marshall’s path to representing the third generation in this special family business is anything but linear. A true global citizen and servant leader, he’s taught school in Japan, led study abroad programs, worked at a s...

In this episode of GENeration Excellence, we head west to the wide-open spaces of Jackson, Wyoming, where Matt Stirn and his brother represent the fourth generation of family ownership, operation, and stewardship at the R Lazy S Ranch. Matt grew up immersed in ranch life—learning its rhythms, values, and stories around the dinner table and campfire. His grandparents journeyed from Cleveland to the...

Mike Wolk grew up around the family business, then known as Goodway Group. He wasn’t pushed into the business, nor was he steered away from it. Instead, he forged his own path. In this episode of GENeration EXcellence, we explore Mike’s journey into cutting-edge digital marketing, his time working in New York, and the thoughtful way he transitioned to Goodway from The Trade Desk. (Fun fact: Mike’s...

Chris Yonker is wildly interesting and deeply interested into how family organizations work and achieve harmony. Chris has been a guest on many podcasts and hosts his own podcast called Secret Thoughts of CEO’s. No secret here, Chris addresses how his team helps guide generational organizations through transition with a keen eye and ear to well-being, peace, and joy. I am eager for guest reaction...

In this episode of GENeration EXcellence, we sit down with Alex Saroki, a second-generation partner at Saroki Architecture, the world-class firm his parents founded over 40 years ago in Detroit. Alex shares his journey from schooling to becoming a key player in the family design and architecture business. We explore how he brings process to an art, seamlessly blending classic techniques with moder...

Dr. Zachary (Zach) Linhart is a third-generation dentist, continuing a proud family tradition of excellence in dental care. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Dr. Ernest Linhart, and his father, Dr. Jan Linhart, Zach has carved out his own niche in the world of cosmetic and restorative dentistry. With a passion for innovation and patient care, Dr. Linhart specializes in advanced implan...

Brian Baum is the president & CEO of Interchange Capital Partners a family business advisory firm in Pittsburgh, PA. Brian is himself the second-generation in a business his father founded and where they work closely together. That means he’s seen and addressed firsthand the uniqueness of guiding family business owners and operators on their path to the future. We talked business, we talked family...

Indianapolis is famous for the Indy 500 and cars reaching speeds over 200 mph. Yet the shutter of a camera can race at 1/500th of a second or faster to capture quick-moving action. In this episode I moved quickly to capture the unique generational story of Lesle Lane, CEO of Studio 13 in metro Indianapolis. Lesle comes from a long line of award-winning photographers, each of whom made their mark w...

We headed virtually to Boise, Idaho, to chat with Jaime Ekman, President & CEO of The Stoltz Group. Jaime’s journey started in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) world, where she gained invaluable experience in sales, marketing, and operations. In this episode, she shares how she purchased the agency from her father, lessons learned along the way, and her vision for creating even more magic in the...

We did it—60 episodes of GENeration EXcellence! But this time, the script flips. Instead of hosting, I’m in the hot seat, interviewed by my two daughters, Rebecca and Brooke. They came prepared, firing off alternating questions like a tennis match. Some were gentle lobs; others were well-placed body serves that kept me on my toes. I appreciate your listening to this special milestone episode fille...

Scott Brandon, CEO of The Brandon Agency in Charleston, shares a captivating business journey rooted in the early days of Myrtle Beach and pioneering golf marketing—GENeration EXcellence in full swing (pun intended!). A lawyer by training, Scott reveals how the agency's rich history informs its future, blending strategy, technology, and hospitality with a dose of humanity and humility. His storyte...

We are thrilled to welcome David Maricich, President and Chief Creative Officer of Maricich Health, to the latest episode of the GENeration EXcellence podcast. 🌟 In this insightful conversation David shares his unique journey into Maricich from an early career in the music business. In a fast=moving hour David demonstrates how he blends strategy and creativity. He also does a wonderful job detail...

Jodie Kaufman Davis is the Executive Vice President of H.W. Kaufman Group, a global network of companies dedicated to shaping the future of insurance. With a career that spans nearly two decades, Jodie has been instrumental in driving growth and innovation within the organization. Jodie talks about loving to juggle multiple balls including work, family, working out, mentoring the next generation o...

Matt Rossetti is a third-generation architect and President/CEO of Detroit-based Rossetti, an architecture, interior design and urban planning organization that blends the rigor of analytics with the ability to imagine what’s never been done before. Matt sat down to talk about his unique path into the business and how Rossetti has evolved as a global leader in the design of sports complexes along...

Andrew (Andy) Goldberg is an experienced attorney and voracious consumer of books and podcasts. Only fitting he joins this podcast to take us through the highlights of his first book, The Big Deal: A Practical Guide to Selling Your Business with Confidence and Clarity. Andy is focused on bringing a well-informed and approachable perspective to this important subject for business owners. One that i...

Emily Korotkin can trace back five generations to founding roots of her family’s insurance agency operation. We met at the Korotkin Insurance Group (KIG) offices where the main boardroom has portraits back to 1913. I hope listeners appreciate how Emily gained experience in every aspect of the insurance operation and can bring that first-hand perspective to helping KIG evolve into the ever-changing...

Tricia Ruby is president and CEO of Ruby + Associates a renowned steel construction and engineering firm based in the Detroit area. Ruby + Associates is staffed with engineers, designers, and planners who are instrumental in the building of some of the most complex steel structures in North America. Ruby + Associates was founded by Tricia’s father and over 40 years grew as a family enterprise base...

Laurie Mikes (pronounced mike-us) is the Chief Operating Officer of Second Wind, a unique Wyomissing, PA headquartered consultancy serving the marketing communications industry. Second Wind is a distinguished second-generation, family-led organization and SMZ is proud to be associated as a Second Wind member. In this longer-form conversation format, Laurie talks about how Second Wind brings a high...