Hire Smarter™ with Tony Misura

Our guest today is Mike Wisnefski , the Co-Founder of MaterialsXchange. Mike is shaking up the LBM purchasing supply chain with a low-cost, real-time e-trading platform for the 2x dimensional lumber and 4x8 plywood and OSB markets. Anyone can access Gold, Silver, and Palladium trades in real-time, and whether you are buying $1,000 or $1,000,000 - everyone has equal access to the market. MaterialsX...

In this episode, we are joined by Gary Poulos, President of Mill Creek Lumber, a $250m LBM, Truss, and Millwork dealer serving the Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Wichita markets. Despite the issues everyone in our industry is facing with accelerated material pricing and availability, Mill Creek is aggressively growing with booming sales to keep up with demand while retaining its top talent. Gary answer...

In this episode, Tony speaks with longtime friend and mentor, Dena Cordova-Jack, Senior Director of Leadership & Talent Development at Kodiak Building Partners. Kodiak has over 5000 people and nearly $2B in sales annually. Central to their mission is developing leaders and inspiring people to grow. With 5000 people, Dena and Kodiak are taking on many challenges facing multi-generational teams. Wha...

In this episode, Tony speaks with Dr. Robert Hogan, the founder of Hogan Assessments, the leading professional assessment tool in the world. Dr. Hogan, Ph. D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Past Professor of Psychology at Johns Hopkins University, Past Psychology Department Chair at the University of Tulsa, and author of several books, shares his wisdom on why companies struggle to m...

In this episode, Tony is joined by Cybelle Lyon. Cybelle has a Ph. D. from Portland State University in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and has been doing leadership consulting for over 20 years. Cybelle delivers some crisp, precise answers around complex topics:    - What are the two most critical traits of transformational leaders?   - What are the top five most common areas of development...

In this episode, Tony is joined by Kendall Hoyd, President at Residential Design Services, to discuss Hoshin Kanri. Kendall, previously the president of Idaho Truss and CFO of Trussway, has been effective at implementing Hoshin Kanri in multiple business models and cultures.  Hoshin Kanri is a methodology used in strategic planning that creates alignment and ensures that goals drive action across...

In this episode, Tony speaks with Kyle Little, COO of Sherwood Lumber, one of the largest privately-owned lumber distributors in the nation. 2020 has been a wild year and particularly explosive to the lumber market. Kyle has dedicated his life and profession to understanding the lumber commodity markets and has one message for everyone: the market volatility is here to stay for the next 5 years.

In this episode, our guest is Jim Robisch, Senior Partner at the Farnsworth Group. Jim has been a strategic consultant to the building materials industry for over 30 years, developing strategic plans for companies accelerating their growth through data and research, not anecdotal information.   We dive into a topic that comes up for Misura Group often – strategy. A truly great strategy is a dynami...

In this follow-up episode on the colossal merger between Builders FirstSource and BMC, Tony meets up with his close friends and LBM dealer presidents, Gary Poulos and Russ Kathrein. Having first-hand experience with BFS and BMC, Gary and Russ deliver insights about what makes these companies unique, the opportunities ahead for the now $11B business, and how this event will permanently change how t...

In this episode, Jim and Tony discuss the merger of Builders FirstSource and BMC - two of the largest building materials dealers in the nation. Joining forces to create a company that is over $11B in annual sales, this also creates new challenges and opportunities for manufacturing suppliers, general contractors, and other dealer competitors.  Jim and Tony also give some guidance to professionals...

In this episode, Tony speaks with Chris Kliefoth, current Advisor and former CEO of Nationwide Industries. They discuss how to lead during times of uncertainty, as we are currently facing the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the importance of considering what is factual and what is probable.    This is a longer episode with some important information we don't want you to miss - so we've outlin...

In this episode, Todd shares with Tony some of the most common misconceptions and pitfalls of running a truss plant that many building materials dealers face. 

In this episode, Tony meets up with one of his best friends and President of Wick Buildings, Allan Breidenbach. Allan is a great example of how taking career risks and embracing challenges leads to success. Allan shares the importance of making good hiring decisions and how to use Lean Six Sigma principles to simplify processes and make sure everyone is ready and willing to move in the same direct...

In this episode, Tony is joined by Michele Burger, Vice President at Misura Group. Tony and Michele chat with Lindsey Fox, Product & Marketing Manager at Nationwide Industries, about what it takes to be a successful female in the building materials industry.

This episode is part two of Tony's conversation with Hans Vonderhofen, President of Split Rail Fence & Supply. Hans and Tony continue the discussion about what goes into a successful turnaround and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. 

In this episode, Tony joins up with Hans Vonderhofen, President of Split Rail Fence & Supply, for part one of a two-part series. Hans shares how he happened upon the building materials industry and divulges his secrets for what makes a great turnaround leader. 

In this episode, Tony had the opportunity to meet with Walter Foxworth, Chairman of Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber, at the inaugural Texas Unity Dinner where he was honored by the Lumbermen's Association of Texas (LAT). Walter shares his passion and purpose that drives his energy to stay engaged in the business and building materials industry. 

In this episode, Bradley and Tony discuss their mutual "why" of helping companies achieve their big goals, the importance of an inclusive culture and embracing diversity, and the value consultants bring to the building materials industry.   Thanks for listening! Next Steps: Hire Smarter Make Better Career Decisions  

In our inaugural episode, Russ and Tony met up at the LBM Strategies Conference and had a great time sharing stories and addressing the most significant obstacles that leaders face when mentoring the twenty-somethings and the best steps to develop great mentoring leaders.  Thanks for listening! Next Steps: Hire Smarter Make Better Career Decisions