Leadership in Manufacturing

In this special episode, host Sannah Vinding revisits a powerful conversation from Episode 100 — where six respected voices in the manufacturing and distribution space answer one deceptively simple question: How do you know if you’re a good leader? Guests featured in this episode include: Don Akery : Chief Executive Officer at Waldom Electronics Tobi Cornell : President - Kruvand Associates , Manu...

In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast , host Sannah Vinding is joined by Jacob Baldwin , Director of Corporate Marketing at UNITED GRINDING North America , to explore how marketing becomes a strategic growth engine in the manufacturing industry. Jacob shares how modern marketing teams can drive real business outcomes by aligning closely with sales, engineering, and operations....

In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast , host Sannah Vinding is joined by Ben Hamilton , Marketing Manager at NorComp , to explore what it really means to lead without a title and how emotional intelligence, listening, and collaboration are shaping modern leadership in the manufacturing sector. Ben shares how his leadership style has evolved over the past five years, from worki...

In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast , host Sannah Vinding is joined by Heather Fulara, Vice President of Interconnect, Electromechanical & Industrial Automation at DigiKey , to explore how leaders can turn industry trends into strategic action—and why trust, transparency, and curiosity are essential to making it work. Heather shares how her leadership has evolved through...

In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast , host Sannah Vinding is joined by Joshua Nix , Director of Supply Management at Mouser Electronics , to explore how leadership evolves when you move from managing tasks to empowering people—and why staying grounded is key at every stage. Joshua shares his journey from manager to director and the mindset shifts that came with it. He explai...

In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast , host Sannah Vinding is joined by Mark Burr-Lonnon , President of EDAC Group , to explore how cultural awareness and clear communication can transform global leadership in the electronics industry. Mark shares lessons from over four decades of international experience—leading teams across Asia, Europe, and the Americas—and explains why tr...

What does it take to grow as a confident, strategic sales leader in a dynamic industry? In Episode 115, host Sannah Vinding sits down with Jessica Knight , Vice President of Sales, Americas at Harwin , to explore how mentorship, active listening, and team empowerment are transforming leadership in the electronics space. With deep experience leading sales teams across the Americas, Jessica shares w...

What does it take to lead operational excellence at scale? In Episode 114, host Sannah Vinding talks with Pete Shopp , Senior Vice President of Business Operations at Mouser Electronics , about why a continuous improvement mindset is essential for driving progress in the electronics industry. With nearly 30 years at Mouser, Pete shares how small, incremental improvements have led to big wins—and h...

E113, Join host Sannah Vinding and her guests, Damien Croft , General Manager at NorComp , and Shane Zutz , Vice President of Human Resources at DigiKey , as they explore the vital role of recognition in leadership success within the manufacturing industry and distribution sector. This engaging episode highlights how effective feedback and recognition strategies can drive team growth and strengthe...

E112, Join host Sannah Vinding and guests Damien Croft , General Manager at NorComp , and Shane Zutz , Vice President of Human Resources at DigiKey , as they delve into the essential topic of creating a feedback culture that propels team growth in the manufacturing industry. In this episode, you'll explore innovative strategies to enhance leadership through effective feedback mechanisms. In this e...

E111, Join host Sannah Vinding and guest Sam Cowley , the founder of oemsecrets.com , as they dive into the dynamic world of the electronics industry and explore leadership in small company settings. In this episode, you'll gain insights into building robust relationships, honing communication skills, and fostering a thriving company culture amidst a rapidly changing market. In this episode, you w...

E110, Join host Sannah Vinding as she explores the journey of Leadership in Manufacturing with: Eric Slatten , President & CEO at ECS Inc. International Eric Gleason , Director of Distribution Sales North America at ebm-papst Inc Jaime Plank , Director of Supplier Management at Mouser Electronics Damien Croft , General Manager at NorComp This episode offers valuable insights for new leaders lo...

E109, Join host Sannah Vinding and guest Manny Brunson , Vice President of Sales at Carlton-Bates (now WESCO OEM Solutions), for an insightful discussion on the role of core values in business leadership within the manufacturing industry. With over forty years of industry experience, Manny shares his expertise on creating a strong organizational culture and the essence of leadership. In this episo...

E108, Join host Sannah Vinding and special guest Michael Lotfy Gierges , Executive Vice President at Schneider Electric , as they dive into the transformative world of smart home technology, automation, and people-centric leadership. With over 20 years of experience in energy management, Michael shares his passion for sustainability, talent development, and leading a globally diverse team. In this...

E107, Join host Sannah Vinding and guest Dennis Reed , a senior research analyst at Edgewater Research with over 15 years of experience in financial services and technology, as they delve into the evolving landscape of the automotive and electronics manufacturing industry. In this podcast episode, you'll explore the pivotal factors influencing the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and gain valua...

Join host Sannah Vinding as she brings together industry experts Holly Good , Eric Gleason , Deb Speer , Greg Trainor , Mark Wachtel , and Damien Croft to share their invaluable insights on leadership in manufacturing from the past year. This episode dives into essential lessons and personal reflections that every leader can learn from to navigate their journey successfully. In this episode, you w...

How can empathy and leadership be used together Paul Pickard - Episode 105 Join host Sannah Vinding and guest Paul Pickard , Chief Technology Officer at Insight Lighting and a pioneer in the lighting industry, as they dive into the intricacies of strategic project management and leadership evolution in manufacturing. In this episode, you'll explore how to effectively manage timelines, resources, a...

Join host Sannah Vinding and special guests: Tobi Cornell : President at Kruvand Associates , Inc. Walter Tobin : CEO/EVP at Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) Don Akery : Chief Executive Officer at Waldom Electronics Rob Brunson : Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Wallace Electronic Sales Dive deep into the dynamic world of electronics and discover what makes it so exciting an...

In Episode 103, join host Sannah Vinding and guests Walter Tobin , CEO of the ERA, Don Akery , CEO of Waldom Electronics, and Shane Zutz , VP of HR at DigiKey, as they delve into the nuances of leadership feedback in the manufacturing and distribution industry. Listen in to uncover valuable insights on leading through feedback, both direct and indirect, and fostering an open communication environm...

Join host Sannah Vinding and a panel of industry experts as they delve into the core values that shape effective leadership. Guests: Tobi Cornell : President at Kruvand Associates , Inc. Walter Tobin : CEO/EVP at Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) Don Akery : Chief Executive Officer at Waldom Electronics Shane Zutz : Vice President of Human Resources at DigiKey Rob Brunson : Vice Presid...

Join host Sannah Vinding and a panel of industry experts as they delve into the core values that shape effective leadership in the electronics component industry. This special episode features : Shane Zutz : Vice President of Human Resources at DigiKey Rob Brunson : Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Wallace Electronic Sales Tobi Cornell : President at Kruvand Associates , Inc. Don Akery :...

🎧 Discover the essential qualities that define a great leader in manufacturing in this insightful interview! Join host Sannah Vinding and an incredible lineup of guests, including; Don Akery : Chief Executive Officer at Waldom Electronics Tobi Cornell : President at Kruvand Associates , Inc. Walter Tobin : CEO/EVP at Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) Maryellen Stack ; Director of Mark...

Join host Sannah Vinding as she sits down with Jaime Plank, Director of Supplier Management at Mouser Electronics , to explore the changing dynamics of leadership in the electronics distribution and manufacturing industry. In this engaging episode, you’ll gain valuable insights into building a culture of trust, empathy, and continuous improvement. In this episode, you will discover: The Pitfalls o...

Join host Sannah Vinding and guest David Luna , VP of Global Sales and Distribution at Knight Electronics and O rion Fans , as they delve into the essential strategies for navigating international markets and the interplay of globalization and localization in manufacturing. With over 40 years of experience, David provides a wealth of knowledge in elevating global sales and distribution operations....

Join host Sannah Vinding and guest Terry Arbaugh , Chief Commercial Officer at SEACOMP and an expert in electronics contract manufacturing, as they discuss valuable strategies for scaling operations across multiple countries. In this episode, you'll discover how to effectively navigate the challenges of leadership in a diverse environment. What You Will Learn: Cultural Embrace: Understand how to e...