Nuts and Bolts of Leadership

In this episode, Billy Duren sits down with Ben Holder, CEO of Plastic Products Company. This is a 100% employee-owned business that employs over 900 people across ten plants nationwide. Ben shares the company's remarkable journey, which began in a garage in 1962 and grew into a major contract manufacturer serving industry giants like 3M and GE Appliances. Ben dives deep into how employee ownershi...

In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Lindsay Funkhouse r, co-founder of Strategic Mixtape , to explore the true value of executive coaching. Lindsay explains that coaching is not just for fixing problems. It is a powerful growth tool for high performers. Drawing on her sports psychology background, she shows how leaders, like elite athletes, must continu...

In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, Billy Duren interviews Jared Levin, CEO of Mainely Tubs, based in Scarborough, Maine. Jared shares his journey of becoming CEO right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the company faced and adapted to the challenges. He talks about Mainely Tubs' unique employee-owned culture, their focus on hiring team players who are "humble, hungry, an...

In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren talks with Sarah Billings, CEO of Centrol Ag Consulting . Sarah Billings shares her unique journey from small-town Minnesota to leading a company that helps farmers grow better crops using smart science and technology. They talk about how farm consulting is like being a "doctor for crops," giving advice but not selling products, whi...

In this episode, Billy Duren chats with Bert Thornton, former president and COO of Waffle House, about his journey from manager trainee to the top of an iconic restaurant chain. Bert Thornton shares how Waffle House became known for "good food fast" and how the company grew from a single diner to over 2,000 locations. The conversation dives into leadership lessons, including the importance of taki...

In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren talks with financial consultant  Darryl Bryant about the importance of financial planning, especially for young leaders. Darryl Bryant shares how starting small and staying consistent with savings, like in a 401(k) or ESOP, can make a huge difference over time, thanks to the magic of compounding. They discuss the challenges many peo...

In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Chris Adee and Lynnette Fritz from OwnersEdge, an employee-owned company in Wisconsin. They talk about how Owner's Edge grew from a single business into a family of diverse operating companies, all united under one ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). Chris Adee explains the importance of culture and choosing the rig...

In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren welcomes Dr. Endel Lee, a Marine Corps veteran and retired Navy chaplain, to discuss leading with gratitude, even in the face of life's challenges. Endel Lee shares powerful stories from his time serving in combat and surviving Hurricane Katrina, explaining how those experiences helped him focus on what trul...

In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren talks with  Alberto Aguilar , President and CEO of Carris Reels, and Erick Ramos, Senior VP of Business Development at Threaded Fasteners. Alberto shares his journey from General Manager to CEO and discusses what makes Carris Reels unique, including their employee ownership and a focus on continuous improvement. For this special epi...

In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, Billy Duren welcomes Lynn Bruns , CEO of ISG Architect and Engineering Services. Lynn shares his journey from engineer to leader and the importance of recognizing leadership potential in others early on. He discusses how ISG's unique growth model allows talent to flourish no matter their location, emphasizing trust, open communication, and a culture...

In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Ray Brown, CEO and board chair of Scintilla EG holding company, which leads the Esco Group. Ray shares how the company's three unique business units, electric, automation, and safety, work together while embracing their own cultures. He explains why a holding company model allows each group to shine, drive innovation,...

On this episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Jason Bader, principal of the Distribution Team and an expert in strategic business coaching for wholesale distribution companies. Jason talks about his journey from working in his family's contractor supply business at a young age to becoming a teacher and trusted advisor in the distribution world. The conversati...

In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Dr. Stacy Wellborn , a serial entrepreneur, marketing consultant, and professor at Spring Hill College . Stacy shares how her real-world business experience shapes her teaching, making classroom lessons more practical and relatable for students. She discusses the importance of blending academic theory with real exampl...

In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Jimmy Messer, Head of School at Presbyterian Christian School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Jimmy shares how his background in basketball coaching shaped his approach to leading teams of educators, emphasizing the importance of putting the right people in the right roles and building a team culture focused on shared go...

In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Don Monistere , CEO and President of General Informatics , to talk all things artificial intelligence (AI) in the business world. Don explains how fast AI is changing and how companies are struggling to keep up. He shares that most leaders recognize the need to utilize AI but are unsure of where to begin. Don recommen...

On this episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren welcomes Shelby Sledge , co-founder of Strategic Mixtape , to discuss the power of authentic communication inside organizations and with customers. Shelby breaks down how her team helps companies tailor their messaging, like making a custom mixtape, so that it fits their unique needs and values. She explains why it's vital for o...

In this special 50th episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership podcast, hosts Billy Duren talk with Alex Moss, co-founding principal at Praxis, to explore real-world leadership and governance for employee-owned companies. Alex shares his expertise on what truly makes a workplace thrive: creating ownership opportunities, building a healthy workplace culture, and helping both leaders and employees...

In this special milestone episode of Nuts & Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren turns the spotlight on longtime co-host and producer Hali Gibson as she steps into a new leadership role beyond Threaded Fasteners. Hali reflects on her journey from intern to marketing leader, sharing the key lessons and "nuggets" she's gathered from nearly 50 episodes - like the importance of curiosity, embracing i...

Do you actually give yourself time to think? In this episode, Billy and Hali sit down with Rick Scruggs , CEO of Financial Designs and author of What's Wrong With My Thinking , to break down why setting aside time to think is one of the most powerful leadership tools. Rick shares that communication is often the missing link in a thriving company and how great leaders create space for growth, respo...

What does leadership look like in the legal world? In this episode of  The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership podcast, Billy and Hali sit down with Jessica Welch , Partner at Johnstone Adams , to dive into the unique challenges and opportunities of leading in the legal field. Jessica shares how being a great lawyer is about more than just knowing the law, it's about understanding people, problem-solving...

Billy and Hali are back in the meeting room for an inspiring episode of the  Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast with Hope Thompson, President and CEO of Northern Radiator. Hope shares her journey as a leader, offering nuggets of wisdom for young professionals on taking the initiative to assist team members and broadening their understanding of business operations across departments. She dives in...

Billy and Hali kick off the new year with  Nathan Mellor , CEO of Strata Leadership , in an episode packed with nuggets on character-driven leadership and the power of aligning character with competency. Nathan discusses how servant leadership makes an impact, why the greatest challenge for young leaders is often a mindset shift rather than a skillset shift, and the critical role of self-awareness...

This week on  Nuts and Bolts of Leadership , Billy sits down with Chase Alford, Lead Pastor of Teaching at Dayspring Baptist Church , and Austin Lovette, Teaching Pastor at Wilmer Baptist Church , to unpack the unique dynamics of leadership in ministry. They talk about balancing the practical aspects of running a church while staying rooted in its spiritual mission. The conversation dives into the...

In this episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership podcast, Billy and Hali are joined by Stephen Armstrong , Interim President & CEO of O'Neal Steel and Executive Vice President of O'Neal Industries. Together, they dive into what it means to lead a 100-year-old company like O'Neal Steel while simultaneously committing to adaptability and forward-thinking.   Stephen shares insights into the leader...

This week on  Nuts and Bolts of Leadership , Billy and Hali wrap up ESOP Month with an inspiring conversation featuring Chris Adams , President and CEO of Nobis Group . Chris dives into the core values of the "Nobis Bond," showcasing Nobis Group's commitment to continuous investing in its team. Together, they explore how today's leadership is evolving beyond traditional, heads-down work to emphasi...