The Refit Podcast

In this conversation, Jonny Price, President, Banter of WeFunder, shares his journey from management consulting to the nonprofit sector and eventually to his current role at WeFunder. He discusses the challenges and rewards of transitioning to nonprofit work, the importance of personal fulfillment over financial gain, and the lessons learned from adversity. Jonny reflects on the strengths and limi...

In this episode of the Refit podcast, Kyle Killian interviews Dana McFletcher-Hubbard, Chief Revenue Officer of TTN Fleet Solutions. Dana shares her journey in the trucking industry, starting from her early days in emergency road service to her current leadership role. She discusses the influence of her family, particularly her grandparents, on her values of service and empathy. Dana recounts the...

In this episode of the Refit Podcast, Kyle Killian interviews Robert Fabian, COO of Vaya Space, who discusses the development of next-generation hybrid rocket engines for defense and space launch. Robert shares insights from his military background and how it informs his leadership style in a startup environment. He emphasizes the importance of safety culture, the challenges of transitioning from...

In this conversation, Kyle Killian interviews Joshua Knight, co-founder and COO of Integer, a company focused on innovation in maritime defense technology. They discuss Knight's background, the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of family support, and the dynamics of scaling a business in a traditional industry. The conversation highlights the need for innovation in maritime defense, t...

In this conversation, Kyle Killian speaks with Brendan O'Donnell, CEO of Safe Food Alliance, about the challenges of leading change in a legacy organization. Brendan shares his background in agriculture and technology, the importance of trust and credibility in food safety, and the complexities of modernizing processes while managing a long-standing workforce. The discussion highlights the signifi...

In this conversation, Kyle Killian and Sean Patton explore the complexities of leadership, identity, and the transition from military to civilian life. Sean shares his journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a West Point graduate and Green Beret commander. They discuss the impact of 9/11 on military aspirations, the struggles of maintaining identity in high-pressure environments, and the...

In this conversation, Lance Roberts shares his journey from a challenging childhood marked by dyslexia to becoming a successful leader in the transportation logistics industry. He discusses his early entrepreneurial spirit, the humbling experience of competing with Tiger Woods, and his transition from golf to rodeo. A pivotal moment in his life was quitting alcohol, which led to newfound confidenc...

In this episode of the Refit podcast, host Kyle Killian engages in a deep conversation with Craig J Zezima, CEO of Resolux America, about the realities of leadership in high-pressure environments. Craig shares his journey from a professional baseball player to a seasoned leader in the packaging industry, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, ethical decision-making, and the cost of leadership...

In this episode of the Refit podcast, Kyle Killian speaks with Chris Brewer, the founder of River City Logistics, about the real challenges of leadership and entrepreneurship. Chris shares his journey from starting a logistics company to making tough decisions, including firing a close friend for the greater good of the organization. He discusses the importance of listening to team dynamics, the e...

Dean Wegner didn't set out to revolutionize American manufacturing. He set out to solve a problem most people don't even know exists: only 3% of apparel sold in America is actually made here. As a West Point graduate, Army Ranger, helicopter pilot, and former Fortune 500 executive at Procter & Gamble and Mars, Dean launched Authentically American in 2017 with a mission that seemed impossible -...

When Dan Swiniarski got a Saturday morning text from the owner of Wright Creative Branding and Labels, the company was bleeding cash. The 63-year-old family business had gone from a healthy 3-to-1 revenue-to-debt ratio to being over a million dollars in the red just halfway through the fiscal year. The offer was simple: become president and COO. Dan's response was equally direct: get rid of your b...

Jeremy Barker made his first $20 million by age 21 supplying Home Depot with storage buildings. Then he lost it all, went bankrupt, and spent a year living in his car. Most people would call that failure. Jeremy calls it his competitive advantage. Today he's the founder and CEO of Murphy Door, the number one hidden door brand in America, an eight-figure manufacturing business with triple-digit gro...

When Michael Giaramita founded Group PMX in 2010, he made two unconventional bets. First, the company would be entirely virtual from day one, years before remote work became mainstream. Second, he would compete not by undercutting competitors but by partnering with them. At pre-bid construction meetings, he'd tell contractors, "We don't want to compete with you, we want to partner with you." They...

In the first episode of The Refit Podcast, host Kyle Killian sits down with Don Whetro, Chief Executive Officer of AR Homes and AR Franchising, Inc., for an unfiltered conversation about what leadership really looks like when the playbook stops working. With more than two decades in homebuilding and franchising, Don shares his unexpected journey from operations to the CEO seat and the realities of...