The Steward Chair

In this episode of The Steward Chair , host Jeff Bond sits down with Jackie Cardello, President of GRF CPAs & Advisors, to discuss how values, independence, and community impact drive sustainable success. Jackie shares how her background in English, philosophy, and psychology fuels human-centered leadership in a technical industry. We explore GRF's courageous pivot from an "eat what you kill"...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Kevin Clegg, CEO of Clegg Auto, shares his journey of transitioning his family's auto shops into the first employee ownership trust holding company in the U.S., exploring how the care factor drives meaningful, long-term success. We discuss transitioning an exit strategy into a daily operating model, guiding employees to own their own lives before owning a comp...

In this episode of The Steward Chair , host Jeff Bond sits down with Steve Kruger, the fourth-generation leader of L.E. Schwartz & Son—a commercial roofing legacy that has anchored the Georgia landscape since 1910. Steve shares the raw reality of earning respect on hot roofs rather than leaning on a bloodline, and how a 116-year-old firm successfully navigates crises by choosing long-ter...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Garry Ridge, Culture Coach and Former Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company, shares their journey of transitioning from a "command and control" leader to a servant leader, exploring how "the will of the people" drives meaningful, long-term success. We discuss the specific algorithm Garry used to grow WD-40's market cap from $300M to $3.5B, the defining moments of...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Brad Herrmann and Hai Nguyen, Co-founders of Text-Em-All, share their journey of rewriting the SaaS success script by prioritizing greatness over growth and people over profit. They explore how an audacious 100-year vision and the transition to an employee ownership trust drive meaningful, long-term success. We discuss the intentional process of leaders defini...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Jason Dressel, CEO at History Factory , shares his journey of helping iconic brands mine their heritage to drive future performance, exploring how preserving corporate memory drives meaningful, long-term success. We discuss the $1 trillion cost of corporate amnesia , the launch of the AI platform Chronicle , and why a leader’s most profound obligation is...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, John Newland, CEO at JOMA Construction, shares his journey of transitioning from a small home-flipping operation to a 100% employee-owned firm, exploring how the Greek concept of eudaimonia drives meaningful, long-term success. We discuss the philosophy of "getting better before getting bigger," the rigorous process of empower every team member, the establishm...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Enrique Alvarez shares his journey as a business leader, exploring how embracing challenges, learning from mistakes, and empowering teams drives meaningful, long-term success. We discuss how creating a culture of transparency, shared learning, and problem-solving helps organizations grow stronger—providing practical takeaways for leaders committed to ste...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Maria Thacker Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, shares her journey of transitioning from a dedicated "number two" to leading a massive ecosystem through a global pandemic. We explore how a commitment to mission and the guidance of mentors drives meaningful, long-term success even when the original plan is upended. We discuss the critical role...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Jared Meyers, Founder & CEO of andCo, shares his journey of aligning personal values with professional leadership, exploring how authenticity in business drives meaningful, long-term success. We discuss the often-overlooked emotional costs of inauthentic leadership, why financial outcomes alone are an incomplete measure of success, and how balancing person...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Producer Thomas Mastrototaro and Lead Editor Daniel Mastrototaro reflect on the past year of conversations with business leaders who exemplify stewardship in action, exploring how choosing care over convenience drives meaningful, long-term success. They discuss key themes that emerged across the year, including why care in leadership costs something, how patie...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Masami Sato, Founder & CEO of B1G1, shares her journey from an introverted backpacker to leading a global giving movement, exploring how the power of small, daily acts of kindness drives meaningful, long-term success. We discuss the philosophy of "business as usual" becoming a force for good, the importance of expanding our "family circle," and how integra...

In this episode of The Steward Chair , Christy Kovac, President and CEO of Sheridan Construction , shares her journey of intentional, purpose-driven leadership, exploring how stewardship, employee ownership, and community impact drive meaningful, long-term success. We discuss the importance of intentional succession planning, celebrating employee contributions to strengthen engagement, and buildin...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Sandy Moll, leader of Advanced Business Solutions, Jeremiah 2911 Capital, and several other ventures, shares her journey of faith-driven leadership, exploring how "chasing God, not busyness" drives meaningful, long-term success. We discuss how Sandy stewards multiple companies while working three days a week, her counter-cultural strategy of growing a business...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, John Sensiba, retiring CEO of Sensiba, and Monique Ramirez, his successor, share a masterclass on why intentional succession is the ultimate act of stewardship. John shares his journey of leading the firm through two major economic crises by refusing to abandon core values. They explore how the Golden Rule and simple, unwavering priorities—family, commun...

In today’s episode, Jeff speaks with Chris Carneal, the founder and CEO of Booster, the nation's number one school fundraising company based in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 2002, Booster has raised over 1.3 billion for schools. Chris and his family first leadership have also created a collaborative community for leaders at Virtue Village, which is a business hub designed to foster connection and...

In this episode of The Steward Chair , Rob Kuehl, CEO of Maier America, shares his insights on servant leadership and building inclusive company cultures that thrive across global contexts. He reflects on his journey of transforming company culture, investing in his own leadership growth, and staying grounded in values while leading through challenges in a global enterprise. We discuss what it tak...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Miren Oca, Founder and CEO of Ocaquatics Swim School, shares how she transformed a small backyard business into a certified B Corp and 100% employee-owned swim school. She explores how stewardship, employee ownership, and embedding social responsibility into business can redefine ROI and create ripple effects of impact. We discuss her journey as an “acci...

What does making tamales have to do with running a world-class movie studio? In this inspiring conversation, host Jeff Bond sits down with Frank Patterson, President and CEO of Trilith Studios, a name synonymous with the booming film industry in Georgia. Trilith is now the largest production facility in Georgia and the largest purpose-built studio outside of Hollywood. In this conversation, Jeff a...

In this episode of The Steward Chair , Curtis Hite, Chairman and CEO, Improving, discusses the essence of stewardship in leadership, emphasizing the importance of a people-first approach and the responsibility leaders have towards their teams and stakeholders. He shares insights on building a strong company culture, navigating global expansion, and the significance of values-driven leadership. We...

In this episode of The Steward Chair , John Lauseng, CEO of Aldrich, shares his insights on stewardship and leadership, emphasizing the importance of servant leadership, culture, and the need for rest and disconnection in a high-pressure environment. You’ll hear how John navigated the challenges of leading during the COVID-19 pandemic, the significance of aligning growth with organizational...

In this episode of The Steward Chair , Shane Jackson, President of Jackson Healthcare, shares his journey of stewardship-driven leadership, emphasizing the importance of long-term thinking and a leader’s impact on both their organization and community, exploring how trust, transparency, and radical vulnerability drive meaningful, long-term success. We discuss how redefining leadership throug...

Leslie Zinn, CEO of Arden’s Garden, shares insights from her journey growing a family business into a beloved wellness brand. She discusses the tension between her mother Arden's unwavering commitment to health and the practical demands of running a profitable enterprise. Leslie highlights pivotal moments, such as navigating the industry's E. coli crisis and unintentionally establishing succ...

In this episode, Michael Seitz, CEO of Earthwise Pet Franchise, shares his journey from entrepreneurial roots to leading a franchising powerhouse in the pet industry. Michael opens up about the critical shifts in his leadership approach, embracing collaboration and stewardship to scale Earthwise Pet to over 200 locations. Michael and Jeff discuss the importance of maintaining humanity in business,...

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Steve Carse, Co-Founder & Franchising Director of King of Pops, shares his journey of building a joyful, community-driven business from a popsicle stand into an iconic Atlanta brand. He explores how intentional culture, community stewardship, and long-term thinking drive meaningful, sustainable growth. We discuss navigating the balance between fun and resp...