The Wow Factor

Today we honor the life of Tom Cole and his 37-year career in investment banking.   He ran the leveraged finance business at three different firms – Citibank, HSBC, and Deutsche Bank.   In this role he provided loan and bond financing to large corporations and financed leveraged buyouts for the world's largest private equity firms.   Tom held a leadership role in the Manhattan chapter of New Canaa...

Former CEO of Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers and Executive Chairman of Mavis Tire Express Services, Ricky Brooks assumed the National Christian Foundation/Alabama leadership role on January 1, 2022. NCF Alabama is an affiliate office of the National Christian Foundation, the 6th largest foundation in the US, headquartered in Atlanta. Brooks assume d the role from former NCF Alabama President,...

Colonel Littleton (born December 15, 1943) is an American fashion designer and business proprietor, best known for his Col. Littleton brand of upscale leather goods, apparel, and specialty products − most handmade in his Lynnville, TN workshop by local craftsmen. Col. Littleton, The Great American Leather Company, was established in 1987 by Colonel. Colonel Littleton joins me on the show this week...

In this special episode of the WOW Factor, we're joined by Drew Formsma. Drew is the Creative Director at  I Like Giving . At 14, Drew co-authored "Every Generosity: Becoming a Generous Family in a Selfie World'' with Brad Formsma. Since then, Drew has traveled globally, teaching the 7 Ways of Living Generously, influencing diverse groups to embrace everyday generosity.   As the Creative Director...

After a distinguished career at Food Materials Corporation, Joe Slawek saw an opportunity to develop a new kind of flavor company. He founded FONA International in 1987 on this desire to be both high-tech and high-touch. In 1999, Joe was inducted into the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in recognition of his established unique corporate culture and the dramatic year-over-year growth it was driving −...

June Hunt, M.A., is an author, singer, speaker, and founder of Hope for the Heart, a worldwide biblical counseling ministry. Her life work has yielded landmark contributions in the field of Christian counseling.   Hope for the Heart, which she founded in 1986, offers biblical hope and practical help – through biblical counsel, coaching, and context for contemporary concerns. Her 100 Keys for Livin...

Clare Degraaf is an author and a Christian speaker. He wrote the book "The 10 Second Rule: Following Jesus Made Simple," which focuses on Christian teachings and encourages readers to make quick, faith-based decisions in their daily lives. Clare is also involved in Christian ministry and speaking engagements. His talks and writings emphasize practical Christianity and living out one's faith in eve...

John was the Founder and Chairman of the Board of SureTec, a top 20 surety company in the United States. He sold the company to Markel, but remained as CEO until the summer of 2020. John was on the board of the Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) and is the Past Chairman of the National Association of Independent Sureties (NAIS). After 40 years in the surety industry, John founded Adop...

Laura Gardner serves as President and Chief Operating Officer for Joni and Friends, an international Christian nonprofit that serves those living with disabilities. She is responsible for the organization's strategy and execution of its Mission, Vision, and Goals. Prior to joining Joni and Friends in 2011, she was CEO and Founder of The Protocol Institute. After studying at The American School of...

John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He's a sought-after author and speaker in areas of faith and culture, theology, worldview, education, and apologetics. John is the daily voice of Breakpoint , the nationally syndicated commentary on the culture, founded by the late Chuck Colson. He is also the voice of The Point , a daily one-minute feature on world...

Lynn Friess is the wife of the late Foster Friess, a prominent American businessman and philanthropist. Together, the couple were instrumental in supporting numerous charitable initiatives, dedicating their resources and efforts to causes that resonate with their values. Lynn's commitment to philanthropy and her unwavering support for her husband's ventures have made her a respected figure in the...

In 1987, John O'Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given a 1% chance to live. This epic story of survival was first showcased in his parents' book, Overwhelming Odds , in 2006. It was this book that first invited John to embrace his miraculous recovery and share it with the w...

Bob Jordan serves as President and Chief Executive Officer at Southwest Airlines. Bob is a 35-year Southwest veteran and began his career as a programmer in Information Technology. During his more than three decades at Southwest, the airline grew from a regional presence with around 7,000 people and 90 airplanes to a beloved national brand with more than 71,000 people and 126 million customers car...

Tim Patton is the CEO of Patton Holdings, a prominent company based in Ann Arbor. Recognizing the inefficiencies of the commercial airline sector, Tim, with his three-decade-long experience in commercial flight travel, founded Flagship Private Air, a subsidiary of Patton Holdings. This private airline, operating from the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, is a testament to Patton Holdings' innovative ap...

Garreth Wood is a Scottish philanthropist and advocate. He and his wife Nicola founded Kids Operating Room with the vision of 'A world where every child has equal access to safe surgery.' He believes that generosity requires tenacity; the ability to hang on when letting go appears most attractive. He is inspired by the tenacity of the surgical teams KidsOR supports worldwide. The grit, perseveranc...

Marty Ozinga IV is the CEO of Ozinga, a fifth-generation family enterprise that provides concrete and related services. Ozinga was founded in 1928 in Evergreen Park, Illinois as a coal delivery business by Marty's great-grandfather Martin Ozinga, Sr. He is joined by his five brothers and one cousin in the fourth-generation of ownership. Marty earned a BA in economics and business from Westmont Col...

In this episode we're joined by Mike Zafirovski, a man whose journey is as diverse as it is inspiring. Born in North Macedonia (in former Yugoslavia) and raised in a communist environment, Mike moved to the United States with his family, not knowing a word of English. From humble beginnings as factory workers, he climbed the corporate ladder to become a CEO of five General Electric businesses, whe...

Adam is a serial entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of launching and leading organizations that generate both financial returns and social impact results. He is the CEO of Showcraft GBC (General Benefit Corporation), a leading exhibit production company. Before his role at Showcraft, Adam served as Managing Partner at Third Path Capital, a search fund for social good created to buy and build...

Jason Richardson is the founder of Bad Birdie Golf, a brand known for its vibrant and unique golf apparel. The company aims to break the traditional mold of golf attire by offering bold designs that stand out on the course. Jason's vision for Bad Birdie was to create a brand that resonated with the younger generation of golfers, blending style and functionality. This week on the WOW Factor, I'm ta...

Scot Sellers is Chairman of Maui Land & Pineapple Co, which develops, manages, and sells real estate on Maui. Scot brings to the table extensive expertise of a 40-year career developing homes and communities across the country. Scot served as Chairman and CEO of Archstone, one of the world's largest multi-family housing companies, overseeing housing development, acquisition, and operation in over...

Dr. Wayne Hammond holds an adjunct status with Ambrose University and is an active presenter to leadership and practitioners in educational, organizational HR and mental health settings. Wayne's work focuses on understanding the role of human flourishing and its implications for embracing a strengths-based approach to nurturing human potential and positive well-being as critical for supporting ind...

James Epp is the President of Fraserway RV, a leading company in the recreational vehicle (RV) industry. His journey in the RV business began as a teenager when his father, Erdman, purchased a camper manufacturing business in 1969. This small venture, which started with just five seasonal employees, laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong commitment to the RV industry for James. Under...

Mark Canlis, co-owner of Canlis Restaurant in Seattle, joined the family business in 2003 after graduating from Cornell University and serving as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. His leadership skills, honed through diverse experiences, such as working with renowned restaurateur Danny Meyer, have been instrumental in navigating the restaurant through various challenges, including the recent global...

Dr. John Rooney is the President of Rooney and Associates, Inc. John provides strategic guidance and innovative solutions to numerous organizations. John's expertise in strategic planning, business development, and organizational management has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor in the business community. John is also actively involved in philanthropic efforts and remains dedicated to he...

Jim Schneider is a deeply spiritual individual who founded Eyes of Faith in 2008 with a divine vision to fill a gap in the optical industry for faith-based brands. His company, which connects eye doctors and patients to a global mission of serving those in need of optical and spiritual help, has since provided eye care and hope to thousands  by supporting optical and evangelical mission organizati...