The Wow Factor

  Welcome to part two of our episode with PragerU CEO, Marissa Streit. With a background in military intelligence and degrees in Business, Economics, Education, and Non-Profit Management, Marissa Streit has vast experience as an educator, school administrator, and director of a philanthropic institute. Since the launch of PragerU in 2011, Marissa has lead the organization to become one of the most...

With a background in military intelligence and degrees in Business, Economics, Education, and Non-Profit Management, Marissa Streit has vast experience as an educator, school administrator, and director of a philanthropic institute. Since joining PragerU in 2011, Marissa has helped lead the organization to become one of the most respected online educational resources in the USA.   This week on The...

Franklin Graham has devoted his life to meeting the needs of people around the world and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The eldest son of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham, he serves as President and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Under his leadership, Samaritan's Purse has met the needs of poor, sick, and suffering people in more than 170 countries. As a...

Jay Bennett is a dedicated family man with over 51 years of marriage to his wife, Sally. He has successfully balanced a 40-year career in law and business transactions, both locally in the Twin Cities and internationally. Simultaneously, Jay has been actively involved in Christian ministries for 35 years. In 2000, he founded the National Christian Foundation Twin Cities, merging his passion for Ch...

Mark Johnson is a software development expert, co-founder of Michigan Software Labs, and a trusted partner for Fortune® 500 and high-growth companies. With a mission to deliver top-notch software solutions, Mark's influential presence on the Forbes Technology Council and Fast Company Executive Board has established him as a prominent figure in the industry. Recognized as one of West Michigan's mos...

John Clancy is the CEO of Planet Fitness Midwest LLC, a fitness franchise focused on providing affordable and judgment-free workout spaces. With a passion for health and wellness, John has led the company to remarkable growth by expanding its footprint and creating a welcoming environment. Under his leadership, Planet Fitness Midwest has become a beacon of inclusivity, offering fitness opportuniti...

In this episode of the Wow Factor, we have a special guest, Tom Smith, the former CEO of Food Lion. This episode is a tribute to Tom, who passed away recently. It's taken from a private recording that we did for Tom and his family back in April, 2023. Tom shares his journey from growing up in a rural setting to becoming the CEO of Food Lion. He talks about the importance of setting goals, working...

Rob Pace is the Founder and CEO of HundredX, a revolutionary customer feedback analytics platform.   HundredX believes that legacy surveys are broken and that social media amplifies the "loud" versus the "crowd".   So to source honest data from real customers, HundredX partners with over 1,000 non-profits who receive funding from HundredX when their supporters provide the feedback business leaders...

Rob Hoskins is a highly respected global development leader known for his work with NPO/NGO leaders and his ability to develop sustainable transformation initiatives. He has served major institutions and corporations, helped rehab and revitalize their missions, and scaled growth through successful leadership transitions. Rob has been President of OneHope, Inc. since 2004, which has helped reach ov...

Tom recently retired from a 37-year career in banking.   For the last twenty years, he ran Leveraged Finance business at Citi (2010-2021), HSBC (2008-2010), and Deutsche Bank (1987-2007).   He has held a leadership role in the Manhattan chapter of NCS since its inception in 2008 and has served on the Board of Directors of NCS since 2012, including as Chairman from 2017-2019.   He is currently the...

At Kellogg Garden Products, the values of humility and integrity are deeply ingrained in the company culture. H. Clay "Hap" Kellogg, the third-generation president and CEO, upholds the core values introduced by his grandfather and father before him, even as the family-run business has grown over the years. Meanwhile, Co-Owner and Chairman of the Board, Kathy Kellogg Johnson, is equally passionate...

In this compelling episode, we delve into the life and experiences of Stanley Tam, the founder of United States Plastic Corp. As a man who recently passed away, his story of overcoming adversity, embracing faith, and giving back to the community remains a powerful testament to his legacy. Join us as we discuss Stanley's humble beginnings, his entrepreneurial ventures, and the incredible impact he...

On today's episode we talk with Marty Ozinga III, the former CEO of Ozinga Inc. As an American-owned, fourth-generation family business, Ozinga provides concrete, bulk materials, and energy solutions, along with transportation services through an extensive network of truck, rail, barge and ship terminals.   Established in 1928 in Evergreen Park, Illinois, Ozinga survived the Great Depression, Worl...

Erle Nye, Owner of EN Consulting and the former Chairman, and CEO of TXU, transformed Texas-based TXU into an international energy corporation. Erle's career includes times as Chairman of the Nuclear Energy Institute and the Texas Board of Regents, as well as numerous leadership positions within the energy industry. We're diving into the life and experiences of Erle Nye, as he shares some of the m...

Brad Anderson is the former CEO and Vice Chairman of Best Buy, a leading consumer electronics retailer. He joined Sound of Music, the precursor to Best Buy in 1973 as a commissioned salesperson and quickly rose through the ranks, ultimately becoming CEO in 2002. Under his leadership, Best Buy experienced significant growth and expanded internationally. Brad is widely credited with turning Best Buy...

Bob Doll is the Chief Investment Officer at Crossmark Global, where he oversees the firm's investment strategy and portfolio management. With over 40 years of experience in the financial industry, Bob is a well-respected authority on global markets, economies, and investment opportunities. He is known for his insightful analysis, clear communication style, and ability to navigate complex market co...

John Ramstead is a successful entrepreneur, international speaker, and bestselling author with over two decades of experience coaching and mentoring leaders. He is the President of Alpha Principle, LLC, an impact investment advisory firm and Founder of Eternal Leadership. John draws from his military background as a fighter pilot in the United States Navy to offer valuable insights on leadership,...

Steve White has more than 25 years of experience in the cable industry. He currently serves as the President and Special Counsel for Comcast. He is responsible for leading all operations, including sales, marketing, engineering, and customer service, across 15 states. Steve is also a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusion and has been recognized as one of the most influential Black executi...

Our guest on this episode of the Wow Factor podcast is Chris Wright, the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Liberty Energy. Chris has an impressive background in the energy industry, having worked in oil and gas, fusion, solar, and geothermal energy. He founded Pinnacle Technologies at the young age of 27 and has served as Chairman of Stroud Energy, in addition to sitting on the board of several non...

Lt Col Dan Rooney, an Air Force fighter pilot and a force for good. From humble beginnings above his garage, he founded The Folds of Honor Foundation to provide educational scholarships for the families of fallen military members. In his new book, FLY INTO THE WIND: How to Harness Faith and Fearlessness on Your Ascent to Greatness, Lt Col Rooney demonstrates how we are all connected by God, and th...

Craig Dance's passion for sports has fueled his desire to make Champion Coach the most respected name for motorcoach ground transportation among professional and collegiate teams. He is fully committed to providing customers with the newest models, cleanest motorcoaches, and the latest technology on the road today. Craig and his wife Hazel married in 1989 and have three adult children working at C...

Joni Rogers-Kante is a successful entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of SeneGence, a billion-dollar network marketing company and global leader in luxury cosmetics. Joni's journey to success started at the age of 16 when she began working for the Sav-On Corporation and eventually became the Assistant Manager of the highest-performing store in the chain. Her passion for entrepreneurship led her t...

Mark Houser is the founder of Symphero Energy Solutions, LLC, an advisory services company in the oil and gas and renewable energy development markets. Before starting Symphero Energy Solutions, Mark served as Chief Executive Officer of University Lands from 2015 to 2021; he also held multiple executive roles for Enervest, Ltd. and Occidental Petroleum & Canadian Occidental Petroleum, Ltd. Mark be...

Matt Stuller is the Founder and Chairman of Stuller Inc., one of the largest jewelry manufacturing and distributing firms in the United States and an industry leader in the domestic and international wholesale jewelry sector. He is a member of The Jewelers Vigilance Committee and the Board at the Jewelry Information Center. Matt is a winner of the National Entrepreneur Of The Year award.   I'm thr...

Betsy is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pendleton Square Trust Company and serves as a Director of Pendleton Square Holdings, LLC. Pendleton Square is focused on building multi-generational family relationships, executing family legacy plans, and partnering with family advisors for investment management. Before Pendleton Square, Betsy worked at Cumberland Trust and JPMorgan Private Ban...