A Life of Climb: The CEO's Journey

Sports Reference President Sean Forman joins the podcast to share how he turned a lifelong love of statistics into a business that fuels data and information for the world’s top sports leagues. Sean also takes Vistage CEO Sam Reese through his pivotal decisions to stay out of the sports betting market but double down on the Immaculate Grid acquisition that changed the game for the business.

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Lus Haberberger, CEO of LUZCO Technologies and a 2024 Vistage Member Excellence Award winner, joins Vistage CEO Sam Reese to share why she took the leap to found an engineering firm that has transformed into one of the fastest-growing firms in St. Louis over just 7 years. Lus also shares how staying rooted in her core values has helped her scale her rapidly growing business,  how diverse perspectives have led to business growth, and the pivotal role peer advisory played in helping her learn the skills to succeed as a new CEO.

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David Querio joins the podcast to share his remarkable journey from airplane mechanic to CEO of Ascent Aviation Services, and what he learned about managing teams in an industry with no room for error. 

He also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how out-of-the-box thinking fueled his company’s growth, transforming Ascent Aviation into a major player in aircraft maintenance, modification and storage. 

David shares lessons learned from doubling his employees over 60 days – and why he’s still passionate about being an airplane “geek” after 40 years in the business. 

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Road Runner Sports President and Owner Mike Gotfredson Jr. joins the podcast to share how his athletic shoe company evolved into a nationwide retailer over 41 years. Mike also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how his company uses  technology to transform the in-store experience and create new levels of customer personalization and brand loyalty. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

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Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offe...

Cleanlogic Co-CEO and Vistage Member Award Winner Mike Ghesser joins Vistage CEO Sam Reese to talk about how his passion for prioritizing workplace accessibility grew from his personal experiences as a father and friend. Mike also shares how he persevered through challenges and roadblocks to build a thriving business from the ground up.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

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Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the mo...

AmeriVet Veterinary Partners CEO Tom Thill joins the podcast to share how his values-led approach to acquisitions has fueled explosive growth and led to happier vets and healthier pets.  Tom also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about what he learned navigating PE acquisition and why a CEO’s vision is so crucial to a successful sale.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

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Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leade...

The Line Up Owner and Founder Deb Erickson joins the podcast to share her journey from working in social services to making apparel for some of the biggest sports teams in the country. Deb also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how learning to ask for help unlocked new potential for herself and her company, and the lessons she’s learned while putting in place a concrete succession plan. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

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Ricos Products CEO and Vistage Lifetime Award Winner Tony Liberto joins the podcast and shares the amazing story of the invention of the ballpark nacho and how smart diversification strategies have helped his family business thrive through four generations. Tony also talks to Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how his investments in marketing and company culture have fueled the next wave of business growth.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

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Greyston President and CEO Joseph Kenner joins Vistage CEO Sam Reese to share his organization’s bold ideas for re-thinking hiring, mentorship and advancement in today’s workforce. Joseph also explains his experience reshaping his organization as a first-time CEO and his plan to work with major brands to make a $3B economic impact.

Discover how Joseph:

Woom CEO and “Chief woomster” Mathias Ihlenfeld takes us on his journey from assembling kids’ bikes in a garage to leading one of Inc.’s fastest-growing privately held companies in the US. Mathias also shares lessons learned trying to reimagine a 200-year-old product and the importance of creating magical moments for customers.

Discover how Mathias:

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Fresh off his team’s banner season, FC Cincinnati Co-CEO Jeff Berding shares how he turned his audacious dream of bringing a professional soccer club to his hometown into a reality. Plus, Jeff discusses how he used a grassroots approach to create a culture of raving fans and brought different stakeholders together to build a world-class soccer stadium. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

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Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize busin...

JEM Group President & Owner Jessica Meyers shares how increasing diversity has helped her women-led company raise the bar in the construction industry. Plus, she talks about the work it takes to cultivate an authentic leadership style and why she ties business growth to lives impacted.

Learn more about how Jessica has: 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Burns 1876 CEO Braydan Shaw shares how he balances 145+ years of company tradition with a relentless spirit of innovation. Plus, Braydan discusses how viral TikTok videos and a spot on the hit TV show Yellowstone have brought Cowboy swagger to a new generation.  

Discover how the company has:
-Found a new and distinct customer base in recent years
-Repeatedly innovated while staying true to company vision and long term approach to success
-Encouraged their team to challenge one another to avoid groupthink
-Built a thriving and collaborative family business due to “supportive diversification” and commu...

In this episode of A Life of Climb podcast, Cosmos Corporation CEO Landon Hobson shares why his family business has continued to thrive over three generations in spite of the fact that many family businesses fail. Then Vistage CEO Sam Reese talks with Landon’s executive mentor and Vistage Chair Allen Hauge about how to tackle the talent challenges so many leaders are facing now. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

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Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer...

Sealstrip President Heather Chandler joins A Life of Climb podcast to talk about reinforcing a great company culture in difficult times and leadership lessons she gained as a first-time CEO. Then Vistage CEO Sam Reese talks with Heather’s executive mentor and Vistage Chair  Joni Naugle about the art of balancing theoretical leadership learnings with actually getting things done.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

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Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsi...

What do most leaders get wrong when it comes to hiring for long-term success?  In this episode, ME Engineers Managing Principal Ed Bosco talks about what it takes to build a team that works on some of the largest, most complex engineering projects in the world. Then Ed’s mentor and Vistage Chair Jerry Cahn talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about the power of transformational leadership and what leaders need to be doing to prepare for an unpredictable future.  For show notes and more information, visit www.vistage.com/climbpodcast

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Hunt A Killer CEO Ryan Hogan joins A Life of Climb podcast to talk about the challenges of managing explosive growth and going from a good idea to a sustainable business. Plus, Ryan shares how failing at a Zombie relay race sent him on a path to #6 on the Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing companies. Then Vistage CEO Sam Reese talks with Ryan’s mentor and Vistage Chair (executive coach) Thomas Tomasevic about the potential, and the pitfalls, of evolving from a successful entrepreneur to an impactful leader. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com...

On the kickoff episode of A Life of Climb Podcast, MAGNET CEO Ethan Karp shares how his organization pivoted to mobilize thousands of manufacturers in Ohio to make life-saving PPE supplies during the COVID pandemic. He shares how the experience taught him about the power of relationships to make lasting change. Then Ethan’s mentor and Vistage Chair Cheryl McMillan joins Vistage CEO Sam Reese to discuss how she helps leaders to prepare for the unexpected.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

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CEOs are in the business of making decisions. And it's the outcome of those decisions that define their success. So how do leaders rise to the challenge day after day, year over year? In A Life of Climb podcast, CEOs share how they've overcome some of the most difficult challenges of their careers. And Vistage CEO Sam Reese will connect with executive coaches, known as Vistage Chairs, for the 10,000 foot view of the leadership lessons that CEOs can apply to their businesses. Join us on A Life of Climb Podcast for a unique journey on the path of leadership.<...