CEOs Unscripted

The Gratitude Advantage: How One CEO Built a Thriving Culture Through Authentic Leadership

What happens when a 39-year-old takes over a family business and inherits employees who are decades older? In this powerful episode of CEOs Unscripted, Jane Gentry sits down with Jim Nooney, who transformed Nooney Controls through the revolutionary power of gratitude and authentic leadership.
Jim shares his raw journey from feeling "unsuited" to run his father's business to building a culture where employees genuinely looked forward to coming to work. You'll discover why he believes gratitude is a "superpower" in business, how being debt-free enabled strategic risk-taking, and why asking for forgiveness can actually deepen business relationships.
Key Takeaways:
Why sincere gratitude (not gifts) transforms workplace dynamics
How to establish authority when leading people older than you
The hidden costs of employee turnover and how to prevent it
Why "no one cares what you know until they know you care"
The business case for putting employee wellbeing first
Here's a timestamp outline for the episode:  [00:00:00] - Introduction to CEOs Unscripted and guest Jim Nooney.[00:05:00] - Jim's backstory and the founding of Nooney Controls.[00:15:00] - Challenges of taking over a family business.[00:25:00] - The role of gratitude in leadership and business success.[00:35:00] - Building sincere relationships with employees and vendors.[00:45:00] - Key insights on gratitude as a leadership tool.[00:55:00] - The impact of gratitude on company culture and employee engagement.[01:05:00] - Jim's advice for young leaders and aspiring CEOs.[01:15:00] - Closing thoughts and takeaways from the conversation.

From Lean Processes to Human Potential: Building Meaningful Work Environments

What happens when a supply chain expert who built and sold a successful consulting firm realizes the real problem isn't broken processes—it's broken workplaces? In this episode of CEOs Unscripted, host Jane Gentry sits down with Robert Martichenko, founder of Trail Path Workplace Solutions and former CEO of Lean Core Supply Chain, for an eye-opening conversation about the shift from managing processes to unleashing human potential.
After 17 years of helping companies optimize their operations, Robert made a radical pivot: instead of fixing workflows, he's now focused on creating "meaningful employment environments" that tackle the real drivers behind 60-70% turnover rates plaguing frontline workers.
Jane and Robert dive deep into why traditional approaches to workforce challenges are failing, the difference between Theory X and Theory Y leadership, and how dignity and meaningful work aren't just nice-to-haves—they're competitive advantages that directly impact your bottom line.
00:00 - Introduction
Welcome to CEOs Unscripted with Jane Gentry.
02:15 - Robert's Background
Robert shares his journey from struggling in school to founding Lean Core Supply Chain.
10:30 - Building Lean Core
Discussing the principles of lean culture and operational excellence.
18:45 - Successful Exit
Insights into the process and emotions of selling a company.
25:00 - Transition to Trail Path
Robert's shift to focusing on meaningful employment environments.
35:20 - The Meaningful Employment Framework
Exploring dignity and meaningful work as core principles.
45:00 - Challenges in Workforce Management
Addressing turnover, remote work, and leadership development.
55:30 - Closing Thoughts
The importance of community and relationships in business.
58:00 - Rapid Fire Questions
Quick insights into Robert's personal and professional life.
01:05:00 - Conclusion
Wrap-up and invitation to subscribe to CEOs Unscripted.

Beyond the Exhibit: Building a People-First Company with Michael McMahon

What happens when a bartender-turned-restaurant-owner discovers a passion for experiential marketing and becomes the CEO of one of the top exhibit houses in the country? You get Michael McMahon.
In this episode, Michael opens up to host, Jane Gentry, about his winding path to leadership, how he cultivated his leadership voice over decades, and what it really means to “get out of the way” as a CEO. Jane and Michael go deep on practical tools for empowering executive teams, navigating change, and leading with intentionality and authenticity. If you’ve ever felt like the bottleneck in your business, this candid, reflective conversation will challenge and inspire you to lead differently.

Protect the King: Navigating Family, Business & Hard Decisions with Mark McKenzie

How do you run a thriving business with your siblings—without losing your sanity or your bottom line? In this episode of CEOs Unscripted, Mark McKenzie, CEO of DocQmax, shares the gritty, inspiring story behind his family’s 50-year journey in the printing industry. From navigating family dynamics and hard conversations to staying innovative through digital disruption, Mark brings honest insight on how to lead with integrity and pivot with confidence.He and host Jane Gentry dive deep into why CEOs must protect the business like a king on a chessboard, how automation and AI are reshaping legacy industries, and the uncomfortable—but necessary—truth about letting go of people who no longer fit. Whether you’re leading a family business or scaling through industry shifts, this conversation will leave you with real-world tactics and refreshing perspective.

The Servant CEO: Bold Leadership Lessons with Mike Plaia

In this episode of CEOs Unscripted, host Jane Gentry sits down with Mike Plaia, CEO of PharmaPoint, for an unscripted masterclass on building culture, embracing servant leadership, and staying bold in the face of adversity.  
(05:34)  The GE program that fast-tracked Mike’s business instincts (07:25)  Why Mike tells young professionals to start with structured training (10:26) "Don't be Snapple"—and why (12:31)  A powerful philosophy on servant leadership—and what it really means to serve your team.(15:51)  Defining a vision and adapting it as your business grows
(18:46). The role adversity plays in building company culture
(21:01)  Jane discusses hiring "climbers" and the  Adversity Quotient by Paul Stoltz(24:45)  Creating a culture where bold ideas—and mistakes—are welcome(30:35)  Why companies can't "camp" and what CEOs miss when they don’t learn from others(35:07)  Redefining hustle—why family-first doesn’t mean less ambition(37:09)  The importance of having a truth-teller by your side.(39:19)  The four-part execution framework (K-O-D-A) Mike used to embed accountability into his culture. (41:33)  Operationalizing ideas; defining the ambiguous to create behavior change(44:31)  Why shared purpose is at the heart of high-performing teams(51:57)  Why humility, mentorship, and vulnerability are essential for growth—especially for CEOs.
From personal growth to organizational execution, this conversation goes deep on what it really takes to lead a purpose-driven business in a fast-changing world.

Leading with Transparency: Lessons in Open-Book Culture with John Costello

What happens when a 16-year-old managing adults becomes a CEO of a niche manufacturing company? In this candid and inspiring episode of CEOs Unscripted, host Jane Gentry sits down with John Costello, CEO of Cherry’s Industrial Equipment, for a real conversation about leadership, legacy, and the power of transparency.
From navigating a tense business partnership to building a company culture rooted in open-book management and financial literacy, John shares the unfiltered wisdom only earned through decades of gritty experience.
Jane and John explore the weight of leadership, how to foster a culture of financial literacy, and why transparency is one of the most overlooked competitive advantages in mid-market companies — all while keeping a sense of humor and humility.
 (07:31) The value of teaching financial literacy at home (11:38) The bittersweet buyout story and hard lessons from a forced 50/50 partnership (19:52) John's hard-earned advice for CEOs entering business partnerships — and the questions he wishes he’d asked early on (25:11) Why John embraced open-book management — and how transparency with financials built trust, ownership, and accountability across the team (27:38) Teaching financial literacy to employees as a company benefit and its impact on employees’ personal lives (37:39) How one employee’s idea saved $25K and proved the model works (38:34) Why weekly meetings, forecasting, and cadence are key to strategic execution (40:27) The radical transparency used in their recruiting process (42:23) How leadership evolved under this model — and why it’s working (53:58) Reflections on legacy, transitions, and developing people through culture
If you’ve ever questioned how open is too open with your team, or whether your culture really drives performance, this one’s for you.

Mission First, People Always: Leadership Wisdom from Marine and CEO, Patrick Gough

In this dynamic episode of CEOs Unscripted, host Jane Gentry sits down with Patrick "Paddy" Gough — retired Marine Corps officer, former aerospace CEO, and founder of Poseidon Consulting — for a candid and insightful conversation on what true leadership looks like. Together, they explore Paddy’s "Seven Cs" of leadership: competence, candor, courage, commitment, consistency, compassion, and communication — and how these principles shape successful teams and enduring cultures.
Through stories from the battlefield to the boardroom, Jane and Paddy dive deep into the real challenges CEOs face today: handling toxic employees, fostering collaboration across departments, navigating the growing pains of scaling, and building strategic plans that actually drive results. Paddy’s philosophy of “mission first, people always” resonates powerfully as they discuss why leadership is an attribute, not a title, and why cultivating trust and moral courage is non-negotiable in business.
Whether you’re leading a startup or a large enterprise, this conversation is packed with hard-won lessons, real-world examples, and timeless advice to help you lead with greater impact and authenticity.

The CEO’s Mirror: How Self-Awareness Transformed Josh McAfee’s Leadership

When your company can’t grow past you, it’s time to grow yourself.From starting a business by accident to scaling multiple companies—and learning some hard lessons along the way—Josh McAfee brings an honest and insightful lens to what it really takes to lead and grow. In this episode, Josh joins Jane Gentry to talk about the mindset shift that transformed him from a high-performing individual contributor into a people-first leader.
He shares the story of why his first company plateaued, how he built a radically different kind of partnership in his second, and why emotional intelligence, feedback, and strategic alignment are make-or-break skills for today’s CEOs. Whether you’re a founder, a mid-market executive, or a leader who wants to grow without burning out, this conversation is filled with moments that will challenge and inspire you.
 (09:17) How personal growth limitations can cap company success (10:59) How Josh approached partnership differently the second time around (15:01) Creating space for different communication styles in leadership (17:53) Why every CEO needs a circle of influence (22:23) The joy of helping others grow—why leadership is personal for Josh (24:15) What it means to “invest in people” as a scaling CEO (27:37) Leadership blind spots and how honesty keeps you sharp (32:37) Why misalignment in hiring isn’t just a process problem (34:27) Josh’s advice for young leaders: set better goals
Josh’s story is a masterclass in humility, growth, and leading with purpose—and a reminder that the best leaders are the ones who never stop learning.

Leading with Intention: A Blueprint for Change-Ready Organizations with Bill Canady

Executing with focus, leading through change, and building unstoppable teams with intention and clarity.What happens when a Navy vet, former sales rep, and self-described “imposter syndrome CEO” becomes one of the most effective growth leaders in private equity? You get Bill Canady—Chairman of OTC Industrial Technologies, CEO of Arrowhead Engineered Products, and author of The 80/20 CEO.
In this candid conversation with Jane, Bill shares the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership philosophy, including why the first 100 days in a new role matter, how to build buy-in across your team, and why under-resourcing your strategy is the fastest route to failure. Whether you’re leading a startup or scaling a mid-market company, this episode’s insights will shift how you think about growth, execution, and how to lead when the stakes are high.
Episode Highlights: (7:03) How Bill went from small-town roots to leading billion-dollar companies (8:43) What private equity leadership really requires (10:45) How Bill defines the CEO’s job—especially in the first 100 days (17:41) Why the team—not the CEO—must define the strategy (33:22) The trap of under-resourcing great strategies (40:25) How to lead organizational change without losing your people (40:25) The three things every employee needs to stay engaged (40:25) Why leadership is about momentum, not perfection(40:25) The power of real-time visibility through communicationBill’s approach reminds us that great leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about setting a clear vision, enrolling others in the journey, and staying agile when the winds shift. If you’re leading through change or stepping into a bigger role, this episode is your blueprint for doing it with clarity and conviction.
Episode Guest:About Bill Canady, Chairman of OTC Industrial Technologies, CEO of Arrowhead Engineered Products, and author of The 80/20 CEO
Bill Canady has over 30 years of experience as a global business executive in a variety of industries and markets focused on industrial and consumer products and services. He concentrates on aligning with key stakeholders to set a clear and compelling vision that drives growth, controls cost, and increases profitability. A key to his success is developing strong leaders and management teams while establishing deep relationships. His experience spans global public, private, and sponsor-owned companies.
He currently serves as Chairman of OTC Industrial Technologies and CEO of Arrowhead Engineered Products (AEP). Under his leadership, OTC has grown revenues by over 43% and earnings by more than 78%. AEP, headquartered in Blaine, MN, is a leading global supplier of mission-critical aftermarket parts with $1.5 billion in sales across 50+ countries. Bill is also the founder of The 80/20 Institute, which trains leaders to increase asset productivity, improve profitability, and make better decisions across every level of a business. He is a proud veteran of the United States Navy.
Connect with Bill on LinkedIn  |  Check out The 80/20 CEO by Bill Canady

From Crisis to Comeback: Leadership Lessons from the Fast-Food Industry with Doug Augustine

#001: From Crisis to Comeback: Leadership Lessons from the Fast-Food Industry with Doug AugustineTurning setbacks into success, the power of vulnerability in leadership, and building a thriving company culture.Imagine stepping into a struggling business at just 26 years old, facing financial turmoil, and being told by corporate leaders that you should walk away. That was the reality for Doug Augustine when he unexpectedly took over his family’s Taco Bell franchise after his father’s sudden passing.Instead of giving up, Doug leaned in—transforming his struggling locations into award-winning stores and scaling the business from seven to 33 restaurants.
In this episode, Doug shares his remarkable journey of resilience, the leadership lessons he learned the hard way, and why vulnerability and asking for help are crucial for any CEO. He also dives into the importance of disciplined execution, people development, and how to create a performance-driven culture without sacrificing your team’s well-being.
Episode Highlights: (7:03) How Doug took over a failing business at 26 and turned it around (8:43) The mindset shift that transformed his leadership style (10:45) Why vulnerability makes you a stronger CEO—not a weaker one (17:41) The key to scaling a business without losing its culture (33:22) What leaders often get wrong about accountability and performance (40:25) Why his book, When Pigs Fly, is more than just a memoir—it’s a leadership playbookDoug’s story proves that success isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about learning how to navigate it. If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure about your next move as a leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you approach obstacles and opportunities.