Real Leaders Shaping Real Estate

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Joe Siech, CEO, Beecher Carlson Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

With more than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Joe is responsible for promoting and expanding the Beecher Carlson brand and footprint through client service, prospect development, and team recruitment and development. Joe began his career as a property underwriter for Arkwright Mutual and then developed and serviced a large book of risk management clients for Hobbs Group. He joined Beecher Carlson in 2004 and has held numerous sales and leadership positions in the company. Joe is a graduate of Loras College in Dubeque, Iowa where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Marketing.

Steve Heeley, CEO, Veggie Grill Dec 17, 2019

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With over 20 years of experience, Mr. Heeley has overseen many leading brands across the fast casual industry. Prior to joining Veggie Grill in 2014, Mr. Heeley was President and CEO of Earl of Sandwich, LLC, an international, high-volume fast casual sandwich brand. During his tenure, Steve spearheaded the company’s 30 percent annual growth. Before his success at Earl of Sandwich, Mr. Heeley served as COO of Au Bon Pain café bakery, led operations for Los Angeles-based The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and served as COO of Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, where he was instrumental in the brand’s growth to over 300 restaurants and the company’s sale to Wendy's International Inc. Previously, Heeley was President and CEO of the San Francisco-based SIMCO Group, a multi-unit restaurant and retail operator. Steve started his professional career at the full service Mexican restaurant El Torito, where he advanced through the ranks at the company to assume a leadership role. In Mr. Heeley’s free time, he likes to spend time with his children, travel while exploring veggie food and culture in restaurants around the world, distance cycling, volunteering with at-risk youth, track racing, real estate investing and fixing.

Todd Stewart, President, Gulf Winds International Dec 10, 2019

Show notes

Todd graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.S. in Marketing and immediately joined Gulf Winds International in 1996. Beginning as a fork-lift operator, he has served within or led every department within the company, leading to his current position of President. Todd is primarily responsible for working with key stakeholders to establish and maintain a culture that reflects the mission, values and overall strategic "world class" vision for the organization. Through being an active C12 Group member, Todd continues to learn how Gulf Winds International is here to serve a greater purpose and holds strongly to the biblical servant leadership model that empowers team members to grow personally, professionally and spiritually. He is passionate about how the gospel of Christ can restore hope in local and global communities. In 2017, this led Todd to found More Than The Move Foundation which exists to aid life-changing non-profits such as International Cooperating Ministries, Steiger International and Ground Wire via corporate generosity, corporate volunteerism and corporate advocacy.

Kyle Waide, President and CEO, Atlanta Community Food Bank Dec 03, 2019

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As President and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Kyle Waide oversees the distribution of nearly 70 million pounds of food and grocery products each year through a network of 600 local and regional partner non-profit organizations that feed those in need across 29 Georgia counties. Prior to being named CEO in June of 2015, Kyle served for three years as the Food Bank’s Vice President of Partner Operations, leading the organization to record-breaking years of food distribution to the hungry. Through Kyle’s collaborative efforts to improve distribution best practices, the Food Bank dramatically increased the nutritional quality of its product offerings, including fresh produce. Currently, the Food Bank distributes more than 16 million pounds of produce each year. Prior to joining the Food Bank, Kyle held several management roles at The Home Depot Inc. in disaster relief, corporate responsibility, community affairs and store operations. He also previously served as part of the management team that created and launched Charity Navigator, the nation's premier charity evaluation service. Kyle is a graduate of Harvard University. He currently is serving as the Chair of the Southeast Regional Cooperative and the Vice Chair of the Georgia Food Bank Association. Kyle also is a member of the Ending Hunger Advisory Committee and the Policy, Education and Advocacy Committee for Feeding America. He is a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2015, the Rotary Club of Atlanta, the Community Advisory Board for The Junior League of Atlanta, Inc., the Super Bowl LIII Host Committee Advisory Board, the Committee For A Better Atlanta, and the board of directors for Goodwill Industries International Inc. Kyle resides in Decatur, GA with his wife, Christina, and their three children. To donate for #GivingTuesday: acfb.org

Ignacio Garcia-Menocal & Francesco Balli Co-CEOs, Grove Bay Hospitality Group (Re-Release) Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

Francesco and Ignacio co-founded Grove Bay Hospitality Group and both is currently its’ Co-CEOs. The group has successfully launched an array of chef driven restaurants in partnership with celebrity chefs such as Jeremy Ford, Marcus Saumelsson, Jeff McInnis, Janine Booth and Giorgio Rapicavoli. Currently, the company owns and operates 9 different restaurants in Miami, and is bracing to launch five more, by the end of 2020. Grove Bay Hospitality Group was recognized by Restaurant Hospitality in their “RH 25 Most Innovative Multi-Concept Restaurant Groups”, was ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as the “#250 Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America”, and was named the “Business of the Year” by the South Florida Business Journal. In addition, Ignacio and Francesco were Finalists for the “EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award” during 2018.

Exciting Announcement: RENEW Executive Search to Launch New Podcast! Nov 19, 2019

Show notes

The global energy system is undergoing a huge transition, and perhaps the most notable change is that renewable energy is no longer for the idealistic few but has become mainstream for many—both in terms of top of mind and the bottom line. In more and more locations, renewable energy is now cheaper than conventional energy like oil, gas and coal. The challenges are no longer those of an early-stage industry, so as these companies forge a way forward, we want to share their remarkable stories with you. RENEW Executive Search is bringing global renewable CEOs, industry business consultants and other subject matter experts forward who are driving this energy transition from traditional energy sources to solar, wind and hydro power as well as battery storage to a new weekly podcast. We have invited some of the top renewable industry minds to share how they are overcoming the challenges they encounter in bringing the industry mainstream while helping to deliver a better tomorrow. We welcome those both inside and outside the renewables sector who want to listen to this exciting new podcast launching in January 2020. You will learn more about how this fast-growing industry is rapidly changing and creating incredible opportunities for growth, profits, and careers—and you will be surprised by many of the developing trends!

Joan Maxwell, President, Regulator Marine Nov 12, 2019

Show notes

Joan Maxwell grew up in rural Fairfield, NC. She graduated from Mattamuskeet High School and the University of North Carolina, where she received a BA in history. She is married to Owen Maxwell and together they currently reside in Edenton, NC. In 1988, Joan and Owen founded Regulator Marine in an abandoned A&P Grocery Store in Edenton. Regulator is now operating in an 121,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility and is one of the most well-respected brands in the boating industry. Joan and her team transitioned Regulator Marine from a job shop/manufacturing process to a highly sophisticated lean manufacturing process. Under Joan’s leadership, Regulator received ISO 9000:2008 certification, as well as the North Carolina Department of Labor’s top safety award, the North Carolina Star. In a historically male dominated industry, Joan remains active in the boating industry’s leading organization, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), where she served as the first female Chairperson and currently remains on the Boat Divisional Manufacturer’s Board while also serving on the NMMA’s Board. Joan focuses on learning innovative ways to improve the business that God has entrusted to her care. Currently, she is a member of C12, a Christian based leaders’ roundtable that focuses on building better businesses for a greater purpose. Joan Maxwell demonstrates and demands from her leadership team at Regulator Marine a high level of integrity and positive leadership. Her service is evident in her dedication to not only Regulator Marine, but also to the local community in which Regulator is located. Joan established a Volunteer Program at Regulator Marine which pays employees their regular wages during working hours while they volunteer their time and services to various local organizations of their choosing. In 2018, Joan established the “In His Service” program at Regulator, which oversees Regulator’s charitable giving, as well as its employee emergency assistance fund. Joan’s passion is to personally live out Regulator’s core values and to lead her team to do the same. Some of Joan’s past accomplishments include: receiving the 2018 Hammond Marine Industry Leadership Award along with her friend Kris Carroll; the Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year Award and the National Association of Manufacturer’s STEP award. In the late 1990’s she worked with Erskine Bowles (former Chief of Staff for President Clinton) when both he and she were appointed to the North Carolina Rural Prosperity Taskforce by then-Governor of North Carolina, Jim Hunt. In 2004, Regulator and the Maxwells were recognized by President George H. W. Bush when they were invited to the White House along with three other businesses from across the country to discuss the needs of small businesses. In addition, she served as a past Chairman of the Edenton, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, recognized as Chamber Person of the Year and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Edenton Chowan Partnership – focusing on economic development. “I really believe each of us is on a journey. Those things poured into me by my parents – especially my dad – led me to the place that I am today. When I was a little girl, I’d read my Bible and when I didn’t understand I’d go to my dad to explain it. He was a great man of faith, who in his 77 years of life taught me how to both live and to die. I am humbled each day to have been his daughter. My mother was a wonderful kind person that loved and shared. There were many times we’d sit down for Thanksgiving lunch with people who were not family – just someone she knew needed to feel the love of a family on that holiday...What I have come to know and understand is that I am a beloved daughter of God. I don’t have to have all the answers. What I get the privilege of doing is praying, listening and as difficult as it is for someone who wants to “fix it” and move along – to wait on God’s perfect plan."

Gilbert Hernandez, Executive Director, San Antonio Youth for Christ Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

Gilbert was born in San Antonio, Texas to an alcoholic mother and a drug-addicted father, but God had a plan. Through a journey of hope and miracles God made a way. He graduated from South San West Campus. He then attended International Bible College where he graduated in 1996 and completed his Master’s in Theology. Gilbert has been in ministry since the age of fourteen and became a Youth Pastor at the age of eighteen. Gilbert always had a passion to impact young people with the life changing gospel of Jesus. His passion for Christ has opened doors for him to speak at conferences all over the United States, Central America and Europe. Gilbert is married to Hilda Hernandez his wife of 14 years and serves as the Executive Director of SAYFC. Through his leadership SAYFC has grown steady over the last 10 years to become a model for YFC ministry in large cities. Gilbert also serves on the National Youth for Christ board.

Avi Kahn, President and CEO, Hilti North America Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

Avi Kahn leads Hilti North America’s operations as president and chief executive officer, overseeing businesses in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Guam. Prior to this role, he served as president of Hilti Canada. Kahn holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, Information Technology from The Interdisciplinary Center and a Master of Business Administration, International Business from Bellevue University. He joined Hilti in 2004 as a territory sales representative for construction in San Francisco. From there, he was promoted to regional manager for San Diego and Hawaii. In 2008, Avi took on greater responsibility as the Chicago-based West Great Lakes division manager. In January 2011, Avi took an international assignment when the organization named him president of Hilti Canada. Kahn is active with the Dallas Regional Chamber, serving as a member of the board of directors and executive committee, as well as chairing the international task force. He is involved with several charitable organizations including serving as a foundation board member of Children’s Health of Dallas, a pediatric health care organization, and was on the Habitat for Humanity Canadian Leadership Council. Avi is a member of the ownership advisory group of the Dallas Stars hockey team. Since 2017, he is a Catalyst CEO Champion for Change. Kahn resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with his wife Maryann and their two sons, Ethan and Adam.

Lafe Bailey, Co-CEO, the Wenger Group Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

Lafe Bailey is Co-CEO of the Wenger Group and is President of the Sales and Business Development division at Wenger. Lafe has been with the family firm for 30 years, and this tenure has allowed him a unique perspective on the industries which they serve, as well as transnational business and cycles of innovation. A perennial student of leadership, innovation and faith topics, Lafe consumes more than 60 books annually and several decades of these efforts have brought Mr. Bailey to the conclusion that all business and self-management books trace their origins to two foundational volumes. Mr. Bailey serves as either Director or Deacon on a number of Boards and Foundations. Believing that the stresses of Sabetha city life to be too burdensome, Lafe resides in the countryside with his wife and four children where they can enjoy horseback riding and the shooting sports.

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