ROI’s Into the Corner Office Podcast: Powerhouse Middle Market CEOs Telling it Real—Unexpected Caree...

Jim Eickhoff is the President and CEO of Creative Dining Services based in Zeeland, MI. Jim joined Creative Dining in 2015 after 35 years of Senior Executive leadership experience from his time at Fortune 200 companies across the U.S., including the University of Phoenix/Apollo Education Group, Sallie Mae, HOSTS Learning, and The ServiceMaster Company. Under Jim’s leadership, Creative Dining has experienced 50% growth and leaped to the 24th largest food service management company in America.  He is the first non-founder serving as President & CEO and is focused on excellent client experiences: providing outstanding dining programs with the highest level of customer service and integrity. Jim is committed to upholding a company culture of family while coaching employees to leverage their unique strengths to reach their highest potential. Jim Eickhoff received his B.A. in English and Secondary Education from Hope College in Holland, Michigan.  Jim and his wife, Lynn, reside in Holland, Michigan.

Tim Murphy is the CEO of APX Operating Company LLC, dba Boomers Parks, owned by Cerberus private equity ($60B AUM). Boomers Parks operates six family entertainment centers and two water parks in California, Florida, and New Jersey. Since becoming CEO in 2020, Tim led Boomers Parks from bankruptcy to profitability within a year, amidst a global pandemic. Initially operating at a $10 million loss, he revamped the customer experience and introduced new revenue streams, resulting in a 180% revenue increase in 2021 and continued growth through today. Tim began his 35+ year career at Walt Disney World and has worked with over 150 entertainment, restaurant, and food & beverage brands at more than 10,000 locations in senior roles. He is also a Board Director at Coney Park & Happy City, part of The Carlyle Group ($426B AUM), which operates 100+ family entertainment centers in Latin America. Tim's expertise includes top brands like Disney, Darden Restaurants, Jimmy John’s, Applebee’s, and Sonny’s. He has managed over 35 transactions involving 1,200+ locations, negotiating deals from $11 million to $350 million+. He is a member of IAAPA, CAPA, FAA, AAMA, NRA, CRA, WWA, ICSC, and IFA, and is a licensed commercial real estate broker in Florida. Tim holds a BS/BA in Accounting from the University of Central Florida and an MBA in Finance from Orlando College. Connect with Tim at Tim@BoomersParks.com and on LinkedIn at TimMurphyCEO.

Chelsea Jubilee is the co-founder, CEO, visionary, and driving force behind the company Energized Health, which is dedicated to helping Americans optimize their health at the cellular level. With over twenty years of experience in operating businesses, the Southern California native, along with her Co-founder husband John Jubilee, is pioneering cellular health awareness. Energized Health utilizes a protocol to reduce the need for medication, prevent disease, and reverse ailments. Chelsea Jubilee aims to develop a company to help people get healthy in body, mind, and spirit.

Dr. Matt Lucas has served in Christian non-profits for 20 years. Presently, he is serving as the CEO/President of Our Daily Bread Ministries, a global Bible engagement ministry with a staff of 700 serving in 32 offices to distribute hundreds of millions print and digital resources in 58 languages in more than 150 countries. Prior to ODBM, he served in Christian higher education as Provost at Corban University and Chancellor at Indiana Wesleyan University. He writes for ODBM, speaks regularly, and works with churches around the world. In his spare time, he loves to hike with his wife, Tammy, and spend time with his six daughters and three grandchildren.

Thomas Ryan, CEO and founder of Bigly Sales, is a visionary leader transforming business communications with innovative AI solutions. With a background in staffing and executive experience at Workbeast LLC, Thomas identified the need for more efficient processes and founded Bigly Sales in 2020. Under his leadership, Bigly Sales is revolutionizing the industry by replacing traditional call centers with advanced AI technology. This approach offers 24/7 multilingual support in English and Spanish, significantly reduces operational costs by up to 90%, and boosts conversion rates, all while ensuring full compliance with TCPA and HIPAA standards for data protection. Thomas's dedication to efficiency and client satisfaction positions Bigly Sales as a trailblazer in the tech industry, committed to enhancing business communications through the power of artificial intelligence.

John Rohde is the former CEO of RES Americas. He has more than 30 years of experience working in the energy market. He was Chief Executive Officer of the Renewable Energy Systems business in the United States and Canada, overseeing development, construction, operations & maintenance, and asset management for wind, solar, energy storage projects.  Prior to this role John was Chief Operating Officer of ENGIE Services North American, overseeing operations in energy services, construction, and facilities management, as well as M&A and managing the integration of the acquisitions. John started his career with Siemens Energy moving to Mitsubishi International and he was also General Manager of Worley’s North American Power Engineering business. John has a wealth of knowledge regarding the Americas energy markets; he is passionate about health & safety, diversity and inclusion and is committed to working to decarbonize the energy sector as part of driving the energy transition. In addition, he has an MBA and a B.S. Mechanical Engineering degree. John is married and in his spare time likes to travel and spend time with friends and his two rescue dogs.

Josh McCall serves as Chairman Emeritus for the global brand experience agency, Jack Morton where he focuses on growth and consulting on key client relationships. In 2022, he stepped down as CEO  and Chairman after being an integral part of the agency since 1984 and holding a variety of roles ranging from Account Executive to Chief Operating Officer. Under his leadership, the agency expanded its reach across the US, Europe, Australia, and Asia and was recognized for its creativity, winning awards at the Effies, Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clios, Ex, PRO, and Webby  Awards. Josh was instrumental in transforming the agency into an ideas-focused culture that creates extraordinary work for brands and he kept the agency at the forefront of the Experience  Economy. Josh McCall earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, completed business and management training at the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College and The  Kenan-Flagler School at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and holds an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree from Suffolk University in Boston. Josh also serves on the board of The Vineyard Trust, the owner of historic island landmarks.

Ken Reali has gained significant and varied experience in his 33-year MedTech career. He has individually contributed and then led areas including product development, global marketing, business development, commercialization, and sales of medical devices. He has a strong background in ethics and compliance, market analysis, reimbursement strategy, regulatory and clinical affairs, new product development, sales force optimization and domestic and international product commercialization. Ken has also been successful in utilizing M&A to diversify and broaden companies and has successfully led financing at both private and public companies.   As a CEO for 13 years, Reali has gained experience driving strategies to build shareholder value. He has worked with and led initiatives with medical societies, patient advocacy groups, governmental agencies, public and private insurance companies, investor relations, capital funding, strategic planning, and quality and lean production. He has led companies through sales processes to new ownership and into public markets through  IPO.   Reali started his career at two large multi-national companies, Biomet and Stryker where he held positions of increasing responsibility. Ken then gained general management experience at Smith & Nephew starting in 2006 prior to taking on his first CEO role in 2010  at TranS1 driving a turnaround strategy. Reali then led Clinical Innovations, a women’s healthcare company through successful exit after five years while doubling the business size and value. In 2020 he led Bioventus through an IPO while increasing the size of the business by 80% through strategic M&A.   Reali serves on the board of directors of a broad group of companies in MedTech from orthopedics to women’s healthcare. Reali also donates his time serving on the board of directors of AdvaMed, the National Italian American Foundation, and Valparaiso University  College of Business. Ken lives in Walla Walla, Washington with his wife Kristin where they started a vineyard several years ago.

Since 2015, twin brothers Keith and Kyle Rossin have grown each mangrove by hand for all of MANG's Florida planting projects. As MANG keeps growing, we’re not only planting mangrove forests throughout Florida, we're also planting internationally in an effort to affect positive change in countries and coastlines affected by deforestation and pollution across the globe. As the CEO of MANG Gear, Kyle Rossin is leading the way with his mission to preserve and restore coastal ecosystems around the world. MANG started its Buy One. Plant One. initiative by growing mangroves in Florida in 2015 and has continued to cultivate a culture for restoration one mangrove at a time. Through education, restoration, and apparel, MANG is committed to preserving mother nature for the next generation, so that we all can enjoy our natural resources.

Joshua Gould is CEO of thebigword, one of the largest language service providers globally. With over 20 years of experience in the language, defense and contingent workforce industries, Joshua is passionate about connecting people and businesses across borders and cultures. As the Group Chief Executive Officer at thebigword, he leads a global team of over 400 employees and 15,000 linguists, delivering translation, interpretation, and localization solutions to clients in over 250 languages and dialects. Joshua is also an Export Champion for the Department for International Trade and the Northern Powerhouse in the UK, where he advises and support companies on how to leverage international trade opportunities and expand their markets. His expertise in business growth, corporate strategy, and M&A preparation has been recognized by multiple awards, including the Stevie Award, the Business Insider 40 Under 40, and the European CEO of the Year Awards. He is always looking for new challenges and ways to make a positive impact in the world through innovation and enterprise.