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

Vernon Steiner was appointed President and CEO of State Fund on June 9, 2014. Vern has nearly 30 years of insurance industry experience, the majority in workers’ compensation. As the President and CEO, he reports directly to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the day-to-day operations at State Fund.

Jeffrey is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Senneca Holdings. He served as the CEO of Senneca Holdings and its’ portfolio companies (Eliason Door, Chase Door, etc.) for ten years before being elevated to the Chairman role. In his current role, he works with the executive Team to identify, acquire and integrate operating companies within Senneca.

Arman Sadeghi is a published author, keynote speaker, entrepreneur and philanthropist. As the author of The Business Bible, CEO of 6 companies, a business coach, motivational speaker, husband and father, he enjoys working hard to help everyone around him reach their full potential. His passion is to educate executives and to help companies thrive. Arman is passionate about changing people’s lives for the better and helping CEOs organize and develop their business environment. When he is not working with other CEOs, Arman is growing the various businesses he has developed over the last 2 decades.

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.

Paul Macaluso a 25-year restaurant industry veteran, currently serves as the President and CEO of Krystal. Paul’s background includes experience in operations, franchising, marketing and brand strategy with some of the most prominent brands in the foodservice industry, including Taco Bell, Burger King, Sonic Drive-Ins and Moe’s Southwest Grill. Before joining Krystal in April 2018, Paul was the President of McAlister’s Deli, where he led the brand to records in new restaurant openings, franchisee new restaurant commitments, systemwide sales and EBITDA. Paul holds a BS/Communication and an MBA from Florida State University.

David Birzon’s love for the food industry began in 1991 when he started as an evening prep cook and baker at Paradise Bakery in Aspen, Colorado. David was surprised to find extraordinary joy in his position serving up homemade ice cream and cookies to Aspen locals. Together with the founders, David helped build the nationally known brand that proudly grew a strong culture and industry-leading economics over his 23-year tenure. After successfully selling Paradise Bakery to Panera Bread in 2007, David spent four years as a Senior Vice President at Panera and President of the Paradise Bakery brand, where he was responsible for both companies and franchised locations. In 2011, David and his family moved to Carbondale, Colorado. He set out to find a restaurant business that “could change the world.” David heard about an innovative breakfast concept named Snooze and was immediately blown away by how clever the concept was. David became CEO of Snooze in 2012 and was nicknamed “Old Major,” after the pig who leads all the other animals to revolution in George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Under David’s leadership, Snooze has grown to now operating over 35 restaurants across five states, with over 2,100 employees.

Nicky is a C-Suite Executive and Board Member. She has 24 years of experience in leading within global corporations. She has developed and built brands, grown businesses, and created and nurtured capability in systems and people She is recognized for her depth and breadth of expertise across FMCG, Retail, Luxury, and Ecommerce. Her experience spans food, beverages, health care and personal care. She has a long track record of successful delivery in Unilever, The Coca-Cola Company, P&G and George Patterson Y&R. Nicky holds a Masters in International Business from University of Technology Sydney. This has been supported by significant global business and management experience across Australia, New Zealand, UK, Europe, USA and the highly diverse markets of Asia. She was promoted to VP Refreshment at Unilever in 2011. In this role she led a portfolio of Ice cream and Beverage brands across Asia Pacific. In 2016 she was appointed CEO of T2 Tea Pty Ltd. T2 is a growing luxury retailer. Nicky is accountable for delivering the bottom line of T2 and for driving its global expansion, for omni-channel acceleration and for digital & tech enabled transformation. Nicky is also a Board Director of the World Wildlife Fund Australia. She is a passionate advocate that businesses today must drive sustainable agendas that positively impact both people and the planet. The best advice she has ever been given was "when you are dancing on thin ice you may as well tap dance," and that is how she lives her life in Singapore with her husband Graeme and their two kids, Keira & Lachlan.

Rick Stollmeyer co-founded MINDBODY in his garage in 2001, and today serves as the company’s CEO and principle visionary, ensuring that everything the company embraces – from product line to business development to team member enrichment – serves the company’s purpose: help people lead healthier, happier lives by connecting the world to wellness. In 2005, Rick led the industry when he took MINDBODY’s business management solution fully to the cloud. Today, the company remains the leading SaaS platform for the fitness, beauty and wellness industries, streamlining business management for wellness practitioners and making it easier for them to do what they love - improve the lives of their customers. Today, MINDBODY powers tens of thousands of wellness businesses worldwide, and connects hundreds of thousands of wellness practitioners with the tens of millions of people seeking healthier, happier lives around the world. Rick lives with his wife, Jill, near the company headquarters in San Luis Obispo, California.

Chad Epperson is the owner and CEO of United Treating and Distribution, LLC (UTD) in Muscle Shoals, AL. He began his lumber career in high school working at a local lumber yard. After Chad graduated from high school he joined the Army and was stationed in Texas from 1987-1989 where he was honorably discharged. Chad returned home to the Shoals as a car salesman but soon found his way back to the lumber industry and worked in sales and as the sales manager at two local lumber companies from 1990- 2005. In 2006, Chad started UTD.    Chad married Jeannie in 1987. They were both Russellville Tigers and graduated in 1986 together. Chad and Jeannie have three sons that are all involved with UTD, Casey, 28, Vice President of Operations; Dylan, 25, Freight Manager; and Zach, 17, High School Junior and part time team member in the summers. Chad has two precious granddaughters- Aubrey and Remmie, from Casey and his wife, Aly.   Chad came to faith in Jesus Christ in 1995 and both he and Jeannie are active members of Grace Life Church of the Shoals.  When not at work, he enjoys church, outdoors, and various activities with sons, granddaughters and church family.   Chad has been a member of C12 for 10 years. He is a C12 Ambassador and 2019 C12 Hero Award Recipient.  Chad is on the Board of directors for the Attention Homes of Northwest Alabama where he was a resident as a teenager."

Carey Jenkins is CEO of Substantial, a world-class product development studio, serving a diverse set of clients - from Fortune 50s like Google and Amazon to emerging start-ups and social impact organizations. Carey has spent 17+ years leading large interdisciplinary teams and multi-channel projects. She started at Substantial as one of its first engagement managers, combining her expertise in client services, product management, and software development methodologies. She was elevated to Director then VP of Client Services, leading both delivery and business development before being named CEO in June 2018. A people-focused CEO, Carey stresses the importance of relationships, whether that involves employees, clients, or community partners. She passionately believes that healthy relationships are the foundation of any successful team, project, or company. Carey, originally from Louisiana, spent formative years in New York and New Orleans before finding a home in Seattle over a decade ago. When she’s not leading the Substantial team, she can be found spending quality time with her husband and 5-year-old daughter.