The Leadership Crucible Podcast

Paul C. Darley is Chairman, CEO & President of W.S. Darley & Co. In 1997, he became President and COO and was appointed CEO in 2003. He was named Chairman in 2011. Under his leadership, sales have increased over 5000% to over $625 million in 2021. He began in pump sales in 1985 and was named Vice President for the Fire Pump Division of Darley in 1990.Founded in 1908, W.S. Darley & Co is a fourth-generation family business, led by Paul and an executive team that has transformed this 114-year-old company into a world leader in the firefighting and defense industries.Paul is a graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago and he holds a BS Degree in Marketing and Finance from Marquette University. He earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where is a guest lecturer and an executive-in-residence. Paul has traveled to 80 countries in his 37-year tenor and has made over 500 industry speaking engagements. He is involved with numerous charitable, business and service organizations. He is a former Chairman of the Chicago Windy City Chapter of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and is a trustee for Dominican University.He is a Past President of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association (FAMA) and he also served on the Board of Directors of Fire & Emergency Manufacturers & Services Association (FEMSA). Paul Darley currently serves on the Board of the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) for the Great Lakes Chapter.He is the author of the book Sold! The Art of Relationship Sales. The book highlights emotional intelligence and authentic leadership to sell more, work your way up the corporate ladder…and what to do once you get there.Paul is married to his high school sweetheart for 36 years and together they raised three daughters in Elmhurst, IL.For more resources, visit: theleadershipcruciblefoundation.orgTo watch the video podcast on Youtube, click here.To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here.

J. Blake Wade was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority (NACEA) on December 1, 2011. The NACEA is the state agency responsible for building and developing The American Indian Cultural Center and Museum. Prior to assuming the NACEA appointment, Wade was President of Oklahoma’s Business Roundtable, Oklahoma’s primary economic development “support” organization. The Roundtable accomplishes this by providing critical private funding in support of the economic development efforts of the Governor, Lt. Governor, and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Wade served as the executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society from 1990-1999, and the Director of the Oklahoma Capitol Complex and Centennial Commemoration Commission beginning August 1, 1999. He was responsible for overseeing preparations for Oklahoma’s centennial commemoration of statehood in 2007.The first three years as Director of the Centennial, the focus was the State Capitol Dome and the Centennial Plaza of the Oklahomans. These projects were completed in 2002. Then the planning began to implement a Centennial Commemoration that recognized the spirit of Oklahoma’s people, encouraged pride in the state, and instilled confidence in Oklahoma’s future. The vision was to offer a commemoration that encouraged Oklahomans to examine its unique history, experience our rich heritage, explore our promising future, and ensure a listing legacy for future generations.While a Major, U.S. Army, he received two Bronze Stars, three Vietnam Service Medals and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. A Lawton native, Wade graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in journalism, and a graduate of the Command and General Staff College.Wade participates actively in community organizations serving on the board of directors for the State Fair, the Campaign for Arcadia Trails Treatment Center that opened in May 2019, Boy Scouts of America, First Step and Metro Alliance, Director of USS Oklahoma Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Friends of the Governor’s Mansion, the Jim Thorpe Association and Hall of Fame, Metro Alliance, and Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum. He is the recipient of the 2008 Administrator of the Year Award and received an “Emmy” Award for the production of the Oklahoma Centennial’s “Spectacular.” (Ford Center, November 16, 2007) J. Blake Wade presently serves as the Executive Director of the Native American Cultural and Education Authority from 2012 to present.For more resources, visit: theleadershipcruciblefoundation.orgTo watch the video podcast on Youtube, click here.To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here.

Kirk Arthur is the leader of Worldwide Public Safety and Justice for Microsoft, with responsibility over experts that serve the public safety & justice communities. He has over 18 years of experience as a federal and municipal law enforcement official in the United States. In this role, Kirk is responsible for all aspects of the business, including the development and adoption of Microsoft technology solutions in public safety and justice that enable positive and productive outcomes of mission requirements. He is passionate about the safety and security of citizens in the global community, as well as working with customers around the world to achieve their mission goals using Microsoft’s technology. Prior to coming to Microsoft, he was a Supervisory Special Agent for the U.S. Secret Service managing the San Francisco Electronic Crimes Task Force and Asset Forfeiture Squads. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing global investigations involving network intrusions, data breaches, theft of intellectual property, and other digital and financial threats against the United States’ critical infrastructure. He was also responsible for conducting community outreach initiatives on behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, of which the U.S. Secret Service reports under, to the private and public sector communities regarding current and emerging cyber security threats and responses to these threats. Kirk’s career with the U.S. Secret Service spanned over fifteen (15) years where he held positions as a criminal investigator in the field, within headquarters, and on the Presidential Protective Division during the Bush and Obama Administrations.For more resources, visit: theleadershipcruciblefoundation.orgTo watch the video podcast on Youtube, click here.To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here.

Mary Cameli is the fire chief for the Mesa (Arizona) Fire and Medical Department, a Commission of Fire Accreditation International accredited agency. She joined the department in 1983 and has risen through all of the ranks, including serving 11 years as Assistant Chief prior to being selected as Chief in 2016. She is the past president of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA) and currently serves a Section Chair as the Metro representative for the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association, and Vice Chair of the International Fire Service Training Association Board. She is active in her community as Vice Chair of the Community Bridges Board, past Chair of the Child Crisis Arizona Board, and past President of the Mesa Sunrise Rotary. Chief Cameli holds a master’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Physical Education from Southern Utah University. She received her credential as a Chief Fire Officer in 2018 and a Certified Public Manager certification from Arizona State University in 2011.For more resources, visit: theleadershipcruciblefoundation.orgTo watch the video podcast on Youtube, click here.To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here.

Dr Mosher is the Blue Origin Director of Customer Experience for Orbital Reef, a commercial space station to replace the International Space Station later this decade. He was previously a Senior Manager at Amazon leading the Project Kuiper Technical Program Management team. Project Kuiper is one of the more ambitious commercial programs consisting of a constellation of 3,236 satellites to provide low-latency high-speed broadband connectivity around the world. Before that Dr. Mosher also worked on Project Santa to restore Amazon’s global fulfillment network capacity during the pandemic. Dr. Mosher has 32 years of experience working in industry and serving as a faculty member at three universities (Utah State University, University of California at Los Angeles, and the International Space University). He has directed the design of both human spaceflight and robotic spacecraft projects (Tyvak, SNC and Lockheed Martin). He has provided technical authority and successful execution from end-to-end of the product lifecycle, including manufacturing and launch. Entrepreneurial, he has helped two small companies (Microsat Systems and Syncroness) exit to acquisition and contributed to a third going public (Tyvak). He led and wrote successful proposals resulting in opportunities valued at over $5B from defense, civil, and commercial space customers. Other past employers include The Aerospace Corporation and General Dynamics. Dr. Mosher has a Ph.D. and M.S. in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado, an M.S. in systems engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and a B.S. in aerospace engineering from San Diego State University.He is a National Academies recognized expert serving on seven different panels including presenting results of a review of NASA’s technology portfolio to high-ranking government officials at NASA, Congress, and the Executive Branch. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, where he is also an Associate Fellow. Since relocating to Washington from his home in Colorado, Dr. Mosher has started serving as the Chairman of the State of Washington Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation (JCATI) Board and at The Museum of Flight as a member of the Spaceflight Committee. He was also a past Mentor for two companies in the Techstars Starburst Aerospace Accelerator program. He is an Alumni Guide for the Sigma Chi Horizons Leadership Program from 2009 to the present. When he lived in Colorado, he served on The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Rocky Mountain Chapter Board of Trustees and helped raise over $200,000 to help support blood cancer research and patients. He is a 2016 graduate of the Denver Chamber of Commerce Leadership Denver program. From 2013-2018, Dr. Mosher served on the University Alumni Association Board serving two different leadership positions as Chair of Student to Young Alumni Transitions Committee (2016-2018) and Vice Chair Business Development Committee (2014-2015). He was the 2012 University of Colorado Kalpana Chawla Outstanding Recent Alumni Award Winner.For more resources, visit: theleadershipcruciblefoundation.orgTo watch the video podcast on Youtube, click here.To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here.

Rudy Jackson serves as the Chief Nurse Executive of UW Health. He is an experienced healthcare leader with broad knowledge in large integrated academic health systems and a successful history of improving nursing outcomes and engagement as well as hospital operational performance.Rudy previously served as Chief Nursing Officer for Buffalo General Hospital and Gates Vascular Institute in Buffalo, New York, the largest healthcare system in Western New York. He has previously served in leadership roles at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas along with over 20 years of US Army experience.Rudy earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from The University of The Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, his master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, and his doctoral degree of Nursing Practice from Yale, New Haven, Connecticut. He is also certified in Executive Nursing Practice from the Association of Nurse Leaders.For more resources, visit: theleadershipcruciblefoundation.orgTo watch the video podcast on YouTube, click here.For the Team Discussion Guide, click here.

Stephen is a financial services and insurance executive and attorney with an extensive background in innovation, strategy, governance, and transactions. He currently serves as the Chair of the Bermuda Business Development Agency, a public-private partnership between the Bermuda Government and the private sector helping lead Bermuda’s engagement on, among other things, digital assets, fintech, insuretech and climate finance economic development. From 2002 until 2021 he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (RNR: NYSE). During his time with RenaissanceRe, Stephen served as served as a member of firm’s Executive Committee, and as Chair of the RenaissanceRe Risk Sciences Foundation, the company’s charitable vehicle committed to researching and developing risk-mitigation techniques and raising awareness through conferences and outreach events, including the award-winning Risk Mitigation Leadership Forum series. Prior to RenaissanceRe, Stephen worked for Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, a leading international law firm.<p>Stephen serves on the boards of several industry and charitable groups including the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), an independent U.S. non-profit scientific research and educational organization which he serves as Chair, and the R Street Institute, a leading US non partisan policy organization. He also serves on the President’s Advisory Counsel for the National Wildlife Federation, America’s largest non-profit conservation organization, and is a member of Bermuda’s COVID-19 Economic Advisory Committee. He previously served as Chair of the Reinsurance Association of American Extreme Events Committee, and Chair of the Policy Committee of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers. Stephen is a graduate of Columbia College, NY, and Harvard Law School. He is a frequent speaker on insurance industry, financial sector, climate and resiliency, and governance issues.<p>To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here .<br>To wa tch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here .

Russell A. Jackson, born in Birmingham, Alabama, is a proven nonprofit leader and innovator with a sound history of developing and implementing new nonprofit programs and community initiatives. His life journey began as a firefighter for the City of Hoover in Alabama. In 1992, a tragic medical call and death of a two-year old boy would redirect Russell’s career path. Shortly after, he founded Kid One Transport, a nonprofit medical transportation program that became a national model and to-date has served more than 50,000 children and expectant mothers via a partnership with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International.<p>Russell has been responsible for the formation of dozens of startup nonprofit organizations, programs, and initiatives across the nation. Because of his due diligence in developing the concepts, 81% of these organizations and programs continue today, and are raising millions of dollars annually to continue their important missions.<p>Russell is an accomplished professional in the areas of Nonprofit Startup, Leadership, Operations, Board Governance, Strategic Planning, Grant Writing, Major Gifts, Annual Campaigns, Special Events, Donor Relations, Public Relations, and Cause-Related Marketing. He has a strong acumen in financial, policy, operations, and regulatory oversight. His strong leadership skills to build, strengthen and champion a team to exceed its goals has earned him several nonprofit leadership awards from state, local and national groups. Russell’s ability to effectively educate, inspire and engage the public even caught the attention of the International Association of Business Communicators who presented him with their highest award: Communicator of the Year.<p>He has received more than 200 community and national awards, with the more notable ones being named CNN HERO, Tiger Woods Foundation Hero, Johnson and Johnson Healthcare Hero, Costco’s National Making a Difference recipient and the Mercedes-Benz Drive for Excellence award. However, his most cherished award was being named one of AOL’s Amazing Dads of 2008, because family means more to Russell than anything else.<p>Russell has been the keynote speaker and trainer at more than 250 conferences and/or events, and has served on numerous national committees and nonprofit boards. His ongoing commitment to nonprofit excellence and proven record have made him one of the most sought-after nonprofit specialists in the nation.<p>Russell has been married to his incredible wife and best friend for 24 years, Mary, and has two amazing children – Harrison Parker and Mackenzie Grace, along with three absolutely rotten pets: Byron, Bernie, and Bailey.<p>To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here.<br>To wa tch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here .

Mike Howard, Former Chief Security Officer (CSO) for Microsoft Corporation, held global responsibility for vital security functions including; operations, investigations, risk mitigation, crisis management, executive protection, security technology, strategy, intelligence, and employee awareness. Mike was the CSO of Microsoft for 16 years.<p>Mike led the development of Microsoft’s interconnected Global Security Operations Centers (GSOCs), which oversee Global Security monitoring and response, and have become well known in the security field as a leading model for conducting operations globally.<p>Mike spent 22 years with the Central Intelligence Agency, finishing as a Chief of Station. Mike also worked in the CIA’s Office of Security and served on the security staff of the Director of Central Intelligence.<p>He worked in the Counterterrorism Center, ran global programs, and served in assignments around the world. He was executive officer for the Office of Military Affairs and a special investigator for the Office of Inspector General.<p>Mike also served as a law enforcement officer with the Oakland, California, police in the late 1970s. He holds a BS in criminal justice administration from San Jose State University with a minor in Sociology.<p>To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here .<br>To watch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here .

Don Lombardi is the founder of DW Drums and Drum Channel. Don is also a dedicated educator and inventor with more than 30 patents registered to his name. Don's mission is to improve the quality of a drummer’s life through education and by making quality products. Don was inducted into Guitar Center's Rock Walk on Sunset Blvd. in 2018 and was most recently honored with the Percussive Arts Society President’s Industry Award for 2020.<p>In the early 70’s Seeing an ad for Drum Workshop in the Yellow Pages, John Good, now DW's Vice President, signed up for lessons at age 17 to improve his drumming and reverse what he refers to as "bad drumming habits."<p>"After three months of lessons, Don approached John and said, "You know, I've had lots of successful students. I don't think you're going to be one of them"; John says laughing. "So I said, "Great…now what."<p>Realizing that overhead was eating up his profits, Don brought in investors and additional teachers and began selling sticks, books, and drums to help subsidize the expenses. Hiring John as a part-time sales manager, the two spent hours discussing different ways to improve the art of drumming through improving drum products.<p>"That's how the spark and enthusiasm got started," John recalls. "We would talk for hours about our ideas for creating better products. Before we knew it, we were working together."<p>Out of these brainstorms came the first DW product: Don's new design for a height-adjustable trap-case seat. Selling about a dozen seats a month, John quit his day job and went to work full- time for Don.<p>"After teaching all day, we would move the drum sets to the side and bring out the tables to make the seats," Don remembers. "Then I'd usually leave for my playing job, and John would stay into the night to build the seats and fill the orders. I even bought a sewing machine to sew on the top of the seats, but John put his foot down and said, "No sewing: I don't do sew”.<p>In 2022 Don and John Good were presented with NAMM’s Milestone Award for 50 years of excellent service in the music products industry. At Drum Workshop, The Drummer's Choice® is more than a slogan, it's a fact. After more than thirty years of innovation and tireless dedication to improving the way drum products are made, DW drums, pedals and hardware are the standard by which all others are measured. To get here, it takes more than a working knowledge of the instrument or a few good ideas; it takes a true passion for designing and manufacturing the absolute best.<p>To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here .<br>To watch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here .