The Leadership Crucible Podcast

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 .

Tony Jenkins is the Market President for the Central Florida region where he provides strategic oversight and leads a team in developing business plans to increase and retain membership, enhance brand visibility, and coordinate employee engagement.<p>Tony was instrumental in establishing Florida Blue’s diversity efforts in 2001. Prior to joining Florida Blue, Jenkins served as Director of Diversity for CSX Corporation, the largest rail network in the eastern United States, and he spent 18 years with the Walt Disney World Company in various leadership roles, specializing in Hospitality Management and Human Resources.<p>Under Tony’s leadership in Central Florida, Florida Blue has been recognized as a Best Place to Work, an Outstanding Diverse Organization and a Corporate Philanthropy honoree. Tony is an advocate for several causes throughout the Orlando Community. He is the past Chair for United Arts of Central Florida and The Florida Commission on Human Relations. He currently serves on the board of Florida Citrus Sports, and he is a Board Trustee at Stetson University. Tony is Chair Elect for the Orlando Economic Partnership board, where he also serves as Chair for their DEI Task Force, engaging Orlando’s business leaders across varied industries.<p>Tony has been recognized by the Orlando Business Journal as one of Central Florida's Top 10 Businessmen to Watch and as CEO of the Year. Most recently, he received the publication’s Diversity in Business Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also an i4 Business Magazine Business Leader of the Year recipient. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Ga.<p>To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here .<br>To watch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here .

To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here .To watch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here .Bio:Bruno Serato arrived in the U.S. from his native Italy speaking no English with only $200 in his pocket. Through hard work and determination, he worked his way up from busboy to owner of the critically acclaimed Anaheim White House restaurant, But it’s his work with children that has earned him an international reputation. Bruno launched a nonprofit in 2005 after he and his mother, Caterina, visited a local Boys and Girls Club. There, they saw a 7-year-old boy eating a bag of potato chips and when she learned that the snack was all he had for dinner, she instructed her son to head back to the restaurant and feed the children pasta. What started with 1 meal has turned into now feeding some 5,000 children daily, more than 3 million meals have been served, and the need keeps growing. Caterina’s Club is currently serving 90 sites in 30 cities.He has extended his mission by moving “motel families” into permanent housing. While many of the families are working and able to pay the monthly rent for their own apartments, they cannot afford the first, last and security deposit required at the onset. He has already helped over 220 families escape motel living by finding them apartments of their own and their lives have improved considerably.For his humanitarian work, Bruno has earned local, national, and international publicity including profiles in major media outlets throughout the world. His many honors include CNN Hero, knighted by the Italian government, knighted by the Royal House of Savoy, Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient, papal blessing from Pope Francis, humanitarian award on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, Anaheim Key to the City, and has received hundreds of proclamations and awards all over the world.

Kim specializes in the area of Identity Attunement. She has a passion to help others to reclaim their authentic selves, embrace their unique attributes, and walk in the fullness of who they were created to be as leaders in the workplace, at home, and in everyday life.<p>While with Athletes in Action's Pro Ministries Staff, Kim worked with wives of NFL players, head coaches, and executives for 20 years, serving as Chaplain for the Miami Dolphins wives for 10 years and holding various leadership positions at Athletes in Action’s international headquarters. As an AIA affiliate, she is continuing to have an ongoing impact in the world of sports.<p>Kim’s mission includes aiding women of all backgrounds in overcoming past pain, working through issues of self-worth, and fulfilling their purpose. With this mission in mind, in 2018, Kim launched Athletes in Action’s All-Star Moms Outreach. This community-focused event took place in conjunction with the All-Star Breakfast hosted by Athletes in Action and the NBA Retired Players Association during the NBA All-Star Weekends in Los Angeles, Charlotte, and Chicago. Through these outreaches she was able to celebrate close to 150 single moms and connect them with local organizations who could provide ongoing resources and support.<p>Kim’s message is not only impacting women. Through her speaking at corporate events, universities, AIA’s Pro Leadership Summits, and NFL Team Chapels, her message is impacting men as well. Kim Anthony has worked as a sports reporter for ESPN and hosted three television shows in Miami, Florida. She has appeared as a guest on TV and radio programs like, Focus on the Family (A 2012 Best of the Best broadcast), Family Life Today, 700 Club, 100 Huntley Street, and Full Circle.<p>Kim has written an inspiring story detailing her journey from pain to purpose, in her memoir, Unfavorable Odds. In it, she shares how she overcame growing up in an environment surrounded by drugs, violence and financial hardships and went on to become a member of the US National Gymnastics Team and the first African-American female to receive a scholarship to compete for UCLA gymnastics.<p>There, she became a 6-time All-American and 4-time National Champion. Kim was inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame in 2000, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 and was listed as one of the legends making up the Pac-12 All-Century Gymnastics Team in 2016. Unfavorable Odds is a book that crosses social, economic and cultural barriers. It feeds the soul of the reader with inspiration to persevere and courage to overcome.<p>Kim Anthony has two adult children and currently resides in Southwest, Ohio with Corwin, her husband of 29 years.<p> To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here .<br>To watch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here .

This is Part 2 of our interview with Chief Merkison. If you haven't done so already, be sure to listen to Part 1 first.<p>Chief Merkison was born and raised in Clayton County where his family has made their home for over 50 years. After graduating from North Clayton High School, Chief Merkison attended and graduated from Griffin Technical Institute where he majored in Architectural and Engineering Drafting. He furthered his education at Columbia Southern University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration and a Master’s Degree in Business.<p>Chief Merkison began his firefighting career as a volunteer with the City of Jonesboro in 1992. In 1993, he was hired by the City of Riverdale and In March of 1996, he began his career with Clayton County Fire &amp; Emergency Services. He was promoted through the ranks serving as a Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain within the Fire Marshal’s Office and in 2008 was promoted to Battalion Chief and charged with creating the Technical Services Division. From 2010 through 2013, he served as a member of the Fire Chief’s Executive Staff as the Assistant Fire Chief and Deputy Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. On November 5, 2013, he was appointed the sixth Fire Chief of Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services where he also serves as the EMS Director and Director of Emergency Management. In January of 2021, Chief Merkison was appointed to head the new Office of Resilience and Sustainability.<p>In addition to his roles within the department, Chief Merkison serves as Chairman of the Clayton County Citizens Corps Council and as a member of the Region III EMS Council. In October of 2014, the Board of Commissioners appointed him to serve on the Board of Directors for Southern Regional Medical Center and in 2020 Governor Brian Kemp appointed him to serve on the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council.<p> To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here .<br>To watch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here .

Chief Merkison was born and raised in Clayton County where his family has made their home for over 50 years. After graduating from North Clayton High School, Chief Merkison attended and graduated from Griffin Technical Institute where he majored in Architectural and Engineering Drafting. He furthered his education at Columbia Southern University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration and a Master’s Degree in Business.<p>Chief Merkison began his firefighting career as a volunteer with the City of Jonesboro in 1992. In 1993, he was hired by the City of Riverdale and In March of 1996, he began his career with Clayton County Fire &amp; Emergency Services. He was promoted through the ranks serving as a Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain within the Fire Marshal’s Office and in 2008 was promoted to Battalion Chief and charged with creating the Technical Services Division. From 2010 through 2013, he served as a member of the Fire Chief’s Executive Staff as the Assistant Fire Chief and Deputy Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. On November 5, 2013, he was appointed the sixth Fire Chief of Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services where he also serves as the EMS Director and Director of Emergency Management. In January of 2021, Chief Merkison was appointed to head the new Office of Resilience and Sustainability.<p>In addition to his roles within the department, Chief Merkison serves as Chairman of the Clayton County Citizens Corps Council and as a member of the Region III EMS Council. In October of 2014, the Board of Commissioners appointed him to serve on the Board of Directors for Southern Regional Medical Center and in 2020 Governor Brian Kemp appointed him to serve on the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council.<p> To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here .<br>To watch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here .

Dr. Mulenga Chella is the founding pastor of Christ Life Church, was born in Zambia, Africa. After completing high school, he was called to serve God in ministry. Since then, Mulenga has served in hospital ministry, street kids’ ministry, youth ministry, and as lead pastor. In 2002-2003 he pastored his first church called Bread of Life Church Luanshya, after that, he pastured Bread of Life Church Chankute (’03-’04) and later on Bread of Life Church Mpatamato (’05, ’09-‘13). <p>Mulenga earned his Theology Diploma from Northrise University Zambia in 2005. In 2006 Mulenga was wrongly imprisoned in Tanzania and spent two years awaiting trial for a crime he did not commit and of which he was subsequently acquitted. This resulted in a spiritually formative time that God used to teach and humble Mulenga for fruitful ministry. He then returned to Northrise University Zambia and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology in 2010 - 2012. In May 2016 Mulenga graduated from Baylor University with a Masters in Divinity. He earned his Doctorate of Ministry at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary (April 2020). <p>Mulenga served as Pastor for Littleville Baptist Church in Hamilton, Texas (2014-2016); Adamsville Presbyterian Church in Adamsville, Texas (2015 -2016); and Cornerstone Christian Church, Chandler, Arizona (June 2016 –January 2017). Mulenga is married to Hellen, and they have a son named Joseph and a daughter named Lisa. They returned back to Zambia from the USA in March 2017 and officially started Christ Life Church in April 2018. <br>For more information on Mulenga's Ministry, visit: https://christlifechurchzambia.com/ <p> To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here .<br>To watch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here .

Nathan Sheldon was born in Rio-de-Janeiro, Brazil. His parents, linguistic missionaries, moved Nathan to the heart of the Amazon Jungle to live with an indigenous group called the Mura Piraha. At about eleven, the family moved out of the jungle to Brazil's capital, Brasilia. Nathan would live in Brasilia until his senior year of high school when the family moved to the U.S., where Nathan would graduate high school.<p>He attended John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR, where he played soccer and tennis, and was very involved in Student Government and served as treasurer his senior year in college, graduating in 1989. He started Graduate School at the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated with a Masters in Accounting – Tax emphasis. He married his college sweetheart Staci in the Fall of 1990. They have two grown children, Sarah, and Steven. Nathan started his career in Accounting, working with Deloitte & Touche in the tax department. He transitioned to the Finance side of accounting and served as controller for Candid Color and then as the wholesale controller for the largest whole food distributor in the country, Fleming. <p>He is finishing his 19th year at the premier Independent School in Oklahoma City, first as the Director of Operations, and for the last eight years, as the Head of School at Casady School. Casady School is an Independent day school with approximately 990 boys and girls in grades pre-k through 12th grade.<p>To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here.<br>To watch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here.

Roee Madai is an accomplished CEO with a proven global track record in developing and executing strategic long-term initiatives in the medical device field. Successfully led global corporate expansion through procurement of new technologies, acquisition of MAS Med Global, sales in new markets and segments, as well as the expansion of manufacturing facilities while adopting the highest quality standards. He has been the CEO if PerSys Medical for the past 8 years, and CEO of First Care Products a group of companies with 150 employees who develop, manufacture and market leading trauma pre-hospital devices for hospitals, EMS, and military markets. He also served as Consul for Economic Affairs for the Government of Israel -Ministry of Finance -Economic Mission to the U.S. and as an Advisor to the Minister of Economy and Industry in Israel. He holds a Master’s Degree in Economics and International Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.<p>To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here .<br>To watch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here .