There are some extraordinary opportunities for companies with the vision and commitment to get behind the energy transition, and today's guest works with one of them.We're sitting down with David Bandele, who has served as the CFO of Hexagon Composites since 2014. The company is headquartered in Norway and trades under the symbol H E X . O L. Their business is focused on carbon-negative, zero-emission energy solutions supported by world-class manufacturing and digitization.Before joining Hexagon, David held several senior positions in the field of finance and controlling with the Acre Group of Companies, GE Healthcare, and Amersham PLC. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sheffield and is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Highlights:Introduction to Hexagon Composites and their background (3:24)Hexagon's target audience and reach (4:24)David describes his road to Hexagon (4:51)David breaks down the similarities and differences between natural gas, and renewable gas (6:03)Hexagon's growth and quick expansion (8:02)Hexagon's total addressable market and sustainability benefits (11:43) David walks us through Hexagon Agility's mobile pipeline (15:34)Mobile pipeline demand (17:17)David takes us through the roll out of Hexagon Digital Wave and developments in other Hexagon verticals (18:11)Hexagon's recent partnership with Compass Natural Gas (19:45)The projects of Hexagon Purus (20:45)Hexagon Ragasco and their current market outlook (22:26)David gives his outlook on the current environmental and sustainability efforts in business across North America (24:20)How Hexagon is continuing to innovate and win over shareholders for the long term (25:59)David gives us his predictions and goals for Hexagon's near future (28:42)Links:David Bandele on LinkedInHexagon Composites on LinkedInHexagon Composites WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

If you've been to space and back, you're bound to have an amazing perspective about your own capabilities, and what humans can achieve. Our guest today knows all about that.On this episode, we're sharing part two of Morgan Brennan's interview with Jared Isaacman, recorded in January at ICR's 26th annual conference in Orlando, Florida. If you didn't catch part one last week, we highly recommend you do. Jared is an extraordinary business leader and on top of his incredible career as founder of Shift4, and Draken International, he's an accomplished pilot and an astronaut.  Jared has made significant contributions to financial technology, defense, and aerospace industries.  He is the founder of both Shift4 and Draken International. Jared founded Shift4 in 1999 at 16 years old, and under his leadership as CEO, Shift4 has consistently pushed boundaries.  Today, Shift4 employs over 2,500 people and processes $250 billion in payments annually for more than 200,000 customers across the US and Europe.Apart from his extraordinary success with Shift4, in 2021 Jared made history by commanding Inspiration4, the world's first all-civilian mission to orbit. That mission raised over 250 million dollars for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. And later this year, he's going to return to space as commander of the Polaris Dawn mission.  This is the first of three space flights under the Polaris program, which is a partnership with SpaceX, and we'll hear all about those missions in this next part of the interview. We're delighted to have Morgan Brennan as the guest host for this interview. Morgan is the co-anchor of CNBC's Closing Bell Overtime. Over the last 10 years, she's held various on-air roles with CNBC and was previously co-anchor of Squawk on the Street and Squawk Alley.  Highlights:Jared talks about the differences between being a private and public company (4:37)Insight on new upcoming Shift4 projects (5:06)Jared tells us the best and worst parts of being in space (6:19)Common questions Jared gets about space (7:01)Jared gives us an inside look at the training process for astronauts leading up to launch (8:04)How seeing space has changed Jared's view of the world (9:57) Jared answers whether he ever felt nervous regret before a launch (13:18)How Jared talks to his family about space missions (15:50)Jared describes what it feels like to come back to Earth from space (16:53)How your height changes after going into space and coming back to Earth (18:42)More about SpaceX's new Starship project (20:23)Links:Morgan Brennan on LinkedInJared IsaacmanShift4 WebsiteDraken International on LinkedInICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

In business, there's success, and there's potential. Success is nice, but true greatness lies in tapping into unseen possibilities. Today's guest has harnessed their business's potential to make a lasting impact on a global scale.On this episode, we're featuring part one of a two-part interview recorded in January at ICR's annual conference in Orlando. It's a fireside chat hosted by Morgan Brennan, who was kind enough to step in to ask all the pressing questions. Morgan is co-anchor of CNBC's Closing Bell Overtime. Over the last 10 years, she has held various on-air roles with CNBC and was previously co-anchor of Squawk on the Street and Squawk Alley. We're thrilled to feature her as our host today. Morgan sat down with Jared Isaacman. Jared is an entrepreneur, a business leader, an accomplished pilot, and he's also an astronaut. He's the founder of both Shift4 and Draken International. Under his leadership as CEO, Shift4 has consistently pushed boundaries, developing cutting-edge payment technologies that empower businesses across countless sectors. Draken International is an aerospace defense company that provides tactical aviation services for all branches of the US military. In 2021, he made history by commanding Inspiration4, the world's first all-civilian mission to orbit. And later this year, he's going to return to space as commander of the Polaris Dawn mission, which is a partnership with SpaceX.Be sure to check out next week's episode for the second half of this fascinating interview. Highlights:How Jared got his start in payment processing and technology (5:18)Jared tells the origin story and inspiration behind founding Shift4 (6:58)Jared describes Shift4's recent public listing accomplishment (8:19)Shift4's current verticals and growth opportunities in payment processing (10:10)How Jared transitioned from payment to space exploration (11:58)How Jared got the opportunity to make space history (13:55) Jared describes the process of assembling the Inspiration 4 mission and crew (15:40)Jared's upcoming Polaris Dawn space mission (18:36)Jared discusses the working with SpaceX (20:36)More on Shift4's team and board members (22:34)Jared shares his biggest lessons in leadership (23:49)Links:Morgan Brennan on LinkedInJared IsaacmanShift4 WebsiteDraken International on LinkedInDraken International WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Mitigating risk has never been more challenging, but today's guest leans on smart data technology, a great relationship with his clients, and over 20 years of working with his very successful firm.We’re excited to sit down today with Amol Dharkalkar, who is Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board of Chatham Financial. He is the Global Head of Chatham's corporate sector and brings over 20 years of experience in derivatives capital markets expertise to the treasury and accounting functions that support client strategies and operations.Amol created the corporate sector at Chatham in 2010. He’s advised some of the largest corporations in the world in the development, execution, and ongoing management of hedging programs across interest rates, currency, and commodities. Amol has also advised both public and private companies across all industries, including real estate, private equity, telecom, technology, industrials, and healthcare, just to name a few.Amol graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor's degree in both chemical engineering and economics and received his MBA from Wharton at U Penn, where he was a Palmer Scholar. Highlights:Amol gives us an overview of Chatham and the focus of their work (3:10)Chatham's senior team and work culture (4:26)Amol describes Chatham's clientele and target audience (6:13)Amol tells us about one of the most complex cases Chatham has managed (8:03)What success means to Amol as a consultant (9:53)Amol's outlook on the current economic market and the future of interest rates (10:42)Risk mitigation in business and how to plan for interference (13:07) How Chatham has adopted and adapted technology into their work (14:48)How Amol and his team stay up to date on market developments (17:40)Amol says more about Chatham's recent EA market acquisition and partnerships (18:26)Chatham's recent report on the state of financial risk management (20:10)How companies continue to be successful in the changing economic climate (22:36)Amol's thoughts on M&A, and advice for potential clients (24:16)The current election season's potential effects on businesses (26:15)Amol talks about fluctuating currency valuations and its impact on clients (28:52)Future goals and plans for Chatham (30:30)Links:Amol Dhargalkar on LinkedInChatham Financial on LinkedInChatham Financial WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

At a time when everyone is paying more for a lot less, and service is in decline, today's guest is leaning in to added value, and it's paying off in spades. We're sitting down with Bob Wright, who has been President and CEO of Potbelly Corporation since July of 2020. The stock trades under the symbol PBPB. Bob has over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and COO of the Wendy's Company, where he ran operations for over 6,000 company and franchise restaurants located throughout the US and Canada.Bob has a strong record of business transformation throughout his career where he has leveraged brand strengths to revitalize top line sales and profit growth through marketing system-wide service standardization and quality initiatives. In addition to Wendy's, Bob has served in leadership roles with other restaurant brands, including Charlie's Philly Steaks, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, and Domino's Pizza.Highlights:Bob's journey to his role at Potbelly (2:44)Bob gives us a history lesson on Potbelly's origins (4:03)What makes Potbelly unique among the competition (5:06)Potbelly's recent menu pivot and the inspiration behind it (6:13)Current plans for franchise development and growth strategy (8:47)Bob explains his outlook on the balance between franchising and company units (11:30)Potbelly's current projects and goals for 2024 (13:18) Brand digitization and new tech (14:53)Bob highlights current brand challenges (15:45)How Potbelly manages their margins alongside inflation and labor issues (16:58)Bob describes the menu features bestsellers (19:26)The team at Potbelly and work culture (21:52)Future expansion plans and locations (24:06)Bob's personal philosophy on leadership (27:25)Links:Bob Wright on LinkedInPotbelly Sandwich Works on LinkedInPotbelly Sandwich Works WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

In an industry booming with customer-focused innovations, it's crucial not to overlook the backbone of an enterprise. Today's guest created a groundbreaking technology that prioritizes health and safety for both customers and in-house staff, that is a critical asset for hospitality businesses as a whole.We're sitting down with Christine Schindler, who is CEO and co-founder of PathSpot, a technology company dedicated to protecting businesses and their customers from the threat of food borne illnesses and outbreaks.An engineer and entrepreneur who is passionate about utilizing technology to overcome gaps in healthcare, Christine invented PathSpot's hand scanner in 2017, following a transformative educational trip to Mount Kilimanjaro. The scanner instantly detects carriers of harmful contamination commonly spread through poor handwashing. PathSpot has now broadened its safety suite to include a comprehensive range of back-of-the-house digital health and safety tools that track temperature, expiration, and more. Christine has a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and Global Health from Duke University. Prior to founding PathSpot, she assisted with biomedical research for Engineering World Health at Mount Kilimanjaro, and spent two years on the innovation and M&A team at Cigna. In addition to PathSpot, Christine is Founder and CEO at Girls Engineering Change, a non-profit focused on increasing female representation in STEM. She was also featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2021 and Hospitality Technology's Top Women in Restaurant Technology in 2023.Highlights:Christine's background in healthcare and public health (3:16)Christine describes the entrepreneurial influence that motivated her (4:12)The a-ha moment for PathSpot's hand scanner technology (5:09)How the hand scanner technology works (7:00)How PathSpot found and targeted their audience (8:09)Brands that PathSpot works with (9:08)Christine describes PathSpot's safety suite of services and data platform (10:07) The pandemic's impact on PathSpot's newly-founded business (11:50)PathSpot's economic model (13:16)How PathSpot uses their data bank as an ROI feature for businesses (14:03)Christine explains the data PathSpot technology detects, and how businesses can utilize it (15:45)How PathSpot maintains legal regulation and brand compliance(18:55)PathSpot's areas of focus for the new year (20:11)Christine's perspective on the society's mindset on health and safety conditions, post-COVID (20:52)PathSpot's goals and trajectory over the next 10 years (21:56)Links:Christine Schindler on LinkedInPathSpot on LinkedInPathSpot WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Today, there are countless platforms to reach consumers, but utilizing too many outlets can also fragment a brand's image. Our guest on this episode specializes in strategic brand exposure, providing clients with guidance to target consumers, and maintain a united market presence.We're sitting down with Anton Nicholas, Managing Partner at ICR. Anton just celebrated his 12th anniversary at ICR, and he runs the corporate PR team for all of Consumer, from retail to apparel to food to restaurants to CPG. It's a big practice within ICR, but we've also added a new brand: Blue Engine, an ICR offshoot creative consumer communications agency, and Anton is also taking care of that.We'll dive into Anton's career and his work with Blue Engine, but not before settling an important debate about snack foods...Highlights:Tom and Anton break the ice (2:51)Anton's work background and path to ICR and Blue Engine (4:34)Anton describes the work he oversees at ICR (5:30)How the ICR Lifestyle Lab transitioned into Blue Engine (6:52)Anton explains what distinguishes Blue Engine's work from the Lifestyle Lab (7:52)The acquisition that led to Blue Engine (8:52)Size and scale of the business (10:04) Where ICR and Blue Engine connect, and differ in their approach (11:52)Where the name 'Blue Engine' came from (14:21)The industries and clients Blue Engine is best suited for (15:28)Anton walks through potential hurdles as the business grows (17:47)An example of Blue Engine's offerings through their work with a specific client, and how they handle crises for clients (19:09)Anton answers a burning question from Tom (22:14)Links:Anton Nicholas on LinkedInICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

In the effort to recover from the impact of the pandemic, the hospitality industry has had a surge of innovation, ideas, and new technologies. And while the boost has been essential to getting the industry back on it's feet, it has also intensified the competition. Today's guest is setting themselves apart with their consumer-focused approach.We're sitting down with Matt Tucker, who is the head of Tock, a technology driven hospitality business owned by Squarespace, and trading under the symbol SQSP. Matt oversees commercial success and growth of the Tock business, which includes a reservation system, table management, carry out operations and events for operators across 33 countries. Matt came to Squarespace after nearly two decades of experience building teams and operating companies of all sizes and has a strong background in hospitality tech and the startup world.Most recently, Matt served as President and COO of Olo, the leading provider of SaaS solutions to the chain restaurant industry, serving almost 90,000 locations. He spent nearly nine years there taking the company from 10 people and one product to a public company with over 700 team members, six core products and nearly 200 million in revenue.Prior to Olo, Matt was on the founding team of LendingTree and was also the founder of Rely Software. He has an MBA from Georgetown and a BA in political science from the University of Michigan. Highlights:Matt's background and path to restaurant software (3:10)Matt describes Tock's founding and current work (4:11)How Tock works in the restaurant to optimize reservations (6:01)Matt explains how Tock targets customers, and the ROI (7:36)Data captured through Tock, and what makes Tock's approach to data optimization unique (11:35)Matt talks about recent economic hurdles and how Tock has navigated the atmosphere (13:05)Matt discusses Tock's versatility in the restaurant industry (15:12)How Squarespace and Tock's work interconnect (16:50)Field competition and the state of the restaurant technology market (19:00)Tock's senior team and their history in hospitality (21:58)Links:Mathew Tucker on LinkedInTock on LinkedInTock WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Over the last few years, the wavering economy has presented problems for virtually every market. In real estate, rising rates and inflation have challenged buyers and sellers alike. But while wading in those waters, today's guest managed to find a silver lining in their unique investment field. Today, we get to sit down with Matt Fraser, a 20-year veteran of real estate, private equity, and corporate finance. He is the founder and CEO of Jones Street Investment Partners, a multi-family investor with more than 2 billion in assets under management. In this role, Matt is responsible for all aspects of the company's growth, including fundraising, deal sourcing, and the growth of the Jones Street team.Prior to forming Jones Street, Matt served as the VP of Investments and Capital Markets at Taymil Partners, a multi-family owner and operator active throughout New England. Before that, he was a VP at the private equity and venture arm of Fleet Bank, which became Bank of America. Matt received a BA in media studies with a concentration in philosophy, with honors and distinction from Penn State University.Highlights:Matt's background in finance, and the road to founding Jones Street (2:45)Jones Street's humble beginnings and team development (3:47)Matt describes Jones Street's strategic approach to their unique geographic locations (5:17)The status of supply and demand in Northeast / Mid-Atlantic markets (6:48)Cities that Jones Street are currently targeting in their specified markets (10:00)Financing options (11:29)How Jones Street have positioned themselves for the upcoming wave of multifamily loan expiration (12:50) The team at Jones Street (15:39)Where Jones Street fits in the market of multifamily real estate, and field competition (17:00)Future growth and current trajectory (18:48)How Matt approaches other opportunities outside of the multifamily market niche (20:15)Matt's advice to those interested in investing in multifamily properties (22:46)How Matt maintains his prudent focus in the market (24:29)Matt's vision for Jones Street in the next 10 years (25:44)Links:Matt Frazier on LinkedInJones Street Investment Partners on LinkedInJones Street Investment Partners WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Every investment comes with plenty of responsibility, but in a multifaceted market like sports and entertainment with varied revenue streams and worldwide integration, navigating this complex landscape can be overwhelming. Today's guest is helping his clients make sure that all the bases are covered. Literally. We're sitting down with Charles (Chuck) Baker, who chairs Sidley Austin's Entertainment, Sports, and Media Group. Chuck represents investors in professional sports, businesses and teams, and advises on sports and entertainment transactions. He has decades of experience in the sports industry and has represented sports franchise purchases across multiple leagues, including the NFL, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the NBA, the NHL, the National Women's Soccer League, and multiple European football leagues.Recently, Chuck represented Genius Sports in its multi-year strategic partnership with the NFL and the Canadian Football League, and also advised on the acquisition minority interest in the Los Angeles Lakers, the Charlotte Hornets, as well as the 6+ billion dollar purchase of the Washington Commanders.Chuck has been highly recognized in the field of sports and entertainment law by multiple national publications. Most recently, the National Law Journal named him to its 2022 list of sports gaming entertainment law trailblazers. The Sports Business Journal also named him to their 2021 Power Players list, and Law 360 added him to their 2020 Sports Betting MVPs.Chuck is an active board member for the March of Dimes and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He is also an adjunct professor and advisory board member at the University of Miami School of Law, and a distinguished lecturer at NYU's Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media and Business.Chuck was also an associate for former Senator, Dollar Bill Bradley, one of Tom's all time favorite Knicks! Highlights:Chuck's work background and how he came across his opportunity at Sidley Austin (3:36)Secular trends currently driving the sports and entertainment investment market (6:57)Chuck describes the investor audience specific to sports and entertainment (8:55)Current sports markets with high deal flow (11:59)Chuck tells the story of the Chelsea FC deal and his role in the transaction (14:15)The current trend and future of sports investments going international (16:54)Chuck describes Sidley Austin's recent partnership with Arctos (19:11) Market competition, industry saturation, and the market's outlook (22:12)How streaming and entertainment consumption affect media rights (24:18)Women's sports and growing investment markets (26:18)How market developments and investments affect fan experience (27:55)Chuck's most recent wins with his own sports teams (28:46)Links:Charles BakerCharles Baker on LinkedInSidley Austin on LinkedInSidley Austin WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.