Lay of The Land

Brad DeHays — Founder and CEO of Connect Real Estate and Connect Housing Blocks.Brad’s journey spans from buying small distressed properties while still in college to leading one of the most ambitious housing manufacturing platforms in the country. Through Connect Real Estate, Brad has revitalized some of Ohio’s most overlooked landmarks — transforming abandoned power plants, trolley barns, and historic buildings into vibrant new community anchors.That same entrepreneurial vision inspired him to launch Connect Housing Blocks (CHB), a 630,000-square-foot modular housing facility anchored in Ohio, now one of the largest modular housing factories in the world. Using state-of-the-art equipment and prefabrication methods, CHB produces high-quality apartments from start to finish, eliminating nearly all measuring, cutting, and heavy lifting—the result: faster, more consistent, and more affordable housing production at scale.In our conversation, which took place on site at CHB, Brad shares how he’s navigated multiple chapters of starting and scaling Connect, the founding insight that drove him to take on industrial-scale modular housing, how he engages communities and leverages public–private partnerships, his unique approach to talent and culture, and his vision for solving the housing crisis by massively scaling up production capability.00:00:00 - The Birth of an Innovative Solution00:04:50 - Understanding the Housing Crisis00:09:56 - Reinventing Construction Processes00:15:59 - Scaling Modular Housing Production00:21:55 - Transforming the Construction Timeline00:32:46 - Vision for the Future of Housing00:36:43 - Scaling Modular Construction: A Game Changer00:42:34 - The Future of Modular Housing: Opportunities and Challenges00:47:17 - Design and Aesthetics in Modular Construction00:52:56 - Labor Challenges in the Construction Industry00:56:16 - Cultural Dynamics and Employee Empowerment01:01:05 - Looking Ahead: Growth and Future Prospects-----LINKS:https://connecthousingblocks.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/braddehays/-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/

Chaya Slain is the Founder, President, and Chief Investment Officer at Virtera Partners.After studying mathematics at Columbia University, she discovered her deeper interest in investing at Goldman Sachs. After several years in New York, she returned to Cleveland and joined Parkwood, the Mandel family investment office, where she spent more than a decade immersed in institutional investing. At Parkwood, she developed a disciplined, process-driven investment philosophy; built relationships with leading private equity, hedge fund, and real estate managers; and learned directly from Mort Mandel’s cultural and strategic principles.In 2020, Chaya founded Virtera Partners, a boutique investment firm designed to offer ultra-high-net-worth families the sophistication of a top-tier institutional allocator with the personal attention of a single-family office. Virtera has grown into a platform providing clients access to differentiated public and private market opportunities — supported by deep sourcing, rigorous diligence, and a willingness to do things differently when the data points that way.In our conversation, we trace Chaya’s journey from Wall Street to Cleveland; her early entrepreneurial spark running a deli during her time at Columbia University; the leap from investor to founder; and the empathy and insight that transition has given her when evaluating other entrepreneurs and investment managers. We explore behavioral discipline, portfolio construction in uncertain markets, long-term thinking, and what it means to build with integrity, excellence, and a true sense of stewardship.As someone who loves this intersection of investing and entrepreneurship, it was fun to hear Chaya’s reflections on it and learn from her experience. Please enjoy this great conversation with Chaya Slain00:00 Chaya's Journey: From Goldman Sachs to Investing08:33 Lessons from Parkwood: Building a Network and Process12:06 The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Transitioning to Founding17:51 Investment Decision-Making: Process and Emotion21:34 Navigating Emotional Biases in Decision Making23:26 Investment Philosophy: Flexibility Over Boxes26:05 Contrarian Investments: The Case for Energy28:42 Cleveland vs. New York: The Advantage of Distance30:27 Lessons from Entrepreneurship: Empathy and Long-Term Thinking34:41 Evolving the Business: From Family Office to Fund37:24 Defining Success: Integrity and Performance38:29 Challenges of Being Different in Investing41:47 Current Market Concerns and Portfolio Construction43:46 The Importance of Alternative Investments-----LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaya-slain/https://www.virterapartners.com/-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/

Jerry Schill is the founder and CEO of Schill Grounds Management — a company he launched in 1993 with his brother after a chance summer job revealed a passion for landscaping. What began as a two-person side hustle has grown into a large-scale commercial grounds management company, now one of the fastest-growing platforms in the industry.In 2020, Jerry began a bold new chapter—scaling Schill Grounds Management through strategic acquisitions alongside organic growth. Under his leadership, the company has completed more than 16 acquisitions and now operates across six states and Ontario, Canada. With a growing family of nine brands and more than 1,400 team members, Schill Grounds Management is recognized as a national leader built on consistency, performance, and a people-first culture — and Jerry is still very much in building mode.Beyond the business, Jerry is an active contributor to several industry associations, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the Accredited Snow Contractors Association, and the Ohio Landscape Association. He also founded Holiday Feast — an annual charitable tradition that has served thousands of free meals to families in need throughout the Cleveland community.Throughout our awesome conversation, Jerry reflects on entrepreneurship, drive, discipline, humility, ambition, what it means to build something that lasts, and lots more.00:00 Introduction to Jerry Schill and His Journey00:59 The Impact of Family and Early Influences01:49 The Leap into Entrepreneurship03:54 The Evolution of Show Landscape07:21 Understanding the Landscaping Industry13:08 Leadership Evolution and Personal Growth19:04 The Importance of Peer Networks20:58 Scaling the Business and Maintaining Culture24:32 The Shift to Acquisitions for Growth27:47 Integrating Acquired Companies Successfully31:38 The Role of Technology in Landscaping34:47 Motivation and Future Vision for SGM38:09 Lessons Learned from the Journey39:55 Curiosity and Lifelong Learning41:13 The Holiday Feast Initiative44:08 Aiming for a Billion-Dollar Company45:46 Advice to Younger Self46:56 Hidden Gems in Cleveland-----LINKS:https://schilllandscaping.com/abouthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-schill-2b010b1a/Referenced Episode — Sanjay Singh: https://www.layoftheland.fm/218-sanjay-singh-macer-get-good-at-hard-things/-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/

Perry Stancato is the founder and CEO of Signature Sauces and a third-generation operator of the beloved Cleveland institution, Stancato’s Italian Restaurant.This conversation with Perry explores the entrepreneurial journey of someone who grew up in the family restaurant — from standing on a milk crate as a kid making waffles for Sunday brunch to running Stancato’s today while simultaneously building Signature Sauces into a premier national food manufacturing partner.Signature Sauces began in 2005 with a simple idea: to bottle his family’s legendary red sauce after customers kept asking for it. What started as a way to serve Stancato’s loyal patrons quickly evolved into something much larger. Perry discovered that while retail was cutthroat and unforgiving, his passion and true product-market fit lay in foodservice — helping other restaurants scale their “secret sauces.” Today, Signature Sauces has grown into a company that helps make the products that make others famous, serving clients from local Ohio favorites to national brands like Bob Evans, Momofuku, Benihana, Barrio, and many more.Alongside that manufacturing growth, Perry continues to steward Stancato’s — the restaurant that has been a Cleveland staple for decades. He reflects on the delicate balance of honoring a community legacy while making small, thoughtful changes to stay relevant across generations.In our conversation, Perry shares the challenges of taking nearly ten years to get Signature Sauces off the ground, the resilience it took to keep going, the lessons learned from retail versus foodservice, and what he’s most proud of: seeing team members who started as dishwashers grow into leaders, and knowing his work helps thousands of diners enjoy meals every day. We also dive into his Ohio pride, from the region’s food scene to partnerships like the Ohio State Buckeye Tailgate sauces, and his perspective on what it takes to build a legacy business in Cleveland.00:00:00 - The Legacy of Stancatos: A Family Business Journey00:09:03 - From Family Recipes to Signature Sauces00:12:49 - Navigating the Food Industry: Retail vs. Food Service00:17:15 - Scaling Up: The Art and Science of Sauce Production00:20:39 - The Future of Signature Sauces: Expanding Partnerships00:21:55 - The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins00:23:33 - Vision and Growth of Signature Sauces00:26:10 - Lessons from the Restaurant Industry00:29:10 - Balancing Time and Responsibilities00:31:40 - Building a Legacy in Ohio00:34:30 - Innovation and Technology in Food Production00:37:08 - Trends in the Culinary World00:39:44 - Understanding Risk and Success00:42:22 - Navigating Customer Relationships00:45:20 - Insights for Aspiring Food Entrepreneurs00:45:35 - Reflections on the Journey-----LINKS:https://www.signaturesauces.com/https://www.stancatos.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/perry-stancato-799b16b/-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Past guests include Justin Bibb (Mayor of Cleveland), Pat Conway (Great Lakes Brewing), Steve Potash (OverDrive), Umberto P. Fedeli (The Fedeli Group), Lila Mills (Signal Cleveland), Stewart Kohl (The Riverside Company), Mitch Kroll (Findaway — Acquired by Spotify), and over 200 other Cleveland Entrepreneurs.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/

Kaitie and Kyle Nickel are entrepreneurs, storytellers, and community builders based in Cleveland. They have grown beloved brands such as Cleveland Vibes, The Cleveland Market, and Cleve or Leave to reach hundreds of thousands of followers and many millions of people. Their work is driven by a shared goal: to connect people, celebrate local culture, and inspire growth. Passionate about empowering small businesses and shaping Cleveland’s cultural identity, Kaitie and Kyle have built a family business that blends storytelling, innovation, and community into something uniquely impactful.In our conversation, we discuss the origins of Cleveland Vibes and how it became a platform for positive storytelling. We explore how the couple is reframing Cleveland’s narrative and brand for a new generation, and how their work has evolved from social media into events, agency projects, and viral cultural moments. We also talk about what it means to build a family business and define success through community impact.Kaitie and Kyle are doing incredible work telling Cleveland’s story, and I’m excited to share our conversation with you today.00:00:00 - Introduction and Setting the Stage00:02:53 - Discovering Cleveland: A New Perspective00:05:36 - Kaitie’s Journey: From Nursing to Creative Storytelling00:08:00 - The Storytelling Challenge: Changing Perceptions of Cleveland00:12:20 - The Birth of Cleveland Vibes: A Community Movement00:17:04 - Cleveland Vibes Today: More Than Just Social Media00:18:18 - Building an Audience: The Power of Community00:23:43 - Entrepreneurial Lessons: Building Together00:27:10 - Cleve or Leave: A New Brand Emerges00:29:52 - Creative Process: Froggy’s Journey to Fame00:33:52 - Preparing for Viral Moments00:37:59 - The Creative Playground00:39:43 - Defining Success and Vision00:44:42 - Changing Perceptions of Cleveland00:49:02 - The Brand of Cleveland00:51:37 - Hidden Gems-----LINKS:https://clevelandvibes.com/https://www.facebook.com/clevelandvibes/-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Past guests include Justin Bibb (Mayor of Cleveland), Pat Conway (Great Lakes Brewing), Steve Potash (OverDrive), Umberto P. Fedeli (The Fedeli Group), Lila Mills (Signal Cleveland), Stewart Kohl (The Riverside Company), Mitch Kroll (Findaway — Acquired by Spotify), and over 200 other Cleveland Entrepreneurs.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/

Nearly a year and a half after our conversation first aired in 2024, Lost & Found in Cleveland is ready to make its way to theaters nationwide on November 7, 2025.When I first sat down with Keith Gerchak and Marisa Guterman, the creative forces behind the film, we explored the decade-long journey that brought this story to life—from writing and directing this cinematic love letter to Cleveland, to raising capital, recruiting a star-studded cast featuring Martin Sheen, Dennis Haysbert, June Squibb, Stacy Keach, and many others, and filming across Cleveland’s iconic landscapes.With the film’s theatrical debut now just around the corner, this feels like the perfect moment to revisit their remarkable story.So, with that exciting update, please enjoy this encore conversation from the Lay of The Land archives with Keith Gerchak and Marisa Guterman, the filmmakers behind Lost & Found in Cleveland, airing in theaters across Cleveland starting November 7, 2025.Tickets are now on sale at https://tickets.lostandfoundincleveland.com/! More theaters are being added daily. 00:00:00 - The American Dream in Cleveland 00:05:56 - The Journey of Filmmaking 00:19:10 - Character Development and Storytelling 00:32:39 - Challenges and Triumphs in Production 00:42:44 - The Journey of Filmmaking: Vision and Execution 00:44:44 - Challenges of Fundraising in Cleveland 00:46:31 - The Economic Impact of Local Filmmaking 00:49:15 - Building a Sustainable Film Industry in Cleveland 00:51:33 - Changing the Narrative: Cleveland's Film Identity 00:54:53 - Casting Challenges and Triumphs 01:01:38 - Overcoming On-Set Challenges 01:09:21 - The Message of Hope in Film-----LINKS:Lost & Found in Cleveland IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4601732/Connect with Keith Gerchak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithgerchak/Connect with Marisa Guterman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-guterman-187677a9/Double G Films: https://www.doublegfilms.com/-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Past guests include Justin Bibb (Mayor of Cleveland), Pat Conway (Great Lakes Brewing), Steve Potash (OverDrive), Umberto P. Fedeli (The Fedeli Group), Lila Mills (Signal Cleveland), Stewart Kohl (The Riverside Company), Mitch Kroll (Findaway — Acquired by Spotify), and over 200 other Cleveland Entrepreneurs.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/

Nearly a year and a half after our conversation first aired, Aaron Slodov and Atomic Industries have reached an important milestone worth celebrating. Atomic recently announced the close of its $25 million Series A, led by MaC Venture Capital and DTX Ventures, with participation from Narya and others, to accelerate the rollout of its AI-driven manufacturing platform.With this funding, Atomic is expanding its software-defined factory footprint and advancing the AI systems at the heart of its vision—one that has already moved from pilot to production, shipping parts to some of the world’s most demanding OEMs. At its core, Atomic is working to strengthen America’s industrial base by making the manufacturing of physical goods more localized, resilient, and technology-enabled.This felt like the perfect moment to revisit my conversation with Aaron, where we unpack his techno-industrialist philosophy, the deep history of Ohio manufacturing, and why the future of physical production matters so much for our country.So, with that timely update, please enjoy this timeless conversation from the Lay of The Land archives with Aaron Slodov, CEO of Atomic Industries.00:00:00 – The Rise of Techno-Industrialism00:05:56 – The Journey from Bits to Atoms00:10:41 – The Challenges of Manufacturing00:15:47 – Reindustrialization and the Post-Industrial Myth00:20:48 – Atomic Industries: Innovating Manufacturing00:25:42 – Exascaling the Industrial Base00:30:49 – The Future of Manufacturing Talent00:40:46 – The Shift in Manufacturing Careers00:42:50 – Incentivizing the Return to Manufacturing00:44:58 – Cultural Integration of Tech and Manufacturing00:50:38 – Defining Success in Modern Manufacturing00:52:03 – The Importance of a Techno-Industrial Framework00:56:12 – Policy and the Future of Manufacturing01:02:33 – The Potential of Reindustrialization01:05:57 – Storytelling as a Tool for Founders-----LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/abslodov/https://twitter.com/aphysicisthttps://www.atomic.industries/https://www.piratewires.com/p/techno-industrialist-manifestohttps://twitter.com/newindustrials-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Past guests include Justin Bibb (Mayor of Cleveland), Pat Conway (Great Lakes Brewing), Steve Potash (OverDrive), Umberto P. Fedeli (The Fedeli Group), Lila Mills (Signal Cleveland), Stewart Kohl (The Riverside Company), Mitch Kroll (Findaway — Acquired by Spotify), and over 200 other Cleveland Entrepreneurs.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/

Ralph Lazaro, Co-founder and CEO of INaudio, has over two decades in the audiobook industry, transforming Findaway into a digital powerhouse before launching INaudio as a spinout from Spotify. He discusses his bold move to Cleveland, the Spotify acquisition journey, and the dynamic evolution of the audiobook market amidst new competitors and AI influences. Ralph shares insights on building a strong company culture remotely, prioritizing psychological safety, and his vision for the future of audiobooks. Plus, he offers advice on career development and recommends Cleveland's hidden natural gems.

Terry Coyne is an Executive Vice Chairman of Newmark and Principal of Terry Coyne Properties. Over his 25-plus-year career, Terry has become one of Ohio’s most accomplished commercial real estate leaders, negotiating more than 2,000 transactions totaling over $5 billion in value. In Cleveland alone, over the past five years, he and his team have brokered 250 transactions worth more than $1.2 billion.In our conversation, we cover Terry’s unique philosophy and strategy on real estate, risk, and patience — which have led him to a diverse range of opportunities, from representing companies like GOJO and L’Oréal, to redeveloping the old Chrysler Plant, building the MidTown Tech Park in Cleveland, and now leading the 670+ acre site at Rickenbacker adjacent to Anduril’s new Arsenal 1 Hyperscale Manufacturing Facility.We also break down Terry’s views on Ohio’s regional markets, what he’s learned from his father, the intersection of real estate and entrepreneurship, and his perspective on the future of the state’s economy — from data centers and energy policy to the cultural ambition needed for Ohio to continue its rise.00:00:00 - Introduction to Terry Coyne and His Career00:25:48 - Exploring Ohio's Unique Markets00:30:38 - Land vs. Real Estate: Understanding Value00:37:16 - The Future of Work: Remote vs. In-Office00:42:59 - Taxation and Its Impact on Real Estate00:49:48 - Hidden Gem-----LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrycoyne/https://terrycoyne.com/terry-coyne-properties/-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Past guests include Justin Bibb (Mayor of Cleveland), Pat Conway (Great Lakes Brewing), Steve Potash (OverDrive), Umberto P. Fedeli (The Fedeli Group), Lila Mills (Signal Cleveland), Stewart Kohl (The Riverside Company), Mitch Kroll (Findaway — Acquired by Spotify), and over 200 other Cleveland Entrepreneurs.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/

Jeff Berlin is the Founder and President of Bridge Industries & Chairman and CEO of TransTech Energy. Jeff’s journey spans from his early days at Parker Hannifin to helping grow Hawk Corporation from a $20 million single-plant business into a $200 million global operation, and ultimately to founding his own company, Bridge — an industrial holding company anchored by TransTech — that has quietly scaled into a multi-hundred-million-dollar enterprise based in Chagrin Falls.In our conversation, we cover Jeff’s conviction in the importance of American manufacturing and how it shaped his career-long commitment to building enduring businesses; the creation of Bridge Industries and his intentional choice of a permanent holding-company model over traditional private equity; the more than 25-fold scaling of TransTech into a diversified industrial platform with over 700 employees, up from just 35 a decade earlier; and the lessons learned along the way — the resilience and philosophy that guide him, how to weather downturns, usefulness as a true measure of value and success, culture across companies, and much more.00:00:00 - The Roots of American Manufacturing Belief 00:07:35 - Formative Experiences in Leadership 00:09:00 - Transformational Growth at Hawk 00:11:55 - Resilience in Business 00:13:10 - The Birth of Bridge 00:14:14 - Understanding Industrial Holding Companies 00:16:25 - Differentiation from Traditional Private Equity 00:19:00 - The Journey of Bridge 00:20:47 - Strategic Growth and Acquisitions 00:27:31 - Managing Geographic Expansion 00:30:01 - Introducing TransTech 00:31:28 - Building Infrastructure for Energy Solutions 00:35:59 - Strategic Growth and Acquisition Insights 00:38:10 - The Importance of Vertical Integration 00:42:51 - Cultural Dynamics in Business Integration 00:43:43 - The State of American Manufacturing 00:46:30 - Defining Success and Value Creation 00:48:10 - Future Ambitions for Bridge and TransTech 00:49:40 - Mentorship and Leadership Evolution 00:51:22 - Understanding the Nature of Industrial Work 00:54:40 - The Role of Infrastructure in Daily Life 00:55:56 - Excitement for Future Challenges 00:58:07 - Investing in Financial and IT Infrastructure 00:59:52 - Automation and Its Implications 01:01:53 - Guiding Wisdom and Philosophy 01:02:51 - Renewable Natural Gas and Environmental Impact 01:05:51 - Hidden Gem-----LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-berlin-9b156a12/https://bridgeind.com/-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Past guests include Justin Bibb (Mayor of Cleveland), Pat Conway (Great Lakes Brewing), Steve Potash (OverDrive), Umberto P. Fedeli (The Fedeli Group), Lila Mills (Signal Cleveland), Stewart Kohl (The Riverside Company), Mitch Kroll (Findaway — Acquired by Spotify), and over 200 other Cleveland Entrepreneurs.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/