You, Me, and Your Top Three

During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks about how creating connected products may blur the boundaries of manufacturing and aftermarket service. He then speaks with Jerry Foster, CTO at Plex Systems. Jerry, an expert in Industry 4.0, shares how he bravely launched an information technology company from the gritty floor of a foundry. He then discusses how the manufacturing sector is dealing with COVID-19 and gives hints on how manufacturers are redefining their supply chains in real time. Jerry shares his Top Three ranging from his wife to his cofounder to the CFO of his current team. And you have to hear what he has to say about building confidence by surrounding yourself with people smarter than you.    About Jerry Foster Jerry Foster is CTO and leads Plex System’s technology strategy, along with research and design initiatives focused on next-generation cloud solutions for the manufacturing enterprise. A founding member of the Plex team, Jerry has been instrumental in th

During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Paul Chambers, a multi-time founder who has launched the Subscription Trade Association, about the rising growth in the subscription economy and accompanying business models. He discusses how the Subscription Trade Association has brought together subscription based business leaders from across many industries. He also shares his Top Three ranging from his multi-time co-founder who helps bring his ideas to reality to an amusement park line-jumping friend who has helped him better understand the events industry to his business coach. And you have to hear what he has to say about taking the time to truly disconnect, in order to connect. About Paul Chambers An entrepreneur since fifth grade, Paul Chambers is the President and Co-Founder of the Subscription Trade Association (SUBTA) and CEO and Founder of Core3 Solutions, a parent company to Element5 Digital, Gentleman’s Box, Rocket Effect, Moka Boka, and Unity Management Syste

During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks first about the unique nature of building connections during the COVID-19 quarantine. He then interviews middle-school teacher turned CEO Chanel Hampton, founder and president of Strategic Community Partners, who has a fantastic message about following your passion. She shares her Top Three ranging from the founder of Build-a-Bear to an ambassador of Belize to an executive coach who holds her accountable. And you have to hear what she has to say about dealing with that pit in your stomach. About Chanel Hampton Chanel Hampton serves as the Founder and President of Strategic Community Partners (SCP), a Detroit-based firm focused on working with local and national organizations rooted in education, equity, and justice. In 2015, Chanel launched SCP with a vision of partnering with mission-driven organizations to build capacity and positively serve Black and marginalized communities. SCP works with a robust array of partners, including D

During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks about finding your drive. He speaks with Jack Lintol, a multi-time CEO who is currently with Detroit Trading Company. Jack shares the importance of how leadership differs during disruption and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who can be part of your system. And, of course, he speaks about his ‘Top 3’ – from his wife, to fellow CEOs, to trusted colleagues who have run the plays with him in the past, and ultimately to his faith and the father figures who speak with him from afar. And you have to hear what he has to say about knowing when it is right to look in the mirror or when to look through the window. About Jack Lintol Jack Lintol possesses more than 25 years of senior leadership experience. His success in growing, optimizing and turning around companies is attributable to his ability to develop, articulate and execute a clear strategy, build an effective team and engage / motivate all constituents necessary

During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Samantha Snabes, co-founder and catalyst at re:3D about resiliency through disruption. She shares firsthand experience of driving resiliency through major disruptions like COVID-19 as well as several natural disasters. She also discusses how she motivates her team to shape the future of manufacturing through 3D printing and using it to change the landscape across the world. Additionally, she notes her Top Three who include her amazing NASA based co-founder and two moon-shot advisors: one who is the chair of Singularity University and one who founded GoogleX. And you must hear what she has to say about helping the world make new stuff from trash. About Samantha Snabes Samantha Snabes is an officer in the Air National Guard and the CEO for re:3D where she facilitates connections between others printing at the human-scale and/or using recycled materials to access locally driven manufacturing in 53 countries. As a serial entrepr

During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Kevin Withane, senior legal and ethics director at TI Fluid Systems. As a global citizen, he discusses some of the difficult realities of ethics, diversity, and the current social unrest tied to race. Kevin also shares his Top Three that includes his wife who helped him find his professional purpose to his father who taught him to never give up to his colleague who let him into the system. And you have to hear what he is trying to do to change the world for his daughter.  About Kevin Withane Kevin Withane is a purpose led senior in-house lawyer and ethics and compliance professional. He was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn in the United Kingdom in 2002 and later dual-qualified as a solicitor. For the last 10 years, Kevin’s work has had an increasing focus towards ethics and compliance. Kevin’s career has spanned a charity, a quasi-governmental organisation, a regulator, private practice, SMEs and now a FTSE 250 multinational

During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Jennifer Charters, executive vice president and CIO at Flagstar Bank. She discusses how leaders can use the power of storytelling to drive clarity of purpose and consistency of transformation. Jennifer also shares how she has honed this superpower as a chief-of-staff to a global executive before embracing this same method to take on her own corporate officer role. She shares her Top Three including her spouse who creates a safe-zone to question the right way of doing things to bosses who help mold her perspective to current colleagues who give her the space to truly move her organization from good to great and to her fellow Women in Technology who, with her, continue to shape the landscape for women in the IT profession. Lastly, you must hear what she has to say about building intentional habits. About Jennifer Charters Jennifer Charters joined Flagstar Bank in June 2018 as executive vice president and chief information officer

During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Roy Sexton, director of marketing at Clark Hill. He discusses the changing landscape of the legal industry and provides hints on how to deploy effective digital marketing efforts as well as how to breakdown barriers through social media. Additionally, he shares his Top Three including an author he learned to call “mom” who taught him all about empathy, his ‘fairy God sisters’ who took him under their wings and broke down a scary new industry, and his Braveheart-like Irish boss who balances understanding what makes him tick with pushing him to learn how to manage and lead. And you must hear what he has to say about looking for the naturally worn paths before pouring the concrete for sidewalks in your organization. About Roy SExton Roy Sexton leads Clark Hill’s marketing, branding, and communications efforts, collaborating with the firm’s exceptional team of marketing and business development professionals. Roy has nearly 20 years

During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Andre Arbelaez about the connective power of race and ethnicity. We learn how some ethnic groups support one another with lessons that will help any group of people perform better. Andre is the founder of HITEC and HC3 – a Hispanic, technology executive group. Andre speaks about the significant leaders who have helped him to become the humble cheerleader he is today. From executives at Facebook, Cisco, and HP to mobility experts with whom he grew up with, Andre documents lessons through the stories that help bring them alive. And you have to hear what he has to say about the responsibilities that leaders have to both push up and pull up other leaders.   About Andre Arbelaez Andre Arbelaez is a Global Technology Executive and a Leader in the Hispanic community nationally as the President & CEO of the Hispanic C-Suite Corporate Council (HC3).  He is a frequently sought speaker on Technology, Diversity & Inclusion and Sm

During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with David Behen, Chief Information Officer of the iconic company and brand, La-Z-Boy. He discusses the power of being brave enough to ask and how being brave can make all the difference in a mentorship relationship. Behen highlights his closest virtual advisors from his life partner to day-to-day business partners to experienced IT and investment advisors to the former governor of Michigan. Additionally, he shares must-hear advise on keeping things uncomfortably fun. About David Behen David Behen has served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at La-Z-Boy, Inc. since June 2017. In this role, he leads the information technology (IT) function across the enterprise, aligning technology with the La-Z-Boy business objectives. Behen works to ensure optimal technology performance and cybersecurity for the company in support of La-Z-Boy’s future growth and success across manufacturing and retail operations. His responsibili

During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, does a solo-cast to explore how the country and business leaders deal with the highest unemployment rate of all time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, Gregg discusses how to bring employees back, how it ties to innovation and how to capture the entrepreneurial spirit in order to open up the economy and work to make your business stronger than it was prior to the pandemic. About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in  the  Connecting  World. Having  addressed  audiences  from  20  to  upwards  o

During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks about how a company’s culture, combined with where you work early in your career, can have a huge impact on the trajectory of your career. Gregg then speaks with Raman Sehgal, the founder of 20 Nickels, a serial entrepreneur, and a P&G alumnus. Raman discusses P&G’s corporate culture, his podcast experience, and lessons learned along the way. Of course, he speaks about his ‘Top Three’ from a past colleague at P&G, to a former colleague and mentor at a startup, to a former employee. And, you have to hear what Raman’s mentor said about controlling the narrative. About Raman Sehgal  Raman Sehgal is a recovering marketer and emerging podcaster. Having worked on big brands (P&G, Dannon), built startups (Ahalogy, TVision), and been around the world, Raman's brings his unique perspective to life across his 3 podcasts: "the P&G Alumni Podcast," "Model Minorities," and "Quarantined Comics." These

During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Deborah Parizek, Executive Director of the Henry Ford Learning Institute, regarding the future of education. She addresses how the COVID-19 pandemic has shortened the cycle for change in new education models as well as for disruptive corporate learning and development models. She also shares tips for parents to balance their role as a leader at work, at home and now as an ad hoc educator. About Deborah Parizek A non-profit leader and educator with 25 years of experience in dynamic learning environments, Deborah Parizek drives HFLI’s efforts to provide workshops, programs and site coaching that pair effective education and human-centered design approaches, empowering learners to lead transformational change in, with and for their community. She is known for cultivating the conversations, empathy, and capacity critical to addressing complex challenges. Deborah was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business

During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Dr. Ethan Becker, president of Boston-based communications firm The Speech Improvement Company. He speaks about communication in times of crisis and disruption; specifically, the long-term effects of this pandemic on general communication and best practices for communicating online and through various digital platforms. Dr. Becker also addresses the importance of listening to effectively communicate. About Dr. Ethan Becker Dr. Ethan F. Becker is a second-generation Executive Speech Coach and Trainer with the 56 year old global business, The Speech Improvement, Inc. He is co-author of the international best-selling book Mastering Communication at Work: How to lead, manage, and influence, which is published worldwide by McGraw-Hill.  The book is also an Amazon #1 best seller in 13 categories. Ethan has developed and delivered powerful customized motivational speeches on various topics related to communi

During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Campbell Macdonald, the Founder and CEO of Proxxi. He speaks about rapidly pivoting his company to remain relevant during this pandemic, the process he underwent, and how he moved fast. Campbell also shares his thoughts on how to recognize capabilities that will let you excel versus those that will hold you back. About Campbell Macdonald Campbell is an entrepreneur and the CEO Proxxi, a smart sensor that senses and interprets electricity with software. Their first product, Proxxi Band, is targeted at electrical workers. It notifies the user by vibration when they get too close to an electric current. Currently, there are no connected, always-on devices to detect electricity for the 20 million US workers covered by an electrical safety plan Before Proxxi, Campbell co-founded Pathful , an artificial intelligence solution for enterprise marketing. After going through Techstars and raising VC from Fo

During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks about how the world and the working world may be changed forever and how working from home, or anywhere, is the new model. Gregg then speak with Amanda Lewan, CEO and Co-Founder of Bamboo Detroit who is an expert in the working from home space. Amanda discusses the impact COVID and the COVID-driven disruption is having on this shared work model. Of course, she speaks about her ‘Top Three’ from her founder husband, to her co-founder partner, to her customers, to her mentors and formal advisors. And you have to hear about how this disruption is giving her an opportunity to pull ahead the digitization of her business. About Amanda Lewan  Amanda Lewan is a writer, entrepreneur, and community builder. Her life mission is to unite others and move our world forward. Amanda worked at a variety of startups in marketing & operations, before launching Bamboo. One of the first co-working spaces in Detroit, Bamboo sp

During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, provides a quick overview of the CGS report ‘Recognizing the Patterns in the Pandemic-Driven Crisis’. He touches on the broad market effect, the basic stages of response, the human and emotional responses from leaders, and the silver lining challenge of it all. About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in  the  Connecting  World. Having  addressed  audiences  from  20  to  upwards  of  1500  people  in  public  and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping &

During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, reflects on how we should all consider the journey we are on and how we may find some useful patterns in it. He then welcome Walt Brown, a Certified EOS® Implementer and Founder of Walt Brown Co. Walt speaks about how organizations are getting much more complex and how major change is needed now more than ever. And, of course, he speaks about his ‘Top 3’ ranging from business partners, to his father, to a coach, to visionaries. And you have to hear what he has to say about the power of asking questions and then just listening. About Walt Brown “Seasoned multi-company entrepreneur” is one label that has been used to describe Walt over the years. Many folks refer to Walt as an entrepreneur, but he insists this is much too generous: “I don’t consider myself an entrepreneur. I consider myself someone who is good at seeing existing patterns and pulling them together in logical ways that people are willing to pay for, t

During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with CGS Fellow, Tim McCabe.  Tim has led through several major market disruptions and helped to manage the largest industrial bankruptcy on the planet. He speaks about lessons he learned from that crisis, discusses the impacts of the current crisis tied to COVID-19 and makes suggestions to today’s leaders. And you have to hear what he has to say about using the disruption as a test drive for your future.   About Tim McCabe Tim began his career at General Motors (GM) and GMAC where he assisted with the spin-off of EDS and the creation of GM’s new information technology group. During this time, Tim was part of a small team responsible for a 10-year technology outsourcing deal to support GM’s North American business, which at the time was the largest IT outsourcing deal in the world. Ten years later, McCabe led the termination of the GM/EDS agreement as well as the creation and subsequent contracting of a

During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks about how the disruption being caused by COVID is giving us a chance to look a bit into the future. He then speaks with Marc Hudson, the Co-founder and CEO of RocketFiber. Marc speaks about the journey of building a company that literally connects an iconic, American city and what it is like to vision and grow a company and the critical moment of deciding to sell it. And of course, Marc speaks about his ‘Top Three’ – from his co-founders who went down the journey with him, to successful tech leaders who walked in his shoes before he did, to like-minded business leaders who he meets with regularly, to his wife who pushes him and demonstrates bravery often. And you have to hear what he has to say about what it is like to move from an intrapreneur to an entrepreneur. About Marc Hudson Marc Hudson is Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rocket Fiber, a Rock Family Company, providing hyper-fast Internet and con