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Behind the Win
Behind the Win
Author: Sarah Bertagnolli
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© 2025 Behind the Win
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At LSI, we don’t just follow trends, we help shape the future. Behind the Win is the podcast where we break down the biggest moves in tech, innovation, leadership, and government contracting. Hosted by Sarah Bertagnolli, this series features exclusive conversations with the people behind groundbreaking advancements, disruptive strategies, and industry-defining wins. From retail to defense, government solutions to emerging tech… this is where insight meets impact. If you’re building, leading, or just trying to stay ahead, it’s time to go Behind the Win.
134 Episodes
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Welcome back to Behind the win, as we close out the year Sarah takes a moment to reflect on some of the incredible wins we've seen in 2025. This is our year in review episode, our chance to highlight a few of our favorite lessons from guests, moments with the LSI team, and the things that made this year one to remember.
Welcome to Behind the Win, the podcast that goes inside the minds of leaders shaping business, government, and community innovation. Today's guest is Bill Crim, president and CEO of United Way of Salt Lake. Bill has been at the forefront of building cross-sector partnerships that transform education, strengthen communities, and drive long-term change. From championing cradle to career pathways to leading collective impact models that unite business, government, and nonprofits, his work has made Utah a national model for collaboration.
Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today, we're doing something a little different. We're flipping the script. I'm Kevin Jacobson, Director of Administration here at LSI, and Sarah's assistant. And instead of Sarah hosting, I'll be putting her in the hot seat. Sarah is our president and CEO, the force behind this podcast, and today, we're going to get to learn more about her story, her leadership, and what really goes into Behind the Win.
Welcome back to Behind the Win. This week, we're doing something a little different for Thanksgiving. Instead of talking strategy, innovation, or leadership, Sarah pauses to reflect on gratitude. Wins are important, but so are the people, lessons, and moments that get us there. Today, you'll hear a few reflections from members of the LSI team on what we're thankful for this year.
Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today I'm joined by Aniza Brown. She started her career as a software engineer, went on to leadership roles at Hill Air Force Base, and is now shaping Utah's tech and defense innovation ecosystem. We'll talk about deploying innovation in government environments, fostering partnerships across academia, startups and industry, and overcoming resistance to change. And on a personal note, we'll hear how Aniza's own health challenges have shaped her leadership journey.
Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today we're going deep into the world of supply chain and logistics with someone who has seen it from every angle. Defense, firefighting, classrooms, and command. James Taylor is the Senior Vice President of supply chain management and logistics at LSI, an adjunct professor at Weber State and honorary commander at Hill Air Force Base. We'll talk about what really works in the field when things get messy, why some logistics professionals succeed or fail, and the lessons James has learned from leading teams on critical programs like CALFire and Department of Defense missions.
Welcome to Behind the Win, the podcast that goes inside the minds of leaders shaping business, government and innovation. Today's guest is Chaitali Patel, founder and CEO of Evergood Impact. Chaitali is an entrepreneur, investor and advisor who has built her career at the intersection of finance, innovation and purpose. From her leadership with the 100 Women in Finance to launching Evergood, she brings a rare blend of expertise and lived experience to building organizations that align capital with her community impact.
Welcome to Behind the Wind, where we go deeper into how visionary leaders are shaping industries and communities. Today, we're busting the biggest myths about nuclear energy, from safety to cost, and why it could be a quiet engine for American jobs, especially across the West. We'll share how our team helped launch a new association bringing utilities, tribes, manufacturers, universities, and communities into the same room.
Welcome to Behind the Win, the podcast that goes inside the minds of leaders shaping business, government, and innovation. Today's guest is Chip Laingen, Executive Director of Defense Alliance at LSI and a nationally recognized voice in defense innovation. A navy veteran turned strategist, Chip has spent over 2 decades building one of the country's top innovation clusters. In this episode we dive into how to build lasting partnerships, lead with purpose, and position small businesses at the forefront of national security.
Welcome to Behind the Win, where we go deeper into how visionary leaders are shaping their industries and communities. Today we're joined by Jessica Dixon, the people-centered leader behind LSI's evolving HR strategy. Jessica has helped transform hiring, culture, and internal development during one of the most complex times in the workforce. In this conversation she shares how to hire with intention, lead with empathy, and build with culture that truly lasts.
Welcome to behind the win, where we dive into the stories and strategies behind game-changing leadership. Today's guest is Val Hale, former Athletic Director at BYU and former Executive Director at the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development. We'll explore how Val built a winning culture in college athletics, mastered the business of sports, and helped shape Utah's economic growth story.
Welcome to behind the win, where we explore the leadership behind economic progress and innovation. Today's guest is Ryan Starks, who recently stepped into the role of president and executive director at Economic Development Corporation of Utah after leading the Governors Office of Economic Opportunity. He helped bring over 13,000 jobs and over $16 billion in capital investments into Utah. We'll dive into how Utah's winning at economic development, building effective public and private partnerships and leading with purpose in a fast-moving world.
Welcome to another episode of Behind the Win, the podcast where we go beyond the headlines to explore how bold leadership and breakthrough ideas are reshaping industries. Today's guest is Spencer Loveless, CEO of Merit 3D and a pioneer in additive manufacturing. Spencer is leading a transformation about how we think about production, moving away from molds, stamps, and offshore factories, and toward on-demand sustainable manufacturing rooted right here in rural America. His work is proving that innovation doesn't have to come from the coast, and that small towns can power big revolutions in how we build.
Today we're joined by Aaron Starks, CEO and president of 47G, Utah's Aerospace and defense association. Aaron has built 47G into a thriving ecosystem with over 100 members and 20 academic institutions fueling Utah's emergence as a premier aerospace and defense hub. We'll explore his vision for aerospace innovation, Utah's unique role, and what it takes to train the next workforce.
This week on Behind the Win, our host, Sarah Bertagnolli, President and CEO of LSI, is joined by LSI's Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Advocacy, and Strategy, Josh Johnson. He breaks down the current government landscape, what a new administration could mean, and how LSI is staying ahead of the curve in Washington and beyond.
Welcome back to Behind the Win, the show where we get real about what it takes to build lasting impact. Today, we're digging into the people side of success, because no matter how strong your tech or product is, it all comes down to your team.
Joining us is Tina Hazlett, a powerhouse in talent strategy with a passion for humanizing hiring. Tina's approach goes beyond resumes and checkboxes. She helps companies build cultures that attract, grow, and keep top-tier talent. Especially in high stakes sectors like engineering and manufacturing.
Let's dive in.
Welcome back to Behind the Win! Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s more relevant than ever: safety. Not just alarms and drills, but real, proactive, culture-driven safety in schools, workplaces, and communities!
Joining us is someone who’s not only leading this charge but redefining how we think about safety and crisis response, Chet Linton, CEO of Aegix Global. Chet’s background spans leadership, innovation, and a deep understanding of high-stakes environments where the cost of being unprepared is simply too high.
Today’s guest is Alan Reyes, a veteran, nonprofit executive, and civic innovator whose career spans public service, workforce development, and systems leadership. Alan has led major mission-driven organizations while staying grounded in values, creativity, and community. His insights on collaboration, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership are especially timely in today’s complex environment.
Welcome to another episode of 'Behind the Win,' where we delve into the minds of industry leaders shaping the future of business. Today, we're joined by Catherine Bennett, Executive Editor at Utah Business. With a rich background in marketing and a passion for storytelling, Catherine brings a unique perspective on driving business growth through strategic marketing, leadership excellence, and innovation. Let's dive into the conversation.
Today's guest is Jared Geisler…Senior Vice President and Sales Enablement Manager of Fee Income at Zions Bancorporation. With a wealth of experience in sales strategy and team performance, Jared offers invaluable insights into leading in today's rapidly evolving sales environment. From the integration of AI to the importance of adaptability, this conversation is a must-listen for every sales leader.




