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The CEOs and senior GovCon leaders of today weren't always sitting in the corner office. They weren't born in suits with a handbook for success and a direct path to leadership. In fact, before many of these executives came into positions of powers, they had rather humble beginnings -- no corporate family tree or unlimited access. Many had to find their way on their own with little to fall back on. This podcast will share the stories of high school part-time work, first jobs and early-career decisions, decades before the CEO appointments and the board memberships. We'll learn about the unconventional paths to success, the ones most of us can relate to.
22 Episodes
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WashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh and co-host Mark HuYoung, managing partner of executive advisory firm Northwind Partners, sit down with guest Doug Wagoner, CEO of LMI, to discuss his upbringing in Alexandria, Virginia, and ultimate progression to the corner office. Wagoner, an only child, grew up in and around his parents' family business. He learned the meaning of hard work at an early age, spending every summer working at the family business till his freshmen year of college. In this episode, Wagoner shares why getting his business degree was important to him (and his family), how he snagged his first job after college and how personal relationships were critical to his professional growth. Plus, learn how he gained a reputation as a "fixer-upper," taking on roles that involved overcoming a big challenge, and where his mentality of taking on the hard jobs stems from.
In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we chat with Gil Smith, senior director of Government Health Program Development at Philips (and a rancher), about his upbringing as a latchkey kid in a broken home in Rhode Island. Always the "new kid," Smith attended nearly nine different schools growing up before settling in a welcoming high school while living with his grandparents in Pittsburgh. His story is a unique one, navigating different family dynamics and ways of life, while harvesting bits and pieces of each experience, and fatherly and grandfatherly advice and guidance. Smith would enroll in university, drop out soon later and land in the Navy after an epiphany at a baseball field back in Rhode Island.His journey to follow is filled with timely yet unexpected opportunities. He'd later find himself as a Medical Service Corps officer, a presidential appointee, deputy chief of operations at the White House, and more. His experience spans both the federal and private sector space -- but most interestingly, is the people and events that have truly changed the course of his life and career along the way. Nearly every turning point in his life involves influential moments, people or happenings -- good and bad. "Who made a choice to change the direction that you're going in today, and how can you be that person?" Smith says.
WashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh and co-host Mark HuYoung, managing partner of executive advisory firm Northwind Partners, sit down with guest Jon Rucker as he shares a bit about his upbringing in Northern Virginia as the son of a teacher and electrical engineer, and how these experiences impacted him. Rucker, CEO of Ultra Intelligence & Communications, also discusses the life lessons he carries with him, from his father’s work ethic to his mother’s approach to finding solutions to life’s problems rather than dwelling on them. He tells us why he decided to pursue the hardest degree in college, how he climbed the ranks in Lockheed Martin for 20 years, and how his professional experiences and mentors along the way ultimately led him to where he is today. Plus, hear Rucker's story of resilience and strength. A month into his new role at SAIC, he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. He never stopped working during treatment, thanks SAIC's leadership team greatly for their immense support, and shares his new perspective and outlook on life.
In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we sit down with Sev1Tech CEO Robert (Bob) E. Lohfeld Jr., as he shares tidbits about his upbringing in Maryland, the influence his grandmother had on his life and his foundational interest in all things international. Lohfeld talks about the impact transferring from a big university to a private liberal arts college had on his education, his urge to move to Spain after college and his ultimate start in international logistics. Tune in to hear how he transitioned through different parts of the industry gaining an eclectic professional experience, his mission-driven decision to join the government at 38 years old and how he ultimately started (and grew) Sev1Tech. Plus, learn how he quickly earned the reputation of being the one to “run towards the fires and put them out."
In this episode of Humble Beginnings, we chat with Richard Sawchak, CEO of Systems Planning and Analysis, about his upbringing in Scranton, Pennsylvania, his very first job as a paperboy, and mentors who influenced his life.Rich also shares the "humble beginning" of his father, who was a banker without a college degree and ended up retiring as the CEO of a small regional bank. He also shares the story of his grandparents, who immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine and settled in Northern Pennsylvania. Rich, of course, shares his own story, like the lessons he learned from mentors critical to his path, from his father to his youth pastor. He talks about transitioning out of a big company and being one of 160,000 employees, to helping build the policy and process infrastructure of a small company where he was less than 150 employees. Rich also talks about loss. His parents passed away in 2012, causing much reflection and a renewed perspective. Tune in to hear how Rich's journey has ultimately left him poised to retire by the age of 55, while he focuses on mentoring, giving back and his continued duty to family first.
In this episode of Humble Beginnings, we speak with Highlight CEO Aarish Gokaldas about his family history and upbringing in South Africa during the apartheid. We hear how Gokaldas' family immigrated to North Africa from India and eventually made their way south, and what it was like growing up in a racially segregated country. Eventually, Gokaldas and his family would move to the States, starting a new life in a new country ⏤ but without its minor setbacks, restarts and transformations. Together, we discuss the resiliency and adaptability of immigrant families. Gokaldas would also grow to love international affairs, have impactful work experiences during college and get offered his dream job with the Defense Intelligence Agency before graduation ⏤ only for it to be put on hold right before it started. This doesn't crush his spirits, but rather, offers Gokaldas the opportunity to make even more unique, influential experiences.Tune in to hear how Gokaldas' career unfolds, how serendipitous moments led him to become a CEO, and how his values overlap with the values and mission of Highlight.
In this episode of Humble Beginnings, we chat with Rancher Government Solutions' CEO Paul Smith about his Baltimore, Maryland, upbringing, and ultimate rise to leadership. Smith and his seven siblings all worked their way through high school and college after attending Catholic parochial school as children for its values, proximity and affordability. While Smith's first job after graduating from Loyola College with a Business Administration degree was with Exxon Office Systems, he spent time in his youth cutting lawns and serving papers. These experiences taught him the value of hard work at a young age, and he'd later categorize his leadership style as a "connector," for reasons that also resonate with his journey. Tune in to hear how Smith went from selling word processors to the legal market at age 22, to retiring from Red Hat once it sold to IBM only to be recruited back to the industry just 19 months later to run the American subsidiary of SUSE, or Rancher Government Solutions. Today, he's giving back, remembering the leaders who impacted his career and sharing words of wisdom to the next generation.
For John Ustica, president and CEO of Siemens Government Technologies, his story starts with a medical scare on a soccer field in the first grade. An abdominal pain later proved to be a tumor on his kidney, and he'd spend 65 weeks in chemotherapy, endure several surgeries and visit doctors for years to come for checkups. Ustica fully recovered, but this experience (and the restrictions that came with it) taught him a thing or two about saying "why not" to life opportunities. Tune in to hear how Ustica's life progressed thereafter, from academic challenges to landing in the energy industry and scoring his first management job at just 26 years old. Ustica shares how he progressed in Siemens and worked his way up, and the many positions, industries and locations the company would take him through along the way.
WashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh and co-host Mark HuYoung, managing partner of executive advisory firm Northwind Partners, sit down with guest Todd Stottlemyer as he shares what it was like growing up in a duplex just outside New York City as the son of a U.S. Foreign Service member and stay at home mom. Stottlemyer is the CEO of Acentra Health, and his perspective is heavily influenced by his family's emphasis on education, mental health and civil rights; his exposure to the world; his appreciation for different cultures; and the importance of family and hard work. Each of these notions follows Stottlemyer throughout his life's experiences, which have included the loss of a family member too soon; assembling the New York Times early in the morning for paper deliveries at 13 years old; meeting President Ford at the White House the day of his debate to the then Governor Carter; losing longtime friends during the Sept. 11 attacks; and many more influential life moments. Tune in to hear how these moments have molded who Stottlemyer is as a leader, father and husband today.
DCS Corp.'s Jack Jackson was raised in Baltimore, Maryland, as one of nine kids and the son of a local sports journalist. While Jackson and his siblings all attended Catholic school growing up, he chose a different path when it came time for college. Rather than head to a state university, Jackson chose to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. This would be the start of his professional journey.In this episode, Jackson shares stories of his six years in the Navy including three years on a ship and two working for NATO, what he learned during this time (failures and all) and how seeing a bit of the world changed his perspective. He left the Navy to start a big family, spending years with General Electric working in remote, small towns around the country. He shares how he shifted from business to a human resources role and how his family growing up sculpted his understanding of how to deal with people. Tune in to hear how Jackson ultimately landed leading HR at DC Corps., and the impact his experiences have on him today.
XLA CEO Gary Slack is no stranger to entrepreneurship and working for what you want. In fact, he got the business bug around the age of 8, and it stuck with him ever since. In this episode of Humble Beginnings, the Northern Virginia native shares a bit about his family ⏤ his father who didn't graduate high school and worked at a nearby naval research center, and his mother who worked in retail ⏤ and how his upbringing shaped him. Slack's family was comfortable, as his parents worked hard to provide what they needed. Still, Slack decided to start working for those "extras." He sold donuts as a kid, took on a paper route and worked throughout college. Slack's future father-in-law would also heavily influence his interest in business at a young age. Eventually, Slack's drive and business acumen opened doors and opportunities ⏤ ultimately, leading to his position as CEO.
In this episode, Camille Tuutti is joined by Luwanda Jones, the deputy chief information officer in the Office of Strategic Sourcing at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Luwanda's story takes us on a fascinating journey marked by unexpected twists, transformative moments and turning points.
If you look up the definition of "resourcefulness," you may find Ed Swallow's story. Today, he's senior vice president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer/treasurer of The Aerospace Corp.; yet the White Plains, New York native didn't have a clearly defined path. It's largely the reason why he's adamant about mentorship and provides early career advice to students at universities.Tune in to hear how Swallow's country club upbringing shifted after his parent's divorce and the recession of 1972. He began helping his family financially at the age of 15, working at pizzerias, gas stations and even roofing on the weekends, thanks to his stepfather's business. To afford college, he declared emancipation, joined ROTC and even started his own roofing business ⏤ at times, redoing roofs for professors. Fast forward two bachelor’s degrees from two separate universities, a master's degree and active duty Air Force experience, and Swallow is inspiring the next generation of diverse talent into the space workforce. To learn more about these efforts as Swallow discuses them in this episode, visit Space Workforce 2030.
For the first time publicly, Stan Sims, senior vice president and chief security officer at CGI, shares his story of growing up in the rural south as an African American during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. The son of sharecroppers in Arkansas, Sims began working and helping his family by the time he was elementary school-aged. In fact, he has worked most of his life. During his adolescence, Sims asked his father ⏤ who had never graduated from high school ⏤ what he needed to do to get off the farm and do something else. "He said: 'Son, you need to get an education. If you don't want to do what we're doing, you want to have a better life, then you need to get an education,'" Sims shares. Tune in to hear how Sims took that advice to heart, used his strong work ethic, perspective and ambition to eventually graduate with a bachelor's degree and two master's degrees; earn the title of a decorated combat veteran with more than 36 years of combined military and public service experience; and later, rise the ranks in the corporate world.
While many recognize him as the former CEO of Avantus Federal, few may know Andy Maner’s early beginnings in Lansing, Michigan. From running his own lawn care service to working in a cherry processing plant, Andy learned the importance of hard work and determination from an early age. Although he didn't have a clear vision during college, an internship in Washington, D.C., ignited his passion for politics and public affairs. This led him to the White House, where he worked alongside President George H.W. Bush. Throughout his career, Andy embraced risks, seized opportunities and prioritized continuous learning. He strongly emphasizes the value of reliability, fostering meaningful relationships and the transformative role of mentors. All of these principles stem from his Midwest upbringing and enduring values. Join us as we uncover Andy’s inspiring journey, filled with resilience, ambition and a commitment to making a difference.
In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we chat with Rick Driggers, Accenture Federal Services' cyber practice lead, as he candidly shares his personal and emotional story of family, loss, resilience and pivotal experiences. Driggers talks about his upbringing in Florida, admittedly from an at times difficult family. In his early teens, he spent most of his time working on a cattle ranch for his grandfather for $1.00 an hour. This strong work ethic would later manifest in resilience and perseverance. Driggers joined the U.S. Air Force right out of high school and was selected into the special forces. He was deployed all over the world, and as a young airman, was on a team of four divers that recovered the remains of Spirit 03, an AC-130 Gunship that was shot down during Operation Desert Storm. Later in life, he would learn he had a 5-year-old nephew in custody with the Department of Children’s and Families. Driggers took custody of his nephew in November 2001, changing his priorities and leading him to domestic career opportunities in government and later, industry. Tune in to hear about these experiences, and other personal and professional life moments, from Driggers himself.
In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we chat with Anna Sever, president and CEO of Magellan Federal, about her upbringing in North Carolina, and how losing her father at a young age changed her family dynamic and outlook on life. Her mom now working to support the family, Sever decided at the age of 14 that she could, too. She shares stories about her first job teaching swim lessons to police officers in a public swimming system that still had vestiges of segregated pools; and how this experience taught her the meaning of participatory leadership. Later, Sever became a supervisor for child welfare -- a state job in Idaho -- in an office that had never had a female supervisor before. She was quickly identified as a leader and was promoted almost every 18 months. Tune in to learn how Sever takes her over 20 years of healthcare and social services experience to spearhead growth and new business initiatives with federal contractors, and the lessons and values she continues to lead with today.
In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we chat with Vishal Desai, a president and board member at SilverEdge Government Solutions, about how the experiences throughout his life have help shape his perspective and the type of leader he is today. Desai takes us through key moments and memories; like growing up in India, moving to the U.S. at the age of 15, assimilating to American culture in New York and what led him to study engineering at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.Overcoming cultural, financial and personal barriers ⏤ including receiving over 300 job rejections after college ⏤ Desai landed a job at NASA and received his Master’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He'd go on to lead NASA’s Next Generation Enterprise Management effort, but when it came time to manage larger programs, Desai ⏤ in his late 20s ⏤ wanted to start his own company instead. Knowing nothing about business, he chose to invest in himself. Tune in to hear how Desai founded, built and grew the Savli Group; the cultural fundamental values and learnings he carries with him today; and what ultimately led him to SilverEdge Government Solutions.
In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we chat with Shannon Miller, an executive vice president and president of the global Divergent Solutions business at Jacobs, about her upbringing in a small town in western Colorado and how her surroundings and father's geologist career influenced her. Eventually, Miller made her way to the Colorado School of Mines, found a love for chemistry and thermal dynamics (as well as other extracurriculars that rounded out her college experience), and landed at Jacobs right after college at the local Coors Factory.Jacobs ⏤ and Miller's own curiosities and willingness to take on new challenge and roles ⏤ would take her around the country and world for various assignments. She went on to lead businesses in Canada and Australia; sought out lateral career moves for the sake of experience; landed in departments she had no prior experience in; and said yes to opportunities that would enhance her career. Tune in to hear how Miller navigated a male-dominated field and what ultimately led her to Dallas.
In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we chat with ICF's Michael Jung about the unpredictable path he took to executive director of the company's climate center. Jung, born in Korea, shares the story of the first American his father met and how it influenced him to pursue medicine. When Jung and his family came to the States, they landed in Appalachia Kentucky after a few extreme climate-related incidents moved them out of other areas.Eventually, Jung went to Yale and studied environmental science and East Asian studies. His passion and interest in the environment stems from many aspects of his life, from essentially being a climate refugee to his time in boy scouts. An immigrant mentality also drove lots of his extracurriculars. Jung didn't just have hobbies, he excelled in them. He tells us about being a U.S. Fulbright Fellow, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a former competitive ballroom dancer, a backpacker and more. Plus, hear how he snagged a career with ICF after it was the "one that got way" right after college, and what landed his family in Oregon.
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