Category Archives: Executive Leadership Interviews

Executive Leadership Interviews- Lucas Lentsch

December 10, 2012 8:12 am / Leave a Comment /

Our guest today is Lucas Lentsch. Lucas has been describes as “all about serving others”. Inspired by a desire to make a difference, Lucas’ path of service has taken him to Iraq as a Captain within the National Guard, back to South Dakota as a successful business entrepreneur owning his own Executive recruiting firm, and then to the role of Director of Agriculture Development for the State of South Dakota. Lucas now works for the financial firm of Reinke Gray – Wealth Management.

In today’s interview Lucas discusses the 3 factors that can make an individual a valued entity in the workplace. He also shares his thoughts on employment trends as well as what to look for when considering becoming an employee of a new organization. In the interview Lucas touches on the value of good training programs and mentors. He also discusses his experience in the National Guard and his role as an Operations Manager with Unilever in the Good Humor Breyer’s ice cream division.

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Executive Leadership Interviews- Craig Libis

November 29, 2012 12:46 pm / 1 Comment /

Our guest today is Craig Libis, CEO of Executive Recruiting Consultants. Craig has been recruiting since July of 2000 and has grown his agency to being the largest non-franchised search firm in the state of South Dakota. His organization now recruits C level to Mid-level type roles, ranging from GM’s, CFO’s to staff accountants and operational supervision. His agency’s recruiting efforts involve a number of industries, including Accounting, Agriculture Banking, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Telecommunications. He is also heavily involved in his industry’s development and has been a featured presenter on the Next Level Exchange program. He has also been asked to share his expertise with publications and broadcasts such as, USA Today, MSNBC, The Wall Street Journal, Fox Business, Dave Ramsey, Career Builder, Agri Insights and various other business journals.

In part two Craig speaks about current job openings that his search firm is working on. He also addresses the importance of Job Shadowing in high school and during college to help you decide on a major and also to determine if that career is a good match. Craig also addresses the value of having a good mentor and surrounding yourself with successful people who have your best interest at heart.

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Part 2 of the Interview

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Executive Leadership Interviews- Terry C.

November 27, 2012 5:31 pm / Leave a Comment /

Our guest today is Terry C. Terry is currently the Engineering Manager for a Fortune 500 organization and his 20 year career includes experience with companies such as Pepsi, Dean Foods, Kroger, and Borden’s. He has a degree in Industrial Technology and brings a vast amount of knowledge in the area of progressive management, strategic visioning, and predictive technologies for manufacturing operations.

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Part 2 of the Interview

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Executive Leadership Interviews- Ted Karagias

November 21, 2012 4:31 pm / Leave a Comment /

Ted Karagias is currently filling two roles as a Food Safety Manager and Continuous Improvement Manager with Land O’Frost Inc in Lansing, Illinois. Land O’Frost is currently the third largest ready-to-eat pre-packaged lunch meat company in the United States. Previously, he held numerous positions with Kraft Foods Inc in Champaign Illinois to include Operations & Sanitation Supervisor, Continuous Improvement Engineer, and Six Sigma Black Belt. Kraft Foods is the second largest food manufactured in the world with over $13 billion in sales annually. The Champaign Illinois facility is the flagship Kraft Facility producing over 1.2 billion tons of product a year. In 2011, Ted finished his Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana in Human Resource Development.
Mr. Karagias is a Captain and is the Maintenance Officer in the 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron of the 434th Maintenance Group at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana. He is responsible for supporting 16 assigned KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft and their worldwide aerial refueling mission. He also leads a work force of approximately 150 crew chiefs and support personnel.

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Part 2 of the Interview

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Executive Leadership Interviews- John Schuetz

November 20, 2012 12:08 pm / Leave a Comment /

Executive Leadership Interviews- Today we had the pleasure of interviewing John Schuetz. John has a 20 year career that has included positions with General Mills, System Sensor, and most recently with Fresh Express, Inc. which is a division of Chiquita Brands International. His most recent role includes management of four manufacturing and distribution facilities and a workforce of over 1,400 employees. John is well known for his progressive style of management that engages his workforce through “Continuous Improvement”, empowerment, and Lean Manufacturing methodologies. In our interview John shares the importance of incorporating a strategic personal development plan, engagement of mentors, taking personal accountability and continued learning approach to achieving your own career success.

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Part 2 of the Interview

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Executive Leadership Interviews- Mari Peck

October 31, 2012 3:04 pm / Leave a Comment /

Executive Leadership Interviews- Today we interviewed Mari Peck who is the Sr. Manager, Instructional Design at Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway. In her present position Mari is responsible for development and training of nearly 14,000 employees within her organization.
Mari addresses how to properly prepare for interviews, how to differentiate yourself from competing candidates, and how to bring professionalism that will carry you through the interview process.

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Click below to listen to the Maximum Motivation extended interview.  Mari shares key insights as to how she structured a strategic career plan to reach her level of success and discusses key steps individuals can enlist to further their own career success. She also addresses the significance of having a great career mentor and how find and partner with them, to develop your own career development plan.

Part 2 of the Interview

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