Building Great Leaders

In this episode, David Jackola, the newly-appointed Chief Financial Officer of APi Group, discusses his leadership journey from growing up on the Iron Range in MN, to leading teams in Europe, to becoming the CFO of a global organization.  He shares what he's learned about the importance of reflection, asking questions, listening, developing relationships, and why principles matters.   

In this episode, Angie Langlie, Vice President of Operations for APi Garage Door, shares about her personal journey, embracing vulnerability as a leader, and how leaders can build trust and connection by using the “G.I.F.T” philosophy.   

In this episode, Dan Fowler, Vice President of Corporate Services and Special Projects at J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. shares his journey to J. Fletcher Creamer and what he's learned through APi's Accelerated Readiness Program. He explains how being uncomfortable is an opportunity for him to lean in, trust himself, and adopt a coaching mindset.   

In this episode, Mike Shibrowski, President of Davis-Ulmer Fire Protection, shares his journey with the company and what he's learned about the progress and momentum, the art of empowering teams, and the impact of personal loss on professional growth.   

In this episode, Adam Fee, VP of Investor Relations for APi Group, shares how being a collegiate athlete prepared him for his current role and how the culture at APi Group has made such a significant impact on him, as well as company investors.

What makes a negotiation successful? In this episode, Steve Ulmer, Senior Vice-President of Safety Services, shares some of the amazing amount of institutional knowledge he's gained during his many years in the industry, including the key to the negotiation process. He also weighs in on what makes someone a great fit for the many opportunities at APi Group and in the industry as a whole.   

What makes a negotiation successful? In this episode, Steve Ulmer, Senior Vice-President of Safety Services, shares some of the amazing amount of institutional knowledge he's gained during his many years in the industry, including the key to the negotiation process. He also weighs in on what makes someone a great fit for the many opportunities at APi Group and in the industry as a whole.   

In this episode, Pat Kes, Superintendent at Viking Sprinkler, shares the lessons he's learned from over 30 years experience in the industry, including how to navigate the challenges of leading large-scale construction projects, the importance of communication and trust on the job site, and how leaders can remove obstacles and barriers so that everyone on the team is put in the best position to succeed.   

In our final episode of 2024, Rasheed Harris, Vice President of Global IT Infrastructure for APi Group, shares the most impactful lessons he's learned on his personal and professional journey, including how he's learned to convert obstacles to opportunities.   

In this episode, Laurent Matthys, VP, People Leadership for APi International, shares about his fascinating life and career journey as he reveals the magic that happens when we start connecting with people and truly developing as a team

In this episode, Pat Bougourd. Service Superintendent for Reliance Fire Protection shares the lessons he's learned on his journey about accountability, mentorship and the importance of involving others as he continues to develop a leadership mindset.

In this episode, Pat deGrood, Mechanical Segment Leader for The Jamar Company discusses the changes he's seen over the years since starting out as an intern with the company, and the difference that approaching change with a growth mindset has made during his career.   

In this episode, Jenni Cerrito, Inspections Account Manager at International Fire Protection reveals how getting out of her comfort zone has led her to a fulfilling career with APi Group, and the key lessons she has learned along the way that has allowed her to build trust in relationships with clients, and with herself.

In this episode, Stacy Nealy, Business Architect and the Co-Chair of APi's Network of Women, shares the path she took from a career in teaching music to her  APi Group, how she's now helping to bring stories to life in her current position, and the important role that APi Group's Network of Women is playing in engaging, educating and mentoring women in our organization.

In this episode, Mike Landes, President of Classic Industrial Services, shares his journey and how mentorship helped him from a young age, how he's come to see that true leadership makes all the difference, and the ways that he's developed as a leader and allowed him to overcome the challenges he's faced.   

In this episode, Velma Korbel, VP and Chief DEI/Sustainability Officer for APi Group returns to the podcast to talk about global events and how each one of us can support our fellow team members through potential disruptions.

In this episode, Jon Sanders, Sheet Metal Superintendent for The Jamar Company, shares the importance of pre-planning for projects, his thoughts on leadership development and the importance of learning something new every single day.

In this episode, Clint Romesha, Medal of Honor recipient and bestselling author of Red Platoon, shares his incredible story of enlisting in the military and his deployment, the transitions he went through after leaving the military and the invaluable life and leadership lessons that he has learned along the way.   

In this episode, Lauren Thompson, Vice President of APi National Service Group, shares how the company is balancing the needs of the external customers and those of our operating companies after restructuring.  After experiencing trauma in her own life, she shares how she learned to show up authentically and how it helped her become the resilient leader that she is today.  She also reflects on her experiences of becoming a mom and how she re-frames blending work life and personal life.   

In this episode, Joshua Luera, El Paso Area Manager for Western States Fire Protection, describes how he got into the life safety industry.  He shares his trepidation of moving from a role as an individual contributor to a role as a leader.  Joshua describes the leadership competencies that have helped him over the years and the people who have made an impacted his journey.    

In this episode, Lesley Leach, Director of Human Resources at Chubb Fire & Security, shares her remarkable journey from HR business partner in Johannesburg to a leadership role in the UK. She provides her insights on how the culture is evolving, as well as the tremendous opportunities that are available to team members at this time.

In this episode, Orestes Quintana, Fire Alarm Superintendent with International Fire Protection, shares his story of coming to the United States from Cuba, how he's now realizing his lifelong career dreams and what he's doing to instill the passion he has for the industry into the next generation of fire alarm technicians.  

In this episode, Craig Fellman, Segment Leader for Speciality Services and also the first participant through the Leadership Development Program, reveals how that program started, how his 20-year-plus career journey throughout APi Group has unfolded and the key philosophies in the business that he lives by.   

In this episode, Kristin Schultes, Vice President of Corporate Development at APi Group, shares her fascinating path through the organization and the major milestones she's achieved over the past couple of years. Kristin reveals what it was like to compete with someone on her team for a role while discovering they complimented each other, and she gives her advice around facing realities, the brutal facts and being able to see the forest through the trees.   

To kick off a brand-new season of the podcast in 2024, Pery Zerbinos, Technical Support Supervisor for Chubb Canada, shares the insights he's learned on his personal and professional journey, including the power of collaboration, how to begin adopting a leadership mindset, the vital role that feedback plays and so much more.   

Today is our end of year podcast episode, where host Laura Seitz is joined by her behind-the-scenes team, Kevin and Maddy, as they reflect on the year that is wrapping up and what they're looking forward to in 2024.   

In this episode, Dave Saffrin, President of APi Garage Door, reveals what he has learned about what a good leader truly is versus what he initially thought. He describes the role that listening has played in him becoming the leader that he is today and how he has grown through self-awareness.    

In this episode, Rick Charles, Chief Operating Officer of Chubb, shares the journey he's taken throughout his career to get to where he is today, and he reveals the mindset he has adopted over the years to take on the many new challenges he has faced and overcome.   

In this episode, Vashma Bolton, Global Director of HR Technology at Chubb, shares her leadership journey, the challenges that she's overcome and what she is so passionate about right now. Vashma reveals the role that having diverse mindsets coming together has played in the success of the teams she's led, and the importance of fostering an environment where everyone can openly collaborate with each other to generate cutting edge ideas.   

In this episode, Dave Dunnigan, Managing Director of UK and Ireland for Chubb, talks about his 30 years with the company and why it's so important to always be thinking about what you are doing to build that next person, the future leaders, up on your team.

In this episode, Angela Sunderland, Segment Talent Lead for APi Group's Mechanicals Division, shares her path to APi Group, as well as her personal experiences with the tougher subject of suicide.  This episode may be triggering, and this is a tough conversation, but it's an important one to have. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, there are resources available, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and we also have a mental health first aid training course that's available to APi Group employees.  

In this episode, Paul Grunau, President of the APi Group International Division, shares about the importance of creating an environment where people feel comfortable and the biggest factors he sees for what makes a strong organizational culture.  

In this episode, Tasha Lawrence, Fabrication Shop Operations & DEI Leader at MMC reveals the ways that she took control of her future and advanced in her own career, and how she now gives back and helps other women build success in the trades.    

In this episode, Paul Akins, Technical Talent Development Lead at Davis-Ulmer, shares about his experiences transitioning from a branch leader to his current role, as well as what he's learned on his journey about leading through influence, contributing at a higher level and what it really takes to make a bigger impact.   

In this episode, Jennifer Bradley, President of International Fire Protection, discusses the importance of believing in yourself regardless of your role. Jennifer talks about being inspired by how accounting teams could be valuable business partners.  She also shares the concept of “making space for yourself at the table”, and how if you have valuable information and thoughts, you owe it to yourself and the organization to contribute your ideas proactively, without waiting to get asked for them. 

In this episode, Managing Director of Vipond Fire Protection in the UK, Alastair Wilson, shares his leadership journey and what it was like to transition into his role, empower a team, and embrace change along the way. Plus, Alastair reveals the importance of providing a safe environment and space for all team members to ask questions in order to understand why something is being done.

In this episode, Service Manager for Western States Fire Protection, Jim Stewart, reveals the value of clear communication, adaptable leadership, and the importance of recognizing others while you invest in yourself. He also shares the tremendous opportunities that exist for younger generations to develop and advance to leadership roles within the organization, and so much more.

In this episode, Chubb CEO Andrew White shares some of the lessons he learned on the rugby pitch, like the importance of making an impact and being a visible leader. Like APi Group as a whole, Andrew and Chubb are dedicated to investing in each of their team members, developing great leaders in order to make the world a safe place. He also shares Chubb's new values and discloses which one resonates with him the most.  

What can you do in your current role to really grow and be the best that you can be, where you are right now? In this episode, APi Group's Senior Vice President and U.S. Safety Services Segment Leader, Don Brown, shares how he has been able to do this throughout his career, as well as what he has done to answer the call when needed, and the ways that he has learned to always be present for his colleagues and team members that he leads on a daily basis.

What does it mean to put people first?  In this episode, APi Group's Chief People Officer, Kristina Morton, talks all about her goals for the People People Leadership Team.  APi's focus on Individual Development Plans and the impact to the business are discussed.  She explains her view on APi's lofty goal to become the #1 people-first company. Kristina also gets into some tougher subjects around loss, so this episode may be triggering for anybody who's lost a loved one recently.   

Shane Shipman, president of Lejeune Steel, shares his path from growing up in a small town in Wyoming to joining the military to becoming leader of "special projects" for APi Group.  Listen as he describes his approach to innovation and how they involve people at the the point of the problem in the change.  Shane shares the philosophy at LeJeune about “outdoing.” How can you outdo what is expected of you?   

What are you doing to shape your own story?  In this episode, Bill Ball, President of APi Mechanicals shares pivotal moments that have impacted the course of his leadership journey.  He talks about the lessons he learned while serving in the military, how mentors have helped shape his story, and why it is important for young leaders to share their aspirations with their leaders. 

Caralie Roisum, Kevin Hazard, and Sadie Grunau talk with Laura Seitz about their experiences as members of the Building Great Leaders Podcast Team. The three reflect on their accomplishments in 2022, their plans for 2023, as well as engage with feedback from the APi community about their work on the podcast. After a busy and successful year, Roisum, Hazard, Grunau, and Seitz take this opportunity to reminisce on the past and get excited about the futures' endeavors, both in the office and their personal lives. 

Three of APi Group's Talent Magnet Team participants share their leadership stories through the lens of their continued involvement and dedication to helping APi attract, engage, and retain talent. David Wolf of Western States Fire Protection, Chris Lillie of the Grunau Company, and Emily Work of American Fire Protection Group and Viking, sit down to discuss how they got involved with the Talent Magnet Team, and why it has become such an essential part of their APi experience. The three touch on some of their favorite projects, describe the purpose of the team in their own words, and share advice for young leaders entering the professional field. 

Patrick Conlin, or Pat, is the Tools & Equipment / Buildings & Grounds Manager at The Jamar Company. Conlin speaks to his ability to converse with anyone, making them feel heard and seen. He stresses that this "Gift of Gab" has allowed him to learn valuable communication skills and understand the importance of having both simple and difficult conversations with one's peers each and every day. Pat also emphasizes the importance of delegating and making sure one's employees know what they are supposed to be doing, but also allowing space for them to complete those tasks in their own way. Conlin has learned a lot over the years, but leadership and developing deep relationships with those around him have always been a constant.

Craig Carpenter, the Assistant to the Director of Telecom at Mid-Ohio Pipeline Services, reflects on his 25 years with the Mid-Ohio family. Craig shares the importance of developing personal and professional relationships in your place of work and explains why he has stayed with the same company for so long. He also offers young listeners advice as they embark on their careers.  He explains that one is not owed anything as soon as they walk in the door but he encourages new teammates to put in the work and earn the respect of their peers. Finally, Craig gives information on the new department at Mid-Ohio and shares some of his funniest stories throughout his time in the field. 

Rashid Kadir, the President of Tessier's Inc., discusses his educational, professional, and personal journeys with host Laura Seitz. Rashid traveled overseas from Malaysia to Massachusetts to earn his college education. Along the way, he developed his personal leadership style, constantly pushing those around him to reach their full potential, even if they don't see their own capabilities. Additionally, Rashid dives into the culture of Tessier's, the progression of the company, and why it is important to be comfortable with new ideas and environments. 

Chuck Martin, the Regional Manager for Viking Fire Protection Group, reflects on the lessons he has learned as he enters the final few years of his career. Chuck experienced many different jobs and has overcome less than ideal situations. From getting laid off, to moving across the country, Chuck has been able to learn and grow as both a business man and a person. Chuck expresses his gratitude for these moves, understanding now how pivotal they have been in his career and his life's journey. He shares with listeners the importance of trusting but verifying the work of those on the team. He also shares the importance of simplifying processes, understanding what one's company is good at, and capitalizing on it. Martin closes with sharing what excites him about the coming years, as he begins to think about his own retirement. 

Cori Prokopowicz, a Project Manager at APi Construction, deep dives into the twelve years she has spent with the organization. Cori recently completed a four year project, combating exhaustion, and finding ways to motivate the team throughout. She identifies learning opportunities from the experience and shares how the team built positive customer relationships along the way. Finally, Cori shares the importance of proactive planning, listening to her intuition, admitting one's mistakes, and learning from experiences, both good and bad. 

Katie Hunt, the IT Director of Business Systems at APi Group offers listeners her incredible story. Hunt dicusses the importance optimizing processes and seeing improvement in the IT Field. She also shares her focus on honest leadership and the power of providing and receiving thoughtful feedback. Outside of the office, Katie is just as involved and successful as she is inside of it. Hunt is defending her championship title in Skeet Shooting this year. She tells listeners some of the most important lessons her sport has been able to teach her, including the fact that failure is okay, and it does not take away from your previous accomplishments. 

Jimmy Rachal, a Superintendent and Project Manager at Western States Fire Protection, reflects on his 22 years in the life safety industry. Jimmy shares with listeners some of his most memorable projects and his overall experience in the field. He talks about being resilient in the face of adversity, raising children, and prioritizing mental health in both his work life and home life. Finally, Jimmy opens up about his own practices that allow him to be a life-long learner and some of the leadership lessons he has learned throughout career.