Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors Sarah Delahanty

In today's episode of Executive Decisions, host Sarah Delahanty sits down with Todd Davis who shares his rich career history from building airplanes to his executive career in the orthopedic industry. Todd reflects on his journey from managing older union workers while still in his 20’s to his transition into executive leadership roles. He emphasizes the importance of work ethic, persistence, and building relationships, sharing valuable insights from his experiences. Todd also discusses his post-executive life, engaging in mentorship, fundraising efforts for his community, and continuous personal development through reading diverse materials. Through his story, listeners gain valuable lessons in leadership, adaptability, and the importance of work-life integration.
 
About our guest, Todd Davis:
Todd is a seasoned leader with over three decades of experience in the orthopedic industry, particularly in driving the success of major knee franchises for some of the world's largest companies. From Sales and Marketing to Product Development, Strategy, and M&A, Todd has demonstrated his visionary leadership skills by accelerating growth opportunities and fostering world-class teams and cultures. After retiring from his role as President and General Manager of the Global Knee Business at Zimmer Biomet in July 2019, Todd has redirected his focus towards the startup landscape within the Medtech sector. He currently serves as an Independent Board Director for PeekMed Health, a Board Observer for Enhanced Medical Nutrition, and a Board Director for JointVue, while also providing consulting expertise for companies like Smith+Nephew, Canary Medical, Maxx Ortho, Kinamed, Kneevoice, and various other OEMs.
 
Summary and highlights from the show:
Todd Davis had a formative experience working full-time at Rockwell International while still going to school. He was promoted into a managerial role in his mid to late 20’s, leading teams of older aircraft mechanics.
Davis learned to lead by example and develop a strong work ethic during this time, working 70 hours a week while pursuing his education at night.
His transition to orthopedics involved leading a team of older individuals in the customer service group at Zimmer Biomet, where he applied his leadership skills and learned to be persistent in pursuing his goals.
Todd emphasizes the importance of not chasing money but rather finding something you enjoy and working hard at it, as advised by his father.
He shares his experience of persistence in pursuing opportunities, such as transitioning into marketing at Zimmer Biomet despite initial rejection from the vice president of marketing.
Building relationships is crucial in the orthopedic industry, and Todd highlights the impact of handwritten thank-you notes in making lasting connections.
Todd reflects on the importance of work-life balance, which he prioritized by scheduling family events and delegating responsibilities as he advanced in his career.
Transitioning to board roles and mentoring startups has been rewarding for Todd, allowing him to leverage his experience and make a meaningful impact.
He discusses his involvement in community initiatives, such as leading a capital campaign for a school expansion, and his interest in personal development through reading.
Todd finds inspiration and leadership insights from various sources, including spiritual books, business literature, and perspectives from different industries like the restaurant business.
 
Connect with Todd Davis: 
Email

About SYM Financial and the Executive Decisions Podcast:
Executive Decisions is a podcast designed for current and aspiring business leaders, offering an in-depth look at the evolving nature of executive roles. Hosted by SYM Financial Advisors Principal and Senior Financial Advisor Sarah Delahanty, the show delves into the personal and professional journeys of its guests, exploring the challenges they've overcome and the learning ex

In today's episode of Executive Decisions, host Sarah Delahanty sits down with Dr. Drew Flamm, President of Grace College & Seminary, to explore the formative experiences that shaped his leadership path and the value of embracing a spectrum of opportunities. Dr. Flamm shares personal stories of early financial discipline, the impact of mentorship on his career, and the significance of lifelong learning in both personal and professional realms. Through anecdotes and advice, the conversation delves into the integration of personal interests with family life, highlighting the holistic approach Dr. Flamm takes to leadership and the importance of each day's potential.

About our guest, Dr. Drew Flamm:
Dr. Drew Flamm is the distinguished seventh president of Grace College & Seminary. Dr. Flamm is a seasoned professional in the sphere of higher education, with over sixteen years of experience across multiple institutions. He is an alumnus of Cedarville University, holding a B.A. in Comprehensive Communications, and has further honed his leadership and communication skills with an M.A. from Gonzaga University. His academic journey culminated in earning a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Indiana State University. Since joining Grace in 2013, Dr. Flamm has made a significant impact through his direction of the Aspire Campaign, a historic fundraising initiative for the college that successfully garnered $39.8 million, enabling the construction and renovation of five facilities, and substantially growing the endowment. His role expanded to supervising marketing, enrollment, and the prestigious Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams. Known for his strategic planning prowess, Dr. Flamm has been instrumental in steering the college through several strategic cycles with remarkable proficiency. Join us as we delve into the insights and experiences of Dr. Flamm's illustrious career in educational leadership.
 
Summary and highlights from the show:
Introduction of Dr. Drew Flamm: Sarah introduces Dr. Flamm, the seventh president of Grace College & Seminary, highlighting his extensive background in higher education and leadership roles.
The Aspire Campaign: Dr. Flamm's notable achievement includes directing the Aspire Campaign, raising $39.8 million, contributing significantly to the institution's growth and endowment.
Value of Hard Work: Dr. Flamm shares personal anecdotes from his first job as a paperboy, emphasizing the early lessons he learned about financial responsibility and hard work.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders: He advises students and young professionals to embrace a breadth of experiences and not fear failure, emphasizing the importance of trying new things.
Importance of Lifelong Learning: The conversation underscores the importance of continual learning and personal development, both personally and professionally.
Navigating Risks and Opportunities: Dr. Flamm discusses pivotal moments in his career, addressing how he assessed risks and seized opportunities that led to growth and advancement.
Holistic Approach to Personal Growth: He stresses the need for maintaining balance in life by taking care of one's physical, mental, and emotional health alongside professional responsibilities.
Personal Interests and Family Time: Dr. Flamm talks about his love for mountain biking, music, and spending quality time with his family, including how they integrate with campus life at Grace College.
 
Connect with Dr. Drew Flamm:

Website: www.grace.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewflamm/


About SYM Financial and the Executive Decisions Podcast:
Executive Decisions is a podcast designed for current and aspiring business leaders, offering an in-depth look at the evolving nature of executive roles. Hosted by SYM Financial Advisors Principal and Senior Financial Advisor Sarah Delahanty, the show delves into the personal and professional journeys of its guests, exploring the challenges they've overcome and the learn

In this episode of Executive Decisions, guest hosted by Seth Whicker, guest Tim Early, CEO of DreamOn Group, shares his insightful journey from an early career decision to move from New York to Florida, leading to a pivotal role in the medical device industry with Cordis Corporation. Tim reflects on his educational transitions, notably from West Point to Rochester Institute of Technology, and his shift from accounting to packaging engineering, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's strengths with career choices. The episode delves into Tim's experiences with changing industry regulations and the challenges they presented, highlighting his adaptability and growth in various roles, including quality engineering at companies like CR Bard Corporation and Johnson & Johnson. Tim discusses the nuances of different corporate cultures, and the significance of effective communication and diverse skill sets in executive leadership. The narrative also touches on his venture into entrepreneurship, offering valuable lessons on risk-taking, resilience, and the critical balance of opportunity and decision-making in an executive's journey.
 
About our guest, Tim Early:
Tim Early, the CEO of DreamOn Group is known by many as the Founder and former CEO of Network Partners Group and a visionary in the life sciences industry. Tim brings with him a rich history of innovation, evidenced by his contributions to medical technology and packaging. He holds patents for advancements in laparoscopic packaging. His leadership in companies like Network Partners, Zimmer, and Johnson & Johnson has centered around building teams of passionate professionals and developing solutions that emphasize client and colleague needs. With a Master's in Packaging from RIT, Tim continues to shape the industry with forward-thinking approaches and a commitment to excellence.
 
Summary and highlights from the show: 
• Early Career Decisions: Tim Early shares his journey of moving from New York to Florida without a job and how he seized an opportunity in the medical device industry with Cordis Corporation, reflecting the importance of adaptability and initiative in leadership.
• Educational Shift and Career Relevance: Discussing his transition from West Point to Rochester Institute of Technology, Tim highlights the significance of recognizing one's strengths and interests, as he shifted from accounting to packaging engineering.
• On-the-Job Learning and Growth: Tim talks about his early career experiences in medical device packaging, emphasizing the value of learning on the job and adapting to roles beyond formal education, a key skill for successful executive leadership.
• Facing Industry Regulations and Challenges: Tim's experience with FDA regulations at Cordis Corporation illustrates the importance of compliance and adaptability in executive roles, especially when navigating changing industry standards.
• Career Development at CR Bard Corporation and Johnson & Johnson: Tim recounts his roles at these companies, focusing on the impact of corporate culture on his professional growth. His experiences underline the importance of aligning with a company's culture and values for effective leadership.
• Quality Engineering and Interdisciplinary Skills: Tim's transition from packaging to quality engineering demonstrates the need for executives to possess diverse skill sets and the ability to handle various aspects of a business.
• Leadership and Communication Skills: Discussing his role at Johnson & Johnson, Tim emphasizes the importance of effective communication with both peers and executives, a crucial skill for leadership, especially when delivering challenging news.
• Insights on Corporate Culture: Reflecting on his time at different companies, Tim shares insights into various corporate cultures (technology-driven, sales and marketing-driven, financially-driven) and how understanding these cultures is vital for effective leadership

Dionna has been with Whirlpool Corporation for 15 years and currently leads the Whirlpool Sales Enablement Team as well as being the Chief of Staff for the Sales SVP.  She is responsible for creating strategies and experiences to enable profitable sales growth for both Whirlpool and its Trade Customers. Dionna has held various positions with escalating responsibility within training, operations, sales and merchandising. As an accomplished sales leader she has been awarded National Sales Manager of the year and has delivered record breaking profitable growth in each of her respective role scopes . An active leader within inclusion and diversity, Dionna has also led FOCUS, the African American Resource Group, through strategic shifts that helped influence Whirlpool Corporation's first ever Pledge to Black Colleagues in 2020. Dionna is a native of South Bend, IN. She graduated with a B.S. from Purdue University and received her Masters of Business Administration from The University of Notre Dame (Go Irish)!
 
This podcast shines light on Dionna's career journey and experience as an African American woman in leadership. Dionna shares with the audience her early career, mentors who helped her develop confidence, navigating being underrepresented in her roles, and her work advancing diversity and inclusion at Whirlpool. She also discussed her approach to developing leaders on her team and work-life balance. Sarah and Dionna covered a range of personal and professional topics in this thought provoking discussion about Dionna's pathbreaking career.
 
“You can be anything you want to be. And no one told me that I couldn't. But no one had said that I could.” - Dionna Topps James
 
This week on Executive Decisions:


Self-doubt and leadership growth. Leadership evolution and encouraging younger professionals to speak up. Diversity and representation in the workplace. Diversity and inclusion in leadership roles. Leadership development and team building. Hiring and evaluating leaders based on character and work ethic. Career advancement and mentorship in a corporate setting. Mentorship and personal branding. Work-life balance and personal interests with a busy woman leader.  
Our Favorite Quotes:
 
"I want to be a business leader. Yes, I'm a black woman. But you don't have to be the black woman business leader." - Dionna Topps James "I believe it's my responsibility, given the opportunity that I have now, to make sure that I'm clearing the path, and enabling others that look like me to be in rooms that they're not in." - Dionna Topps James “Hire the person and the core values of that person because you can teach the job, you can teach the nuances inside the organization. But you can't teach people to be good humans." - Sarah Delahanty “You sort of have to go first and be vulnerable, which can be a heavy burden. But in my experience, it's all been worth it." - Dionna Topps James  
Connect with Dionna:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dionna-topps-james-she-her-228519b/ Email: dionnajames215@gmail.com  
About SYM Financial and Executive Decisions Podcast
 
Executive Decisions is a show for business leaders. In each episode, host and financial advisor Sarah Delahanty sits down with executives and local experts who serve them. Together, they tackle some of the harder questions that business leaders face today. From inspiring creativity in the workplace, to managing company politics, to making the best choices with executive compensation, taxes, and lifestyle — our show delivers stories and lessons learned across many industries and lifetimes. 
 
Email Sarah at sdelahanty@sym.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 
 
Follow Sarah on LinkedIn
Follow SYM Financial on Facebook
 
Subscribe here:
 
Apple Podcasts 
Amazon Music/Audible
 Spotify
 
And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review to help others discover the podcast.
 
Di

Dennis McKeever has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh along with a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of California, Irvine. Dennis retired from Dow Chemical after a thirty year career where he primarily served as a senior manager in Research and Development.   However, he also had two business management experiences – first as the manager of the Chemicals business for Latin America and subsequently as the VP for the Polyolefins and Elastomers business unit for Dow North America.  After retiring from Dow, he served for six years as the Chairman of the Board for SYM Financial and saw the company through a major strategic redirection and a subsequent leveraged buyout to the current principals.  Following SYM, Dennis moved on to a large variety of positions in the biomedical sciences, including angel investing.

Dive into the rich tapestry of Dennis McKeever's life - from service station garages in the '50s to boardrooms of major corporations. Through decades of risks, learning, and immense personal growth, Dennis shares the true measure of wealth, the balance of emotions, and the joy of traveling with loved ones.

“I learned to be willing to take a risk on people, give them a break, but nurture them as much as you can along the way. Focus on investing in the success of your people.” - Dennis McKeever

This week on Executive Decisions:
Dennis’ first job. The importance of getting to know your customers. Pursuing a career change. The importance of mentors in your career. Taking risks and learning from mistakes. Transition from executive life to board and consulting role. The true measure of wealth.  Our Favorite Quotes: 
"It really doesn't matter how big the business is, the same basic principles of business management and management people are there no matter what the size. Get to know your customers and take good care of them” - Dennis McKeever “Pick yourself up and you learn from your mistakes, whether they be people mistakes, or investment mistakes, or the lack of the best of judgment in making a business decision. Learn from those mistakes, keep them in mind as you move forward.” - Dennis McKeever “The true measure of a man's wealth is what he has left after you take all of his money away. So, treasure your family, treasure your friends, spend quality time with them. Doing this will be your enduring reward for a successful career, and a successful life. “ - Dennis McKeever  Connect with Dennis McKeever: 
Email Dennis: ldennismckeever@gmail.com Connect on LinkedIn  About SYM Financial and Executive Decisions Podcast
Executive Decisions is a show for business leaders. In each episode, host and financial advisor Sarah Delahanty sits down with executives and local experts who serve them. Together, they tackle some of the harder questions that business leaders face today. From inspiring creativity in the workplace, to managing company politics, to making the best choices with executive compensation, taxes, and lifestyle — our show delivers stories and lessons learned across many industries and lifetimes. 
Email Sarah at sdelahanty@sym.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 
Follow Sarah on LinkedIn
Follow SYM Financial on Facebook
Subscribe here:
Apple Podcasts 
Amazon Music/Audible
Spotify
And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review to help others discover the podcast.
Disclosure: Certain links above are to third-party sites and are not affiliated with SYM Financial Corporation (“SYM”). SYM is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about SYM including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.

Matt Stevens transitioned from the U.S. Navy in July 2017 after serving for 26 years as a SEAL. He attended The Honor Foundation’s (THF) inaugural East Coast class in the Spring of 2016, joined the THF SOF Advisory Board in the Spring of 2017, and then joined THF’s Board of Directors in February 2018. Throughout his career, Matt served as a Special Operations Executive leading high-performing teams conducting our nation’s most sensitive operations, cultivating interagency relationships and executing plans in dynamic environments. Matt served on the leadership team of an emerging technology company from 2017-2019 before assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer of THF.
In this engaging conversation, Sarah interviews Matt Stevens, a former US Navy SEAL with 26 years of service. Matt's career journey is highlighted, including his transition from the Navy, involvement with the Honor Foundation, and his experiences as a SEAL team leader. Matt emphasizes the importance of trust and credibility in leadership, earned through tactical proficiency, keeping promises, and vulnerability. He also discusses the influence of mentors and the need to adapt leadership styles to different situations. 
Matt shares how the Honor Foundation has been instrumental in helping Special Operations veterans find fulfilling post-military careers through personalized coaching, networking opportunities, and support. Matt's passion for helping his fellow veterans shines through as he shares success stories of program participants who have found meaningful careers and the joy of giving back by becoming coaches and instructors for the foundation. The conversation also touches on the organization's future goals, including expanding its reach to more transitioning veterans across the country.
“In my work now at the Honor Foundation, I see that a lot of folks think that every single person who was in the military probably has PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and they were like in gunfights every day of every month of every year for 20 years. And it's just not the case.” - Matt Stevens
This week on Executive Decisions:
Introduction to Matt Steven’s background. Where did Matt find his start as a leader? How to become an effective leader. Mentors and leadership style. Managing risk and saying no. Making the decision to retire from the military. The importance of educating veterans about the business world. The first class at the Honor Foundation. How the Honor Foundation has evolved under Matt’s leadership. Traveling as a family. Staying on top of life outside of work. Our Favorite Quotes:
"We don't charge transitioning veterans anything; we go out and hustle and raise the money. So they don't have a financial burden while they're getting out of the military and losing that steady income stream." - Matt Stevens “I always just find it fascinating to hear as people have successful careers as leaders, where they found their start. And it could be something as basic as a paper route” - Sarah Delahanty "Success for us is somebody finding fulfillment as defined by them. It's not about how much money they're going to make or what school they're going to get into." - Matt Stevens “Title and the rank are just one component, then you have to earn the trust of the people behind you and they have to earn yours. A trust transfer in the relationship where they then follow you because they believe in you and you believe in them.” - Sarah Delahanty "We will never degrade the quality of what we're doing. It's a platinum standard, and we want to give that to any special operator who wants it." - Matt Stevens "It's not just all about 'help the veterans'; it's like, hey, how do you want to help your own business? You might consider hiring some of these rock stars who are probably gonna run circles around some of your other folks." - Matt Stevens "Scaling that jump in scale, at some point, is going to be huge. We're always thinking about how to grow wh