Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders ICR

Outsourcing our sustainability efforts does help us get one step closer to an eco-friendly future, but to make a true impact we have to develop our own resources and processes. Our guest today is helping to drive the green revolution right here at home.
Joining us on this episode is Dr. Denis Phares. After establishing himself as a tenured professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southern California, Dr. Phares left academia to found Dragonfly Energy in 2012. The stock trades under the symbol DFLI.
His focus is on developing technologies that will change the way we store and harness renewable energy. With three decades of extensive experience in the fields of energy, nanotechnology, fluid mechanics, and powder processing, Dr. Phares has positioned himself as a leading expert in green energy storage and has spent the last 15 years focused on advancing lithium-ion battery technology.He holds a number of patents, some of which are key in fundamental battery cell manufacturing. 
Denis received a BS in physics from Villanova University, an MS and a PhD in environmental engineering science from the California Institute of Technology, and for good measure, he also has an MBA from the University of Nevada at Reno.
Highlights:
Denis' transition from professor to entrepreneur(3:56)Behind Dragonfly Energy's unique energy storage focus (5:01)The birth of Battle Born Batteries (5:47)Current outlook on the RV market's stability (8:23)Dragonfly Energy's partnership with RV giant Forest River (9:16)Dragonfly Energy's current target market and growth strategy (10:05) Research & development and the importance of IP (11:42)Denis breaks down battery technology and how they work (12:55)Findings from Dragonfly Energy's recent energy assessment (15:58)The scalability of lithium-ion battery technology (17:18)Product expansion and innovation at Dragonfly Energy (18:34)Why Dragonfly Energy's HQ is in Nevada (21:02)Denis discusses lithium mining in the US (22:01)Current verticals Dragonfly Energy is exploring (23:18)Denis provides an overview of the current state of producing solid-state batteries (25:25)Denis explains the value of becoming a public company (27:10)Links:
Denis Phares on LinkedIn
Dragonfly Energy on LinkedIn
Dragonfly Energy Website
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Twitter
ICR Website
Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

There's a reason it's called healthcare – care and carefulness are at the core, and if you want to be successful in the field, you've got to understand the significance of compliance, exceptional service, and continuous expansion. Today's guest has mastered that formula. 
We're sitting down with Thomas Sandgaard who is Chairman, President, and CEO of Zynex, which trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol ZYXI. Thomas founded the company in 1996, but before that, he held management positions with companies such as ITT, Siemens, GN Danavox DataCo, and Phillips. 
Thomas is also the Founder and CEO of Sandgaard Capital, a private equity investment firm and family office. Additionally, he's the Founder and President of the Sandgaard Foundation, which seeks to address the tragic opioid and fentanyl crisis here in the States by helping to fund initiatives that save lives from overdoses, help people escape the cycle of relapse, and support victims and their families. 
Thomas has a degree in electronic engineering from Denmark's Syddansk University, Engineering, and an MBA from Copenhagen Business School. 
Highlights:
Zynex's background and business model (3:57)How Thomas got into the medical device industry (5:39)The pain management market (7:04)Zynex's target audiences (8:17)Competition in the field (9:14)Zynex's line of products (10:37) Thomas explains Zynex's total addressable market (11:21)Patient monitoring part of the business (12:56)How Zynex builds and maintains their sales force (14:45)Thomas' philosophy on customer service (17:22)How Zynex is diversifying its product range (18:10)Thomas describes how he prioritizes investments and balances growth and profitability (19:16)Zynex's first quarter growth reports (20:38)Zynex's new M-Wave NMES device (21:48)Thomas' take on the barriers to entry in the medical device industry (23:13)Thomas' work as a musician (24:38)The Sandgaard Capital Foundation and its mission (25:55)Links:
Thomas Sandgaard on LinkedIn
Zynex Medical on LinkedIn
Zynex Medical Website
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Twitter
ICR Website
Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Innovation is about creation, but it's also about finding new spaces where those creations can be used. Today's guest has applied a centuries-old scientific process to solve the problems of a global industry. 
Today's guest is Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech. Under Jennifer’s guidance, LanzaTech is developing a variety of platform chemicals and fuels, including the world’s first alternative jet fuel derived from industrial waste gases. She is also the Director and Chair of the LanzaJet Board of Directors. 
Prior to LanzaTech, Jennifer was VP and General Manager of the Renewable Energy and Chemicals business unit at UOP LLC, a Honeywell Company. While there, she was a key driver of their leadership in low carbon aviation biofuels. Jennifer has authored or co-authored 50 U.S. patents and more than 30 scientific publications and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. 
Jennifer sits on multiple boards and advisory councils, including the Governing Council for the Bio Energy Research Institute in India, the Board of Directors of the U.S.- India Strategic Partnership Forum, the Advisory Council for the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University, the National Academies' Board on Energy and Environmental Systems and the Founder Advisory for The Engine, a venture capital fund built by MIT that invests in early-stage science and engineering companies. 
Jennifer holds a B.Sc. from Harvey Mudd College, a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Highlights:
How LanzaTech's biorefinery systems work (4:23)LanzaTech's background, and how their investment process has grown over time (6:01)How Jennifer was introduced to LanzaTech, and her work history before joining the company (6:44)The science and technology behind LanzaTech, and its protection status (7:20)What products LanzaTech produces, and some of their product partners (9:20)Lanzatech's addressable market (11:16)How LanzaTech's technology differs from other direct air capture technologies (12:00)Jennifer describes who Lanzatech's customers are, and where their technology is currently being deployed (13:32)Jennifer breaks down how the company's business model works (14:52)LanzaTech's expansion plan (18:20)Jennifer explain's LanzaTech's LanzaJet project, and where the idea came from (19:19)LanzaTech's plan to grow their product offerings and develop new systems for different chemical compounds (22:55)How the company is managing the fluctuation economy and stock market as a public company (26:45)Additional resources for listeners (29:49)Links:
Jennifer Holmgren on LinkedIn
LanzaTech on LinkedIn
LanzaTech Website
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Twitter
ICR Website
Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

The sign of a strong apparel brand isn't always about covering every billboard. It's about longevity, steady growth, and speaking the customer's language. And today's two guests certainly know how to do that.
On this episode, we're sitting down with Kevin McLaughlin, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of J. McLaughlin, and Mary Ellen Coyne, the company's CEO. Kevin started J.McLaughlin in 1977 with his brother, Jay. They envisioned a timeless lifestyle brand with a legacy of style and a spirit of connection. And they did just that, opening their first shop on 74th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan. It immediately became the post-brunch destination for the Ivy league, JG Mellon crowd.
Kevin's taste and design-sense has guided the J.McLaughlin collection since the first store opened, and he prides himself on creating effortless and enduring styles with a modern twist. Each style is thoughtfully designed with impeccable craftsmanship, original colors and prints and innovative fabrics. 
Mary Ellen Coyne is the CEO of J. McLaughlin, and joined the brand in 2016. She oversees all aspects of strategy and operations, including merchandising, product development, marketing, retail expansion, and e-commerce. Under her leadership, the brand has launched new product verticals, including swim and footwear, enjoyed robust retail expansion, and recently launched a brand refresh.
Prior to joining the company, Mary Ellen had two decades of leadership experience at Ralph Lauren, where she most recently served as the Chief Merchandising Officer of Polo Women and Children's Division. Her career kicked off in the Macy’s Training Program, and from there, she sharpened her industry expertise with key merchandising roles at Ann Taylor, The Gap, and Victoria’s Secret.
J.McLaughlin now has over 170 beautiful stores on the most charming streets in America and true to the McLaughlin brothers' vision, each store is entirely unique.Highlights:
Kevin tells how he and his brother Jay started the business in 1977, and who the core customer is (4:47)Mary Ellen talks about why she joined the company (7:30)The store locations, key markets and expansion strategy (9:08)The menswear category and as the early foundation of the brand, and how the company approaches their relationship with the customer (11:15)Kevin talks about the role that intuition plays in the company (15:53)J.McLaughlin's philanthropy and their "local and loyal" approach (17:58)Mary Ellen discusses the company's impressive financial performance (18:56)The company's marketing and the role that their catalogue plays in that mix (20:39)New categories for 2024 (23:05)Working with Trey Laird to update the company's branding and marketing (26:14)Kevin discusses the expansion and brand awareness he'd like to create (28:37)Who are J.McLaughlin's competitors? (30:37)Trends and retail projections for the coming season (31:46)Mary Ellen and Kevin's goals for the next 5 years (33:05)Links:Mary Ellen Coyne on LinkedIn
J.McLaughlin on LinkedIn
J.McLaughlin Website
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Twitter
ICR Website
Feedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

In business, you have to want to win. But in addition to that, simple, honest values go an incredibly long way. Today's guest leads a company that is powered by that philosophy.
On this episode we get to sit down with Tom Nolan, CEO of the jewelry and accessories brand, Kendra Scott. Tom leads the billion dollar business by balancing day-to-day functions and strategy with the integration of the brand's core pillars of family, fashion and philanthropy into every consumer touch-point. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Tom oversees the brand's substantial omnichannel growth, global expansion and evolving retail model.
Tom has more than two decades of experience in brand building, management and results-driven strategic planning from a diverse range of companies, including Ralph Lauren, Conde Nast, and his own entrepreneurial endeavor, Prospect Brands. We had a great conversation about the company's humble beginnings and how far they've come.
Highlights: • The origin story of the company (3:57) • Tom's background and career trajectory (5:02) • The appeal of the Kendra Scott story and her as a leader (9:32) • Tom outlines the company's brand values (11:43) • Why Tom made the decision to join the company/the importance of philanthropy (15:36) • The various tipping points in the company's growth (17:51) • The importance of their relationship with Berkshire (20:28) • Tom discusses Kendra Scott's creative approach to marketing (21:28) • The Kendra Scott Foundation (23:50) • The men's line (24:40) • Tom talks about his leadership philosophy and the closeness with his team members (26:35) • The company's vision for the next 5 to 10 years (28:07)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteTom Nolan on LinkedInKendra Scott WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

As the world embraces cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and deregulated finance, there's a massive transformation on the horizon. But if you're going to invest in these innovations, you need to be incredibly diligent and have a deep understanding of the tech. Today's guest has both.
We're sitting down with Pete Najarian, who is the Managing Partner of RW3 Ventures. RW3 is a digital asset venture firm built in partnership with The Raptor Group. The Raptor Group is a multi-sector venture firm with significant investments across fintech, sports and gaming, healthcare, and digital assets.
Pete has significant dedicated digital asset experience, having previously served in senior leadership roles for two leading digital asset operating businesses: Zappo, which was ultimately acquired by Coinbase in 2019, and BitGo, the leader in digital asset security, custody, and liquidity. They provide the operational backbone for more than 1, 500 institutional clients and over 50 companies. They also process 20 percent of all the global Bitcoin transactions by value.
Prior to that, Pete spent 20 years plus building and leading the global emerging markets businesses for some of the world's largest banks, UBS and RBS in particular.
Highlights:
Pete's experience in finance, discovering cryptocurrency, and founding RW3 (4:10)Pete's approach to investing at RW3 (7:24)Bitcoin, and Pete's outlook on when to invest in crypto (8:18)Analyzing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies' place in the market (9:53)Pete breaks down the opportunities opened up by blockchain innovation (11:30)The use and value of cryptocurrency technology in the world economy (13:35) How Pete makes decisions on blockchain investments (16:03)How RW3 assists clients (18:47)Pete breaks down the relationship between traditional finance and cryptocurrency (21:06)Pete's predictions on the future of blockchain technology and finance field (24:11)Understanding decentralized finance (25:03)Government involvement in cryptocurrency (26:38)Some of Pete's current investments at RW3 (30:00)Qualifications for an investment at RW3 (33:10)Links:
Pete Najarian on LinkedIn
RW3 Ventures on LinkedIn
RW3 Ventures Website
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Twitter
ICR Website
Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.