GreatConversations with GreatAmerica

GreatAmerica Financial Services
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Business

Hello, and welcome to GreatConversations, a podcast about leadership and life from GreatAmerica Financial Services. Our host for this series talks with thought leaders and innovators from across the business world. 

Episodes

  1. 02/10/2025

    The Importance of Culture - Leading with Empathy | Lauren Hanna, Blue Technologies Smart Solutions

    In today’s episode, we are joined by Lauren Hanna, President of Blue Technologies Smart Solutions based in Cleveland, Ohio, a hardware, managed IT, managed print, and enterprise content management provider. Lauren discusses her journey through an entry level sales rep position to leadership and growing a family-built company. Lauren explains moving away from her dream of being a doctor and moving into the business world after her sophomore year of college and remembering the “Aha” moment that came over her. Communication has been pivotal in Laurens growth as a leader and a team member with understanding the needs of her employees and customers on a daily basis and being able to break down the silos between different parts of Blue, like sales reps and opps. Through strong communication, Lauren and her team has learned how to communicate within different generations and provide value in new technology for the team. She dives into the experience of female leadership and what it has been like in recent years since becoming a mother who battles with the concept of “work-life-balance”. Being in a historically male dominated industry, finding strong females that work alongside Lauren has become an empowering experience and brings more hope for the next generation of leaders.  Lauren Hanna-Masuga | LinkedIn Blue Technologies: Overview | LinkedIn Thanks for listening to GreatConversations with GreatAmerica. As a trailblazer in the equipment finance industry, GreatAmerica is proud to present this podcast as a resource for the next generation of leaders doing big things.  Learn more about GreatAmerica at our website: www.greatamerica.com   Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/55395/admin/feed/posts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatamericafinancial/  Connect with our host Mitch Leahy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-leahy-2776aa7/

    The Importance of Culture - Leading with Empathy | Lauren Hanna, Blue Technologies Smart Solutions

  2. 01/13/2025

    Leadership, Mentorship, and Taking Next-Generation Leaders to the Next Level | Gregory Jacobs, Infomax

    On today's episode our guest is just down the road from us in West Des Moines, Iowa, Gregory Jacobs, President of Infomax Office Systems, a premium printer, copier, production and managed IT office systems and solutions. Gregory explains the nature of growing up with the family business and what that meant to him as a kid, from going into the office on weekends with his father to having an internship while in college to get a new perspective on the business. Gregory was faced with the hard choice of joining the family business or working for another company, which his father never pressured him to make but made sure that with whatever choice he made he would do it with passion. After college, he chose to move to Omaha, Nebraska to work outside the family and gain more experience. Once returning to Iowa he came back to Infomax. When filling the role as President for his father, they learn new dynamics within the company now that he has retired and doesn’t hold the same role anymore. Gregory attributes Mike Reardon to success for the company and for himself in professional and leadership development. They discuss the asset of an advisement service or coach like Mike for companies or individuals to grow and have a mentor throughout their career. Gregory gives advice to those who are in his shoes to just be confident in their decisions and being honest and transparent with your team members. Gregory hopes to grow Infomax more in the coming years with the evolving business and new career paths for employees. Gregory Jacobs | LinkedIn Infomax Office Systems| LinkedIn  Thanks for listening to GreatConversations with GreatAmerica. As a trailblazer in the equipment finance industry, GreatAmerica is proud to present this podcast as a resource for the next generation of leaders doing big things.  Learn more about GreatAmerica at our website: www.greatamerica.com   Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/55395/admin/feed/posts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatamericafinancial/  Connect with our host Mitch Leahy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-leahy-2776aa7/

    Leadership, Mentorship, and Taking Next-Generation Leaders to the Next Level | Gregory Jacobs, Infomax

  3. 12/09/2024

    Siblings to Business Partners - | Kennedi Aguilar-Varing and Sloan Varing, IBE Digital

    In this episode, we are joined by our first sibling duo all the way from California! It is obvious the bond that Kennedi Aguilar-Varing, Controller, and Sloan Varing, Vice President, hold as siblings. They share how they manage their bond into their business, IBE Digital, an office technology business offering everything from IT hardware and printers to managed IT and cloud services. Kennedi and Sloan describe growing up 13 months apart in a family business with strong support from their father. As Kennedi and Sloan embarked on two separate paths after college, they each eventually found their way back to IBE, and discuss how both their personalities and current roles complement one another, contributing to the overall success of IBE. Kennedi Aguilar-Varing | LinkedIn Sloan Aguilar-Varing | LinkedIn IBE Digital: Overview | LinkedIn Thanks for listening to GreatConversations with GreatAmerica. As a trailblazer in the equipment finance industry, GreatAmerica is proud to present this podcast as a resource for the next generation of leaders doing big things.  Learn more about GreatAmerica at our website: www.greatamerica.com   Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/55395/admin/feed/posts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatamericafinancial/  Connect with our host Mitch Leahy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-leahy-2776aa7/

    Siblings to Business Partners - | Kennedi Aguilar-Varing and Sloan Varing, IBE Digital

  4. 11/11/2024

    From Customer to President – Grigsby’s Unique Journey to Leadership | Tyler Grigsby, Fisher’s Technology

    In this episode, Mitch chats with Tyler Grigsby, President at Fisher’s Technology, an office technology business out of Boise, Idaho that focuses on managing IT environments, selling and servicing copiers and printers, and streamlining business operations with document management and related software solutions. Though currently serving as President at Fisher’s, Ty shares his unique story of how he started out as a Fisher’s customer before joining the team. He talks about his strong background in finance and accounting, but also shares how he believes his development of soft skills has really helped shape his leadership ability, priming him for his current role. As a child, Ty had some exposure to the business world through his father who was very involved in the banking industry. However, Ty attributes his hard work, passion to help others, and leadership skills to his love of sports, experience working odd jobs in college, and genuine curious nature. Ty shares the lessons he has learned throughout his career, where he has failed and where he has achieved success, and how simply working hard has gotten him to where he is today. Tyler J. Grigsby, MBA | LinkedIn Fisher's Technology: Overview | LinkedIn Thanks for listening to GreatConversations with GreatAmerica. As a trailblazer in the equipment finance industry, GreatAmerica is proud to present this podcast as a resource for the next generation of leaders doing big things.  Learn more about GreatAmerica at our website: www.greatamerica.com   Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/55395/admin/feed/posts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatamericafinancial/  Connect with our host Mitch Leahy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-leahy-2776aa7/

    From Customer to President – Grigsby’s Unique Journey to Leadership | Tyler Grigsby, Fisher’s Technology

  5. 10/07/2024

    When NextWave Meets Legacy: Changing of the Guard and Developing Confidence | Jenna (Stramaglio) Miner, ConnectWise

    If you are in the Office Technology industry, it’s likely you will know today’s guest! Jenna Stramaglio) Miner joins Mitch on today’s episode of GreatConversations. As Channel Development Manager at ConnectWise, and daughter of industry icon, Mike Stramaglio, Jenna has grown up in the business. For nearly two decades, Jenna has become entrenched in the industry, juggling a rigorous travel schedule to stay in-tune to the ever-evolving office technology landscape. She shares some of the lessons she’s learned when it comes to developing her confidence and overcoming anxiety around public speaking. Jenna also offers her perspective on “the changing of the guard,” as legacy leaders begin passing the baton to the next wave of Gen X and Millennial leaders.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-stramaglio/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/connectwise/  Thanks for listening to GreatConversations with GreatAmerica. As a trailblazer in the equipment finance industry, GreatAmerica is proud to present this podcast as a resource for the next generation of leaders doing big things.  Learn more about GreatAmerica at our website: www.greatamerica.com   Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/55395/admin/feed/posts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatamericafinancial/  Connect with our host Mitch Leahy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-leahy-2776aa7/

    When NextWave Meets Legacy: Changing of the Guard and Developing Confidence | Jenna (Stramaglio) Miner, ConnectWise

  6. 09/09/2024

    Finding Your V-Formation in Business | Brantly Fowler, ZENO Office Solutions

    On today’s episode, Mitch is joined by Brantly Fowler, Co-President of ZENO Office Solutions out of West Texas. Brantly shares his journey, from working in the ZENO warehouse doing odd jobs as a kid, to being the Co-President. Looking at the man behind the company, we learn how Brantly created his “V-Formation” of people in his life, how he gives 100% to all things with his “no excuses” mentality, and how he carries that over into a professional career to create humility, commitment, and ownership in his work. Brantly also shares how important strong relationships are throughout this industry and how he has nurtured and maintained the bonds he has created throughout his career. Brantly Fowler | LinkedIn ZENO Office Solutions: Overview | LinkedIn Thanks for listening to GreatConversations with GreatAmerica. As a trailblazer in the equipment finance industry, GreatAmerica is proud to present this podcast as a resource for the next generation of leaders doing big things.  Learn more about GreatAmerica at our website: www.greatamerica.com   Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/55395/admin/feed/posts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatamericafinancial/  Connect with our host Mitch Leahy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-leahy-2776aa7/

    Finding Your V-Formation in Business | Brantly Fowler, ZENO Office Solutions

  7. 08/05/2024

    Lifelong Learning, Leading Through Service, and a Little Happy Luck | Ashley Carnes, Impact Networking

    On today’s episode of GreatConversations, Mitch hosts Ashley Carnes, Chief Strategy Officer at Impact Networking—one of the fastest-growing managed services providers in the nation. Ashley’s passion for lifelong learning and servant leadership earned her recognition as a 2024 Young Influencer by The Cannata Report. She shares her unexpected journey from an entry-level sales rep to leadership, emphasizing the role strong mentors had on her development and how motherhood shaped her empathetic and curious approach to leadership. ASHLEY DAVIS CARNES | LinkedIn  Impact Networking, LLC | LinkedIn  Thanks for listening to GreatConversations with GreatAmerica. As a trailblazer in the equipment finance industry, GreatAmerica is proud to present this podcast as a resource for the next generation of leaders doing big things.  Learn more about GreatAmerica at our website: www.greatamerica.com   Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/55395/admin/feed/posts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatamericafinancial/  Connect with our host Mitch Leahy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-leahy-2776aa7/

    Lifelong Learning, Leading Through Service, and a Little Happy Luck | Ashley Carnes, Impact Networking

  8. 07/17/2024

    Keeping Up with The Family Business | Casey Lowery, Applied Innovation

    Welcome to the debut of our GreatConversations with GreatAmerica podcast! We are excited to kick things off with our NextWave Series, where we engage with next gen thought leaders and innovators from the office technology space.   Today, Mitch Leahy welcomes Casey Lowery, President at Applied Innovation, a family-owned and run office technology provider offering technology, imaging, and automation solutions with locations in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Florida.  Applied Innovation’s legacy goes back more than three decades, where Casey grew up observing and learning from his dad, John Lowery. As a young kid, he always looked up to his dad and knew early on he wanted to follow in his footsteps. Casey shares his perspective as the child of a business owner and what he’s learned throughout life and leadership that’s shaped the way he approaches the day to day of his role. He shares what it’s been like to lean into the ownership seat with the goal of staying family owned. Casey’s Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseylowery/  Applied Innovation’s Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovationapplied/  Thanks for listening to GreatConversations with GreatAmerica. As a trailblazer in the equipment finance industry, GreatAmerica is proud to present this podcast as a resource for the next generation of leaders doing big things.  Learn more about GreatAmerica at our website: www.greatamerica.com   Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/55395/admin/feed/posts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatamericafinancial/  Connect with our host Mitch Leahy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-leahy-2776aa7/

    Keeping Up with The Family Business | Casey Lowery, Applied Innovation
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Hello, and welcome to GreatConversations, a podcast about leadership and life from GreatAmerica Financial Services. Our host for this series talks with thought leaders and innovators from across the business world. 

Information

  • Creator
    GreatAmerica Financial Services
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GreatConversations with GreatAmerica
  • Show Website
    GreatConversations with GreatAmerica