Aggie Legends Podcast | Texas A&M University

Mays Business School
  • 4.3 (7)
  • Business
  • Updated Biweekly

Aggie Legends is a podcast that showcases the extraordinary leadership journeys of former Texas A&M students who are making a global impact across business, government, military, entertainment, athletics, and beyond. Each episode features an in-depth conversation with a distinguished Aggie leader, exploring how Texas A&M shaped their path, the defining leadership lessons they’ve learned, and the ways they are transforming the world through their talents.

Episodes

  1. May 6

    Flip & Susan Flippen | Character, Gratitude, and Transforming Education

    In this inspiring episode of Aggie Legends, Ben Wiggins sits down with Flip and Susan Flippen, founders of the Flippen Group and namesakes of the Flippen Leadership Institute at Texas A&M. United by a shared belief in the transformative power of character, education, and authentic connection, the Flippens recount their journeys from overcoming childhood challenges through building world-changing programs to creating a leadership legacy at Texas A&M. Discover the hidden assets that matter most in business and life, learn how to build trust and relationships intentionally, and hear how gratitude, honor, and living with purpose shape both the next generation and the leaders of today. Whether you’re a student, educator, or business builder, their insights into resilience, ethics, and valuing others illuminate what it means to lead with integrity and make a lasting impact.00:00 Intro: Meet Flip & Susan Flippen 01:15 Bringing Leadership Development Home to Texas A&M 02:27 Why Kids Matter: The Power of Shaping Young Lives 02:53 Adversity and Compassion: Childhood Challenges 05:03 Foster Care, Brokenness, and Potential 06:21 Bringing Out the Best: Unique Approach to Leadership & Marriage 07:56 Building High-Trust Teams: Relationships and Retention 09:25 Impact at Scale: Worldwide Reach 11:49 The Science of Connection: Neuroscience & Emotional Resonance 14:42 Good Things, Gratitude, and Reframing Hardship 16:26 The Assets That Matter Most: Character, Purpose, and Living Well 18:26 From Transactional to Transformational: Trust in Business 23:05 Ethical Dilemmas and Values in Action 24:25 Leadership Lessons: Honor, Alignment, and Accountability 25:58 Values in Practice: Building Team Culture 26:45 Closing Wisdom: Education, Character, and Purpose

    28 min

  2. Apr 22

    David Cordani ’88 | Integrity and Leading through Crisis

    In this episode of Aggie Legends, Ben Wiggins ’07 ’18 welcomes David Cordani ’88, chairman and CEO of The Cigna Group, back to Aggieland. From his blue-collar roots in Connecticut to the Fortune 500 C-suite, Cordani’s journey embodies hard work, service, entrepreneurial grit, and unyielding integrity. Discover how his formative years and A&M experience shaped a philosophy that leadership is a sacred privilege, not a right. Cordani shares stories from the boardroom and the race course, reflects on leading through crisis, and champions the power of micro-communities, inclusion, and perpetual personal growth. Whether you’re an aspiring leader, seasoned executive, or purpose-driven Aggie, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on authentic, resilient, sustainable leadership. 00:00 Intro: Meet David Cordani of Cigna 01:02 Blue-Collar Beginnings & Family Lessons 04:28 Choosing Texas A&M & A Values-Based Path 10:33 Purpose & Progress: Entering Health Care Leadership 12:21 Leading Health Forward: Innovation, Challenge & Choice 16:29 The New Frontiers: AI, Personalization & Inclusion in Leadership 30:32 Tested Values & Turning Points in Crisis 34:17 Endurance, Service & the Art of the Possible 43:56 Inclusion & Micro-Communities 50:41 Top Lessons in Leadership

    53 min

  3. Apr 1

    Chancellor Glenn Hegar ’93 | Rural Roots, Public Service, and Leading an Academic System

    In this episode of Aggie Legends, host Ben Wiggins sits down with Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar ’93. From his humble roots on a family farm to holding one of the most influential roles in Texas higher education, Chancellor Hegar shares the lessons and leadership principles that shaped his path. He discusses the importance of community, staying grounded, the value of curiosity, and leading with character and humility. Through stories of balancing public service and family life and building teams with diverse strengths, he reveals what it truly means to be an Aggie leader. Whether you’re a student, young professional, or seasoned executive, this episode offers insightful, actionable advice on authentic leadership, overcoming adversity, and building a legacy that lasts. 00:00 Intro: Meet Glenn Hegar 00:48 Rural Roots to Texas A&M 03:09 The Aggie Network: Lasting Community & Values 04:26 Curiosity & Questioning: Foundations for Leadership 06:22 Balancing Family and Public Service 08:08 Leading with Character and Humility 10:51 Stepping into the Chancellor Role 16:04 Building Teams and Listening 20:50 Leadership in Action 23:26 Perspective & Life Hacks: Resetting During Crisis 24:31 The Highest Purpose of Higher Education 25:47 Closing Wisdom: Advice for Students and Young Professionals

    28 min

  4. Mar 18

    Devina Rankin ’98: Hard Work, Kindness, and the Courage to Lead

    How do you build a legacy of leadership that blends kindness, hard work, and gratitude? In this powerful episode, Ben Wiggins ’07 ’18 sits down with Devina Rankin ’98 — Mays accounting graduate, former CFO of WM (Waste Management), cancer survivor, philanthropist, and visiting lecturer at Mays Business School — to explore her extraordinary journey. From her military family roots and her first job at Arthur Andersen in the age of the Enron scandal to becoming WM’s first female CFO, overcoming personal adversity, and giving back to the next generation, Devina shares career-shaping moments and the core values that have defined her life. Tune in for actionable lessons on integrity, resilience, and what it truly means to “bloom where you’re planted.” 00:00 Intro: Meet Devina Rankin 01:00 Finding Home at Texas A&M University 03:16 Academic Foundations & Early Influences 05:56 Integrity Under Fire: Lessons from Arthur Andersen & Enron 11:37 Transitioning from Workhorse to a Leader in Training 17:03 Bloom Where You’re Planted: Thriving in the Face of Adversity 18:18 Cancer, Resilience, and the Power of Positive Energy 23:38 Giving Back: Teaching, Philanthropy & the Next Generation 26:34 Leadership Lessons for Life

    36 min

  5. Mar 4

    Bruce Broussard ’84 | Navigating Change: How Mistakes, Mentors, and Purpose Guide a CEO

    From first-generation college student to CEO of Humana and now interim CEO of HP, Bruce Broussard’s path was shaped by challenge, growth, and an unyielding commitment to doing the right thing. In this episode, Bruce sits down with host Ben Wiggins ’07 ’18 to share candid lessons from his Aggie journey and executive leadership — highlighting how mistakes, values, and mentors sparked his transformation as both a person and a leader. Get actionable insights on cultivating a growth mindset, building purposeful teams, learning from failure, and thriving through change. 00:00 Host’s Note 00:10 Intro: Meet Bruce Broussard 02:54 Texas A&M: Values, Friends, and and “Comfortable Pushes” 05:03 Early Career and Building Foundations for Growth 07:26 Servant Leadership: Doing the Right Thing in Business and Life 08:29 Lessons from Hurricanes: Purpose Over Practicality 13:10 The Role of Mentorship: What to Embrace and What to Leave Behind 16:26 Leadership Evolution: From Command and Control to Purpose and Ownership 22:09 Why Great Leaders Make Fewer Decisions 26:03 The Value of Mistakes: Owning Failures, Finding Strengths 32:11 Redefining Yourself: Transitions, Passions, and Lifelong Discovery ➡️ Subscribe to Aggie Legends on your favorite podcast platform or the Mays Business School channel for more business and leadership insights from successful Aggies!

    35 min

  6. Feb 18

    Dan Tinker ’96 | Building a Billion Dollar Company Through Culture

    In this episode, Dan Tinker, CEO of SRS Distribution, reveals how he built a multi-billion dollar company centered on people-first leadership. He shares his philosophy of respect, humility, and empowering and rewarding every employee, which led to a thriving culture and unprecedented success, including creating over 500 employee millionaires when the company was acquired by Home Depot. Discover his unique approach to business where everyone wins. 00:00 Intro: Meet Dan Tinker 00:56 Finding His Way (and Motivation) at Texas A&M 02:50 Early Career: Turning the Worst Branch into No. 1 05:06 Leadership: Vision and Servant Culture 09:24 Scaling: Tough Calls and Less Meetings 13:10 Evolving: Patience and Failing Forward 15:00 Risk: Small Bets, Big Learning 16:34 Career Pivot: Staying True to Values 19:12 Private Equity: the Pros and Cons 21:16 SRS: Culture as the North Star 25:13 “Have Fun”: Relationships and Tailgating 27:05 Culture Lesson: People Win 34:35 Leadership Lessons and Episode Wrap-Up ➡️ Subscribe to Aggie Legends on your favorite podcast platform or the Mays Business School channel for more business and leadership insights from successful Aggies!

    43 min

  7. Feb 4

    Wayne Roberts ’85 | Culture, Legacy, and Living your Strengths 

    Retired Abrigo CEO and former Dell and Rackspace executive Wayne Roberts ’85 joins host Ben Wiggins in an inspiring, wide-ranging conversation on discovering your strengths, leading by example, building a values-driven business, and living life with intention. Recorded in the Wayne Roberts ’85 Building at Mays Business School, this episode traces Wayne’s unexpected path to Texas A&M, his philosophy on company culture, lessons learned through personal adversity, and his vision for a meaningful legacy. Discover actionable lessons in leadership, the critical role of organizational culture, and practical wisdom for finding fulfillment in work and life. 00:00 Intro: Meet Retired CEO Wayne Roberts  01:09 From Austin to Aggieland 03:57 Early Career: Listening to Others vs. Finding Purpose 05:04 Personal Crisis: Resilience through Adversity 09:41 Discovering Strengths: Dell, Rackspace, and the Builder Mindset 12:40 Culture & Values: Beyond Buzzwords  16:50 Leading through Personal Trials & Transitioning Leadership 20:13 Philanthropy and Legacy Building 21:19 Essential Leadership Lessons for Future Generations 28:27 Episode Wrap-up 🔔 Subscribe for insightful conversations with Aggie Legends shaping the future of business. #AggieLegends #WayneRoberts #tamu #Leadership #CompanyCulture #MaysBusinessSchool #Legacy #StrengthsFinder #CEO #ExecutiveInsights #AggieNetwork

    32 min

  8. Jan 21

    Darren Woods ’87 | Leading ExxonMobil Through Service

    Unlock insights into leadership, career growth, and global impact with the premiere episode of Aggie Legends from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. Host Ben Wiggins sits down with Darren Woods, chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil to learn about his journey to the C-suite and what it’s like leading one of the world’s largest companies. 00:00 Intro: Meet CEO Darren Woods 00:50 Texas A&M: Values & Leadership Roots 02:26 Engineering to MBA: Business Acumen 04:31 Continuous Learning: Grow Your Career 07:31 Global Leadership: Adapting to Change 11:07 Ethical Leadership: Do the Right Thing 15:04 The CEO’s Burden: Embracing Responsibility 21:07 ExxonMobil: A Molecule Tech Company 25:10 Energy Transition: Strategic Insights 31:31 True Leadership: Serve & Know Yourself 33:05 Family’s Influence on a CEO’s Journey 34:50 Episode Wrap-up ➡️ Subscribe to Aggie Legends on your favorite podcast platform or the Mays Business School channel for more business and leadership insights from successful Aggies! #AggieLegends #DarrenWoods #ExxonMobil #tamu #MaysBusinessSchool #LeadershipDevelopment #CEO #EnergyTransition #CareerGrowth #Innovation #AggieNetwork #BusinessLeadership #GlobalImpact #ExecutiveInsights

    35 min
  9. Introducing Aggie Legends, a podcast spotlighting successful Aggies and their lessons in leadership

    Trailer

    Introducing Aggie Legends, a podcast spotlighting successful Aggies and their lessons in leadership

    Aggie Legends is a podcast that showcases the extraordinary leadership journeys of former Texas A&M students who are making a global impact across business, government, military, entertainment, athletics, and beyond. Each episode features an in-depth conversation with a distinguished Aggie leader, exploring how Texas A&M shaped their path, the defining leadership lessons they’ve learned, and the ways they are transforming the world through their talents.

    1 min

Trailer

4.3
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Aggie Legends is a podcast that showcases the extraordinary leadership journeys of former Texas A&M students who are making a global impact across business, government, military, entertainment, athletics, and beyond. Each episode features an in-depth conversation with a distinguished Aggie leader, exploring how Texas A&M shaped their path, the defining leadership lessons they’ve learned, and the ways they are transforming the world through their talents.

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