Made in America with Ari Santiago Ari Santiago

On this episode, Kate Hampford Donahue, CEO of Hampford Research, discusses the transformative journey of taking over her father's specialty chemical company.
 
Without a background in the chemical industry, Kate embraced a new kind of leadership, using skills gained throughout her early career. She recounts the pivotal support of Vistage, a CEO peer-to-peer group, that provided her with invaluable insights and support.
 
Kate shares her initial challenges from discovering the company was in a poorer shape than anyone realized to reshaping its culture and strategy in the face of that adversity. She managed to turn challenge into opportunity…and fell in love with manufacturing at the same time!
 
Kate's favorite book: Blue Ocean Strategy, Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim
 
Kate Hampford Donahue, Hampford Research
Website: https://www.hampfordresearch.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hampford-research-inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HampfordRsrch
Kate's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-donahue-7327007
 
Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP
Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-msp/
Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari
Podcast YouTube:  https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri
Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/
 
Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/
 
Kate and Ari discuss Leadership, Transition, Vistage, and Workplace Culture

Adapting and thriving through uncertainty and change is one thing that Jack Birtwell, President and Owner of Porter Preston, knows well!
 
On this episode, Jack shares his journey and how he turned a career setback into a successful enterprise. He and Ari delve into the importance of supportive partnerships - both his business partner and his wife have been instrumental to the company's start and success. They talk about what makes a successful partnership.
 
Jack also talks about the fun and positive culture that propels Porter Preston forward. He highlights both his "harmony policy" and their innovative recruitment tactics that ensure a great workplace.
 
Jack's favorite business books:
Customers for Life, Carl Sewell
7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
 
Jack Birtwell, Porter Preston
Website: https://www.porterpreston.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/porterprestoninc/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRjM-ltTIAneBYDjFjI21BA
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/porterpreston/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/porterprestoninc/
Jack's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-birtwell-03950b2a/
 
Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP
Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-msp/
Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari
Podcast YouTube:  https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri
Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/
 
Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/
 
Jack and Ari discuss:
Partnerships, company culture, interview process, business 101

Learn how you can save money on your electricity or even make money from it, while also making your power infrastructure more reliable and sustainable!
 
In this episode of Made in America, Ari talks to Christina Lampe-Onnerud, CEO of Cadenza Innovation, about the transformative potential of battery storage technology.
 
Christina discusses how Cadenza Innovation's approach to battery storage can significantly increase safety, reduce electricity costs, enhance grid resilience, and promote sustainable energy consumption. That's a lot of benefits!
 
From scientist to entrepreneur, Christina shares how she leveraged her experience and expertise to make a substantial impact on energy systems and efficiency.
 
This episode offers a deep dive into how innovative energy solutions like Cadenza's can make your business more profitable while also achieving environmental benefits. Join us for an enlightening discussion on the future of energy and manufacturing.
 
Christina's favorite business book: Good to Great, James C. Collins
 
Christina Lampe-Onnerud, Cadenza Innovation
Website: https://cadenzainnovation.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cadenzainnovation/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cadenzainno
Christina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lampeonnerud/
 
Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP
Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-msp/
Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari
Podcast YouTube:  https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri
Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/
 
Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/
 
Christina and Ari discuss:
Battery storage, energy cost, sustainability

Wanna be inspired by the next generation of manufacturers? Watch this episode! 
 
This week's guest discovered a passion for manufacturing that led not only to her current role at Accuturn Manufacturing, but also to designing programs that teach the next generation about manufacturing.
 
Rani Viroja, Quality Engineer and a 2nd generation leader at Accuturn talks about her company, her story, and the Advanced Manufacturing Employee Partnership (AMEP).
 
Rani tells Ari about Accuturn's focus on being more than a job shop - their ability to act quickly, and locally, means they can solve customers' supply chain issues in unique ways.
 
Rani's work with AMEP focuses on connecting students to manufacturing careers, demonstrating the power of early exposure to the field. Through innovative programs and personal engagement, Rani is at the forefront of inspiring the next generation to explore the diverse and exciting opportunities manufacturing has to offer.
 
Rani Viroja, Accuturn
Website: https://accuturnmfg.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accuturnmfg
Rani's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rani-viroja/
 
Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP
Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-msp/
Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari
Podcast YouTube:  https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri
Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/
 
Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/
 
Rani and Ari discuss:
Supply chain, AMEP, workforce development

A company that values good culture values its employees. In this episode we learn all about Dymotek, specialists in plastic molding, from their CEO, Shelley Fasano.
 
Shelley talks to Ari about the history of the company - how their entrepreneurial founders believed in finding the right people for the right job and continue that tradition today.
 
We learn about Shelley's manufacturing journey - a great women in manufacturing story. And we discover how she aligns the company's Core Values with everything from hiring to bonuses.
 
There's a lot to learn from this episode, including some great examples of using automation and new technology to improve jobs and productivity.
 
Shelley Fasano, Dymotek
Website: https://www.dymotek.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dymotek-Corporation/130484690351110
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dymotek
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dymotek-molding
Shelley's LinkedIn:
 
Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP
Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-msp/
Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari
Podcast YouTube:  https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri
Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/
 
Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/
 
Shelley and Ari discuss:
Company culture, Core Values, Technology, Automation, Productivity, Listening

Sustainability, customer focus, core values, and relationships are what this episode is all about.
 
This is a compelling conversation with Jaclyn Epstein, COO of MICA Corporation, a pioneer in water-based primers for sustainable flexible packaging solutions.
 
Discover how Mica Corporation is revolutionizing the industry with a customer-focused approach and a commitment to environmental stewardship ingrained in the company's DNA.
 
Jaclyn also shares insights into documenting the company's core values—customer focus, continuous improvement, and helping each other thrive —which  drive innovation and keep everyone rowing in the same direction.
 
Favorite book: Hug your Customers: Love the Results, Jack Mitchell
 
Jaclyn Epstein, Mica Corporation
Website: https://mica-corp.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/micacorporation
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mica-corporation/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MicaCorporationShelton
Jaclyn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclyn-epstein-a938623b/
 
Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP
Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-msp/
Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari
Podcast YouTube:  https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri
Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/
 
Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/
 
Jaclyn and Ari discuss:
Sustainability, Customer focus, Core values, Community involvement