Building Great Leaders

Episode 121: Overcoming Fear & Controlling the Controllables

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Rose Misiewicz, Department Manager of Roofing & Architectural Metals at Jamar Company, discusses her unique transition from architect...

Episode 120: Embracing a Leadership Mindset to Empower Your Team

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Tino Delgadillo, a Project Manager with MP Nexlevel, shares his journey from the field to office, the leadership mindset he's embrace...

Episode 119: Forging an Impactful Leadership Career

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Salvatore Chitarra, the Managing Director of Chubb France, shares about his incredible journey as he is set to retire at the end of t...

Episode 118: More Than Just a High-Five: Building a Culture of Courageous Safety

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever received a safety high-five?  In this episode, Brian Mesmer, Segment Safety Leader for APi Group's Safety Segment, shares his journey i...

Episode 117: A Conversation on Career Risks, Personal Growth, and the Power of Self-Reflection

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sarah O'Donnell, Director of Recurring Revenue at Davis-Ulmer, discusses the importance of curiosity, building relationships to overc...

Episode 116: Don't Close the Door on Yourself

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Steve Arsenault, Chief Information Officer of APi Group, shares his unconventional career journey and how it shaped his unique perspe...

Episode 115: Lessons in Grit and Growth

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Pam Presthus, Vice President and CFO at LeJeune Steel Company, shares what it means to embody grit, embrace change and consistently c...

Episode 114: Leaders Develop Leaders: The Core of Our Success

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Russ Becker, CEO at APi Group, returns to share what has happened since he last appeared on the podcast. He discusses the importance ...

Episode 113: Why Storytelling is a Powerful Leadership Skill

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Bob Randall, VP Learning and Development with APi Group, shares his own vulnerable story and reveals how storytelling can differentia...

Episode 112: Why Principles Matter

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, David Jackola, the newly-appointed Chief Financial Officer of APi Group, discusses his leadership journey from growing up on the Iron...

Episode 111: Evolving as a Leader

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Angie Langlie, Vice President of Operations for APi Garage Door, shares about her personal journey, embracing vulnerability as a lead...

Episode 110: Trust Yourself and Lean Into the Uncomfortable

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dan Fowler, Vice President of Corporate Services and Special Projects at J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. shares his journey to J. Fle...

Episode 109: Driving Progress and Momentum

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Mike Shibrowski, President of Davis-Ulmer Fire Protection, shares his journey with the company and what he's learned about the progre...

Episode 108: Leadership Lessons from the Gridiron to the Boardroom

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Adam Fee, VP of Investor Relations for APi Group, shares how being a collegiate athlete prepared him for his current role and how the...

Episode 107: The Art of the Negotiation Process

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What makes a negotiation successful? In this episode, Steve Ulmer, Senior Vice-President of Safety Services, shares some of the amazing amount of inst...

Episode 106: Building Trust: How Leaders Can Remove Obstacles & Empower Teams

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Pat Kes, Superintendent at Viking Sprinkler, shares the lessons he's learned from over 30 years experience in the industry, including...

Episode 105: Converting Obstacles to Opportunities

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In our final episode of 2024, Rasheed Harris, Vice President of Global IT Infrastructure for APi Group, shares the most impactful lessons he's learned...

Episode 104: The Power of Connection and How to Build More of It

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Laurent Matthys, VP, People Leadership for APi International, shares about his fascinating life and career journey as he reveals the ...

Episode 103: Accountability, Mentorship, and a Leadership Mindset

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Pat Bougourd. Service Superintendent for Reliance Fire Protection shares the lessons he's learned on his journey about accountability...

Episode 102: Adopting a Growth Mindset while Navigating Change

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Pat deGrood, Mechanical Segment Leader for The Jamar Company discusses the changes he's seen over the years since starting out as an ...

Episode 101: You're Where You're Supposed to Be, Every Step of the Way

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Jenni Cerrito, Inspections Account Manager at International Fire Protection reveals how getting out of her comfort zone has led her t...

Episode 100: Celebrating Resilience, Learning, and Co-conspirators

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stacy Nealy, Business Architect and the Co-Chair of APi's Network of Women, shares the path she took from a career in teaching music ...

Episode 99: How True Leadership Makes All The Difference

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Mike Landes, President of Classic Industrial Services, shares his journey and how mentorship helped him from a young age, how he's co...

Episode 98: AWARE

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Velma Korbel, VP and Chief DEI/Sustainability Officer for APi Group returns to the podcast to talk about global events and how each o...

Episode 97: Intentional Planning and Learning

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Jon Sanders, Sheet Metal Superintendent for The Jamar Company, shares the importance of pre-planning for projects, his thoughts on le...

Episode 96: Leadership, Service, and Life After the Military: Lessons from Clint Romesha, Medal of Honor Recipient

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Clint Romesha, Medal of Honor recipient and bestselling author of Red Platoon, shares his incredible story of enlisting in the milita...

Episode 95: Being True to Yourself as a Leader

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Lauren Thompson, Vice President of APi National Service Group, shares how the company is balancing the needs of the external customer...

Episode 94: Rising Through The Ranks: From Individual Contributor to Leader

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Joshua Luera, El Paso Area Manager for Western States Fire Protection, describes how he got into the life safety industry.  He share...

Episode 93: The Care Factor

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Lesley Leach, Director of Human Resources at Chubb Fire & Security, shares her remarkable journey from HR business partner in Johanne...

Episode 92: Finding a Love for Fire Protection

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Orestes Quintana, Fire Alarm Superintendent with International Fire Protection, shares his story of coming to the United States from ...

Episode 91: Leadership Lessons from Two Decades at APi Group

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Craig Fellman, Segment Leader for Speciality Services and also the first participant through the Leadership Development Program, reve...

Episode 90: Seeing the Forest and the Trees as a Leader

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Kristin Schultes, Vice President of Corporate Development at APi Group, shares her fascinating path through the organization and the ...

Episode 89: Adopting a Leadership Mindset

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

To kick off a brand-new season of the podcast in 2024, Pery Zerbinos, Technical Support Supervisor for Chubb Canada, shares the insights he's learned ...

Episode 88: End of 2023 Episode

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today is our end of year podcast episode, where host Laura Seitz is joined by her behind-the-scenes team, Kevin and Maddy, as they reflect on the year...

Episode 87: Re-defining Leadership

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dave Saffrin, President of APi Garage Door, reveals what he has learned about what a good leader truly is versus what he initially th...

Episode 86: Taking on Challenges

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Rick Charles, Chief Operating Officer of Chubb, shares the journey he's taken throughout his career to get to where he is today, and ...

Episode 85: Valuing diverse mindsets

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Vashma Bolton, Global Director of HR Technology at Chubb, shares her leadership journey, the challenges that she's overcome and what ...

Episode 84: Who is Next?

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dave Dunnigan, Managing Director of UK and Ireland for Chubb, talks about his 30 years with the company and why it's so important to ...

Episode 83: You are not alone

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Angela Sunderland, Segment Talent Lead for APi Group's Mechanicals Division, shares her path to APi Group, as well as her personal ex...

Episode 82: Purposeful Behavior, Purposeful Culture

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paul Grunau, President of the APi Group International Division, shares about the importance of creating an environment where people f...

Episode 81: Representation and Mentorship

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Tasha Lawrence, Fabrication Shop Operations & DEI Leader at MMC reveals the ways that she took control of her future and advanced in ...

Episode 80: Leading Through Influence

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paul Akins, Technical Talent Development Lead at Davis-Ulmer, shares about his experiences transitioning from a branch leader to his ...

Episode 79: Make Space for Yourself at the Table

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Jennifer Bradley, President of International Fire Protection, discusses the importance of believing in yourself regardless of your ro...

Episode 78: Empowering Teams

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Managing Director of Vipond Fire Protection in the UK, Alastair Wilson, shares his leadership journey and what it was like to transit...

Episode 77: Communicating and Adapting

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Service Manager for Western States Fire Protection, Jim Stewart, reveals the value of clear communication, adaptable leadership, and ...

Episode 76: Making an Impact

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Chubb CEO Andrew White shares some of the lessons he learned on the rugby pitch, like the importance of making an impact and being a ...

Episode 75: Bloom where you're planted

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What can you do in your current role to really grow and be the best that you can be, where you are right now? In this episode, APi Group's Senior Vice...

Episode 74: People-First Leadership

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to put people first?  In this episode, APi Group's Chief People Officer, Kristina Morton, talks all about her goals for the People ...

Episode 73: How to Innovate and Outdo

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shane Shipman, president of Lejeune Steel, shares his path from growing up in a small town in Wyoming to joining the military to becoming leader of "s...

Episode 72: Shaping Your Story

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What are you doing to shape your own story?  In this episode, Bill Ball, President of APi Mechanicals shares pivotal moments that have impacted the c...

Episode 71: Team Reflection

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Caralie Roisum, Kevin Hazard, and Sadie Grunau talk with Laura Seitz about their experiences as members of the Building Great Leaders Podcast Team. Th...

Episode 70: Attracting, Engaging, and Retaining Talent

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Three of APi Group's Talent Magnet Team participants share their leadership stories through the lens of their continued involvement and dedication to ...

Episode 69: Leveraging "The Gift of Gab"

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Conlin, or Pat, is the Tools & Equipment / Buildings & Grounds Manager at The Jamar Company. Conlin speaks to his ability to converse with any...

Episode 68: Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Craig Carpenter, the Assistant to the Director of Telecom at Mid-Ohio Pipeline Services, reflects on his 25 years with the Mid-Ohio family. Craig shar...

Episode 67: The Power in Reaching One's Potential

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rashid Kadir, the President of Tessier's Inc., discusses his educational, professional, and personal journeys with host Laura Seitz. Rashid traveled o...

Episode 66: Trust but Verify

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chuck Martin, the Regional Manager for Viking Fire Protection Group, reflects on the lessons he has learned as he enters the final few years of his ca...

Episode 65: Proactive Project Management

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cori Prokopowicz, a Project Manager at APi Construction, deep dives into the twelve years she has spent with the organization. Cori recently completed...

Episode 64: The Power of Thoughtful Feedback

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Katie Hunt, the IT Director of Business Systems at APi Group offers listeners her incredible story. Hunt dicusses the importance optimizing processes ...

Episode 63: Resiliency in Field Leadership

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jimmy Rachal, a Superintendent and Project Manager at Western States Fire Protection, reflects on his 22 years in the life safety industry. Jimmy shar...

Episode 62: The Importance of Approachability

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Spinti, the Cyber Security Director at APi Group, shares insights on far more than online safety. Ryan describes own journey from being the targe...

Episode 61: Adapting to Change

08 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Travis Sticka, the Vice President of Western States Fire Protection, discusses the immense changes he has adapted to throughout his career and what he...

Episode 60: Acting on Feedback to Build Trust

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Krumm, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at APi Group, shares his personal story of growing up on a farm and his professi...

Episode 59: Involved Leadership

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you make yourself known to the people around you? Brendan McNulty, the Vice President of Europe Chubb Fire and Security Group, has a hands-on a...

Episode 58: APi's Origin Story

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mr. Lee Anderson, the former owner of APi Group, dives into the history of the organization and his own personal journey to building a successful comp...

Episode 57: Combining Compliments and Curiosity

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Annie Wernert, the Regional Controller at Davis - Ulmer and U.S.A. Fire Protection, shares her story about searching for a job where she wanted to sta...

Episode 56: Pivoting Careers and Chasing Challenge

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tony Lucia, the president of Tenet, transitioned from professional hockey to APi Group and shares what he as learned along the way. Tony talks about t...

Episode 55: The Power of Vulnerable Leadership

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen Meyer, APi Group's Deputy General Counsel, discusses a overcoming a life-altering struggle with insomnia. She dives into the importance of being...

Episode 54: The Power of Lifelong Learning

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rajesh Bhat, the Chief Technology Officer at APi Group. discusses the importance of continuously possessing a student mindset. He dives into how he ha...

Episode 53: Leading Through Change

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Gengler, the President of American Fire Protection Group, discusses his professional journey and his experience with key individuals that have sh...

Episode 52: The Art of Prioritizing Yourself

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mindy McKean, the Corporate Safety and Risk Leader at International Fire Protection, discusses her journey to finding a job and lifestyle that feeds h...

Episode 51: The Unwavering Power of Reflection

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Shands, the Vice President of Learning and Development at APi Group Inc., shares his powerful anecdotes about the importance of self reflection. ...

Episode 50: Pressure-tested Leadership

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever started a career with no knowledge but with a positive attitude and a desire to learn?  Mike Farren, the President and CEO of Vipond In...

Episode 49: Being a Good Human

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Heather Salfer, a Project Manager at Jamar Company, dives into her professional journey. She shares insights into her passion for community service an...

Episode 48: Leading with Gratitude

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Leidholm, the Vice President at APi Group, dives into his leadership journey from being a safety professional at an operating company to leading ...

Episode 47: Following What Excites You

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stephanie Flencher, a Project Leader at American Fire Protection Group, shares her enthusiasm, her story of navigating her career pivots, and what she...

Episode 46: Meet the Team

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For the final episode of 2021, the Building Great Leaders Podcast Team sits down and shares how they got to where they are now, their goals for 2022, ...

Episode 45: Learning to Lead Through Change

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Daly, the Executive Vice President at Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors sits down with Laura to talk about his journey to APi group and the tran...

Episode 44: Operational Excellence

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered how businesses achieve operational excellence?  Diana Eestermans, the Business Performance Manager at SK Fire, discusses her o...

Episode 43: Self Knowledge Leads to Successful Acquisitions

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

API's Vice President of Acquisitions, Scott Hatfield, shares his insights on learning to know ones' company and using that knowledge of self to connec...

Episode 42: A Dose of Wisdom

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Going back over the two decades that she has worked at APi Group, Shannon Swanson, VP of Employee Services, shares insights she has learned along the ...

Episode 41: Values-driven Leadership

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Stein, Area Manager for VFP in Houston Texas, shares his experience entering APi Group as a former military officer, offering insight into his tr...

Episode 40: Embedding recognition in a company

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Euson, outgoing president of 3S, describes how the practice of recognizing employees became embedded in the company DNA.  Laura and Matt discuss...

Episode 39: Taking a Leap of Faith

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Building Great Leaders Podcast, Kelly Nissenbaum, the manager of Business Development for Mid-Ohio Pipeline Services discusses ...

Episode 38: Trusting the Team

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Greg Fredlund, president of Northland Constructors, discusses the pathway that brought him to APi and what he learned as a new leader taking over the ...

Episode 37: Inclusive Leadership

20 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Velma Korbel, APi's Vice President and Chief DEI Officer defines diversity, equity, and inclusion for listeners. Velma leads us through her childhood ...

Episode 36: Connecting with the Field

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in to Phil Harein, the VP of API Construction as he takes us through his leadership journey; from his childhood to now. He discusses his blind sp...

Episode 35: Growing up and Growing through--Adjusting your Worldview

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join father-son duo Paul and Colin Javorina as they discuss their paths to their current positions (Chief Financial Leader for the Industrial Services...

Episode 34: Taking ownership of your development

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

CMS (Jamar) Journeyman, Erin Mcquaid, describes the serendipitous experience that led him to become an HVAC technician.  He also shares how he takes ...

Episode 33: Taking Initiative

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Grunau Company's Manuela Burtscher describes how it felt to be new in the industry, new in the role and new in the branch.  She exce...

Episode 32: Empowering the Team

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you had three words to describe your leadership journey, what words would you use?  "Empower the team" is how APi's Chief Financial Leader of the ...

Episode 31: Learning from Loss

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

APi's Director of Talent Development Technology, Heather Stuckey, shares her personal story of loss.  The experience taught her to approach problems ...

Episode 30: Leadership in the Field

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Breslin, CEO of United Contractors and President of Breslin Strategies, talks about the growth he has witnessed in the industry.  He shares the ...

Episode 29: Exploring APi's History

26 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As a former board member and legal counsel, Bill Beadie has watched APi Group grow and flourish.  He shares stories of when the company first started...

Episode 28: Leveraging Curiosity

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview with Summit Pipeline's Project Manager, Erin Kilar-Bearman, we talk about what emerging leaders can do to be successful in the indus...

Episode 27: Leading with Perseverance

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Congdon, President of Twin City Garage Door, shares her inspirational story of resilience and perseverance in this episode.  Growing up in povert...

Episode 26: Inspiring the next generation of Builders

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Laura interviews our first guest from outside the APi Group Family: CEO of Bridgeworks and founder of the Trades Ambassadors program,...

Episode 25: Leading with Humor

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes on a stressful jobsite, you just need to laugh!  Recent retiree, Pat Crain, who is a former Superintendent for Jamar Company is just the gu...

Episode 24: Aligning People and Processes

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

APi Group's Chief Information Officer, Julius Chepey, shares his experience with rolling out new tools and processes.  He explains why a shared visio...

Episode 23: Building Great Habits

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have good habits?  Do you know how to think win-win?  Do you seek first to understand, then to be understood?  In this episode, Lucie Stein-...

Episode 22: Season 1 Recap

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Molly Landsteiner and Laura Seitz recap the inaugural season of the Building Great Leaders Podcast and take questions from listeners.  They share how...