Laura Gardner serves as President and Chief Operating Officer for Joni and Friends, an international Christian nonprofit that serves those living with disabilities. She is responsible for the organization's strategy and execution of its Mission, Vision, and Goals. Prior to joining Joni and Friends in 2011, she was CEO and Founder of The Protocol Institute. After studying at The American School of Protocol and The Emily Post Institute, she recognized a unique opportunity to combine etiquette...

John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He’s a sought-after author and speaker in areas of faith and culture, theology, worldview, education, and apologetics. John is the daily voice of Breakpoint, the nationally syndicated commentary on the culture, founded by the late Chuck Colson. He is also the voice of The Point, a daily one-minute feature on worldview, apologetics, and cultural issues.  This week on the show, I’m honored to be joined by John...

Lynn Friess is the wife of the late Foster Friess, a prominent American businessman and philanthropist. Together, the couple were instrumental in supporting numerous charitable initiatives, dedicating their resources and efforts to causes that resonate with their values. Lynn's commitment to philanthropy and her unwavering support for her husband's ventures have made her a respected figure in the world of charitable giving. On the Wow Factor this week, we’re talking to Lynn Friess about how...

In 1987, John O’Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given a 1% chance to live. This epic story of survival was first showcased in his parents’ book, Overwhelming Odds, in 2006. It was this book that first invited John to embrace his miraculous recovery and share it with the world. John inspires nearly 75,000 people at 100+ events each year. John’s first book, ON FIRE:...

Bob Jordan serves as President and Chief Executive Officer at Southwest Airlines. Bob is a 35-year Southwest veteran and began his career as a programmer in Information Technology. During his more than three decades at Southwest, the airline grew from a regional presence with around 7,000 people and 90 airplanes to a beloved national brand with more than 71,000 people and 126 million customers carried in 2022. Bob is a passionate advocate of "The Southwest Way," which refers to the company's...

Tim Patton is the CEO of Patton Holdings, a prominent company based in Ann Arbor. Recognizing the inefficiencies of the commercial airline sector, Tim, with his three-decade-long experience in commercial flight travel, founded Flagship Private Air, a subsidiary of Patton Holdings. This private airline, operating from the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, is a testament to Patton Holdings' innovative approach to addressing market gaps.  On the Wow Factor this week, Tim Patton joins us to share the...

Garreth Wood is a Scottish philanthropist and advocate. He and his wife Nicola founded Kids Operating Room with the vision of ‘A world where every child has equal access to safe surgery.’ He believes that generosity requires tenacity; the ability to hang on when letting go appears most attractive. He is inspired by the tenacity of the surgical teams KidsOR supports worldwide. The grit, perseverance, and resilience they show every day, often in impossibly difficult working environments, is an...

Marty Ozinga IV is the CEO of Ozinga, a fifth-generation family enterprise that provides concrete and related services. Ozinga was founded in 1928 in Evergreen Park, Illinois as a coal delivery business by Marty’s great-grandfather Martin Ozinga, Sr. He is joined by his five brothers and one cousin in the fourth-generation of ownership. Marty earned a BA in economics and business from Westmont College and an MS in communications from Northwestern University. He has served on boards for...

In this episode we're joined by Mike Zafirovski, a man whose journey is as diverse as it is inspiring. Born in North Macedonia (in former Yugoslavia) and raised in a communist environment, Mike moved to the United States with his family, not knowing a word of English. From humble beginnings as factory workers, he climbed the corporate ladder to become a CEO of five General Electric businesses, where he spent 25 impactful years. He also served as President of Motorola and Nortel. Mike's story...

Adam is a serial entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of launching and leading organizations that generate both financial returns and social impact results. He is the CEO of Showcraft GBC (General Benefit Corporation), a leading exhibit production company. Before his role at Showcraft, Adam served as Managing Partner at Third Path Capital, a search fund for social good created to buy and build the Twin Cities' next great impact company, which successfully acquired Showcraft in 2021; he...

Jason Richardson is the founder of Bad Birdie Golf, a brand known for its vibrant and unique golf apparel. The company aims to break the traditional mold of golf attire by offering bold designs that stand out on the course. Jason's vision for Bad Birdie was to create a brand that resonated with the younger generation of golfers, blending style and functionality. This week on the WOW Factor, I’m talking with Jason, who spills the beans on his nerve-wracking experience taking Bad Birdie to...

Scot Sellers is Chairman of Maui Land & Pineapple Co, which develops, manages, and sells real estate on Maui. Scot brings to the table extensive expertise of a 40-year career developing homes and communities across the country. Scot served as Chairman and CEO of Archstone, one of the world’s largest multi-family housing companies, overseeing housing development, acquisition, and operation in over 50 cities. Scot also served many years on the international board of Habitat for Humanity and...

Dr. Wayne Hammond holds an adjunct status with Ambrose University and is an active presenter to leadership and practitioners in educational, organizational HR and mental health settings. Wayne’s work focuses on understanding the role of human flourishing and its implications for embracing a strengths-based approach to nurturing human potential and positive well-being as critical for supporting individuals and organizations to thrive. Wayne served in clinical supervisory capacities, worked in...

James Epp is the President of Fraserway RV, a leading company in the recreational vehicle (RV) industry. His journey in the RV business began as a teenager when his father, Erdman, purchased a camper manufacturing business in 1969. This small venture, which started with just five seasonal employees, laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong commitment to the RV industry for James. Under James' leadership Fraserway RV has grown significantly, maintaining a strong focus on ethics and...

Mark Canlis, co-owner of Canlis Restaurant in Seattle, joined the family business in 2003 after graduating from Cornell University and serving as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. His leadership skills, honed through diverse experiences, such as working with renowned restaurateur Danny Meyer, have been instrumental in navigating the restaurant through various challenges, including the recent global pandemic. Alongside his brother Brian, Mark is the fourth generation of Canlis restaurateurs.  ...

Dr. John Rooney is the President of Rooney and Associates, Inc. John provides strategic guidance and innovative solutions to numerous organizations. John's expertise in strategic planning, business development, and organizational management has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor in the business community. John is also actively involved in philanthropic efforts and remains dedicated to helping organizations thrive in an ever-changing global marketplace. This week on The Wow Factor,...

Jim Schneider is a deeply spiritual individual who founded Eyes of Faith in 2008 with a divine vision to fill a gap in the optical industry for faith-based brands. His company, which connects eye doctors and patients to a global mission of serving those in need of optical and spiritual help, has since provided eye care and hope to thousands by supporting optical and evangelical mission organizations. Jim and his wife Amy see Eyes of Faith as a conduit for God's love and encouragement,...

  Welcome to part two of our episode with PragerU CEO, Marissa Streit. With a background in military intelligence and degrees in Business, Economics, Education, and Non-Profit Management, Marissa Streit has vast experience as an educator, school administrator, and director of a philanthropic institute. Since the launch of PragerU in 2011, Marissa has lead the organization to become one of the most respected online educational resources in the USA.  This week on The WOW Factor, we...

With a background in military intelligence and degrees in Business, Economics, Education, and Non-Profit Management, Marissa Streit has vast experience as an educator, school administrator, and director of a philanthropic institute. Since joining PragerU in 2011, Marissa has helped lead the organization to become one of the most respected online educational resources in the USA.  This week on The WOW Factor, we welcome Marissa to the show to discuss the duality of being an entrepreneur and...

Franklin Graham has devoted his life to meeting the needs of people around the world and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The eldest son of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham, he serves as President and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Under his leadership, Samaritan's Purse has met the needs of poor, sick, and suffering people in more than 170 countries. As an evangelist for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, he has led crusades around the...

Jay Bennett is a dedicated family man with over 51 years of marriage to his wife, Sally. He has successfully balanced a 40-year career in law and business transactions, both locally in the Twin Cities and internationally. Simultaneously, Jay has been actively involved in Christian ministries for 35 years. In 2000, he founded the National Christian Foundation Twin Cities, merging his passion for Christian service and his desire to see impactful ministries flourish. Jay's commitment extends to...

Mark Johnson is a software development expert, co-founder of Michigan Software Labs, and a trusted partner for Fortune® 500 and high-growth companies. With a mission to deliver top-notch software solutions, Mark's influential presence on the Forbes Technology Council and Fast Company Executive Board has established him as a prominent figure in the industry. Recognized as one of West Michigan's most powerful business leaders and honored as part of the esteemed "40 under 40" list, Mark is...

John Clancy is the CEO of Planet Fitness Midwest LLC, a fitness franchise focused on providing affordable and judgment-free workout spaces. With a passion for health and wellness, John has led the company to remarkable growth by expanding its footprint and creating a welcoming environment. Under his leadership, Planet Fitness Midwest has become a beacon of inclusivity, offering fitness opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities. John's commitment extends beyond his role, as he...

In this episode of the Wow Factor, we have a special guest, Tom Smith, the former CEO of Food Lion. This episode is a tribute to Tom, who passed away recently. It’s taken from a private recording that we did for Tom and his family back in April, 2023. Tom shares his journey from growing up in a rural setting to becoming the CEO of Food Lion. He talks about the importance of setting goals, working hard, and saving money. He also discusses his leadership style, the importance of listening, and...

Rob Pace is the Founder and CEO of HundredX, a revolutionary customer feedback analytics platform.  HundredX believes that legacy surveys are broken and that social media amplifies the “loud” versus the “crowd”.   So to source honest data from real customers, HundredX partners with over 1,000 non-profits who receive funding from HundredX when their supporters provide the feedback business leaders need to hear.   This creates a unique “data for good” business model that has resulted in...