Libsyn Directory

Build Series EP.6: Relentless Prioritization with Hill Hamrick - EP.263

Release Date: 03/25/2025

What You Learn After 40 years of Leading Through Change with T.J. Coombs - EP.274

Think Like an Owner

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman sits down with T.J. Coombs, an experienced operator and turnaround expert with decades of leadership across industries including building products, manufacturing, and distribution. T.J. shares lessons from his 40-year career helping companies navigate transitions, execute turnarounds, and build strong leadership teams. He discusses his philosophy of defining success by when you leave, the importance of disciplined assessments, and the hands-on approach required to truly understand and improve a business. They discuss: • How defining...

Right to Win Series EP.2: Building Trust as Second-Time CEO with Dan Calano - EP. 273

Think Like an Owner

In this second installment of the Right to Win series on Think Like an Owner, host Alex Bridgeman sits down with Dan Calano to unpack the lessons learned from his journey as a two-time search fund entrepreneur. Dan reflects on his first acquisition of Utility Cloud, navigating challenges like intellectual property disputes and customer concentration, and how trust, discipline, and process shaped his leadership. He then shares what it was like to sell the company, transition through an acquisition, and ultimately launch Grouper Companies and acquire Fleetflo for his second CEO chapter. They...

Matt Risinger: The New Ways to Sell Building Supplies to Builders - EP.272

Think Like an Owner

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman sits down with homebuilder and content creator Matt Risinger to discuss how the builder-supplier relationship is evolving and how technology is reshaping the construction industry. Matt shares the story of founding Risinger Build and Build Show Network, detailing how content creation transformed his business and his approach to education within the trades. The conversation explores how trust, service, and transparency remain the cornerstones of effective supplier relationships, even as digital tools and AI change how materials are ordered...

Right to Win Series EP.1: Patience and Persistence with Kyle Baer - EP.271

Think Like an Owner

In this episode, Alex Bridgeman sits down with Kyle Baer to reflect on his journey from Accruent to Datacor and now leading Crystal. Kyle shares the lessons he learned sourcing acquisitions, scaling a software business, and ultimately transitioning into his first CEO role. Their conversation highlights the importance of patience, building trust, and embracing the challenges of leadership, while also diving into the practical realities of acquiring and running a company. They discuss: Kyle’s career path from Accruent into Datacor and the operational experience he gained The core lessons...

Lessons from a Decade of Growth and Acquisitions - Janelle Heuton - Co-Founder @ Heiton Partners - Ep.270

Think Like an Owner

In this episode, Alex Bridgeman talks with Janelle Heuton about her decade-long journey helping transform a small GIS company into a scaled software business serving local governments nationwide. Janelle shares how she joined GIS Workshop by chance, quickly rose to COO, and partnered with CEO Joe Heieck to drive strategic change, including shifting from custom development to SaaS products, completing nine acquisitions, and leading a move to the cloud. She reflects on the phases of her role, from client success to chief product officer, and the lessons learned through scaling, private equity...

From the PGA Tour to the Trades - John Peterson - Founder of Westoplex Garage - EP.269

Think Like an Owner

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, host Alex Bridgeman sits down with John Peterson for a wide-ranging conversation on entrepreneurship, adaptability, and building a service business from the ground up. John traces his path from professional golf—where he saw firsthand the parallels between sports and entrepreneurship—to flipping houses during COVID and ultimately founding Westoplex Garage, a garage door and epoxy floor company based in Fort Worth, Texas. With honest pricing and a service-first mentality, John shares how he grew the business from a two-man team in his garage to a...

Richard Emery - Building Private Jet Sales Teams [Replay]

Think Like an Owner

Alex (@Aebridgeman) is joined by Richard Emery (@Richardemery2).

Evolving Dynamics of Engine Programs with Delray Dobbins - EP.268

Think Like an Owner

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Delray Dobbins, Director of Sales at Engine Assurance Program (EAP), to dive into one of the most overlooked yet essential components of business aviation: jet engine maintenance programs. With a career spanning Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, and now EAP, Delray brings a deep and practical perspective on the engine lifecycle—and what operators need to understand to avoid million-dollar surprises.

Governance and Family Harmony in Business (From EP.267)

Think Like an Owner

Watch the full episode with Dave Whorton here - https://youtu.be/KPcgK3lm-mw

Building Evergreen Companies with Dave Whorton - EP.267

Think Like an Owner

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Dave Whorton, founder of Tugboat Institute and author of Another Way, to explore a different path for entrepreneurs—one built on permanence, purpose, and long-term thinking. After an early career in venture capital and tech startups, Dave walked away from the high-growth, high-exit model to focus on what he calls “Evergreen companies.”

More Episodes

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Hill Hamrick, Co-CEO of Central Storage & Warehouse, to explore how he and his team run a complex, high-volume cold storage business that ships hundreds of millions of frozen food products across North America every year.

We dive into how Hill and his co-CEO, Sam, transitioned from first-time owners into strategic leaders of a 24/6, labor-intensive operation. Hill shares how they learned the business from the ground up, why building trust with frontline employees was critical in the early days, and how his experience in the Marine Corps continues to shape his leadership approach.

We also get into:

How EOS helps align a 200+ person team across multiple locations
Why data is the backbone of operational decision-making
Lessons in pushing ownership and problem-solving to the front lines
The difference between wartime and peacetime CEO mindsets
Strategies for scaling culture and priorities while still in motion

Hill also opens up about the challenges of system migrations, prioritizing as a CEO, and the discipline required to avoid shiny-object distractions when building long-term value. This episode is a masterclass in leading through complexity and creating alignment in fast-moving, blue-collar businesses.

Links:

Hill on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hill-hamrick-094807a0/

Central Storage and Warehouse Co. - https://www.csw-wi.com/

Pacific Lake Partners - https://www.pacificlake.com/

Trilogy Search Partners - https://trilogy-search.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:06:55) - Introducing CSW and Hill

(00:08:45) - Priorities Frameworks

(00:12:23) - Most Effective Ways to Build Trust with a Team

(00:18:52) - Challenges in Creating a Synchronous Team

(00:22:37) - Making System and Software Migrations

(00:27:04) - Moving Decision-Making Down the Org-Chart

(00:33:48) - Matching CEO Mindsets with Organizational Needs

(00:44:23) - Board Member Advice

(00:47:42) - Prioritization Evolutions

(01:02:10) - Lessons from the Military

TOPICS