#11: Scott Mordell - Former CEO of YPO
Joe talks YPO
Scott is the former CEO of YPO. Scott and Joe talk about his journey leading organizations in various industries, from horse racing to garage and gate openers and everything in between. Scott joined YPO as a member in 1995 and most recently served as its CEO beginning in 2011. Scott helped expand YPO membership, and transition it from a primarily US organization to an international organization focused on leadership impact. He shares a great deal of wisdom, resources, and advice for YPO members and several strategies, philosophies, and tips for CEOs. Scott has enjoyed 36 years of...
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#10: James Scarlett - Owner of Scarlett, Inc.
Joe talks YPO
Joe sits down with James Scarlett. James works in business development for , a manufacturing and equipment sales company. James is the third generation in the family business, growing up cleaning machines and sweeping the floor as a young kid. He attributes his curiosity, something he learned from his father, has helped him in his professional and personal life. A man of many hobbies James enjoys racing sailboats, riding bikes, skiing, fishing, and many others. They get into an interesting conversation about private aviation and James’ many injuries on the podcast. James says,...
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#9: Brett Vanderkamp - Founder & President of New Holland Brewing Company
Joe talks YPO
Joe sits down with Brett, the founder and president of . With a retail presence in Holland and Grand Rapids, New Holland is both a brewery and distillery with a full-service restaurant, a spirits tasting room, and an online store. At 24, he began New Holland Brewing in 1997 and has grown the company to nearly 500 team members. Brett serves as CEO, overseeing the corporate and leadership teams and continuing to forge their path into the future. Brett’s original partner in opening New Holland Brewing Company, Jason Spaulding, helped grow the company and eventually established Brewery...
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#8: Aaron Veldheer - Managing Director at Strategies Wealth Advisors
Joe talks YPO
Joe sits down with Aaron Veldheer, the Managing Director and Senior Wealth Advisor for , a wealth management firm. Aaron helps families and institutions manage their wealth by providing comprehensive financial planning and investment management. Aaron played college basketball and was an NFL Contract Advisor for his brother Jared Veldheer, a 12 yearNFL veteran and team MVP for conference winning Arizona Cardinals. Aaron helped to negotiate his $37.5 million deal with Arizona. There are a ton of great stories around this sports chapter of his life. Aaron, Jodi and their three sons...
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BONUS: YPO New Members
Joe talks YPO
In a special podcast episode, Joe sits down with Wade Wyant, the former Membership Engagement Chair for YPO West Michigan. They discuss all you need to know as a new YPO Member. YPO is an organization for young presidents or CEOs looking for peer support and community. YPO members learn tips and tricks to grow or expand their business from each other, have access to exceptional educational opportunities, and enjoy a social environment. Wade and Joe talk about the value of YPO and some of the incredible experiences they had over the years. Wade shares his experience connecting with the...
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#7 Wade Wyant: Entrepreneur at Red Wagon Advisors
Joe talks YPO
Joe is joined by Wade Wyant, an entrepreneur at , where he focuses on coaching companies through implementing the system. Wade has started several successful companies in the Information Technology sector in cyber security and used the Scaling Up system to help them succeed. Wade has also experienced what it is like to have a business fail. He calls himself 'a recovering CEO' and views Red Wagon's work to help other CEO's avoid the mistakes and common pitfalls. He feels his life's purpose is to build teams. Wade has been married for 27 years this past August, and is a...
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#6 Jason Johnson: President of JE Johnson Inc.
Joe talks YPO
Joe sits down with Jason Johnson, president of ., a mechanical contracting company for commercial, industrial, and residential customers throughout Michigan. Jason's father started J.E. Johnson in 1979 in Midland, Michigan. Jason has been in the family business since he was 14. He worked his way up in the company and took over as president and CEO in 2012. Jason is a father and husband and has two boys Easton who will soon be 10 in November, and Torren, 4. The most impactful memories in his life are when he married his wife Erin in 2016 and gained his son Easton, and four years ago...
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#5 Brett Logan: Owner and President of Immaculate Flight
Joe talks YPO
Brett Logan is the owner and president of , an aircraft cleaning and detailing company working with private owners, flight departments, commercial carriers, and government fleets. Brett was the person who got Joe into private aviation and they discussed his journey on the pod. As a kid on family vacations in Harbor Springs, he would sometimes sit for hours at the end of the runway to watch planes come in. In 2005, he and a partner began Immaculate Flight. Brett shares the story about how he and his wife Lynne had a six-month-old child and used financial support from his...
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#4 Jordan Notenbaum: Co-founder & CEO of Mobile Defenders - Founder of Tech Defenders
Joe talks YPO
Jordan Notenbaum is the co-founder and CEO of , an electronics distribution company, and the founder of . After graduating from Grand Valley State University, Jordan got in on the ground floor of phone repair. He calculated that he and his partner needed to repair 1.43 phones a day to pay rent. The business quickly expanded, and in 13 months, they had four stores. As the business expanded, they encountered various challenges from supply chain issues, retail locations, working with China that Jordan details on the pod. He also founded Tech Defenders, which helps schools, businesses,...
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#3 Jason Ruud: President of S.A. Morman and Co.
Joe talks YPO
Jason Ruud is the president of ., a commercial doors, hardware, and security systems company based in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. He and his wife Kristin bought the company from her father in 2019. They are proud to be the 6th generation in the family business, which started in 1857. The company has 75 employees between its two locations in Grand Rapids and the Kalamazoo/ Portage area. He cares deeply about his employees and says, ‘we call them family members.’ Jason is the father of fraternal twins Bennett & Quinn and son Graham, all under 3! He has a fascinating athletic...
info_outlineJoe sits down with Jeff Helminski, Managing Partner of Auxo Investment. He has compiled a diverse professional background over the past 20 years, including experience in private equity investing, manufacturing engineering, high-volume assembly operations management, and real estate development. Jeff helped start the Opportunity Resource Fund which supports homeownership, small business, and real estate development in Michigan.
At his first job after college, he worked at General Motors, where they built 1,296 trucks a day--- one every 54 seconds, which made $10,000 net profit per truck to GM.
In his spare time, Jeff sits on the Spectrum Health Hospital Group Board and Broadway Grand Rapids Board and enjoys gardening, fishing, and singing in the shower.
For more information or to get in touch, email Jeff Helminski. Visit the YPO West Michigan Website for more information about how to become a member.
(2:08) - What drew you to YPO?
(3:17) - Jeff’s Background and early career with GM
(6:40) - Jeff’s move to Stanford and into Real Estate Development & Student Housing
(12:34) - Making the jump into private equity
(20:10) - What’s the process of selling to private equity? Why do people do it?
Questions from Mrs. Helminski
(23:14) - Would you rather be a farmer, Jazz singer or professional trout fisherman?
(27:04) - Which of your kids are most like you?
(28:02) - What does a typical week look like for you?
(29:34) - What makes a good and a bad board member? What are some low handing fruit for rookie board members to NOT do?
(34:19) - What are your plans for Oxo going forward and what do you hope to get out of YPO?
Joe Talks YPO is produced by Johnny Peterson & Straight Up Podcasts