Executive Sessions

Hosted by MiddleGround Capital

Business Investing

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Jan 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Industrial manufacturing, operational excellence, middle market investing, specialty distribution, and other complex topics made simple with executive sessions. Join MiddleGround Capital, as we invite industry experts to share key insights from from the factory floor to the board room about topics ranging from ESG and automation, to industry 4.0.

Listen to episodes

26 recent

January 27, 2026Episode 2737 min

What It Takes to Scale a Business | Executive Sessions Podcast

On MiddleGround’s twenty-seventh episode of Executive Sessions, Jane Sidebottom and Phil Arra share practical perspectives on scaling businesses.This episode covers:1. Why scaling starts with a clear vision, not just growth targets2. How growth exposes operational gaps and system limitations3. The role of focus and discipline as complexity increases4. What successful companies do differently to scale with intentionCheck out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4t3QyxaLearn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/ Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/middlegroundcapital/ Follow John Stewart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstewartky/ Find Jane Sidebottom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-sidebottom/Find Phil Arra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-arra/

December 16, 2025Episode 2639 min

Staying Plugged in on the Shop Floor | Executive Sessions Podcast

On MiddleGround’s twenty-sixth episode of Executive Sessions, John Stewart, our Founding and Managing Partner, sits down with Scot Duncan and David Dressman to unpack what it really takes for leaders to stay connected to daily operations. This episode covers:1. Why leaders lose visibility into shop-floor realities, and how firsthand observation bridges the gap2. Common leadership blind spots and the cultural impact of assumptions vs. actual conditions3. Practical systems and Gemba routines that strengthen alignment, problem-solving, and accountability4. How technology, data, and AI support being physically present on the floorCheck out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/48XnmyGLearn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/ Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/middlegroundcapital/ Follow John Stewart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstewartky/ Find Scot Duncan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scot-duncan-45a23211/Find David Dressman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dressman-0673819/

November 18, 2025Episode 2549 min

Bridging the Gap Between Purchasing and Sales | Executive Sessions Podcast

On MiddleGround’s twenty-fifth episode of Executive Sessions, John Stewart, our Founding and Managing Partner, joins industry experts John Miller and Victor Roos to explore the relationship between purchasing and sales, and why alignment between these two functions is critical to every manufacturing operation. This episode covers:How communication between purchasing and sales impacts margins and performanceWhy leadership alignment sets the tone for collaboration across teamsThe advantages and challenges of driving alignment in both small and large companiesHow trust and shared KPIs create faster, better decisions across the supply chainWhat it takes to turn two historically separate functions into one cohesive driver of resultsCheck out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4452SCALearn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/ Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/middlegroundcapital/ Follow John Stewart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstewartky/Find John Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-miller-730495/Find Victor Roos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-roos-672ba08/*Revenue at 17:53 rounded to the nearest 100,000.

October 28, 2025Episode 2446 min

Episode 24: developing strong teams - data, transparency, and genuine connection

On MiddleGround’s twenty-fourth episode of executive sessions, John Stewart, our Founding and Managing Partner, sits down with Kelly Myers, Managing Director on our Financial Operations Team, and Greg Ramfos, CEO of Dura-Shiloh, to explore one of the most essential and complex aspects of leadership: developing strong teams. This episode covers:How to build alignment and trust from the top downUsing data to drive clarity and improve decision-makingWhy transparency and communication matter more than everWhat it means to lead with consistency and empathyHow to turn belief into performance across a teamCheck out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3JAaHsVLearn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/middlegroundcapital/Follow John Stewart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstewartky/Find Kelly Myers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-faerber-myers-239b633/ Find Greg Ramfos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregramfos/

September 30, 2025Episode 2334 min

Episode 23: cobots, culture, and combating the manufacturing labor shortage

On MiddleGround’s twenty-third episode of executive sessions, John Stewart, our Founding and Managing Partner, steps in as host for the first time. He’s joined by Paul O’Brien, our Managing Director of Human Capital, and Miles Anderson, a Vice President on our Automation Team, to dig into one of the most pressing issues facing manufacturing today: the labor shortage. This episode covers:The impact of an aging workforce and a looming talent gapWhy younger generations overlook careers in manufacturingHow culture and communication drive retentionThe role of lean tools and cobots in creating safer, more engaging jobsCheck out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/48abb32Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/middlegroundcapital/ Follow John Stewart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstewartky/Find Paul O'Brien on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-o-brien-3ba9271/Find Miles Anderson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miles-anderson-155a694/

May 29, 2025Episode 2228 min

Episode 22: successfully merging companies & cultures

On MiddleGround’s twenty-second episode of Executive Sessions, Ryan McComb, our Managing Director on the Transaction Team, and Dan Stoettner, CEO of A. M. Castle & Co., lead the discussion. This episode covers: Strategic Benefits of Company Mergers Culture Alignment in MergersEffective Merger Communication and IntegrationOvercoming Merger ChallengesCheck out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4mzCmZALearn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/middlegroundcapital/ Find Ryan McComb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mccomb-1b512663/Find Dan Stoettner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-stoettner-928a77/

April 23, 2025Episode 2138 min

Episode 21: practical automation for manufacturers

On MiddleGround’s twenty-first episode of executive sessions, John Dotson and Miles Anderson from MiddleGround’s Automation lead the discussion. This episode covers: Automation as a response to labor shortages How to identify tasks to automateEnsuring success: training, ROI, and cultureCheck out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3Ry8BdELearn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/middlegroundcapital/ Find John Dotson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-dotson-5ab9142a/Find Miles Anderson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miles-anderson-155a694/

March 18, 2025Episode 2028 min

Episode 20: marketing - the key to winning new business

On MiddleGround’s twentieth episode of executive sessions, Nate Wheeler, Owner and CEO of marketing agency weCreate, and Leanne Walmsley, the Communications and Marketing Manager for Xtrac lead the discussions. This episode covers:Developing an effective marketing strategy The importance of digital marketing in B2B manufacturingLeveraging cost-effective marketing for growth Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4iYFHieLearn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/middlegroundcapital/ Find Nate Wheeler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-wheeler-91920622/Find Leanne Walmsley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanne-walmsley/

February 13, 2025Episode 1942 min

Episode 19: bringing innovation to market

On MiddleGround’s nineteenth episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by John Stewart, MiddleGround’s Founding Partner, and Steve Myers, former operations leader at Parker Hannifin. This episode covers:Innovation process and customer-centric developmentChallenges and risk managementSuccess factors for innovation Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4gHJUpcLearn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/Follow John Stewart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstewartky/Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/middlegroundcapital/

January 16, 2025Episode 1838 min

Episode 18: changing careers from auto to rail

On MiddleGround’s eighteenth episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by Bill Krueger, President of Global Manufacturing Operations at The Greenbrier Companies. This episode covers:Transitioning from automotive to rail Key differences between automotive and rail manufacturingDeveloping ESG practices in a new industryCheck out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3E1PSnkLearn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/middlegroundcapital/ Find Bill Krueger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-bill-krueger-3916803/