Meet Eric Latham

In this episode, Joe Alexander, the former Dean of the University of Northern Colorado Monfort College of Business, will tell how he was one of the leaders in a 20-year effort that resulted in the college becoming the only College of Business to win the country's award for role model excellence, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. It is about a purpose that transcends multiple leaders.

In this episode of Operations Experts, David McClaskey and Billy Schaefer break down what truly makes strategic planning work. David shares lessons from 50+ years of helping organizations—from single-person companies to multi-unit enterprises—use strategic planning to focus their teams, align their mission, and achieve goals they once thought impossible. They explore why most strategic plans fail, how to build one that actually gets implemented, and why consistent review—not just great ideas—is the key to transforming results year after year. If you're ready to move beyond “goals on paper” and build a plan that accelerates real, measurable progress, this episode delivers the roadmap. 🎧 Listen to the full episode:👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/operations-experts/id1829535567👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00IlbNyMAOiWGj5lBHCm7H?si=83f7e459e8124a93

Meet Deric Rosenbaum, President of Groucho’s Deli. Founded in 1941, Groucho’s is a beloved restaurant brand with more than 30 locations across the Southeast—and a legacy that spans 85 years. Hear how Deric blends technology and hospitality to drive consistency, empower franchisees, and create a culture where standardization means empowerment. Learn how data-driven systems, service recovery, and a “we adapt, not change” mindset are helping Groucho’s Deli thrive for generations to come.

Meet Eric Latham, Co-Founder and Owner of Johnson City Brewing Company. What started as a home-brewing hobby has grown into a thriving community business with multiple locations across East Tennessee. Hear how Eric and his wife Kat built a company rooted in community and creativity—expanding production, empowering staff, and crafting consistent quality through systems, training, and a long-term vision for sustainable growth.

Meet Alex Nikitin, Founder of Salamander Equity Partners. His company spans retail, food service, tequila production, fintech, and more—employing hundreds across the U.S. and abroad. Hear how Alex transformed his multi-industry organization by implementing clear systems and a culture built on accountability and excellence, using lessons from the Achieving World-Class Results program to strengthen training, improve hiring, and bring processes to 100%.

Meet Joe Ignace, Founder & CEO of Velocity 360, a rapidly growing CRM and lead generation platform helping businesses streamline sales, recruiting, and operations. In this episode, Joe shares how building repeatable systems and automating tasks empowers entrepreneurs to scale faster and more effectively. From doubling client revenue to cutting support calls by 90% with AI, he shows how smarter operations fuel long-term growth.

Meet Trace Miller, CEO & Founder of Konala. Launched in 2023, Konala is a rapidly growing healthy fast-food chain with three locations in Idaho and Washington and over 20 more in development nationwide. With a mission to make healthy eating as delicious and convenient as possible, Konala focuses on high-protein rice bowls, drive-through service, and speed that rivals traditional fast food. In this episode, Trace shares how lessons from the Achieving World-Class Results program helped him streamline processes, cut order times in half, and build a culture where employees can deliver 100% right every time—fueling both rapid franchise growth and ambitious performance goals.

Meet Chuck Gault, President of Max Coating. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Max Coating provides coat finishing for automotive suppliers and has built its success on operational excellence. In this episode, Chuck shares how implementing clear expectations, focusing on 100% accuracy, and applying lessons from the Achieving World-Class Results program transformed his company’s processes, reduced turnover, and strengthened customer trust.

Meet Jeff Boland, Director of Operations for Mac's Hospitality, a BBQ restaurant group in North and South Carolina. Hear their story and how the steps they took to improve their processes using a 100% mindset.

Get to know the Operations Experts: David McClaskey, President and Founder of the McClaskey Excellence Institute, and Billy Schaefer, Vice-President of the McClaskey Excellence Institute. Learn about their journey with operations excellence and how they work with leaders to take their company's operations from ordinary to extraordinary.