There is a destructive yet persistent American culture that sees people elevated to leadership positions without the required training or coaching. Today’s guest aims to ease this particular pain point by bringing military-style leadership to the civilian world.

John Gronski is a former Major General who's pivoted to being a motivational speaker and life coach. He begins our conversation by describing everything that happens at the coaching and consulting company he founded: Leader Grove. We learn about John’s journey from rural Pennsylvania to coaching and via the Army before honing in on the challenges he faced while deployed with the Army in Ramadi, Iraq.

John also shares what he learned about being a leader from his time in active service, the ins and outs of his three leadership-centered books, the undeniable value of mentorship, and the best practices for building resilience and a never-say-die mindset.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Unpacking the American culture of raising leaders without adequate leadership training.

• From rural Pennsylvania to the Army to coaching: How it happened for John.

• Understanding the value of mentorship and practical advice for seeking the right mentors.

Quotes:

“My personal purpose is to help leaders who want to improve and become better leaders. That’s why I started Leader Grove.” — Major General John Gronski

“We need people in our life who make us stronger and we have to look for people that we could make stronger. That’s what leadership, in my mind, is all about.” — Major General John Gronski

“Mentorship is 360 degrees. Which means, I not only get mentored from people who are senior than me; I could get mentored from someone who is much junior that I am. You can learn from everybody, no matter what their level of life experience is.” — Major General John Gronski

“I believe leaders are grown and not born.” — Major General John Gronski

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Major General John Gronski

Major General John Gronski on LinkedIn

Major General John Gronski on Instagram

Major General John Gronski on YouTube

Major General John Gronski on Facebook

Books by Major General John Gronski

Leader Grove

U.S. Air Force ROTC

National Guard

U.S. Army

United States Army Europe and Africa

Proverbs 27:17

The Leadership Challenge

The Leadership Moment

We Were Soldiers Once...and Young

The Miracle Morning

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

What does it take to redefine leadership beyond the battlefield?

In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, former CH-53E helicopter pilot, Marine Corps veteran, and MCFA Project Leader Steve Kempa sheds light on his transformative journey from Marine to mentor.

Steve shares how his time in the military helped shape his understanding of leadership and how transitioning to the civilian world pushed him to embrace empathy, emotional intelligence, and the power of collaboration. He also offers insight into the “mission first, people always” mantra that he learned during his career as a Marine, reflecting on the importance of balancing goals with compassion.

From earning his MBA while on active duty to championing veterans' mental health through November, Steve opens up about overcoming personal challenges, staying grounded through martial arts, and finding purpose in mentoring the next generation.

This conversation is essential listening for veterans, mentors, and anyone seeking to reimagine leadership beyond titles and rank!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How he found new challenges and professional growth after 10 years in the Marines.

• How he earned an MBA while on active duty, focusing on marketing, innovation, and design.

• The challenges of adapting military leadership skills to civilian environments.

• Why inclusion, emotional intelligence, and coaching rather than leading are key.

• Shifting from hierarchical, rank-based leadership to collaborative, empathy-driven leadership.

• The value of building trust and motivating teams by connecting their tasks to larger goals.

• The power of leveraging the veteran network for guidance and opportunities.

• Reasons to stay active, seek fulfilling endeavors, and focus on personal growth.

Quotes:

“Having empathy [and] understanding that you never know what someone else might be going through – is so crucial because as much as we need to get the mission done, something that I learned – during my time in the military is ‘mission first people always’.” — Steve Kempa

“As flawed as I may be, I still find purpose and value in mentoring young men and helping other people out.” — Steve Kempa

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Steve Kempa

Steve Kempa on LinkedIn

The Challenge Center

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

Movember

The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier's Education

With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa by E. B. Sledge

Sons Youth

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

What if your personal challenges could inspire a business that changes lives?

In this episode, we delve into the power of transformative leadership and impact-driven entrepreneurship. We uncovered the inspiring journey of Brett and Mary Elaine Baker as they built VAUSA, a remarkable virtual assistant company dedicated to empowering military families while supporting faith- and mission-driven businesses.

Join us as Brett and Mary Elaine share their journey from military life to entrepreneurship, detailing the growth of their business, their integration of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and the unique dynamics of their leadership roles as Visionary and Integrator. From insights on balancing work, family, and mental health to practical tips for using your gifts to serve others, this conversation offers actionable strategies for anyone looking to align their work with their values.

To discover how redefining success as impact, not just profit, can transform your life, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode

• An introduction to Brett, Mary Elaine, VAUSA, and who they serve.

• The transition from military life to entrepreneurship and leadership roles.

• Reasons that vision-casting is so important in both life and business.

• Advice for overcoming the fear that often accompanies “starting something.”

Quotes:

“We have this calling – from God, saying, ‘Now that you’ve been blessed, it’s time for you to go share this blessing with other people.’ That’s where it started.” — Mary Elaine Baker

“Once we started – seeing the fruits of [our] labor and seeing the impact we could make, we just wanted to do more – It kept motivating us to push further, not to build a business that makes a huge profit but to build a business that makes a huge impact on people.” — Brett Baker

“Each one of us is born with God-given gifts. We’re meant to discover what they are and use them not for personal gain but in order to serve and help others.” — Mary Elaine Baker

“At some point, [you] have to sit down and say, ‘What do I want out of this life? What is the impact that I want to make?’ Then, go out there and try to create that for yourself.” — Brett Baker

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

VAUSA

Brett Baker on LinkedIn

Mary Elaine Baker on LinkedIn

Mary Elaine Baker on Instagram

Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)

Rocket Fuel

How to Be a Great Boss

Traction

Wild at Heart

Warrior Kid

John Maxwell

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

From military precision to civilian construction, today’s guest offers a powerful blueprint for transformative leadership. Pete Anzovino recently joined MCFA after retiring from the US Army, coming to us through the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program. This program helps former service members and veterans transition into fulfilling careers in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.

In this episode, Pete shares how the SkillBridge Program eased his transition and highlighted the surprising parallels between military operations and project management. He discussed the benefits of certifications like Project Management Professional (PMP) to lessons on navigating multiple stakeholders and maintaining clear communication. Pete provides invaluable insights on leveraging military experience in new, impactful ways.

Whether you’re a veteran or simply curious about project leadership, this episode is full of practical guidance and actionable advice for making a meaningful transition! To discover how to lead with purpose, manage with precision, and create impact in any field, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Key similarities between military roles and project management in construction.

• Insight into SkillBridge and Hiring Our Heroes, assisting veterans in entering civilian careers.

• The importance of certifications like OSHA-30, ESP, and PMP in the transition process.

• Leadership lessons from the military that apply to managing projects, people, and teams.

Quotes:

“The skills that we use as military officers, whether you're an engineer, [infantry officer, or an armor officer], everything you're doing relates to project management. You're managing people, time, funds, resources in general to accomplish a mission.” — Pete Anzovino

“When we were going through the [SkillBridge] program, whether we ended up employed with MCFA or not, – [it] was a great opportunity to gain exposure to industry but also walk away with three certifications that – would look great on a resume.” — Pete Anzovino

“Do the best you can with what you have right now.” — Pete Anzovino

“If you're in a [SkillBridge program], definitely leverage your fellow SkillBridge fellows because everyone's having a different experience and you can learn something from everybody.” — Pete Anzovino

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Pete Anzovino on LinkedIn

DoD SkillBridge

Hiring Our Heroes

OSHA 30-Hour Training

Envision Sustainability Professional (ESP) Training

Project Management Professional (PMP) Training

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Being coached in leadership is one thing, but without actionable steps to turn those lessons into reality, that coaching becomes redundant. Welcome back to our rebranded podcast, Leadership Blueprints! Today we are very excited to introduce Wally Adamchik, former US marine, President of Firestarter Consulting, and leadership coach.

He joins us to discuss all things leadership! Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Wally’s career, what inspired him to become a leadership coach, what Firestarter Consulting does, who their target audience is, and so much more! We delve into some of the issues in the construction industry before Wally shares what he thinks makes for a great workplace.

He even talks us through some of the action steps he teaches his clients in his leadership courses; including the histories, heroes, heartaches, and hopes exercise. Finally, Wally shares his favorite quotes and books and tells us who his dream dinner guests would be. Thanks for listening in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What led Wally to do what he does today and what Firestarter Consulting does.

• How Wally approaches the problems in the construction industry as a leader.

• The histories, heroes, heartaches, and hopes exercise Wally teaches.

Quotes:

“What is a great place to work? Well, it’s trust, pride, and camaraderie.” — Wally Adamchik

“You can tell me what your values are but you can’t tell me why your values are. And until you can tell me why your values are, you don’t have a solid foundation. And if you don’t have a solid foundation – you will not have stability.” — Wally Adamchik

“Self-awareness – may take you to some dark places, it may take you to some scary places within you but it’s worth it because you come out better on the other side.” — Wally Adamchik

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Wally Adamchik on LinkedIn

Wally Adamchik on X

Wally Adamchik on Instagram

Firestarter Speaking and Consulting

Construction Leadership

The Lost Art of Listening

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff… And It's All Small Stuff

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Joining BJ on the debut episode of our newly rebranded podcast, Leadership Blueprints, formerly Inspiring People & Places, is Katie Kilker, Senior Project Director for Federal Facilities in the Engineering, Design, and Infrastructure Group at AtkinsRéalis. In honor of November's Veteran Salute, DOD to AEC, we’re spotlighting Katie’s recent transition from active duty in the Air Force to her current role in the built environment.

Tune in to hear Katie discuss her journey to the Air Force, her formative experiences, what an Air Force career can look like, and her role at AtkinsRéalis. She also shares insights from “taking off the Colonel Kilker uniform” and stepping into civilian life, key elements for a smooth and successful transition, and valuable resources for those planning to transition.

Don’t miss the first episode under our new name, enjoy!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Where her career started and how she ended up in the Air Force.

• What started the process of transitioning out of active duty.

• How she started her transition early and figured out her must-haves and no-compromises.

• Key elements to a successful transition and her experience so far.

Quotes:

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Start your [transition] plan early, be inquisitive, and learn about what you want to do and don’t just feel like you need to do what other people want you to do.” — Katie Kilker

“Being a leader, you kind of need to be extroverted for people to see who you are. You can’t just hide in the shadows, assess, and write notes and stuff.” — Katie Kilker

“Civilians — are the bedrock of the Air Force.” — Katie Kilker

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Katie Kilker on LinkedIn

AtkinsRéalis

SAME Career Transition Workshop

Georgia Tech

Beale Air Force Base

The COMMIT Foundation

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

Military Retirement on Google Play

Military Retirement on Apple iStore

American Corporate Partners

Theodore Roosevelt Quote

Daring Greatly

Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

What does it take to turn big ideas into lasting infrastructure?

In this episode, we sit down with two MCFA team members, Michael Fuhrman and Brian Pieplow, to dig into their new book, Make No Little Plans: A Planning as a Project Development Approach to Building Infrastructure. Michael, Co-Founder of MCFA, and Brian, Chief Project Development Officer, bring a combined wealth of expertise to MCFA.

Michael’s extensive background in environmental permitting, land use planning, and regulatory compliance aligns projects with sustainable standards. Brian’s leadership is in professional growth and skill-building strategies. This combination keeps MCFA’s talent at the forefront of industry best practices.

In our conversation, we discuss what they hope readers will take away from it. Learn about their discover, navigate, accelerate (D-N-A) process described in the book and how it benefits professionals in the industry. Explore common misconceptions around urban planning, what it takes to be an agency champion, and why the time is now for public infrastructure and planning.

They also discuss the power of curiosity in urban planning, share recommendations for budding urban planners, unpack the policy shifts needed, and explore what it takes to be successful in the industry. Join us to discover how big projects and outcomes start with small plans and the steps to get there with Michael Fuhrman and Brian Pieplow.

Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The meaning behind the title 'Make No Little Plans' and what inspired it.

• Unpack the "planning as a project development approach" concept.

• Hear real-world examples of applying the D-N-A approach to planning.

• Their passion for urban planning and what got them interested in it.

• Challenging the status quo of urban planning and what needs to change.

• Brian and Michael share the impact they are hoping to achieve with the book.

Quotes:

“Big projects and big outcomes start with small plans.” — Brian Pieplow

“When you see things like a bridge, road, or building, it all started with a plan and an idea.” — Michael Fuhrman

“Every project is going to die a thousand deaths along its journey that is worthwhile and complex.” — Brian Pieplow

“I hope for young professionals to really grasp what we are saying, and there is a way to get things done. There is light at the end of the tunnel.” — Michael Fuhrman

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Michael Fuhrman

Michael Fuhrman on LinkedIn

Brian Pieplow

Brian Pieplow on LinkedIn

Arlington National Cemetery

Inspiring People & Places Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Entering a new career after your military service can be a tough transition, but there are plenty of transferrable skills that can help you on your journey. Joining us today is Paul Garvey, Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield, to talk about his time in the Navy and the transition into corporate real estate.

Tuning in, you’ll learn about key skills and experiences from his military career, and how they have served him in his new business environment. We unpack what it’s like working your way up in real estate brokerage today, and how to make sure you have the right support in place so that you can give it your all and get the best possible outcome.

He also shares his advice for other veterans who want to enter a new career and how to make sure they are adequately prepared for their exit. To learn more about the fascinating world of international real estate and the path to a career transition for veterans, be sure to tune in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Development and consulting in international corporate real estate.

• Military career skills that have served him well in the corporate real estate world.

• What it’s like working your way up in real estate brokerage today.

• Everything you need to know about The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation in Philadelphia.

• Advice on transitioning out of the military and going toward something new.

Quotes:

“[With real estate brokerage] when things get going, things get tough. You've just got to put your nose to the grindstone and work hard. That's one of the beauties of the things [is that] you can you can change that outcome.” — Paul Garvey

“We can't create peace in the Middle East. We have no ability to change that. – What we can do is make a change right around us to the people we touch every day.” — Paul Garvey

“If you're transitioning out [of the military], don’t just leave, go [toward] something.” — Paul Garvey

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Paul Garvey

Paul Garvey on LinkedIn

Cushman & Wakefield

Steven Covey Books

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
Thinking, Fast and Slow

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation

Inspiring People & Places Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn