ROI’s Into the Corner Office Podcast: Powerhouse Middle Market CEOs Telling it Real—Unexpected Caree...

Jennifer Lemcke, CEO, Weed Man / Turf Bot / Mosquito Hero

Backed by nearly 30 years of experience, Jennifer Lemcke first became involved with Weed Man back in 1993 as a manager trainee in Ottawa, Canada. She worked in every position within the company - from marketing to administration to field technician. Jennifer was soon promoted to General Manager where she managed Weed Man Ottawa’s sales and administration divisions and helped grow the franchise revenues from $200,000 to $2,000,000 in five years. This varied experience provided her with valuable, hands-on knowledge and a thorough understanding of the lawn care industry as a whole. The advent of the new millennium brought Jennifer to Weed Man Scarborough. While lending a helping hand to the existing management team and managing the two largest lawn care companies in Canada, Jennifer gained the experience and confidence needed to officially launch the Weed Man brand in the United States. Over the years, the company has grown exponentially with franchise locations all across the country. In 2018, another exciting opportunity presented itself - the opportunity to acquire the rights to the Weed Man brand world-wide. With the systems and success experienced in the United States, it was a natural fit. And one that Jennifer and her team were eager and excited to take on. But it doesn’t stop there! Passionate about growing people and creating opportunities for franchisees and their employees, Weed Man recently turned its latest expanded service offering into its very own sub-brand. Mosquito Hero, powered by Weed Man, was created to provide an additional recurring revenue stream for existing Weed Man franchise owners. Jennifer is now responsible for supporting Weed Man's 10 sub-franchisors and franchisees across the globe, covering over 727 territories within the United States, Canada and the U.K., representing over $215 million in system sales. Jennifer credits her team’s purposeful devotion to the success of the franchisees as the secret to their growth. With the experience Jennifer has gained in the franchising and home services industries, the company recently turned their attention to robotic lawn mowing and started testing the concept of TurfBot Mowing. From mower installation, biweekly trimming and the physical maintenance of the robots, TurfBot offers high-end technology to help homeowners with a simple chore...mowing their lawn. The future of the lawn care and home services industries look rather promising. And Jennifer and her team are excited at what the future has to hold, and look forward to creating more opportunities for expansion in the coming years. Family-oriented (in her home life and in business), Jennifer is ‘Mom’ to three children and takes pride in calling all Weed Man franchisees and employees part of her extended family. Outside of work, she likes to travel, entertain and if not on the move or socializing with her guests, you can find her on the golf course (although self-admittedly, her game could use some work). For more information on franchising with Weed Man, visit us online today at www.weedmanfranchise.com.

Sebastien St. Louis, CEO, HEXO Corp

Author of the Billion Dollar Start-Up, Sébastien co-founded HEXO Corp. with one goal in mind: to create a world-class company based on the highest standards of product quality and safety. Since 2013, he has secured more than $650 million dollars in financing for the company. His leadership has been instrumental in navigating the company through regulatory, financing and start-up challenges on route to becoming the only significant licensed cannabis producer in Quebec and one of the largest in Canada. Through its hub and spoke business strategy, HEXO Corp. is partnering with Fortune 500 companies, bringing its brand value, cannabinoid isolation technology, licensed infrastructure, and regulatory expertise to established companies, leveraging their distribution networks and capacity. Sébastien holds an MBA in Finance from the Université du Québec à Montréal and completed his Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from the University of Ottawa in 18 months.

Francesca Schuler, CEO, In-Shape Health Clubs

Francesca Schuler is passionate about growth and delivering results by building teams, brands and businesses with signature cultures and diverse leadership teams. As the CEO at In-Shape Health Clubs, a California-based chain full service health clubs, Francesca and her team transformed the organization to create a people and experience focused culture. She prioritizes team member development and diversity at all levels, both in the clubs and in all functions. This is evidenced by the increase in women on the leadership team from less than 10% in 2015, to now 50%. Her diverse background in consumer marketing generates innovative thinking in how to create compelling fitness experiences for members to motivate them to live healthy, fit and happy. Francesca joined In-Shape as CMO in 2015 and was promoted to COO in April 2017, before assuming her role as CEO in March 2018. Prior to joining In-Shape, Francesca was the CMO of BevMo!, a specialty beverage retailer based on the West Coast. She joined BevMo! from Treasury Wine Estates Americas where she was CMO, managing a wine portfolio of over 50 brands. Previously, Francesca was the Head of Marketing for Method Products, Inc. a pioneer of premium non-toxic home care products, the VP of Global Brand Management at the Gap and a partner at Marakon Associates, a boutique management consulting firm, where she advised consumer and retail companies. Early in her career, she held several marketing and sales positions at the E&J Gallo Winery. Francesca is currently on the board of O’Neill Vintners & Distillers and The Bundschu Company. She was named the 2019 Woman Leader of the Year by IHRSA, one of 2014 SF Business Times Most Influential Women in Business and was awarded the 2013 Marketers that Matter award for Customer Engagement. She holds an M.B.A. from Wharton and a B.A. in Comparative Literature from Brown University where she also rowed crew. Francesca is Chilean-American, bilingual in Spanish, and loves to travel with her husband Eric and children, Aria and Will.

Bjorn Stansvik, CEO, MentorMate

As founder and CEO of global software design and development firm MentorMate, Björn Stansvik has steered the company’s vision from inception to 700 full-time employees, accelerating digital ideas with end-to-end technology services since 2001. Björn has worked in high-tech and strategic business development in Europe, Latin America, and the United States at leading companies including Procter & Gamble, Ericsson, and Arthur D. Little prior to founding MentorMate in 2001. Björn remains a guiding force for MentorMate, constantly challenging the team to explore the boundaries of new technologies like AI and cloud computing and to pioneer digital innovation in healthcare as well as entering new geographic markets. Under his leadership, the company has grown its design and technical capabilities across multiple industries. MentorMate was named a Top ICT Employer in Bulgaria, and the Star Tribune included MentorMate on its Top 150 Workplaces list. The newest of its seven offices opened in AstraZeneca’s BioVentureHub in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2016. Björn holds a Master’s of Science in Business Administration from the Gothenburg School of Economics and has completed a Master’s thesis in Industrial Economics at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. As a recognized technology innovator, Björn has won numerous distinctions and is a regular speaker to business groups on entrepreneurship, technology, and management.

Pat Carey, CEO, Wallace & Carey

Pat Carey isn’t just another business owner: he is a walking example of the Canadian entrepreneurial spirit. As a third-generation leader of Wallace & Carey, Canada’s largest, independent distributor, Pat is now leading the evolution of this national, family-owned 100 year success story. With a company motto of ‘Only as a Team’, Wallace & Carey’s foundation was built on the core values of family, integrity, kindness, entrepreneurial spirit, and relationships. Though Pat officially took on the role of CEO in 2018, he jokes that he joined the company when he was born in 1977. Headquartered in Calgary, Wallace & Carey serves more than 7,000 customer locations through their expansive distribution network, which services every postal code in Canada. While based in Alberta, Pat is a Canadian through and through, consistently sharing the message that this is an incredibly country to invest in, one in which everyone is welcome to live, work and prosper. He is a graduate and proud alum of the F.C. Manning School of Business at Acadia University, and an active member of numerous industry organizations and trade groups including the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), ITWAL Limited (A national network of independent, diversified retail and foodservice wholesale distributors), and a lifelong volunteer with community events like the Calgary Stampede. He will tell you that teamwork is the foundation on which all success and opportunity is possible, be it the team at home with his wife and two sons, or with each and every teammate working on behalf of Wallace & Carey.

Dave Powers, CEO, Deckers Brands

Dave Powers serves as President & CEO of Deckers Brands, a global footwear and apparel company based in Santa Barbara, Calif. His current role includes prioritizing strategic initiatives and investments to expand the global distribution footprint of Deckers Brands, while also ensuring consumers have a seamless experience when engaging directly with each channel or brand. He focuses on long-term growth and Omni Channel strategies for the company’s five high-performing brands: UGG®, Teva®, Sanuk®, HOKA One One® and Koolaburra®. Since 2012, Dave has served in various roles at Deckers Brands, including spearheading growth initiatives for the company’s brand portfolio as President of Brands and leading direct-to-consumer strategies as President of Direct-to-Consumer. Dave is passionate about consumer-led insight and innovation as well as doing great in business and doing good for people and the planet. His passion for innovation as well as improvement led by consumer insight has resulted in gains in operating margin and revenue. Dave also remains committed to sustainability as well as making a positive societal impact and leading a strong company culture. Under his leadership as President & CEO since 2016, Deckers Brands has received accolades for stellar financial performance and sustainability efforts. In 2019, Deckers was selected by Investor's Business Daily® as one of the 50 Best ESG Companies: A List of Today's Top Stocks For Environmental, Social and Governance Values. The company was also recognized by Footwear News as 2020 Company of the Year for its financial performance and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as well as significant charitable giving for COVID-19 relief. In 2020, Dave was named a 2020 Businessperson of the Year by Fortune, ranking number 13 on their list of top executives. Dave has over twenty years of experience in merchandising, concept development and leadership of global retail operations at some of the industry’s top brands. Prior to joining Deckers Brands, he held executive leadership roles at Converse, including four years as Vice President of Global Direct-to-Consumer where he successfully guided the expansion of the brand globally, and Timberland, where he led worldwide retail merchandising, marketing, visual and store design as well as the creation of a sustainable line of footwear and apparel. A native of New Hampshire, Dave graduated Cum Laude from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Now residing in Santa Barbara, Calif., he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two sons.

David Welsh, CEO, PRIMED

As President & CEO, David ushered in an era of PRIMED where for 14+ years, PRIMED achieved annual growth of more than 20%. Under his leadership, PRIMED has grown from a small player in acute care PPE in Canada to a global leader in the manufacturing and supply of high-quality PPE products in North America. During his 14 years and prior to COVID-19, PRIMED had grown more than 10 times in top and bottom line under his leadership. Prior to his time at PRIMED, David was the Director of Sales at Acrodex. Acrodex is a leading Western Canadian provider of IT services for mid-tier to large enterprises. Over his 5 years at Acrodex, he led the sales team to record 80% growth in top-line sales. David began his career in both Pharmaceutical and Medical Device (Becton Dickinson) sales.

Peter Cazzola, CEO, PMC Advisors

PMC Advisors is driven by the vision and leadership of Peter Cazzolla. Upon retiring, after 21 years as Chairman, President, and CEO of Capital Insurance Group and 42 years in various leadership positions in the insurance industry, Peter has decided to share his knowledge and experience with company boards and C-Suite executives. He is passionate about entrepreneurialism and helping businesses achieve their potential. Upon graduation from the University of Miami, Peter began his career as an officer in the United States Air Force. He decided to venture into the public sector after the completion of his military service applying his Air Force leadership and management experience and training to his new private company opportunities.  The property and casualty insurance industry best provided the opportunities Peter was seeking. His accelerated progression into more responsible leadership roles included operational research, finance, strategic planning, marketing, general administration, and management. Peter spent the first thirteen years of his insurance career in functional leadership positions, in manager to Senior Vice President roles, and the remaining twenty-nine years as President and CEO, including his last Twenty one years with CIG.  As President and CEO, Peter's experiences and knowledge were heavily concentrated in leadership, company operations, strategic planning, marketing, capital deployment, finance, and corporate governance.  Peter is an innovator of business products that cater to customer needs and a collaborative facilitator. During Peter's career and under his leadership, he has inspired himself and his teams to achieve the following key accomplishments: Twenty-one years of consistent growth and profit increasing CIG's premium written more than four times and increasing the company equity over fivefold. Establishment of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Increased Product and market share in existing and new states.  Deployment of state-of-the-art technology to enhance efficiency and customer service.  Founded a number of companies and associations including, Nevada Capital Insurance Company, Capital Risk Management Insurance Company, a captive, Risk Share Insurance Product, Pacific Association of Domestic Insurance Companies, and Leadership Saddleback. Actively participated in regulatory and legislative lobbying on state and National levels promoting fair and balanced regulations and legislation. Authored and passed a bill to better govern the California excess and surplus lines market for domestic insurance companies. Serves and has served on a number of company, non-profit, and association boards and board committees including Capital Insurance Group, Captive Insurance Companies, Nevada Insurance Guaranty Fund, Pacific Association of Domestic Insurance Companies, Chamber of Commerce, and the Northern California Golf Association. With Peter's career worth of knowledge and experience coupled with outstanding management and leadership skills, Peter and PMC Advisors are well suited to advise company boards and C -Suite executives in their pursuit of improved performance. Peter resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife Kathie and has two daughters and three grandchildren.

Chris Ford, CEO, Capco Canada

Chris Ford is the Managing Partner and CEO for the Canadian region at Capco. Chris has been focused on strategy and implementation of technology transformation services in the Canadian market for almost 20 years. Chris is a senior professional with experience leading architecture, business delivery, development, functional and non-functional and infrastructure work streams. Chris’ engagement experience spans customer-facing online channels, business process management (BPM), content management, payments and paper-based item processing for financial services. Chris is a software engineering by training and is a published author on Performance and Availability for enterprise financial services platforms. Chris also speaks regularly on technology and innovation in financial services

Jean-Christophe Bédos, CEO, Birks Group Inc.

Jean-Christophe Bédos is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Birks Group Inc., formerly Henry Birks & Sons, a leading manufacturer and retailer of luxury jewelery and watchmaking since 1879 in Canada. Before joining Birks, Mr. Bédos was formerly with the high-end jeweller, Boucheron International (Kering), in Paris, France, where he served as President and CEO after a distinguished career with the Richemont Group in Paris and London and at Cartier’s iconic Maison. In July 2018, Birks was prized with the prestigious Brand Of the Year Award. The prestigious World Branding Awards are the premier recognition programme of the UK-based World Branding Forum. The annual event is the ultimate global brand recognition accolade and evaluates brands from around the world. The judging process involves a three-step procedure: brand evaluation, public online voting and consumer market research. Birks is the only brand to receive the award in the Retail Jewellery category, surpassing the impressive competition for its dedication and passion behind the fine jewellery brand. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Birks Group Inc., and the Montreal General Hospital Foundation as Vice-Chair and is Chair of the Financial Resources Allocation Committee. Mr. Bédos is a Member of the Board of the London Business School Global Advisory Council. He is an active member on the committee “L’avenir de la rue Sainte-Catherine” project and has co-chaired the fundraising campaigns of the McCord Museum and the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. Born in Morocco, he lived in France and England until 2011. He now resides in Montreal, Canada with his wife and four children. He is a skilled brand builder within the luxury retail sector, who brings a very relevant background having spent his entire career, for more than 30 years, within the high-end watch and jewellery industry. Mr. Bédos earned a MSc in Business Management from London Business School – Sloan Fellowship Masters Programme, with Distinctions in Marketing and Brand Management; a BA in International Commercial Law from University of Paris Pantheon-Sorbonne; BA (Honors) in European Business from Trent University, Nottingham, England; BA in Business Administration from Toulouse Business School, Toulouse, France.