Leadership Track

Conference Track Sponsor

LEADERSHIP TRACK

Day 1, Tuesday, February 24th

1:30 – 2:30PM

Succession Planning: A Great Game of Business Foundation

Succession planning is a critical component of long-term business sustainability, yet it is often overlooked or delayed. In this session, SRC Logistics’ HR Director will outline the fundamentals of effective succession planning and explain why it is an essential pillar of the Great Game of Business® framework.

Attendees will explore how a Great Game–focused approach to succession planning strengthens organizational transparency, accountability, and employee engagement—while ensuring leadership continuity and future success.

In this session, you will:

Learn how a Great Game of Business–driven approach to succession planning helps build a strong talent pipeline and secure your organization’s future
Understand the importance of integrating succession planning into High-Involvement Planning
Discover practical methods to identify and develop future leaders
Learn how to foster a culture of continuous learning and growth
Gain insights, strategies, and best practices to ensure smooth transitions of key roles and responsibilities

Brian Underhill, SPHR | Director of Safety & HR, SRC Logistics; Great Game of Business Coach

Brian Underhill is the Director of Safety and Human Resources for SRC Logistics, where he focuses on building high-involvement cultures that drive performance and long-term sustainability. Prior to joining SRC Logistics, Brian worked for the Great Game of Business as an Implementation Manager and is a certified Great Game of Business Coach. He brings hands-on experience helping organizations develop leaders, engage employees, and align people strategies with business outcomes.

3:30 – 4:30PM

Leading Through the Numbers – Turning Data into a Culture of Accountability

In this session, Mike Payne breaks down how manufacturers can use numbers—not as spreadsheets or punishment—but as a practical leadership tool that drives clarity, alignment, and real accountability. Drawing from real shop experience, Mike will show how data creates ownership at every level, helps teams make better decisions, and builds a culture where expectations are clear, results are visible, and everyone knows what winning looks like. Attendees will leave with simple, proven frameworks they can implement immediately to strengthen performance and leadership inside their own organizations.

Mike Payne | President, Hill Manufacturing

Mike Payne is a manufacturing leader who’s spent his career at the intersection of technology, finance, and making things. After starting out in shop-floor software, Mike built a path through private equity and M&A—helping entrepreneurs fund, grow, and exit businesses across multiple industries. But manufacturing was always his passion. In 2018, he made the leap and acquired Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication, a precision CNC and fabrication shop. Since then, he’s been focused on growing opportunities for the next generation—both inside the shop and across the industry. Through the MakingChips network and as host of Buy the Numbers, Mike shares real-world insights with manufacturing leaders and up-and-comers alike. His experience helping businesses thrive and his passion for mentorship make him the perfect voice for this conversation on how we prepare the next generation to lead.

Day 2, Wednesday, February 25th

9:30 – 10:30AM

CMMC Go Live & the Impact on Midwest Manufacturers

Join MAM partner and DoD contractor SSE for an in-depth discussion of CMMC, that took affect Q4 2025...

• What does this mean for Midwest manufacturers supporting DoD contracts?
• Successful compliance planning for small-medium sized businesses
• Learn from SSE’s own CMMC certification experience
• Risks and best practices for Midwest manufacturers

Robert "Bob" Duffy | Chief Operating Officer, SSE, Inc.

Bob Duffy joined SSE in July 2020 as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In his current role as COO he oversees network operations and cybersecurity services, along with leading SSE’s client engagement and business development efforts. Bob brings over 20 years of sales leadership and experience in developing client relationships and revenue growth across multiple industries to the SSE leadership team. Prior to joining SSE, Bob was Director of National Sales for Gannett where he was responsible for new business development across a network of 100+ local media properties and USA TODAY. Bob is a graduate of Truman State University and serves on the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Crisis Nursery.

11:00AM – 12:00PM

Unleashing Your Company's Growth Potential: From Operational to Market Driven

Many well-run companies face the frustrating reality that operational excellence doesn’t always lead to growth. This presentation provides a powerful, research-backed framework designed to help CEOs and business leaders shift from an operational focus to a market-driven approach. Drawing from the evidence-based Growth Gears model and insights from a Mid-Market CEO research study conducted with the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, this session will help you unlock sustainable organic growth potential by aligning your strategy with market insights and leveraging AI to supercharge execution.

Rob Godlewski | Area Managing Partner & CMO, Chief Outsiders

A growth-oriented, process driven senior level executive, Rob offers progressive global leadership experience and commercial awareness across all aspects of business operations. With a track record of accomplishments in Corporate Strategy, Business Growth and Organizational Excellence, he creates processes and procedures that drive profitability, improve productivity, focus on continuous improvement, and decrease costs. Demonstrating dedication to the highest level of professional ethics and excellence, Rob brings exceptional communication and people skills and intuitive business judgment.

David Austin | CSO, Chief Outsiders

With extensive experience in sales leadership and key account management, David leads all aspects of commercial business operations. Bringing expertise in solution selling a broad portfolio of products and services, he develops territory growth strategies and navigates complex sales cycles in highly matrixed environments to exceed revenue and profitability targets. With a deep understanding of the competitive landscape and an ability to build strong relationships with key stakeholders, he drives implementation through plans, processes and actions that are measurable, sustainable and transparent.