Episode 10: Brian Bowden and John Ruppert, From OEM to Adrian Steel Company

Episode 11: Doyle Sumrall, Managing Director, NTEA (retired)

Doyle Sumrall joins the podcast to discuss his start in the work truck industry and how he ended up an integral part of NTEA--the Association for the Work Truck Industry.

Episode 10: Brian Bowden and John Ruppert, From OEM to Adrian Steel Company

In this episode, I bring two industry leaders together to discuss their time working for America's largest vehicle manufacturers. Brian Bowden was General Motors' Director of Fleet and Commercial Operations and John Ruppert was Ford Motor Company's General Manager-Commercial Vehicle Sales and Marketing. Their paths crossed when they retired from their OEM positions and went to work for Adrian Steel Company. I had the distinct honor to sit down with both to discuss culture at GM and Ford as well as at Adrian Steel Co. Both Brian and John also share how they continue to hone their leadership skills even after spending decades building high functioning teams.

Episode 9: Mark Saltzman, President, Buyers Products Company

If you have ever set foot in a truck equipment distributor location, then chances are that you've seen some items from Buyers Products Company in Mentor, Ohio. On this episode, I speak with the leader of Buyers Products, Mark Saltzman. Mark has worked at the Buyers Products Company for 44 years. He is the 3rd generation owner and president of the company, but he has humble roots, starting in the warehouse and then moving into the office. In 1988, Mark took over the leadership of Buyers Products when his father-in-law left the company to run Viking Forge.

Episode 8: Steve Carey, president/CEO, NTEA

On this episode, I chat with Steve Carey, president and CEO of NTEA -- The Association for the Work Truck Industry. Since 1998, Steve has held a series of leadership roles at NTEA, including senior director of operations and deputy executive director, prior to taking on the role of executive director in 2012 and president & CEO in 2018. Steve’s awareness and analysis of changes over the last 20-plus years provide him a unique perspective on shifts in competition, industry relationships and customer expectations. He earned an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College (Cleveland, Ohio).

Episode 7: Mark Adamson, Douglas Dynamics

Mark Adamson is convinced that there is no business like snow business. After living in the south for half of his career he found a great reason to move back north…snow. Mark had been involved in the “green” industry for over two decades with John Deere Company before dedicating himself to the “white” industry. Mark obtained his MBA from Duke University with an emphasis in marketing. For the last 15 years Mark has been the Executive Vice President Douglas Dynamics, leaders in snow and ice control and manufacturers of Western, Fisher, Henderson, and SnowEx brands as well as Work Truck Solutions brands Henderson and Dejana.