UNF Leadership Podcast

EPISODE 5: Jamy Bechler

Welcome back to the UNF Leadership Podcast! Before we take a quick summer break: this week’s guest is longtime coach and athletic director-turned-search consultant and executive business trainer, Jamy Bechler.  Jamy has coached men’s and women’s basketball at the high school, NAIA, Division III, and Division I level. In 2016, he transitioned into full-time leadership training and motivational speaking. He’s authored more than half-a-dozen books and is the host of the popular “Success is a Choice” podcast. More recently, he started “Bechler Leadership Search” which helps identify candidates for coaching and administrative positions at the high school and college level.  If you are a sports fan, athlete or coach – and you are on social media – there’s a good chance you’ve seen one of Jamy’s viral posts about leadership on your timeline at some point.  This is “Voices of Leadership: Jamy Bechler”

EPISODE 4: Captain Rick Hoffman

Welcome back to the UNF Leadership Podcast.  This week, we’re excited to bring you our first in-person conversation of our summer season and one of our favorite guest lecturers at the University of North Florida: Captain Rick Hoffman. Stationed at Naval Station Mayport, Captain Rick commanded the USS De Wert and USS Hue City. Upon retirement, he founded Orion Solutions, a defense contracting firm, and became even more involved in our Northeast Florida community – including serving on the UNF Student Affairs Community Council since 2013. He also hosts two syndicated TV programs: “Legacy of Leaders” and “From Sea Suite to C-Suite.”  While he served in the United States Navy for 28 years, Captain Rick likes to say he’s served his country 51 years – because of his service to the Jacksonville community as a leader and entrepreneur, even beyond the ships he led.  This is “Voices of Leadership: Captain Rick Hoffman”

EPISODE 3: Joshua Medcalf

After a brief hiatus, the UNF Leadership Podcast is back for a summer series of conversations with some of our favorite leaders. Episode 3 features renown author and sports psychologist, Joshua Medcalf.  After playing college soccer at Vanderbilt and Duke University, Medcalf embarked on a fascinating journey, ranging from serving as the sports psychologist for national champion UCLA Women’s Basketball to living and working in a homeless shelter while his former classmates sought degrees at Ivy League universities. It’s a journey he details in our conversation and which led to the near-dozen books he has now authored.  Many in Jacksonville know who Joshua is without knowing him. In addition to being a friend of Jon Gordon, last week’s guest on this podcast, Joshua’s book “Chop Wood, Carry Water” is regarded as an essential read by many in the sports business world. Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington popularized the phrase and book after meeting Joshua at a golf event in Arizona in 2023. It’s how I first came to know of Joshua, and why I sought out connecting with him.  This is “Voices of Leadership: Joshua Medcalf”  #leadershipmatters #inspirechange #swoop

EPISODE 2: Jon Gordon

Welcome back! After a brief hiatus, the UNF Leadership Podcast is back for a summer series of conversations with some of our favorite leaders. Kicking us off is longtime friend of the Taylor Leadership Institute, Jon Gordon. If you’re listening to this podcast, there’s a good chance you’ve read one of Jon’s 30-plus books – from “The Energy Bus” to “The 7 Commitments of a Great Team” to his newest and upcoming book, “The Power of Positive Habits.” If you haven’t read them, we encourage you to visit www.jongordon.com to learn more. Our discussion with Jon today is specific to his work with professional sports teams – including the local Jacksonville Jaguars – on identifying and building culture. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, this conversation with Jon is sure to have you ready to rally YOUR TEAM, wherever they may be. This is “Voices of Leadership: Jon Gordon” #leadershipmatters [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/leadershipmatters] #inspirechange [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/inspirechange] #swoop [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/swoop]

EPISODE 1: The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and TLI Mentorship Podcast

In the debut episode of the "UNF Leadership Podcast," we hear from some of the voices of leadership in our Northeast Florida community: the Leaders at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Students enrolled in The TLI Ritz-Carlton Mentoring Program were tasked with interviewing their assigned manager-mentor. Conversations ranged from the mentor's journey to leading at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island; the impact of The TLI Ritz-Carlton Mentoring Program on mentors and mentees; and what "leadership" means to them, among others.  0:00 Welcome to the UNF Leadership Podcast  0:27  Defining Hospitality (Marc Dzielinski, Training Manager) 2:40  Separating from the "Stress" (Julie Harmon, MSE Manager) 6:06  Creating Memories, First and Foremost (Brittany Bingham, Catering Sales Manager) 13:50   Be a Sponge (Kris Ketola, Director of Security)  15:02  Teamwork, Above All Else (Mark Rintamaki, Director of Banquets) 16:27  Know Your Audience and Your Team (Donna Bennett, Sr. MEC Manager) 19:39  Power of Kindness (Kathy Jeffers, Club Lounge Manager) 21:53  Finding the HAPPY in Work (Camille Baron, Spa Manager) 26:56  Visualize and Say YES (Johanna Marlin, Director of Sales & Marketing) 36:09  Find a Culture, Not a Job (Michelle Malerba, Asst. Director of Housekeeping) 43:22  This is How You Win (Brendan Manning, Sr. Asst. Director of Finance) #leadershipmatters #inspirechange #swoop  Established in 2010, TLI was formerly known as the Institute for Values, Community & Leadership. R. Bruce Taylor, III, Ph. D., the former chairman of the UNF Board of Trustees, shared a vision with Dr. Mauricio Gonzalez, former Vice President of UNF International and Student Affairs, to develop a leadership resource center for the UNF campus community. Now known as the Taylor Leadership Institute, the Institute provides students, faculty, and the wider UNF community the opportunity to advance in leadership education, development and training, by offering high-impact programs that support students’ retention, persistence, and graduation.