In Episode 11 of the Operations Excellence Podcast, Mark O’Donnell sits down with Adam Feck — President of Forward 46 and Co-Founder of the Strategic Executive Alliance — for a powerful conversation about what it really means for a business to be “ready” for growth.

Adam shares his remarkable journey—from orthopedic trauma surgery sales to fire service leadership to building organizations that support scalable revenue growth. Together, Mark and Adam dive into the foundational elements that determine whether a small or mid-sized business is prepared to seize the opportunities emerging in Central New York, particularly with the wave of development surrounding the Micron project.

They explore key questions every leader should be asking, including:

• What does readiness actually look like?
• Is your mindset helping—or holding your organization back?
• How do you know when it’s time to stop doing everything yourself?
• Are your operations and sales processes truly scalable?
• What changes must leaders be willing to make to support real growth?

From leadership mindset to building strong teams, from overcoming analysis paralysis to embracing collaboration and community resources, this episode is packed with insights for business owners, executives, and leaders looking to grow with intention.

Mark and Adam also extend a call to action to local businesses: if you're unsure whether your organization is ready to scale, both guests are offering conversations to help leaders gain clarity and direction — whether directly with them or through their broader networks of trusted local experts.

If you’re a business owner in Central New York asking yourself, “Am I ready?”, this episode is a must-listen.

In this milestone 10th episode of Operations Excellence, host Mark O’Donnell welcomes two inspiring leaders who embody what it means to build organizations with purpose — one through people, the other through preparedness.

First, Davine Bey, Founder & Managing Partner of DKON Consulting Group, shares his journey from Harlem to Syracuse and how decades in talent acquisition shaped his philosophy on leadership, mentorship, and the power of “relationship capital.” Davine dives deep into creating cultures that develop people, embrace diversity, and adapt to emerging challenges — including the rise of AI in recruiting.

Then, Evan Grenier, Director of Operations at NAVAC (North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps), joins Mark to discuss operational excellence in life-saving work. From managing a 24/7 EMS team to adapting to community growth and new medical technologies, Evan offers a behind-the-scenes look at leadership under pressure — and how strategic planning is helping NAVAC prepare for the future.

Whether you lead teams, serve communities, or simply want to understand what makes organizations thrive, this episode delivers insights that connect heart, strategy, and real-world execution.

In Episode 9 of Operations Excellence, host Mark O’Donnell welcomes two guests in back-to-back conversations.

Segment 1 — Dr. Marc Pietropaoli (Victory in Motion): A fellowship-trained sports medicine orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Pietropaoli breaks down his “knee repair, not knee replacement” philosophy and why most musculoskeletal patients don’t need surgery. He explains Victory in Motion’s holistic program—combining diagnostics (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI), PRP and bone-marrow–derived treatments, laser therapy, total-body fitness, and genetics-informed nutrition—to reduce pain, accelerate healing, and improve quality of life. He also shares why he moved away from an insurance-driven model to deliver faster, more personalized care.

Segment 2 — Will Staton (Independent Educational Consultant & Author): Will dives into what healthy organizational culture looks like in K–12 settings: clear communication channels, accountable reporting structures, high expectations with real empathy, and leaders who model emotional intelligence. He also makes the case for history as a “road map” for better decisions and community impact.

You’ll Learn:

• When regenerative medicine can be an alternative to joint replacement—and when surgery still matters
• How a “clarity day” diagnostic can shorten months of waiting into a single, comprehensive plan
• Practical ways school leaders can fix culture problems (without turning the workplace into a therapy session)
• Why empathy + standards is the winning formula for any team