In the first episode of The Refit Podcast, host Kyle Killian sits down with Don Whetro, Chief Executive Officer of AR Homes and AR Franchising, Inc., for an unfiltered conversation about what leadership really looks like when the playbook stops working.

With more than two decades in homebuilding and franchising, Don shares his unexpected journey from operations to the CEO seat and the realities of leading a 70+ year legacy organization through modernization, market disruption, and organizational change. From identifying leadership atrophy to making difficult people decisions, Don breaks down what it takes to move a business forward without losing its core identity.

This episode dives deep into the impact of COVID-19 on the homebuilding industry, the operational bottlenecks that stalled growth, and the controversial but necessary decision to outsource critical functions to keep the business moving. Don also opens up about the loneliness of leadership, the importance of trust and credibility, and why empathy and communication are essential when leading people through uncertainty.

If you are a CEO, founder, executive, or leader navigating growth, change, or legacy systems, this conversation offers real-world insight into leadership under pressure.

Topics covered in this episode include leadership transition, organizational change, homebuilding operations, COVID-19 disruption, outsourcing strategy, trust and credibility, executive decision making, communication, empathy, and modernizing legacy businesses.

Guest bio
Don Whetro is the Chief Executive Officer of AR Homes and AR Franchising, Inc., the company behind the AR Homes brand. Appointed CEO in December 2023 after serving as Chief Operating Officer, Don leads a national leadership team focused on modernizing the custom homebuilding experience while preserving a legacy of craftsmanship, design leadership, innovation, and customer focus. He brings over 20 years of experience across executive leadership, operations, sales, marketing, and strategic innovation within the homebuilding industry.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-whetro/

Website: https://www.arfranchising.com/

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– Kyle and The Refit Podcast team

Visit the Kohora website here: https://www.kohorainc.com/

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#TheRefitPodcast #KyleKillian #Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #BusinessLeadership #VeteranLeadership #HardThingAboutHardThings #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #CEOInsights #FounderStories #OperationalLeadership The Refit Podcast is where real leadership happens—no platitudes, no polished corporate speak, just honest conversations about the hard decisions that keep leaders up at night. Hosted by Kyle Killian, founder of Kohora and former U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer with nearly 30 years of military, corporate, and entrepreneurial leadership experience, this podcast dives into the moments when the playbook stopped working and leaders had to figure it out anyway.
Each episode features candid discussions with CEOs, founders, operators, and veteran business leaders who've been in the arena—making tough calls with incomplete information, navigating organisational challenges, and coming out the other side with hard-won lessons. Kyle brings his unique perspective from leading intelligence missions in Iraq to driving growth at Fanatics, Nike, and Converse, creating conversations that go beyond theory into what actually happened when things didn't work.
Whether you're a business leader facing growth challenges, an executive navigating organisational transitions, a founder making high-stakes decisions, or a veteran moving into business leadership, The Refit Podcast offers practical insights from people who've been where you are. This is leadership stripped down to its essentials: the decisions, the consequences, and the lessons learned when you're in over your head.