In this episode, we're joined by Todd Smith, President and CEO of AMFT, to explore his unique leadership journey from Chief Financial Officer to the corner office.

Todd shares how his background in finance continues to shape his approach to leading a growing manufacturing organization, the pivotal moments that inspired him to pursue the CEO role, and how his perspective has evolved as he's taken on responsibility for strategy, culture, operations, and long-term growth.

Other topics discussed include:

• AMFT's growth through the acquisition of seven companie
• The challenges of integrating businesses while preserving their strengths
• The importance of building a unified culture across diverse teams
• Why having resiliency is key during today's turbulent environment

Todd offers his perspective on the state of manufacturing today, from supply chain and workforce challenges to inflation, tariffs, and the economic forces shaping the industry's future. Whether you're a business leader, finance executive, or manufacturing professional, this conversation offers valuable insights into leading through complexity and driving sustainable growth.

What does it take to launch an airline in one of the world's most competitive industries?

In this episode of The Business RoundUp, Melissa Bill sits down with Andrew Schmertz, co-founder and CEO of Hopscotch Air, to discuss his remarkable journey from broadcasting and law to building a regional air taxi company that's changing the way people travel.

Andrew shares what inspired him to leave a traditional career path, the market opportunity he saw in personalized regional aviation, and how Hopscotch Air has navigated nearly two decades of economic shifts and industry challenges. He also explains why the company's fleet of Cirrus aircraft offers a unique advantage for both travelers and the business, providing a more flexible and efficient alternative to commercial airlines.

The conversation also explores entrepreneurship, calculated risk-taking, the evolution of customer expectations, and what's next for regional air mobility as technology and travel continue to evolve.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Andrew transitioned from law and broadcasting to aviation entrepreneurship
• The business model behind Hopscotch Air's regional air taxi service
• How personalized air travel is reshaping regional transportation
• The biggest challenges of building an airline from the ground up
• The advantages of operating a fleet of Cirrus aircraft
• The future of regional aviation and emerging air mobility

Whether you're an entrepreneur, aviation enthusiast, or frequent traveler, this episode offers valuable insights into innovation, leadership, and the future of flying.

What happens when a life-changing diagnosis becomes the catalyst for building a global business?

In this episode of The Business RoundUp, host Melissa Bill sits down with entrepreneur, patient advocate, and Amazon bestselling author Brenda Snow to discuss her remarkable journey after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the early 1990s.

Rather than allowing MS to define her future, Brenda transformed her personal healthcare experience into a mission to improve how patients and the life sciences industry work together. As the author of Diagnosed: The Essential Guide to Navigating the Patient Journey, she shares invaluable insights on navigating the healthcare system, empowering patients, and creating meaningful change.

Melissa and Brenda discuss:

• Brenda's journey from her first MS symptoms to receiving a diagnosis
• How multiple sclerosis inspired her entrepreneurial path
• The biggest gaps between patients and today's healthcare industry
• Why authentic patient voices are more important than ever
• The growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare
• The risks of relying too heavily on AI while losing the human perspective
• What healthcare leaders can do to build better patient engagement

Whether you're living with a chronic illness, work in healthcare, or are fascinated by the intersection of technology, business, and patient advocacy, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of healthcare, and why the patient's voice should never be overlooked.