Humble Beginnings
The CEOs and senior GovCon leaders of today weren't always sitting in the corner office. They weren't born in suits with a handbook for success and a direct path to leadership. In fact, before many of these executives came into positions of powers, they had rather humble beginnings -- no corporate family tree or unlimited access. Many had to find their way on their own with little to fall back on. This podcast will share the stories of high school part-time work, first jobs and early-career decisions, decades before the CEO appointments and the board memberships. We'll learn about the unconventional paths to success, the ones most of us can relate to.
Podcasting since 2023 • 27 episodes
Humble Beginnings
Latest Episodes
IntelliBridge's Cass Panciocco on His Unplanned Path to CEO: A Story of Family, Timing & Work Ethic
In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," Cass Panciocco, president and CEO of IntelliBridge, joins us to share a bit about his upbringing in working-class Boston, what it was like sharing a modest home with seven other family members, the work e...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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26:30
V2X' Jo Ann Bjornson Finds Her Passion for People After Self Guidance, Life Pivots & Hard Work
In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," Jo Ann Bjornson, chief human resources officer at V2X, joins us to discuss her upbringing in a 900-square-foot house in a low-income suburb of the greater Washington, D.C., area. The daughter of an immigr...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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53:18
ULTRA Intelligence & Communications' Mladen Brkic on Resilience, Relationships and Well-Rounded Leadership
The Bosnian War, which began in 1992, lasted nearly four years and displaced over 2 million people. In this episode of Humble Beginnings, WashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh sits down with guest Mladen Brkic, who came to the U.S. as a refugee in 199...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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40:16
Leidos' JR Williamson Emerges from Life's Instabilities to Succeed, Supporting Himself and Others Along the Way
WashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh sits down with guest JR Williamson as he shares his unique ⏤ and at times challenging ⏤ upbringing, as he moved nearly 21 times by the age of 15, largely due to his family dynamic. Still, the senior vice president...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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47:52
Kion's Brian Price Journeys 'Across the Bridge' to Solve Problems with Software
WashingtonExec's Amanda Ziadeh sits down with Brian Price, CEO and co-founder of Kion, as he shares his upbringing in the 2,000-person small shore town of Crisfield, Maryland, "still stuck in the 1970s." Price, an only child, gained early work ...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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42:26