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The pace of change isn’t slowing down. If anything, emerging technology, increasing demands, limited resources, and constantly shifting expectations are making adaptability an increasingly important leadership skill. In this episode of Industry Iowa, host Steven C. Wilson talks with Jay Abbasi, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and former Tesla learning and development leader, about what it takes to thrive in high-pressure, constantly changing environments without losing yourself in the process. Jay describes an earlier version of himself as an “unhappy high performer”—driven, hardworking, and successful, but without a clear sense of how to manage stress, emotion, pressure, or the chaos around him. Personal challenges led him to study neuroscience, psychology, behavior, and resilience and eventually rethink what high performance should look like. His goal became learning how to become a happy high performer: someone capable of performing at a high level while still enjoying the journey and maintaining personal well-being. Jay will continue this conversation as the afternoon keynote speaker at the Iowa Lean Consortium Annual Conference on October 22, where he will introduce his resilience formula and provide participants with practical strategies and tools they can immediately apply. As Jay explains, the goal isn’t simply to survive change. It is to develop the ability to thrive through it—and help others do the same.

A preview of both Iowa Lean Consortium sessions Bonnie Slykhuis is leading in October — and why the basics still decide everything.

In this episode of Industry Iowa, host Steve Wilson sits down with Melissa Burant — supply chain specialist and CMMC navigator at CIRAS, Iowa State University — to break down what the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification means for Iowa manufacturers. If your company touches defense contracts in any way — even as a subcontractor — CMMC is no longer something to watch from the sidelines. As of November 2025, the Department of Defense has begun writing compliance requirements directly into contract solicitations. The clock is running. Melissa brings nearly 12 years of CIRAS experience and a background in federal government to the conversation, and she doesn't sugarcoat it. She walks through the three levels of certification, what compliance realistically costs, the misconceptions that are getting manufacturers into trouble, and why this is a business strategy decision — not an IT problem. Whether you're just hearing about CMMC for the first time or you've been putting off taking action, this episode gives you a clear picture of where things stand and exactly where to start

What do a documentary filmmaker, a surgeon, and a combine harvester have in common? They all show up in this week's episode of Industry Iowa. Host Steven Wilson sits down with Teeg Stouffer, founder and executive producer of Fascination Film Studio in Marion, Iowa — a heritage and legacy documentary production studio serving companies, communities, and families across the United States. Teeg shares why we're living in the documentary era, how story is the most practical tool a business leader has, and what it really means to live from a place of legacy (hint: it's not about the money you leave behind). Whether you're trying to attract talent in a shrinking labor market, build a culture that outlasts you, or introduce a new product without sounding like every other ad — this conversation will change how you think about communication.

Artificial intelligence is moving fast, but many organizations are discovering that technology alone does not create transformation. In a recent conversation with Susan Frew on the Industry Iowa Podcast, we explored how leaders can apply AI in practical ways that actually improve workflows, decision-making, and business results. Learn more about the Ivy Sales Innovation Summit.

In this episode of Industry Iowa, host Steven C. Wilson (CIRAS/Iowa State University) sits down with Bill Schmarzo for a candid pre-event conversation tied to the 5th Annual Ivy Sales Innovation Summit (Bill’s closing keynote on April 7). Together, they explore why the real power of AI isn’t replacement—it’s amplifying human domain expertise and accelerating professional growth. Schmarzo breaks down a practical three-phase professional development arc (rookie → mastery → elevating the discipline) and explains how AI can support each stage when leaders adopt an “AND mentality”—AI and people, not AI or people. Along the way, they touch on the risk of losing “tribal knowledge” when organizations treat people as interchangeable, and they tee up a fun metaphor: building your own ethical “AI Yoda” to guide better decisions in context.

In this episode of Industry Iowa, Steven C. Wilson sits down with Ann Buck, Continuous Improvement Manager at Helena Industries in Des Moines, to explore their evolving TWI journey and how they are intentionally blending Job Instruction, Job Relations, and robust work standards with Kata-based scientific thinking. Rather than treating improvement as a “flavor of the month,” Helena is building capability at the front line—using PDCA, real-time feedback, and a culture of learning to drive sustainable results without blame. Ann shares how their journey began with Kata to develop scientific thinkers, only to uncover gaps in training consistency and standards. That discovery led them deeper into TWI, where they learned the power of clear standards, effective trainer routines, and leadership behaviors that reinforce trust and accountability.

In this episode of Industry Iowa, Steven Wilson talks with Mike Wagner of the White Rabbit Group about how leadership must evolve as workloads grow and teams shrink. Drawing from real-world experience, Mike explains why leadership today is less about pushing harder and more about building capacity, clarity, and trust — and why organizations that lead people well will be the ones that sustain performance in the years ahead.

Paul Gormley from CIRAS discusses the strategic implementation of artificial intelligence in Iowa manufacturing organizations. With nearly 27 years at CIRAS, Paul explains that AI has been around for decades but became more accessible with tools like ChatGPT in late 2022. He emphasizes that AI should be treated as a strategic business decision rather than just a technology implementation, comparing it to productivity improvement methodologies where those closest to the work identify the best use cases. Paul describes seeing practical applications in vision systems, preventive maintenance, and front office operations like scheduling and supply chain management. He warns against common mistakes like using AI as a search engine and stresses the importance of using it as an iterative, collaborative tool. CIRAS has partnered with University of Iowa and Iowa State to develop a three-level training curriculum (literacy, fluency, and integration) being rolled out through community colleges. Paul concludes that manufacturers who use AI wisely will focus on strategic growth and innovation rather than just defensive efficiency measures.

In this insightful episode of Industry Iowa, Steven Wilson sits down with Andrew Pfeiffer, founder of the Process Innovation Lab, to explore the evolving world of intelligent automation—and why it’s about far more than just bots and workflows. Andrew unpacks the integrated capabilities behind intelligent automation—from process analysis and user-centric design to AI, case management, and chatbots. But what sets this conversation apart is the focus on the human side of automation: how design thinking, empathy, and rapid prototyping are reshaping how we solve problems and deliver value. We also discuss: 🔧 How intelligent automation differs from traditional IT and RPA 💡 Why fast prototyping and agility matter more than ever 🤖 What makes a process a great candidate for automation 🧠 How leaders can embrace experimentation and manage risk 🕵️ The invisible signals of inefficiency—and how to find them 📈 Why operational excellence today must include digital tools Whether you're an operations leader, IT professional, or innovation strategist, this episode will expand your view on how to align technology, people, and purpose for real business impact. 🎧 Listen now and discover what intelligent automation really means.

In this episode of Industry Iowa, Steven Wilson sits down with Chad Cooper, copywriter at de Novo Marketing, broadcaster, and storyteller, to explore the power of brand storytelling in what he calls the “Age of Average.” Together they unpack why so much of branding has become bland, safe, and forgettable—and what it takes for businesses to stand out. Chad shares memorable examples of creative storytelling, including a wind energy campaign that turned a natural annoyance into a symbol of potential, and outlines practical steps any business can use to connect more authentically with its audience. If you’ve ever wondered how to break free from the sea of sameness, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.

In this powerful conversation, host Steve Wilson sits down with Billy Ray Taylor, CEO of LinkedXL and author of The Winning Link, to unpack what it really takes to align people, purpose, and performance—and why most leaders miss the mark. Billy shares leadership gold from decades of experience leading operational excellence at Fortune 500 companies. We dig into: - The real drivers of ownership and accountability - Why daily management systems are the engine of strategy execution - How to build alignment—even in union environments - “Celebrate the Red”: a fresh take on fact-based leadership and transparency - The difference between KPIs and KPAs—and why it matters - Psychological safety, behavioral indicators, and the invisible signals of misalignment - How AI can inform decisions—without replacing the human touch Billy’s insights are sharp, grounded, and actionable—perfect for anyone serious about transforming culture, improving execution, and building teams that win.

In this episode of the Industry Iowa Podcast, I sit down with keynote speaker and communication coach Erik Dominguez, who will be speaking at this year’s Iowa Lean Consortium Conference. We explore how real leadership confidence is formed—not by eliminating fear, but by learning to navigate it. Topics include: • Why Imposter Syndrome is more common than you think • How discomfort signals growth, not failure • The power of vulnerability (and when to share it) • How to expand your comfort zone intentionally • The secret connection between confidence and storytelling Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this conversation offers practical insights and a mindset shift that could reshape how you lead.

In this episode of Industry Iowa, I sit down with Mayor Nick AbouAssaly of Marion, Iowa, to talk about what it really takes to create communities where people and businesses want to be. From reinventing Marion’s City Square into a year-round destination to launching bold new projects like the upcoming Aquatic Center, Nick shares how collaboration between business and civic leaders is key to shaping quality of life, attracting talent, and driving economic vitality. Why public-private partnerships are essentialHow business investment in “quality of place” fuels growthWhat Marion is doing right—and what other communities can learnWhether you’re in city government, economic development, or business leadership, this conversation is packed with insights you can use. EconomicDevelopment #PublicPrivatePartnerships #CommunityLeadership #IndustryIowa #MarionIA #CityPlanning #BusinessLead

In this episode of the Industry Iowa Podcast, Steven Wilson sits down with Andrew Pfeiffer, founder of the Process Innovation Lab, to explore the real meaning of process innovation. Andrew shares how this approach goes beyond traditional continuous improvement by emphasizing empathy, experimentation, and human-centered design. Through real-world examples—from transforming customer experiences at a major telecom to running a Microsoft Copilot user study—Andrew unpacks how process innovation can drive cultural change and deliver lasting impact. Whether you're in manufacturing, leadership, or community development, this conversation offers practical strategies to strengthen your organization through people-first innovation. 👉 Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-andrew-pfeiffer/ 🌐 Learn more: HTTPs://www.theprocessinnovationlab.com/ 🎧 Subscribe for more insights on Iowa’s industry and innovation leaders. ProcessInnovation #DesignThinking #IndustryIowa #Leadership #ContinuousImprovement