Episodes

Master Manager Program In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Shari Altergott, CEO of The CX Edge, continues the conversation on MHEDA’s Master Manager Program. Returning guest Jeremy Wall, President of GoalMakers and program facilitator, is joined by Jim Ripkey, President of Hy-Tek Intralogistics and long-time MHEDA member and contributor. Together, they explore the critical skills of goal setting, leadership development, and coaching managers to move from “doers” to effective leaders. Jeremy pr...

Master Manager Program In part 1 of this 2-part episode of MHEDA Talks, host Shari Altergott, CEO of The CX Edge, is joined by Mike Vaughan, CFO at Thompson & Johnson Equipment, and Jeremy Wall, co-founder and CEO at GoalMakers, to discuss MHEDA’s Master Manager Program. Now entering its fifth year, this 10-week hybrid program blends self-paced online learning with live biweekly Zoom sessions, designed to strengthen leadership, financial acumen, and operational effectiveness. Participants gain p...

Evolving with Integrity In this episode, Katie Richards chats with Katie Stephens, Marketing Manager at Morse Manufacturing, about leading a rebrand for a company with over 100 years of history in the material handling industry. With a background in construction equipment and dealership marketing, Stephens shares how she brought fresh perspective and strategy to Morse’s recent transformation—including the development of a new logo, revamped website, and modernized brand identity. Katie discuss...

In the July 2025 Economic Advisory Report, MHEDA presents insights from ITR Economics specifically focused on the material handling industry. The MHEDA Quarterly Economic Report, published by ITR Economics, provides an in-depth look into the latest economic data and forecasts. This report is designed to equip MHEDA members with critical insights to help navigate market trends, understand economic cycles, and make informed business decisions. By accessing both current and archived issues, MHEDA m...

The Power of Partnerships In today’s dynamic business environment, strong partnerships are more critical than ever. This episode of Table Trends explores how material handling companies are building and maintaining meaningful relationships with key stakeholders — from OEMs and vendors to customers and internal teams. Guests discuss the importance of proactive communication, shared values, and consistent follow-up to ensure every partnership is built on trust and mutual success. Strategies includ...

Lifting Communities: Philanthropy in Action at Carolina Handling In this episode, Katie Richards sits down with Joe Perkins, Chief Operating Officer of Carolina Handling, to explore his professional journey, leadership philosophy, and the powerful culture of service driving the organization. Joe reflects on his early days working in tobacco fields, his transition from customer to executive at Carolina Handling, and how servant leadership has shaped both his career and the company’s mission. Jo...

Bridging the Talent Gap in the Material Handling Industry As the material handling industry faces a growing need for skilled labor, this episode dives into how companies are responding to the persistent talent gap. Leaders discuss strategies for both attracting top talent and upskilling existing employees to keep their workforce competitive, capable, and engaged. From investing in technical colleges and dual enrollment programs to leveraging vendor partnerships for specialized training, compani...

Communication in the Workplace In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Shari Altergott, CEO of The CX Edge, sits down with Pamela Barnum—former undercover police officer, federal prosecuting attorney, and now a highly sought-after communication expert. Pamela, a featured speaker at MHEDA’s upcoming Emerging Leaders Conference, shares her expertise on building trust, decoding nonverbal communication, and improving workplace dynamics in today’s fast-paced, digital world. Drawing from years of high-st...

Supporting Employee Wellness in a Post-Pandemic Workplace With mental health emerging as a top priority in the workplace, this episode explores how companies are evolving their approach to employee wellness. From implementing Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to expanding counseling access and wellness initiatives, leaders share how they’re creating cultures of care and support. Guests discuss the importance of manager training, daily one-on-one check-ins, and fostering open communication to...

Uncertainty Brings Opportunity In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Shari Altergott, CEO of The CX Edge, sits down with Gene Marks, President of The Marks Group and featured speaker at the upcoming MHEDA Convention later this month. Gene shares timely insights on the top challenges facing businesses in 2025, including economic uncertainty, labor shortages, tax shifts, and the rapid evolution of AI and automation in the material handling industry. Learn why uncertainty isn’t all bad, how to plan ...

In the April 2025 Economic Advisory Report, MHEDA presents insights from ITR Economics specifically focused on the material handling industry. The MHEDA Quarterly Economic Report, published by ITR Economics, provides an in-depth look into the latest economic data and forecasts. This report is designed to equip MHEDA members with critical insights to help navigate market trends, understand economic cycles, and make informed business decisions. By accessing both current and archived issues, MHEDA ...

Economic Indicators Used to Warn of a Slowdown As companies navigate an uncertain economic landscape, industry leaders are closely monitoring a variety of signals—real estate activity, warehouse construction starts, unemployment rates, and ITA data—to better anticipate market shifts. This episode explores how those indicators are shaping business strategy and hiring decisions going into 2025. Guests discuss shifting trends in e-commerce vs. brick-and-mortar, the normalization of supply chains, ...

Leading Change Management In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Shari Altergott, CEO of The CX Edge, speaks with Andrea Jones, CEO of The Executagility Company and Principal at Andrea Jones Consulting (AJC) and an upcoming speaker at the MHEDA Convention in April. They discuss the concept of change management, the challenges organizations face when implementing change, and practical strategies for successful execution. Andrea explains the importance of understanding the people side of change, ens...

Cybersecurity in the Age of Automation With automation and AI playing a larger role in day-to-day operations, cybersecurity has become a top concern for businesses across the material handling industry. This episode explores how leaders are implementing company-wide training programs, strict access controls, and advanced email security measures to defend against potential breaches. Learn how your workforce can become your strongest line of defense—and why cybersecurity is no longer just an IT i...

Adopting Emerging Technologies: Challenges and Opportunities In this Table Trends episode, hear from experienced executives as they share insights into integrating new technologies into their businesses. Topics include safety innovations, overcoming the fear of change within teams, customer hesitations, and the transformative role of AI tools in day-to-day operations. Discover how to stay competitive and agile as technology continues to reshape the industry. Featured Guests Jeannette Walker, C...

Preparing for ProMat 2025 with Daniel McKinnon In this episode, Katie Richards interviews Daniel McKinnon to explore the exciting world of ProMat 2025 and its impact on the material handling industry. Daniel shares his journey into the exhibitions industry and how his passion for connecting people and ideas has shaped his career. He offers an insider’s perspective on what makes ProMat a must-attend event, from cutting-edge technology showcases to invaluable networking opportunities. With practic...

Inside MHEDA: A Conversation with Darin Boik In this episode, Katie Richards sits down with Darin Boik to explore his professional journey and insights into the material handling industry. Darin reflects on his early career experiences, from working in produce fields to his transition into automation and sales. He shares how his technical background has shaped his leadership style and how Advanced Equipment Company differentiates itself with a customer-first approach. As MHEDA’s 2025 Convention ...

In the January 2025 Economic Advisory Report, MHEDA presents insights from ITR Economics specifically focused on the material handling industry. The MHEDA Quarterly Economic Report, published by ITR Economics, provides an in-depth look into the latest economic data and forecasts. This report is designed to equip MHEDA members with critical insights to help navigate market trends, understand economic cycles, and make informed business decisions. By accessing both current and archived issues, MHED...

Inside MHEDA: New Initiatives & Future Direction In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Shari Altergott, Chief Experience Officer of The CX Edge, sits down with Jeannette Walker to discuss her first year leading the organization and shares key initiatives that have shaped MHEDA’s future direction. They discuss MHEDA’s efforts to deeply understand the three primary industry segments—Industrial Trucks, Storage and Handling, and Systems Integrators—ensuring MHEDA’s offerings meet the needs of its me...

Economic Advisory Report – October 2024 In the October 2024 Economic Advisory Report, MHEDA presents insights from ITR Economics specifically focused on the material handling industry. The MHEDA Quarterly Economic Report, published by ITR Economics, provides an in-depth look into the latest economic data and forecasts. This report is designed to equip MHEDA members with critical insights to help navigate market trends, understand economic cycles, and make informed business decisions. By accessi...

Pivot Paths in Your Career by Brittany Neish In this episode of MHEDA Talks, Shari Altergott, Chief Experience Officer of The CX Edge, talks with Brittany Neish about navigating pivotal moments in one’s career. They discuss the importance of defining core values, building strong networks, and setting intentional professional goals. Brittany also shares her insights on overcoming challenges, achieving balance, and using mentorship as a tool for growth. This conversation offers valuable advice fo...

Economic Indicators Used to Warn of a Slowdown In this last Table Trends episode focusing on the 2024 Material Handling Business Trend: Economic Uncertainty, join MHEDA Board Members as they explore relationship building opportunities, cash management strategies, and digital marketing approaches. Learn more about navigating economic uncertainty in the material handling industry here. Featured Guests Jeannette Walker, CEO, MHEDA John Gelsimino, President, All Lift Service Company Van Clarkso...

AI & the Future of Work by Buddy Bockweg In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Shari Altergott, Chief Experience Officer of The CX Edge, talks with Buddy Bockweg to explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the material handling industry. Buddy shares insights into how AI is reshaping business processes, the importance of data, and the challenges of implementing automation. They discuss the evolving workforce and the future of AI’s impact across the industry, offering pr...

Which KPIs Indicate the Economy is Slowing Down? In this episode of Table Trends, industry experts continue to dive into the 2024 Material Handling Business Trend: Economic Uncertainty. Join MHEDA Board Members as they explore crucial performance indicators signaling an economic slowdown, share insights on emerging market trends, and discuss strategies for diversification. Learn more about navigating uncertainty in the material handling industry here. Featured Guests Jeannette Walker, CEO, MH...