The VMI Leader Journey Podcast

All-In Commitment and Passion with Jordan Ward '21

Defensive Lineman and team captain for VMI's Keydets football team Jordan Ward dreamed of playing Division I football in college. He helped the Keydets to their first SoCon football title since 1977 and the program's first-ever FCS playoffs bid. But that's not the only 'feather' in Ward's cap. He has been an NCAA football player all four years of his cadetship, but also served as an S6 sergeant, a corporal, and worked with cadet-athletes.  In his third-class year, he was voted as a member of the Honor Court and served as an assistant prosecutor. In his 2nd class year, he was voted class vice president of education. To say the least, Ward has a very full and impressive resume! VMI conference team members Derek Pinkham, CMP, PMP, and our former Conference Assistant Emily Coleman sat down with Ward back in December before the excitement of the Spring 2021 season for a discussion about what kind of leadership development he's undergone as a VMI cadet.  Said Ward, "I'm committed." In this episode, you'll hear about his personal journey and what he'd like others to know about his leadership style. 

FULL EPISODE: The Art & Science of Leadership with Kevin Black ‘99

In this full-length episode of our interview with Kevin Black '99, you will hear all the engaging dialogue of our conversation hosted by Maj. Catherine Roy, communications and marketing specialist at the VMI Center for Leadership & Ethics. 
This full-length interview touches on Black's leadership journey beginning with his cadetship at VMI, some lessons learned from his years in the Army as well as his passion for World War II and how that led to learning leadership through running war game scenarios. Identifying a gap in leadership development that links strategy with leadership, Black founded Black Market Leadership leadership consulting. His website features an online community with free and paid-for leadership courses, links to his social media, and podcast. 
Wanna just hear the highlights? Follow this link instead.

The Art & Science of Leadership with Kevin Black ‘99

Forbes coach, entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and founder of Black Market Leadership alumnus Kevin Black '99 shares how VMI provided him the hands-on opportunities to lead and feel in real-time what went well and what did not. In this episode, we looked at the highlights of our conversation to focus on specific insights which connect leadership with strategy. We hope you will enjoy Black's engaging and energetic style of speaking. 
Listen to the full-length episode here. 

The Institute Relies on the Strength of the Corps with LeAndrew Jefferson '21

LeAndrew Jefferson is a First-Class Cadet from Southwest Detroit, MI. He is an international studies major, a member of the Promaji Club, a member of the Cadets' Superintendent's Advisory Board, and a Cadet Chaplain. LeAndrew discussed his introduction to VMI, the VMI network, VMI as a leadership laboratory, growing into his studies, and the difficulty of the new reality during COVID restrictions. 

Meaningful Leadership Experiences as a First-Class Private with Will Nicholson '21

Peer-to-peer leadership is the most challenging leadership position, particularly when rank (or job title) doesn't require your peers to follow you or respond to your requests. 
For this installment of the VMI Leader Journey podcast, we chose to highlight a First-Class cadet whose leadership example has been nonetheless meaningful. 
 We welcomed Officer of the Guard Association president, the cadet-in-charge (CIC) for the Cadets' Superintendents Advisory Board (CSAB), and a computer science and engineering major Will Nicholson VMI class of 2021 to sit down with us for this interview.  He shared with us how he came to be in a variety of leadership positions, how he's learned from both his coursework and relationships with staff and faculty, some of his thoughts on VMI's Honor System, and his thoughts about the current state of the corps during this pandemic semester.
Some leadership competencies covered in the conversation were self-development, mentoring, helping others, empathy, and receiving feedback.

Go with the Flow with Holly Njabo '20

Holly Njabo, VMI Class of '20, says VMI's recruitment video, research, and a beautiful acceptance letter influenced her decision to enroll sight-unseen! She didn't know it, but she was learning even then to 'Go with the Flow.' Hear more about her leadership development journey in this episode! 

Be Patient and Learn from a Variety of Leaders with Karl Renne '96

Retired CIA Agent, former marine, and entrepreneur Karl Renne, VMI Class of 1996, is a founding partner and CEO of Ghost Wolf Industries. Renne spent nearly 17 years with the CIA as a Chief Operations officer. Learn why Renne says leaders benefit from learning from all kinds of individuals and the common mistake he and others make early in their careers. Join us! You can learn more from Renne by watching his presentation from last year's alumni breakout session during our 'Disruption' leadership conference. 
The VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics (Center) sponsors this podcast as part of our strategic engagement programming. The Center's mission is to educate, engage, and inspire the VMI Corps of Cadets, staff, and faculty with leadership and character programming and share insights gleaned across all VMI programs with a broader national audience. Learn more about the Center and its programming, including the newly redesigned LEAD344 Leadership in Organizations course offered to all VMI cadets prior to graduation. 

Leaders Sacrifice with Bob Fricke '78

Bob Fricke, VMI Class of 1978, was one of our 2019 leadership conference breakout speakers.
Alumni speakers provided our audience with personal examples where individuals had to lead through or despite the disruption, addressing our theme.
In this episode, Fricke shared his definition of leadership and how that remained fairly consistent throughout his life, the powerful lessons he learned as a young lieutenant, and how that's carried over into a new teaching career. Fricke said that teaching has tested his leadership more than any other job he's had from the military, FBI, and government contracting. Hear more of Fricke's insights and advice to new cadets or even new graduates!
Robert L. Fricke ‘78 is a former military officer who served in the Field Artillery branch of the U.S. Army.  Following his military service, Mr. Fricke served as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation and retired in 2008 after 25 years with that agency.  He is currently an educator and instructor with a background in Federal law enforcement, government intelligence, and compliance in high risk, complex environments.  
You may also follow this episode on YouTube (with edited Closed Captioning) or embedded on our website with a full transcript or learn about the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics and its programs.