Leadership Lunch Club

04/05/2026

🎙️ Tune in tomorrow, Monday, April 6 at 8:45 AM!

Leadership Lunch Club founder Barbara Jordan will be joined by panelist Josh Traeger on the Ron Jolly Show on WTCM Radio The Ron Jolly Show to talk about our upcoming event, Leadership Under Fire: Lessons from Veteran CEOs.

Josh brings a unique perspective to the conversation as the Founding Attorney of True North Legal Group, as well as his experience serving on active duty as a U.S. Air Force officer and continuing his service today as an Air Force Reservist. He’ll also be facilitating the panel discussion at the April 16 event.

Tune in live on AM 580 or online to hear a preview of the powerful leadership lessons you’ll gain from this event—and why this topic matters now more than ever.

04/04/2026

Calm Leadership Is a Skill — Not a Personality Trait

When things feel uncertain, your team is looking to you.

Not for perfect answers—but for steadiness. For clarity. For a sense that things are going to be okay.

Calm leadership isn’t about being unbothered. It’s about being practiced. It’s about learning how to pause, think clearly, and respond with intention—even when the pressure is high.

When you’re able to do that, your team feels it. They stay more focused. They make better decisions. They move forward instead of getting stuck in stress.

The truth is, this kind of leadership isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build over time.

At our next Leadership Lunch Club event, you’ll hear from leaders who have had to develop that steadiness in high-pressure situations—and how you can bring those same practices into your own leadership and your team.

If this is something you’re working on (or want to get better at), we’d love to have you there.

👉 Register now to learn more: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leadership-under-fire-lessons-from-veteran-ceos-tickets-1977312725590?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/03/2026

Our final panelist we'd like to introduce is Matt Keiper.

Matt is a United States Coast Guard veteran who brings more than two decades of disciplined, high-stakes operational leadership into his work as founder of Northern Lake Boat Co.

A Helicopter Rescue Swimmer and later a commissioned officer and aviator, he led critical search-and-rescue and law-enforcement missions from the Bering Sea to the Caribbean, and most recently at Air Station Traverse City. Since launching his Rapid City–based company in 2022, Matt has applied the same professionalism, standards, and mission-focused mindset to serving Michigan’s boating and outdoor community.

He continues to serve our community through mentorship and various community engagement activities. He and his wife live in the area with their two children.

We're honored and excited to have Matt on the panel at our upcoming event on April 16, "Leadership Under Fire: Lessons from Veteran CEOs".

Learn more & register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leadership-under-fire-lessons-from-veteran-ceos-tickets-1977312725590

04/02/2026

Our next panelist we're honored to introduce is Jon Woolfolk.

A veteran Naval Flight Officer and special operations advisor, Jon graduated from the United States Naval Academy before serving around the world in key operational roles. After completing his MBA at Georgetown University, Jon relocated to Traverse City and acquired Bay View Flooring & Design Center, a leading flooring and installation company serving Northern Michigan’s residential and commercial builder community.

He has since grown the business through strong trade partnerships, workforce development, and a commitment to craftsmanship and customer care. Jon draws on his military background to bring discipline and leadership to every project.

He is a devoted husband, father of two, and occasional golfer.

We're thrilled to have Jon on the panel at our next event, "Leadership Under Fire: Lessons from Veteran CEOs" on April 16.

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leadership-under-fire-lessons-from-veteran-ceos-tickets-1977312725590

04/02/2026

Strong communities are built by businesses that care — not just about the work they do, but about the people they serve. Precision Plumbing and Heating Systems proudly provides plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical services across Northern Michigan while giving back through Precision Cares, donating monthly to local nonprofits nominated by the community.

That same commitment to service extends beyond the home and into the heart of the region, making Precision a natural partner for Leadership Lunch Club. We’re thankful for their sponsorship and for their ongoing dedication to supporting neighbors, families, and local causes.

Learn more: https://precisiontc.com

At Precision, we actively support the non-profit organizations and events that make such a difference in our community.

04/01/2026

We'd like to introduce another member of the panel for our upcoming event, "Leadership Under Fire: Lessons from Veteran CEOs", Josh Traeger.

Josh served on active duty as a United States Air Force officer and remains an Air Force Reservist. Josh also leads True North Legal Group, a values-centered firm based in Traverse City serving Northern Michigan’s business and nonprofit community.

As an Air Force JAG, Josh spent a decade taking on some of the military’s toughest legal cases around the world while stationed across the country and overseas. He continues to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, teaching law and leadership in Alabama, where he frequently lectures on resilience, character, and the positive impact of community.

He is a devoted husband and father, volunteer board member, and avid outdoorsman.

We are excited to have Josh on our panel and look forward to hearing from him!

Learn more & register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leadership-under-fire-lessons-from-veteran-ceos-tickets-1977312725590

03/31/2026

We're thrilled to introduce one of the panelists at our upcoming event, "Leadership Under Fire: Lessons from Veteran CEOs", Liz Belt.

Liz began her journey of service and leadership in 2000. After earning a softball scholarship in high school, she felt called to serve her country and enlisted in the United States Army Reserve as a bridge and combat engineer.

Over 12 years—four on active duty—she served two combat tours in Iraq and finished her military career as the Acting First Sergeant of her unit in Marquette, Michigan, leading and mentoring soldiers through demanding missions and complex challenges.

Today, Liz is the owner and operator of Intrepid Cycling Company in Traverse City, coaching more than 110 cyclists through data-driven programs while also serving as a strength coach and personal trainer. She is also the Vice Chair of Charlie Golf One, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans successfully reintegrate into civilian life.

A devoted mother of two and wife to a supportive husband, Liz is proud to call Traverse City home.

We are honored to have Liz on the panel and look forward to hearing from her!

Learn more & register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leadership-under-fire-lessons-from-veteran-ceos-tickets-1977312725590

03/31/2026

In a world of nonstop noise, trusted local voices matter more than ever. For decades, WTCM Radio has helped northern Michigan stay informed through thoughtful conversation, local insight, and programming that sparks meaningful dialogue.

We’re grateful to have WTCM as our radio sponsor, helping amplify conversations about leadership, business, and community growth across the region. Thank you for supporting Leadership Lunch Club and helping us reach leaders where they are.

Learn more: https://www.wtcmi.com/

WTCM Radio 103.5 FM - Traverse City, MI. Your number one station for Today's Country Music waking you up with "Mike In The Morning" with Mike Sinclair.

03/30/2026

Less than two weeks remain to register for Leadership Under Fire: Lessons from Veteran CEOs. Seats are limited, and this is one of our most timely topics of the year. Registration closes April 9!

In a time when leaders are navigating constant change, pressure-filled decisions, and growing responsibility for their teams, this conversation couldn’t be more relevant.

This event brings together leaders who have made decisions under extreme pressure—and translated those lessons into business, community, and team leadership. You’ll gain insight into how trust is built, how clarity is maintained, and how resilience is developed before challenges hit.

👉 Register now to secure your place: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leadership-under-fire-lessons-from-veteran-ceos-tickets-1977312725590?aff=oddtdtcreator

Learn how veteran CEOs lead under pressure, build resilient teams, and stay mission-focused—drawing from military and business experience.

03/25/2026

Leadership under fire requires resilience, vision, and a commitment to strategy—qualities exemplified by Stacie Kwaiser, CEO of Rehmann.

Drawing from her extensive experience, Stacie emphasizes the importance of a clear, adaptable strategy as the foundation for success. As highlighted in her article, "From Goals to Growth: How Strategy Drives Success," Stacie advocates for a "process over results" mindset, ensuring that every team member understands their role in achieving organizational goals.

Learn more about Stacie's leadership philosophy at

Learn how a well-executed strategy aligns with goals, engages teams, and ensures growth. Discover actionable insights to elevate your business success.

03/23/2026

When things get hard, how do you show up as a leader?

It’s easy to lead when everything is going smoothly. But real leadership is revealed in the moments when pressure builds, decisions carry weight, and your team is looking to you for direction.

The truth is—those moments aren’t the time to figure it out. The strongest leaders prepare ahead of time. They build habits of accountability, clarity, and responsibility long before the pressure arrives, so when challenges hit, they—and their teams—are ready.

Preparation is what separates reacting from truly leading.

At our next Leadership Lunch Club event, you’ll hear how veteran leaders develop that kind of readiness—and how you can apply those same principles in your own organization.

Learn more at our next Leadership Lunch Club event.

👉 Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leadership-under-fire-lessons-from-veteran-ceos-tickets-1977312725590?aff=oddtdtcreator

Learn how veteran CEOs lead under pressure, build resilient teams, and stay mission-focused—drawing from military and business experience.

03/20/2026

Traverse City wouldn’t be Traverse City without cherries — and since 1966, Benjamin Twiggs - The Original Cherry Store has helped turn that heritage into something delicious. 🍒 From family-made recipes to Michigan-grown flavor, their products reflect the heart of our region.

We’re thankful to have Benjamin Twiggs as our Sweets Sponsor, providing a treat for every Leadership Lunch Club attendee and helping create moments of connection at each event. Thank you for supporting local leaders and our community in such a memorable way.

👉 Discover their legendary products: https://benjamintwiggs.com/