A nice visit with author Larry Lehmer

Author Larry Lehmer

I had a great meeting with author Larry Lehmer over at the Monaco Hotel in Seattle. Larry is a former journalist from Des Moines, Iowa who has helped numerous people write their memoirs. Larry is also a former member of the Association of Personal Historians and the author of the bestselling book “The Day the Music Died: The Last Tour of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens” (Schirmer Books). We talked about the current state of the Personal Historian business and some of the best ways to do an interview. It was great meeting Larry and I appreciate him taking the time to visit with me. You can learn more about Larry Lehmer athttp://www.google.com/profiles/larrylehmer

Brian Paulen - CEO Madrona Solutions Group

Director RJ McHatton with Brian Paulen

It was great meeting Brian Paulen, CEO of Madrona Solutions Group in downtown Seattle. I was there to interview Brian for the Puget Sound Business Journal’s “Best Workplaces” video project. Brian had a great sense of humor and it was exciting to learn about one of the fastest growing companies in the country. Brian proved to me that a positive attitude and a positive team culture has tremendous impact on the team success. He talked about the importance of being a great listener and being flexible to the needs of clients. He talked about the diversity of his team and the importance of having fun at work. I really liked how Brian said his greatest mentor was his father.

Brad Jackson, CEO of Two Degrees

Brad Jackson with Director RJ McHatton

I drove downtown Seattle to interview Brad Jackson of Two Degrees for the Puget Sound Business Journal video about the “Best Workplaces in Washington.”  Two Degrees was a finalist for the award this year.  Two Degrees is located in the Exchange Building where once there was the Pacific Northwest Stock Exchange.  The Exchange Building is a 22 story concrete building in an Art Deco style.  According to Wikipedia it was once the second tallest concrete building in the United States.  It reminds me of the tall buildings they used in the old Dragnet series or black and white Noir films showing the Courthouses of LA.  I went up the elevator to the Two Degrees offices and was immediately surprised by the hustle and bustle.  I met with Brad Jackson.  He is someone you will never forget.  He and I sat down in a small office and I started recording the interview.  We talked about his background and the history of the company.  Brad once worked with Price Waterhouse and has a strong background in accounting.  He said that he found that his strengths pulled him more into relationships and consulting.  Brad talked about the special culture they have at Two Degrees.  He said everything was about the Culture and nurturing the culture.  He said that everyone is focused on the clients and how they can help their clients get better.  Brad is almost hypnotic in his focused passion and pride about his team.  He impressed me as someone who looks at life and situations from 30,000 feet, looking down and trying to figure out ways to make everything better.  Brad talked about how his company had become one of the fastest growing companies in America.  He talked about how he set incredible personal and team goals and how they achieved them every time.  Brad talked at length about how important his team and the positive creative workplace environment was to the success of the organization.  Brad talked about the Core Values of his team.  He talked about their vision for the future.  He talked about some of the unique and creative ways they have nurtured their culture.  He told about lavish annual company retreats and a special inhouse film festival where employees went out and made their own films for their internal film festival, all in the name of creative team building.  I feel very lucky to have been exposed to Brad and his team.  They have sparked many new ideas and inspiration on how I can be a better leader for my team.  Thanks Brad.

John Hempelmann, CEO of Cairncross & Hempelmann

Director RJ McHatton with John Hempelmann

I really enjoyed my interview with John Hempelmann, CEO of Cairncross & Hempelmann, one of the largest and most successful law firms in the Northwest. John told me some great stories about how he was mentored by the late great Senator Skoop Jackson and Congressman Tom Foley to go into law instead of teaching. John talked with pride about how his team has created such a wonderful, effective, and positive work culture. John gave me a terrific tour of the great artwork of Northwest masters thtoughout his entire office. John was so enthusiastic and passionate about his team and his artwork, that I became an instant fan.

Shari Marion-Hoff -- CEO of Hawkeye - Cohesion

Shari Marion-Hoff 

I was very pleased to meet Shari.  Shari is the CEO of Hawkeye - Cohesion, one of the nation's leading experts in high tech web and interactive marketing and advertising.  Shari was kind enough to drive over to our Inventive Productions studios to be interviewed for my new documentary "CEOs of Seattle."

I was very impressed with the strong leadership philosophies that Shari spoke about, including her focus on transparency in motivating her team.  She is a strong communicator, and she did a terrific interview about her leadership style and techniques.