Disclaimer: All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official positions or views of the US Government. Nothing in the contents should be construed as asserting or implying US Government authentication of information or endorsement of the author’s views.

In this relaunch of the ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Juliane Gallina, currently a partner at Lavrock Ventures and a veteran leader with over two decades of government service. They explore her unique career trajectory - from the US Navy to the CIA and IBM - while discussing the core principles of leadership, the power of data, and the personal motivations behind major professional pivots.

Key Takeaways

1. Human-Centric Leadership: True leadership is defined by the ability to navigate complex situations that are not captured in a manual or checklist.
2. Mission over Mechanics: Success in any environment comes from a leader's ability to connect their team to a purpose larger than themselves.
3. Family-Driven Pivots: Every major career shift in Juliane's life was influenced by family needs, emphasizing the importance of balancing personal and professional worlds.
4. Decisive Data Analytics: At a 30-person startup, Juliane used quantitative analysis to prove the value of UAV data, which directly influenced multi-billion dollar Pentagon budgets.
5. AI for Intelligence: Leading the deployment of IBM Watson at the CIA provided advanced "question and answer" capabilities to help manage the agency's massive data holdings.
6. Bridging the Sector Gap: Despite structural communication barriers ("caste systems"), leadership challenges remain fundamentally similar across the military, government, and commercial sectors.

Episode Timestamps

[00:00] – Intro: Why the human brain is irreplaceable by machines and checklists.

[02:47] – Military Roots: Specializing in cryptology and secure communications in the US Navy.

[04:15] – NRO & CIA: Transitioning from the National Reconnaissance Office to the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology.

[06:12] – The Personal Pivot: Leaving government service after 20 years to prioritize family needs.

[07:56] – Big Data Impact: Demonstrating the quantitative value of UAV sensor data in war zones.

[11:56] – Corporate Scaling: The experience of moving from a 30-person firm to IBM's global workforce.

[16:05] – The Industry-Gov Barrier: Navigating communication gaps when returning to work with old colleagues.

[18:04] – Return to Service: Being appointed as the CIA's Chief Information Officer in 2019.

[21:08] – Leadership Mechanics: Comparing the discipline of a spacecraft launch to everyday team management.

[35:28] – Closing Thoughts: Reconnecting for national security and looking ahead to the future.

🔗 Connect with the Guest Juliane Gallina:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliane-gallina-b736244/

🔗 Follow Lavrock Ventures:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lavrock-ventures/

👉 Website: https://lavrockvc.com/

👉 X: https://x.com/lavrockvc

🔗 Connect with the Host Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 More about Leadership Courses:

👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/

🔗 Follow the Podcast:

👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Christopher Mattila, Director of Construction Project Management at American Transmission Company (ATC), to discuss what it takes to deliver large-scale transmission and infrastructure projects in today’s high-demand environment.

With 17 years at Minnesota Power, where he built and led a Project Management Office, Chris shares how those experiences shaped his leadership approach. He reflects on leading complex capital programs at ATC, maintaining execution discipline, team alignment, and a strong organizational culture during a period of rapid industry growth.

Together, they explore how organizations scale infrastructure delivery, drive transparency, and preserve culture when capital investment grows faster than headcount, and the leadership mindset required to navigate this accelerated growth without sacrificing performance or long-term stability.

Expect to Learn

1. How to scale a capital program by over 50 percent year over year without multiplying headcount
2. Why culture and transparency matter more during rapid growth
3. The impact of data centres and regional transmission projects on utility planning
4. How to lead cross functional teams through major change
5. Practical advice for building or restarting a PMO in a complex organisation

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

1. [00:00] – Teaser
2. [01:09] – Welcome & Introduction to the ChoinqueCast with Chris Mattila
3. [06:32] – The Unexpected Call from ATC: An Offer He Couldn't Refuse
4. [11:43] – The Fear: Can Culture Survive Explosive Growth?
5. [17:30] – Strategy for Project Managers: A Unique Approach to Leadership
6. [23:28] – Engagement Scores: Why Empowerment and Transparency Won the Day
7. [29:48] – What Makes ATC Special? Family, Transparency, and 360-Degree Reviews
8. [35:09] – Closing Remarks and Looking Ahead

🔗 Connect with the Guest Christopher Mattila:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-mattila-mba-mspm-pmp-2822433/

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atc/

👉 Company’s Website: https://www.atcllc.com/

🔗 Connect with the Host Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 More about Leadership Courses:

👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/

🔗 Follow the Podcast:

👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with JL Bielon, Chief Executive Officer at Champions for Children, to explore her journey through the nonprofit sector and her transition into her first CEO role. JL shares how a career rooted in philanthropy, from a historic theatre to an ocular research centre, a zoo, and now a child abuse prevention nonprofit, prepared her for executive leadership.

JL Bielon has spent her entire career in nonprofit leadership, specialising in fundraising and philanthropy. She now leads Champions for Children, a Tampa-based organisation focused on preventing child abuse and strengthening families through research-based programmes. Her work blends strategic clarity, community collaboration, and a deep commitment to long-term impact for children and families.

Expect to Learn:

1. What surprised JL most during her first year as a CEO.
2. How losing and gaining federal grants reshaped the organisation’s strategy.
3. Why mission, vision, and values clarity is critical for nonprofit growth.
4. The importance of peer networks and coaching for new CEOs.
5. How philanthropy and fundraising skills are shaping the next generation of nonprofit leaders.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

1. [00:00] – Teaser
2. [01:32] – Welcome & Introduction to the ChoinqueCast with JL Bielon
3. [05:14] – First Year as CEO: Surprises, Team Building, and Federal Grant Challenges
4. [11:08] – Leaning on the Network: The Weight of CEO Decisions
5. [17:34] – Redefining Mission, Vision, and Values: The Foundation for the Next 50 Years
6. [22:49] – The Leadership Toolbox: From Manager to Coach
7. [30:55] – Advice for Aspiring CEOs: Embrace the Zigzag and Say Yes to Conversations
8. [33:36] – Closing Remarks and How to Connect

🔗 Connect with the Guest JL Bielon:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jl-bielon/

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/champions-for-children/

👉 Company’s Website: https://cfctb.org/

🔗 Connect with the Host Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 Follow the Podcast:

👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Kevin Kerrigan, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Fulton County Government. Kevin shares his journey from research to public service and leadership in local government. With a background in technology and environmental data research, Kevin has led IT teams through transformative changes and significant challenges, including a major cyberattack. The conversation explores Kevin’s career evolution, leadership lessons, and how technology is shaping local government operations.

Expect to Learn:

1. Kevin’s journey from an IT intern to CIO, and his role in transitioning from research to government service.
2. Insights on the importance of leadership development, especially in managing large IT teams and navigating crisis situations.
3. How Fulton County leveraged technology to recover from a significant cyberattack, accelerating their tech progression in the process.
4. The growing importance of soft skills in leadership and technology management, particularly as AI and automation continue to shape the future.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

1. [00:00] – Teaser
2. [01:28] – Welcome & Introduction to the ChoinqueCast with Kevin Kerrigan
3. [04:27] – Building the Water Atlas: Environmental Data and GIS
4. [09:45] – Transitioning from Research to Hillsborough County
5. [16:27] – The Leadership Epiphany: Seeking Coaching and Development
6. [25:18] – The Six-Month Vetting Process for Fulton County CIO
7. [32:04] – Managing 46 Departments and Elected Officials During Recovery
8. [40:57] – Estimating the Acceleration: Five to Seven Years of Progress
9. [48:59] – The Value of Offsites: Building Trust and Vulnerability
10. [53:39] – Final Thoughts: Soft Skills Are the New Hard Skills
11. [54:56] – Closing Remarks

🔗 Connect with the Guest Kevin Kerrigan:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmkerrigan/

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fultoncountygovernment/

👉 Company’s Website: https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/

🔗 Connect with the Host Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 Follow the Podcast:

👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

It has been a privilege getting to know a Christian-based organization following an open-enrollment Leadership Excellence Course this summer at the USAF Academy. We may ask ourselves, what does a Christian-based organization have to do with leadership?

Good question. Let’s consider the scope of our follow on engagement, an Energize2Lead Workshop. Energy has a great deal to do with leadership. How many of us would ever say we we were energized by a demotivating leader, or more simply, a sourpuss? Not likely.

Tony Schwartz comes to mind, especially during the U.S. Open tennis tournament, since he has coached many tennis pros. Tony focuses on managing our energy levels, and that we can apply that to our own effectiveness as leaders.

According to Tony, we have four personal energy dimensions: Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual. We’re probably pretty comfortable talking about our physical energy levels, with diet and exercise such everyday topics. How many of the other three dimensions do we think about, in the workplace, particularly when we think about what we share of ourselves and what we learn about those in our charge? 

Back to the client. This client, during our Energize2Lead Workshop, not surprisingly was quite different. We started off with a moment of prayer, beginning with the energy dimension we likely neglect the most, the spiritual.

Let’s stop for a moment. How often do we think of our jobs, or work, as something that contributes to our spiritual selves? Big question.

Just as there are multiple dimensions to our energy levels, there are multiple dimensions to ourselves as leaders, which may be shared with others in order to ignite the passions we truly want if we seek engagement, or to be effective leaders that matter. These are interesting things, the unique things that comprise our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual selves. What things form your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual self? Courage moment: What would it take for you to share these things, in your Personal Leadership Philosophy, in a coaching session, or when just getting to know your team.

How might your subordinates follow you differently if they knew such things?

Consider all four of these dimensions.

Great leaders understand energy.

One of the attendees at our most recent Academy Leadership Excellence Courses hosted at the USAF Academy shared a realization both on the first day to our group of eleven, and afterward during our one-on-one follow-on executive coaching sessions. Here’s what happened. Much of the first day of a Leadership Excellence Course is focused on learning about ourselves, in particular, what energizes us so that we may energize and perhaps inspire others. This attendee shared his reflection that over the past six months his working environment had changed — from one energizing to someone who prefers an independent course of action — to a more compliance, rules-based day to day routine. In addition, he was increasingly left out of decision-making processes, which he has both an instinctive need for and was brought up believing people ought to include others when making choices.

Keep in mind this attendee had been successfully working 2.5 years on a really cool project. Attending the course providing time to think, share his story, and after the course share his findings as documented on his Action Plan, which was shared with his supervisor. That’s the best part of the story - finding the courage to share who one really is and what genuinely motivates us.

Guess what happened? Hint: His new supervisor is a good leader. 

After reassignment to a new project, and to a new sponsor, which his company generously accommodated, he was introduced as a new member of the leadership team on the first day. A direct quote from the attendee’s email: 

“This is unique in that project managers are usually not included that way with senior leaders' direct reporting groups.  In our first leadership team meeting, he must have asked me 10 times what my opinion was and what strategies I thought the team should consider. OK... I am SO happy.  You already know how E2L [this type of sharing works], but I thought you would appreciate the recent, specific example.”

What’s may we take away from this story? When we take the time to honestly assess ourselves, and create an environment where others may do the same, we can create a very motivational environment.

Not surprisingly, here’s the closing part of his email:

“Next steps for me... 

I go to corporate headquarters next week. I will be doing planning sessions and team building exercises with my new leadership team. And, I will get to meet my future project team members.

My plan is to share my leadership philosophy with the leadership team. In addition, I will meet with each of my new management peers and fill out the Motivation Assessment form.  The idea is that I want to improve my relationships with peers better than in the past. I do well with my reports and further up the org chart - but my detractors are typically peer managers at my level.  We will be doing a major organization change effort over the next year, so I want to develop really strong and positive relationships with the other managers this time around.”

Think about that. This isn’t about pay raises or foosball tables in the break room. It’s about learning what makes other’s tick. How well do you really know yourself? Can you recall the last time you finished a work day more energized than when you started? What happened that particular day? More importantly, do you know your team members that well?

Can’t wait for the next coaching session to learn what happens next.

Great leaders create an energizing environment.

In Episode 25, we meet a next-generation business leader, who focuses as much on people as results, Brandon Lark. Starting out “in the field” as a Superintendent and Project Manager, Brandon was appointed President of Great Southwestern Construction in May of 2014. While a Vice President, Brandon launched a broad-based leadership development initiative, which has included working with Academy Leadership. Brandon first attended a three-day Leadership Excellence Course in November 2013, and has subsequently focused on aligning Great Southwestern Construction around a set of common core values as defined by everyone within the company and his own Personal Leadership Philosophy. 

At a recent Leadership Excellence Course hosted at the United States Air Force Academy, one of the attendees both had and shared a significant realization and growth experience. With Roger’s permission, it’s worth sharing with you:

Team,

I was going to share the following with you tomorrow at our all hands.  Unfortunately, that schedule did not hold up.  Given that all of us have so many things going on right now, I could not find a time when I thought we could get together as a team before most of you deploy out to Montana, or South Dakota.  While communicating with you in this regard is not ideal, and definitely is not what I had hoped to do, I felt it was necessary to at least get this too you with some brief explanation.

Recently, I had the privilege of participating in a truly extraordinary learning experience.  During this time, I was provided an opportunity, and the tools to evaluate what my personal leadership philosophy was.  It was a very tough, introspective journey that directed me in a very transformative way.  This experience forced me to deal with quite a number of things, some of what I am not particularly proud of, and others for which I am. 

This experience forced me to consider, and reconsider what my relationship is with each of you.  It also gave me an opportunity to realize how much I appreciate each of you.

I have attached this leadership philosophy for your review.  Please know that I mean every word of it, and will purpose to live up to it as best that I am able.  This is in essence my contract with you.

If you have If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please do not hesitate to stop by. 

Always your advocate

Roger

Let’s listen to the first paragraph of Roger’s Personal Leadership Philosophy:

Being a leader is a privilege. Being a leader is an act of service. Leadership carries with it a responsibility to share a vision, to direct a course of action, and to inspire a desire to succeed. Leadership is passionate. Leadership is about creating a future that is inviting, that seeks to tease out the best in all members of the team and provides security in the knowledge of a job well done. Leadership is a partnership between the leader, and the led. If the partnership does not exist, then all you really have is second rate management. 

What do you think about the last two sentences? Roger is essentially sharing that if a partnership doesn’t exist, all we have is management. It’s one of the best descriptions distinguishing between management and leadership, and Roger composed and shared this despite the fact he plans to retire within six months. After the course, I requested a meeting between myself, Roger and his supervisor. Something tells me inside that although Roger may formally retire from a full-time job, his desire to positively influence and serve others seems intact.

Let’ think about that.

Great leaders continuously grow.

After binge-watching the powerful HBO miniseries Chernobyl:

https://www.hbo.com/chernobyl

my thoughts turned to our country and the ongoing issue with Boeing’s 737 MAX. What’s common to both events? A single word: Transparency. Or, the lack of it. The first episode of Chernobyl highlights — at the individual and at the organizational level — consequences of not sharing information, or the truth, especially at the beginning of an accident. Any viewer of the series will be struck by the breathtaking denial of the reactor core explosion, and how many lives, such as those of the firefighters in the first episode, will later horribly end in an isolated Moscow hospital due to massive radiation poisoning.

Let’s turn to the 737 MAX events. After two overseas fatal accidents, both during takeoff, many questions arose about similarities leading to the crashes. Following a series of articles in the Wall Street Journal, it quickly becomes apparent that not everyone at Boeing was sharing vital design details, such as the Angle of Attack sensors and related flight control systems. Alarmingly, it appears not even Boeing test pilots knew these critical design details:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/boeings-own-test-pilots-lacked-key-details-of-737-max-flight-control-system-11556877600

While the magnitude of these two events are quite different, there are disturbing commonalities. First, critical design details were not known by those who operate the systems. Second, and perhaps even worse, the basis for design decisions appeared to be short-sighted considerations such as cost, which, in the end, were given higher priority than basic safety. With Boeing we are still in the consequences stage as the design and software issues are being addressed in real time. One can only wonder what it will take for Boeing to recover the loss to their integrity and brand after this event. What changes will be required so this does not happen again?

Once again we can turn to  Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert I. Sutton’s Knowing-Doing Gap:

https://www.choinque.com/the-knowing-doing-gap

We’ve all encountered a bureaucratic organization or call center from hell where we endlessly repeated requests and it appears nothing we say is listened to, captured, stored, or responded to. Organizations that ignore knowledge, or treat it as something to be acquired, stored, and often protected or hidden will never cross the Knowing-Doing Gap. As a result, individuals in such organizations will be unlikely to Do The Right Thing, even when they know what the right thing to do is. Often they won’t even know.

Just like Chernobyl and just like Boeing.

We learn from Pfeffer and Sutton that the rare organizations that cross the Knowing-Doing Gap treat knowledge differently, we could say with radical transparency. What is required to do that? Brave and secure leaders who willingly accept feedback and that pursue continuous improvement. If you have a chance to see the Chernobyl series, it’s a haunting experience. Let’s keep an eye on Boeing as well, watching how their leaders respond.

Great Leaders Are Transparent.

At an in-house Leadership Excellence Course last week multiple attendees realized, that from their position in the corporate hierarchy, the mission of the company was not as clear as it should be. This affects the teams they are responsible for, and may be addressed in multiple ways, which were discussed in several of our nine leadership workshops. Here are three examples.

First, the corporate mission may be included or referenced in their Personal Leadership Philosophy, for both possible introduction and reinforcement.

Second, during the Aligning and Accomplishing Goals workshop, multiple attendees observed that a lack of knowledge of broader corporate goals could lead to misalignment when establishing SMART (specific, measurable,  agreed-upon, realistic, trackable) goals with subordinates. We discussed this common situation within organizations is how silos form, or independent groups working either unaware and/or disconnected from the direction of the overall enterprise.

The third example was during our last workshop, Coaching to Develop People. After distinguishing coaching from appreciation and evaluation, the other two forms of feedback, we narrowed our workshop focus specifically on performance coaching, and noticed how this type of coaching is similar to what competitive athletes do.

Coaching without a prior, agreed upon set of goals is rarely effective. It stands to reason that if our prior developed goals, as well as our subordinate’s goals are not aligned with the overall organization, than our coaching may lead our team in the wrong direction.

Jim Collins emphasizes the same, and it’s worth visiting his web site and the emphasis on alignment. In our Core Values Alignment workshop, one of our more advanced workshops, we bring to attention that most businesses treat development of central tenets such as core values administratively, or focused on grammar and creating visually appealing posters, rather than the more demanding leadership challenge of aligning derivative activities, such as the mission and goals throughout the organization.

Without peeking at any documents, or going on-line, how well can you describe the mission and goals of your organization, or declared corporate values? More importantly, how well can your subordinates, and can they share with anyone the connection between what they do every day, and how that helps the organization move toward unified goals?

Great Leaders Create Alignment.

In Episode 24, we meet a most interesting couple, Andrea Kramer and Alton Harris. Andie is a partner in the international law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP, which was just listed as one of the “10 Best BigLaw Firms for Female Attorneys.” Despite her successful and demanding legal career, Andie has helped thousands of women navigate both the obvious and subtle gender biases they encounter in all career settings. In 2015, she received the Inspiration Award from the Coalition of Women in Law Initiatives for her continued support of women’s initiatives, mentoring, and coaching. Al was a founding partner of the Chicago law firm of Ungaretti & Harris where Andie started her legal career and which in 2015 merged into the national law firm of Nixon Peabody LLP. Over the course of his career, Al has grown increasingly concerned about the barriers and biases women face in traditionally male career environments. Because of this concern, Al has mentored and advised women in many career fields. They have been mentoring women and speaking and writing about gender communication for more than 30 years.