Longtime TFI leader steps into expanded role as part of multiyear succession plan; Billy Duren continues as CEO MOBILE, Ala. (Nov. 2, 2026) – Threaded Fasteners Inc. (TFI), a 100% employee-owned fastener distributor and manufacturer headquartered in Mobile, has promoted
Aron Kolosik started on the plant floor and spent 30 years in manufacturing, from managing the Procter & Gamble plant in Phoenix that makes Metamucil to serving as Chief Supply Chain Officer for a $3 billion company. Today he coaches plant managers and manufacturing leaders through AK Coaching.
Ryan Tanaka came to KAI Hawaii from finance and acquisitions, not engineering. Today he is President and CEO of the employee-owned structural engineering firm in Honolulu, leading a team of highly technical engineers. Pacific Business News named him one of its 2026 Most Admired Leaders.
Tom Lazzaro walked into Midwest Transatlantic Lines looking for a job indoors after a season of digging ditches by hand. He was employee number 21. Today he’s President of MTA, an employee-owned international logistics company in Berea, Ohio.
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, Billy Duren sits down with Matthew Collins, CEO of Heritage Aviation, to explore an inspiring path from frontline service technician to the top of the company. They talk through the real challenges and lessons that come with rising through the ranks, why developing other leaders matters so much, and how authentic leadership plus accountability shape the culture of a business.
August, 4, 2020 Threaded Fasteners Dedication to Extraordinary Service The Threaded Fasteners mission is to create value in and for the people we serve. As a team we are always looking for ways to improve in our mission of creating
In this episode, Billy Duren sits down with Ben Holder, CEO of Plastic Products Company. This is a 100% employee-owned business that employs over 900 people across ten plants nationwide. Ben shares the company’s remarkable journey, which began in a garage in 1962 and grew into a major contract manufacturer serving industry giants like 3M and GE Appliances.
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Lindsay Funkhouser, co-founder of Strategic Mixtape, to explore the true value of executive coaching. Packed with practical insights on transparency, resilience under pressure, and creating high-trust cultures, this episode underscores that great leadership is a lifelong pursuit of learning, honest feedback, and bringing out the best in every team member.
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren talks with Sarah Billings, CEO of Centrol Ag Consulting. Sarah Billings shares her unique journey from small-town Minnesota to leading a company that helps farmers grow better crops using smart science and technology. They talk about how farm consulting is like being a “doctor for crops,” giving advice but not selling products, which helps keep their recommendations unbiased.
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren talks with Sarah Billings, CEO of Centrol Ag Consulting. Sarah Billings shares her unique journey from small-town Minnesota to leading a company that helps farmers grow better crops using smart science and technology. They talk about how farm consulting is like being a “doctor for crops,” giving advice but not selling products, which helps keep their recommendations unbiased.
In this episode, Billy Duren chats with Bert Thornton, former president and COO of Waffle House, about his journey from manager trainee to the top of an iconic restaurant chain. Bert Thornton shares how Waffle House became known for “good food fast” and how the company grew from a single diner to over 2,000 locations.
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren talks with financial consultant Darryl Bryant about the importance of financial planning, especially for young leaders. Darryl Bryant shares how starting small and staying consistent with savings, like in a 401(k) or ESOP, can make a huge difference over time, thanks to the magic of compounding.
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Chris Adee and Lynnette Fritz from OwnersEdge, an employee-owned company in Wisconsin. They talk about how Owner’s Edge grew from a single business into a family of diverse operating companies, all united under one ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan).
We’re excited to announce that Threaded Fasteners Inc. has acquired TSA Manufacturing Inc., a respected fastener manufacturing operation based in Omaha, Nebraska. The transaction closed January 5, 2026, marking our tenth acquisition since 2012.
Our 2025 has been an incredibly successful year. Records broken month after month and bells ringing from Orlando to Lewisville and everywhere in between. So as we close out the year, I want to say THANK YOU. Without your commitment to create value in and for the people we serve, the growth, wins, milestones, and moments of 2025 would not have been possible. We didn’t just hit goals, we raised the standards.
This Thanksgiving, I want each of you to hear my heart: I am truly grateful for you. For how you show up. For how you care for each other. For how you serve our employee-owners, our customers, and our communities. And for the way you embody the spirit of gratitude in the midst of both joy and sorrow.
In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren welcomes Dr. Endel Lee, a Marine Corps veteran and retired Navy chaplain, to discuss leading with gratitude, even in the face of life’s challenges. Endel
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren talks with Alberto Aguilar, President and CEO of Carris Reels, and Erick Ramos, Senior VP of Business Development at Threaded Fasteners. Alberto shares his journey from General Manager
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, Billy Duren welcomes Lynn Bruns, CEO of ISG Architect and Engineering Services. Lynn shares his journey from engineer to leader and the importance of recognizing leadership potential in others early on.
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Ray Brown, CEO and board chair of Scintilla EG holding company, which leads the Esco Group. Ray shares how the company’s three unique business units,
On this episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Jason Bader, principal of the Distribution Team and an expert in strategic business coaching for wholesale distribution companies. Jason talks about his journey from