Brent Yeagy on backlog

In this episode of Risk & Resolve, Ben Conner and Todd Hufford sit down with Brent Yeagy, President and CEO of Wabash, to explore his journey from small-town Indiana to the U.S. Navy submarine force and ultimately to leading one of America’s largest transportation equipment manufacturers. Brent shares how military pressure shaped his leadership, what it took to guide Wabash through COVID, why he refuses to accept the status quo in healthcare, and how leaders can drive breakthrough change by owning outcomes instead of delegating them away. This is a conversation about resilience, responsibility, and leading with clarity when the stakes are high. Main Talking Points Brent’s Indiana roots, early dream of becoming a doctor, and formative years in Alexandria His nonlinear path from Purdue to enlisting in the U.S. Navy during the first Gulf War How leading young sailors on a nuclear submarine shaped his view of pressure, responsibility, and leadership Wabash’s origin story: disrupting the trailer industry through customization and entrepreneurial speed Brent’s rise through multiple roles at Wabash after joining in 2003 The career-defining risk of moving into manufacturing leadership with only 24 hours to decide What changed when he became CEO in 2018 How Wabash responded to COVID after losing roughly 70% of backlog in weeks Why command-and-control leadership was necessary in moments of crisis Turning crisis into opportunity by recapitalizing, reorganizing, and reshaping the business Brent’s philosophy on healthcare: leaders are responsible for outcomes, not just costs Why CEOs cannot delegate away stewardship of employee health His vision for Wabash’s future through resilience, culture, and strategic transformation