Work Hard and Be Kind (wsg Jerry Cox)

In this episode, Gregg speaks with Jerry Cox, a 95-year-old entrepreneur who has lived at least three careers over his lifetime. From serving in world war II, to attending MIT, and then moving into the medical device industry, the digital networking industry, and now the cybersecurity industry, Jerry has taken the world by storm. Of course Gregg and Jerry explore his ‘top three’ from Hallowell Davis, who changed the world for kids that were born deaf, to Wesley Clark, who invented the personal computer, to Bill Danforth who reshaped Washington University and become a national research juggernaut. Jerry also speaks about some of the companies he's been starting during the Twilight of his career, which are reshaping industry after industry. And you have to hear what he has to say about how you can have breakthrough moments. All this and more! About Jerry Cox Jerry Cox is the Founder and President of Q-Net Security, a Quantum networking hardware-based cybersecurity company. He is also the founder and former chair of Washington University’s computer science department. Prior to founding Q-Net, Jerry worked on various startups including venture backed Growth Networks which was sold to Cisco. Jerry lives in St. Louis and has a PHD in Electrical Engineering from MIT. Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview & Introductions 2:05      Learning from Elders 3:03      Lessons of living through turmoil: sticking to your principles 6:46      Introducing Jerry Cox 7:36      Don’t be afraid of adventure 9:23      Pushing through personal tragedy 10:55   Involvement in WW2 15:59   Moving to the CID (Central Institute of the Deaf) Segment 2: The Top Three 15:59   Jerry’s ‘Top Three’ starts with Hallowell Davis 19:43   Working with the Navy in Guantanamo Bay 23:36   Learning how to measure hearing in infants 28:34   Work Hard, Be Kind: Jerry’s License Plate 30:52   Jerry Continues his ‘Top Three’ with Wesley Clark 32:31   Getting the LINC to come to St. Louis 36:29   Wes Clark: the man that made the computer personal 39:01   Working with Mike Phelps to help create the PET scan 42:31   Jerry wraps up his ‘Top Three” with Bill Danforth 44:14   Cheerleading: A look into Bill’s leadership style 45:56   Retiring from Washington University Segment 3: Life after Academia 50:28   Starting Growth Networks 52:55   After Growth Networks: learning from failures 56:47   Hard-sec and trends in the cybersecurity space 1:00:20: Standing for what you think is the right decision Section 4: Wrapping Up 1:03:13: Parting lesson: Work Hard, Be Kind 1:06:42: Stay in touch with Jerry at jcox@blendics.com Additional Information Contact: Jerry’s LinkedIn QNETS Website Contact Gregg Garrett: Gregg’s LinkedIn Gregg’s Twitter Gregg’s Bio Contact CGS Advisors: Website LinkedIn Twitter

Om Podcasten

You, Me, and Your Top Three is a podcast focused on exploring leadership in the connecting world. Specifically, the podcast invites leaders to tell stories, reflect, and discuss their views on: - disruptions in industry and society; - how they are leading transformations considering these disruptions - brave leadership to drive transformation. It is this last point where we focus most of the discussion, asking our guests to share their insights into the relationships they have with their “Top 3” closest advisors. It is our observation and experience that as the world connects, the importance of a diverse set of counselors is increasing in value. For some this may be a formal advisor who has been contracted on behalf of the company. For most this will be deep relationships in which they have been invested and nurtured. Through stories and discussion, we strive to celebrate the art of giving and receiving advice. The stories that are told are heartfelt and real. At the root we are exploring the process of knowledge building, relationship building, and perhaps most importantly, confidence building. After all, it takes a brave leader to battle the inertia that exists in industries, our organizations, and in ourselves. It is our hope that as successful leaders open up about around the subjects and the way in which they interact with their closest confidants, that our listeners will, in turn, reflect on their own “virtual board of advisors.” Over time they will then surround themselves with those who help them stretch toward greatness and lead bravely in the connecting world.