Being only the fourth person in 70 years to lead Amalgamated Life of White Plains, New York, David Walsh likes to characterize the company’s latest chapter as the end of the beginning. What lies ahead, according to Walsh, is an age of geographic growth — one that should pose few hurdles so long as Amalgamated.

Middle Market Thought Leader Podcast is about inspiring business leaders to take a leadership leap and open a new chapter of growth for their middle-market companies. We know that by learning from the failures, Ah-ha! moments, and successes of other middle-market business leaders, you can take inspired action.

Jack Sweeney is editor in chief of Middle-Market Executive. He is the former editor in chief of Business Finance Magazine and recent editorial director for The CFO Alliance. Jack was the founding editor of Consulting magazine today owned by Bloomberg L.P. He served as editor of Integration Management and Washington Technology, both published by The Washington Post Cos. He can be reached at jack.sweeney@middlemarketexecutive.com.