A Leader Shaped Early by Pressure and Discipline

Joshua Chefec’s story starts in Great Neck, New York, a place he describes as “a pretty competitive and high-achieving environment.” From a young age, he learned how to perform under pressure.

He wasn’t just focused on academics. He was also a serious clarinetist. He earned first chair in high school and performed at Carnegie Hall multiple times. “That definitely taught me how to handle a big stage and a lot of pressure at a young age,” he says.

At the same time, he played multiple sports, including soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and tennis. That mix of team play and individual focus would later shape how he leads in business.

Outside of school, he stayed active. Skiing, scuba diving, and boating were part of his routine. That drive to stay engaged and push limits has stayed with him.

Tulane, Finance, and an Early Start in Banking

Chefec moved to New Orleans for college, attending Tulane University. He graduated in just three years with a finance degree, helped by 29 AP credits.

He didn’t wait until graduation to start working. While still in school, he took roles in wealth management offices. By his junior year, he landed an internship at J.P. Morgan in Asset & Wealth Management.

“That really set the stage for everything else,” he says.

After graduating, he stepped into the world of middle-market finance at FGI Capital. There, he worked on debt deals for private equity firms and companies navigating leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations. He also helped build out a private equity coverage model.

It was a fast introduction to complex financial work. It also gave him exposure to senior professionals early in his career.

Building from Scratch in New York

Chefec’s next move tested his ability to build something new. At ExpoCredit, he opened the company’s first New York office.

He wasn’t handed a playbook; he created the strategy himself. He sourced deals, built relationships, and executed transactions from start to finish.

“I was responsible for the whole strategy,” he says, “from sourcing deals to execution.”

This experience shaped how he approaches leadership. It forced him to think clearly, move fast, and take ownership.

He later joined LSQ as a Regional Vice President. There, he managed business development across New York and handled partnerships with large financial institutions.

The JPMorgan Years: Growth and Recognition

Chefec returned to JPMorgan Chase in 2018 as a Vice President in commercial banking. This period marked a major step forward in his career.

He focused on mid-sized companies across industries like consumer retail, media, and manufacturing. Over time, he built strong relationships and delivered consistent results.

Between 2020 and 2022, he generated over $9.5 million in new revenue. He also brought in dozens of new client relationships.

In 2022, he earned “Club Elite” status, one of the firm’s top honors for bankers.

“That performance came from staying focused and doing right by clients,” he says.

By 2023, he was promoted to Executive Director after a full 360-degree review process. He later became Market Executive, co-leading a team of nearly 30 bankers in New York.

In that role, he helped manage a multi-million dollar business serving hundreds of clients. He also led hiring efforts, bringing in more than 20 team members.

“When I build a team, I want to ensure that there is diversity of thought,” he says. “That’s how you make better decisions.”

Leadership Style: Integrity, Clarity, and Follow-Through

Chefec believes strong leadership starts with integrity.

“My industry is about doing right by people,” he says. “It’s about building trusting relationships and following your words with action.”

He also values clear thinking and communication. In finance, decisions often involve complex situations. He focuses on breaking those down and staying grounded.

He doesn’t overcomplicate things. “I keep lists of things, but I try not to over-engineer my career or my life,” he says.

Instead, he relies on discipline and mental toughness. “I focus on grit and not allowing myself to be self-defeating,” he explains. “I think about what advice I would give to others in my situation, and I tell that to myself.”

Overcoming Challenges and Staying Focused

Chefec is open about facing challenges early in life. He grew up in a difficult home environment and had to mature quickly.

He also faced setbacks during his transition into the professional world. Those experiences forced him to reset and rebuild.

“I was forced to grow up much faster than others,” he says. “I overcame those things by being resilient and focused and going after what I want.”

That mindset continues to guide him today. He measures success on his own terms.

“Success can only be defined by yourself,” he says. “It’s about being content with the sum of the parts of your life.”

Looking Ahead

Chefec continues to stay active outside of work. He skis, plays tennis, and enjoys cooking. He also gives back through organizations like W!SE, helping improve financial literacy and career readiness.

As his career evolves, his focus remains steady: build strong teams, make thoughtful decisions, and stay grounded.

And keep growing.

“Success comes when you challenge yourself to grow, learn, and enrich the lives of others,” he says.

The deal puts Sheffield’s IntelliAM into the central belt of Scotland

AI software firm IntelliAM has acquired Scottish maintenance specialist RBM Lubrications & Monitoring Solutions in a £25,000 deal.

The acquisition is said to follow a long-standing relationship between the two businesses, lasting more than seven years. As part of the deal, seven RBM Lubrications employees have transferred to £3.2m turnover IntelliAM alongside engineering assets and vehicles.

RBM Lubrications founder Brian Sarginson has also joined as vice president of IntelliAM Scotland. The deal is structured as a deferred consideration with cash payable at the end of 2029.

Tom Clayton, CEO of IntelliAM, which specialises in industrial asset management systems, said: “We are delighted to formalise our long-standing relationship with RBM through this acquisition. Having worked closely together for over seven years, this is a natural and strategically important step for both businesses.

“It strengthens our presence in the central belt of Scotland, a key hub for UK manufacturing, and enhances our ability to deploy IntelliAM’s advanced Intelligent Asset Management solutions at scale. We see a significant opportunity to drive improved productivity and asset reliability for industrial customers in the region through the application of AI, and we look forward to building on this strong foundation for growth.”

RBM generated revenues of £648,331 for the year ended July 31, 2025 and was profitable. IntelliAM anticipates the acquisition to be modestly accretive to full‑year 2027 profit and to make a positive and growing contribution to margins and profitability over time.

Brian Sarginson, CEO of RBM Lubrications, said: “Having partnered with IntelliAM for many years, I am pleased to be joining the Group at such an exciting stage in its development. This transaction brings together deep domain expertise in lubrication and reliability with IntelliAM’s cutting-edge AI capabilities.

“I believe this combination will deliver substantial value to customers across Scotland and beyond, and I look forward to supporting the next phase of growth as we expand our offering and impact in the region.”

Last year, IntelliAM expanded into the building products sector, securing new contracts with Marshalls, Tarmac, H+H and Knauf in both the UK and Japan.

A small number of tankers are beginning to move through the Strait of Hormuz, United Refining CEO John Catsimatidis said Wednesday, signaling a tentative restart at the critical oil choke point.

“Right now, the ships are moving. Ten ships are scheduled to be moving in the next few hours,” Catsimatidis, also the CEO of New York City grocery chain Gristedes, told “Varney & Co.,” citing what he said was information from Greek shipping executive Nikolas Tsakos. Fox News Digital has not independently verified the claim.

Under normal conditions, Catsimatidis said, as many as 100 tankers pass through the narrow waterway each day, making the current flow a fraction of typical traffic.

Reports suggest that, despite the ceasefire, many ships remain stalled or are moving cautiously through the Strait amid lingering security concerns.

IRAN STRIKES COULD SIGNAL LIMITS OF BEIJING, MOSCOW’S POWER AS US FLEXES STRENGTH

Tankers are seen at the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in the Sharjah Emirate, along the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output pass (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Catsimatidis said the limited movement reflects what he described as ships needing to seek permission from authorities before transiting the Strait.

The comments come amid a drop in oil prices as the market reacted Wednesday to a bilateral ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

OIL HAS SURGED SINCE THE IRAN CONFLICT, BUT GAS PRICES MAY NOT BE DONE RISING

John Catsimatidis attends The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s 2021 Fall Gala at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on November 17, 2021, in New York City. (Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The truce, announced Tuesday, calls for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — a move seen as critical to stabilizing global oil flows and easing pressure on high energy prices.

Catsimatidis predicted that oil prices could continue to fall if stability holds in the coming weeks.

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“The minute we settled something, it went down $20 a barrel and, right now, we’re still in a risk period,” he explained.

“Let’s see what happens in the next two weeks. Once that risk period goes away, it’s going to go down another $20 a barrel. It’ll get closer to the $65 a barrel that we were prewar, and all of that is dependent on the free flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.”

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The boss of the Newcastle theatre answers our questions

Michael Slavin is chief executive of Northern Stage, the largest producing theatre in the North East. Having previously held senior leadership roles including chief operating officer at 11Arches, the charity behind Kynren, and interim chief executive of York Theatre Royal.

What was your first job (and how much did it pay)? I started my first ‘proper job’, that wasn’t a paper round, on the day of my 16th birthday. It was at the Co-op in the village I grew up in, and I got paid £2.32 per hour. It’s so long ago that we got paid weekly, by cheque!

What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? I’ve been fortunate to work with some brilliant people, and I’ve learned a lot from listening to and observing them. An early boss of mine always said the secret to a great career was to keep moving forwards. Whatever happens, whatever you face, keep putting one foot in front of the other and going forward. It might sound simple, but it’s served me well.

What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing? This is tricky, as I’ve worked across sectors, but the wage stagnation that occurred through the 2010s, which led into the pandemic and then the explosion in inflation that followed, has definitely been hard for everyone. In theatre, we rely on our audiences having the money and the desire to come to productions, and on public subsidy to keep making the work that we do. Both of those things come under pressure when there is no growth in the economy. That said, theatre has seldom been more important than it is now as an engine for empathy, a place of joy, and a shared space. So whatever the challenges, we keep going.

What would your dream job be? I’m sorry to be that guy, but my current job is the answer.

What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector? Work hard, ask questions, build a network – but most importantly, find the fun. It is a privilege to work in the arts and we reach people across society. If we can’t take pleasure and joy in getting productions on stage and delivering our outreach programmes, then we’re doing it wrong.

What makes the North East a good place to work? The people. The welcome I’ve received in Newcastle and beyond has been extraordinary. The team at Northern Stage have been kind and positive (and forgiving of all my questions!), and I’ve met people across the city who have been warm and helpful, but also driven to make Newcastle all it can be. It’s been phenomenal, and I’m excited for all the city is, and all it can be.

How important is it for business to play a role in society? To me, it is vitally important. Society is not a given; it’s something we all have a duty to work at, support, and maintain, and that comes with responsibilities. That could be through job creation, skills delivery, funded places, or partnership working, but businesses can, and should, engage with local people and support opportunities.

Outside of work, what are you really good at? I’m a keen home cook and love baking with my two daughters. Our speciality is banana bread, but they’re getting to the stage where they can do it without me, so I need to learn some new recipes!

Who would play you in a film about your life? What a question! I did a straw poll of some friends and the answer is… Nelson Franklin (Robby in New Girl), largely because we are both tall and wear glasses.

Which three people would you invite to a dinner party, and why? This is a big question, so I’ve limited myself to people who are alive: Paul McCartney, because he’s a genius and a Beatle; Zadie Smith, who is a generationally talented author and a brilliant essayist; and Yas Rana, who is a prolific cricket journalist and podcaster. There’s no way you could have a dull conversation with those three around the table!

Gmail, Google’s ubiquitous email service used by billions worldwide, showed no signs of a widespread outage Thursday as independent monitoring sites and Google’s official status dashboard confirmed all systems operational.

Real-time trackers like Downdetector and IsItDownRightNow reported only normal, low-level user complaints typical for a service handling enormous daily traffic volumes. Google Workspace Status Dashboard listed Gmail as fully available with no active incidents as of April 9, 2026. Any reported difficulties appeared isolated or related to individual user connections rather than a platform-wide failure.

The surge in “is Gmail down” searches on Thursday echoed a common pattern: users experiencing brief sync delays, login hiccups or delivery lags often assume the worst, especially during peak morning hours when professionals check inboxes globally. However, checks across multiple platforms confirmed Gmail’s core functions — sending, receiving, logging in and accessing via web or mobile apps — remained intact.

Google’s official dashboard, which provides real-time visibility into Workspace services including Gmail, showed green status across all regions. No service disruptions or advisories were posted for April 8 or 9. The last notable Gmail-related incident occurred on Jan. 24, 2026, when spam filters temporarily failed, causing misclassification of emails and extra warnings in inboxes. Google resolved that issue within hours, and no similar events have surfaced since.

Gmail powers personal accounts for consumers and serves as the backbone of Google Workspace for businesses, schools and governments. With more than 1.8 billion active users estimated in recent years, even minor perceived issues can trigger widespread online speculation. Yet Thursday’s chatter did not reach levels associated with true outages, such as the brief disruptions seen in early 2026 or previous years.

Common troubleshooting steps recommended by Google often resolve most user-reported problems: checking internet connectivity, updating the Gmail app, clearing browser cache, or trying the web version at mail.google.com. Many complaints stem from local network congestion, device settings, VPN conflicts or temporary delays in email delivery rather than server-side failures.

Google has invested heavily in infrastructure resilience, with data centers worldwide and sophisticated redundancy systems. The company’s global network helps minimize downtime, though the sheer scale of operations means occasional localized glitches occur. In 2026, Gmail has maintained high uptime, with only isolated incidents like the January spam filter anomaly and minor regional throttling discussions earlier in the year.

Earlier in 2026, some users experienced challenges related to authentication changes. Google fully retired Basic Authentication for Gmail in 2025, requiring OAuth 2.0 for third-party email clients. Microsoft’s staggered timeline for similar changes created temporary confusion for users managing multiple accounts, but those transitions concluded without major service interruptions.

Regional email issues surfaced briefly in late 2025 and early 2026, affecting Gmail alongside Outlook and Yahoo in some areas due to infrastructure strain or throttling. Those events resolved quickly, and no recurrence appeared on April 9.

For businesses relying on Google Workspace, admins can check the detailed Service Health dashboard in the admin console for tenant-specific insights. Consumer users benefit from the public status page and community forums for real-time feedback.

Gmail’s evolution continues with AI-powered features like Smart Compose, spam protection enhancements and integration with Gemini. These additions increase system complexity but have not led to significant reliability issues in recent months. Google routinely rolls out updates, sometimes causing brief compatibility hiccups that users mistake for outages.

In Seoul and other international locations, access depends on local networks and any regional restrictions. Thursday checks showed normal performance across major regions, including Asia-Pacific.

Industry experts note that true Gmail outages trigger rapid spikes on Downdetector — often tens of thousands of reports within minutes — accompanied by official acknowledgments from Google. In contrast, April 9’s reports remained in the low hundreds, consistent with baseline noise for a service of Gmail’s magnitude.

Users facing persistent problems should:

• Verify internet connection stability.
• Update the Gmail app or browser.
• Try incognito mode or a different device.
• Check Google Workspace Status Dashboard.
• Contact support through the app or help center for account-specific issues.

Google encourages reporting ongoing difficulties so engineering teams can investigate. Most cases resolve without intervention as transient network conditions improve.

The episode underscores the high expectations placed on always-available digital services. In an era of remote work and instant communication, even short delays in email access can disrupt productivity and spark frustration. Gmail’s reliability record remains strong overall, with uptime consistently exceeding 99.9% in recent analyses.

Google Workspace, which includes Gmail, Drive, Meet and other tools, serves millions of organizations. Any perceived downtime in one component can cascade into broader concerns, but Thursday’s data pointed to business as usual.

Looking ahead, Gmail will likely see continued enhancements, including stronger AI filtering and security features. Users should keep apps updated and enable two-factor authentication to minimize personal disruptions.

As of late Thursday in Seoul time, Gmail operated normally according to all major monitoring sources. Scattered user reports did not indicate a systemic problem, and Google had issued no alerts.

For the most accurate status:

• Visit the Google Workspace Status Dashboard at workspace.google.com/status.
• Check Downdetector.com/status/gmail for crowd-sourced reports.
• Use the Gmail app or mail.google.com directly.
• Follow official channels for any announcements.

In summary, Gmail was not down on April 9, 2026. Any individual issues likely stemmed from local factors rather than a service outage. Google’s infrastructure continues to support billions of emails daily with minimal interruption, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most reliable communication platforms.

This situation highlights the interconnected nature of modern digital life. When email falters for even a moment, the ripple effects highlight our dependence on cloud services. Yet Gmail’s track record demonstrates robust engineering that keeps most users connected without incident.