Rust Belt Rundown

This week our guest is Todd McCracken, President and CEO of the National Small Business Association (NSBA). NSBA is the nation's first small business advocacy organization and is proud to be staunchly nonpartisan.  In this episode, Todd discusses his 37-year career with NSBA and how their advocacy work has evolved. He shares his insights into the Corporate Transparency Act, workforce retention, healthcare, and other key issues facing small business owners today.  Todd's top DC area food picks include SHŌTŌ, Rumi's Kitchen, and Cantlers.  Learn more about NSBA and its resources here or connect with Todd on LinkedIn. 

On this week's episode, we're wrapping up the Rundown for 2024! Inspired by Spotify Wrapped, here are some top highlights from this year's episodes: Most Popular Episode - Episode 81 featuring Frank “Sully” Sullivan of DayGlo Color Corp Best Local Spotlight - Episode 78 featuring Rosemary Mudry of the Cleveland Public Market Corporation   Most Personable Episode - Episode 69 featuring Joe Cimperman of Global Cleveland Most Thought-Provoking Episode - Episode 77 featuring Terrence Southern of Robotopia Most Inspiring Episode - Episode 82 featuring Jeffrey Stern of The O.H.I.O. Fund A sincere thank you to all of our guests who shared their time and stories with us this year. Check out all of 2024's episodes and more here. Is there a guest that you'd like to hear on the Rundown? Submit a request here. Learn more about the Rundown and sign up for email notifications here.  

Our guest this week is Caleb Townsend, Co-Founder of Factur, an agency that provides marketing and sales services to B2B manufacturers and industrial distributors.  In this episode, Caleb delves into the common challenges industrial companies face with their sales and marketing efforts. He shares Factur's industry-specific approach to lead generation, content strategy, and business development and debunks misconceptions about outsourcing.  Hailing from Carmel, Indiana, Caleb's restaurant pick is Juniper on Main for Southern Coastal cuisine. Follow Caleb on LinkedIn to learn more about Factor's unique solutions for the industrial sector.

This week our guest is Dana McCallum, the Vice President of North American Sales and Partnerships at Xact Metal. Dana's career has always been within the manufacturing industry but she shares how she transitioned from marketing to sales and tells about her current sales role with Xact Metal.  She offers insight into the rapid evolution of 3D printing and the advancements it's making for manufacturers. She also shares her advice for supporting and mentoring underrepresented groups in manufacturing and her work with Women in 3D Printing.  Her Cleveland restaurant shout-out goes to Alea in Ohio City for a vibrant Mediterranean fusion menu and top-notch drinks. Connect with Dana on LinkedIn for updates on industry trends!

Our guest this week is Joe Manofsky, Co-Founder of One Step Ahead Ohio! In this episode, he shares the inspiration behind One Step Ahead Ohio, the nonprofit he helped to launch in 2021. He offers insight into the varied ways they support the Northeast Ohio community and how OSAO sets itself apart from traditional nonprofits.  Joe joins during Manufacturing Month, so he also elaborates on one of their core initiatives, the Skilled Labor Foundation, which advocates for the benefits of a career in the skilled labor industry for Northeast Ohio youth.  Joe cites Whistle as his favorite spot for pizza in the city.  Connect with Joe Manofsky on LinkedIn.

This week our guest is Ron Bower, Founder and President of InterviewPath.  In this episode, Ron shares his journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship and explains how his two talent management ventures, InterviewPath and Brickpath Group, complement each other.  He offers his seasoned take on all things talent—from overcoming common recruiting challenges to refining your interview process, and most importantly, how leaders can stay ahead of the curve regarding generational workforce shifts.  His Cleveland area restaurant picks include Strip Steakhouse in Avon, Lakewood Truck Park, and the West Side Market.  Connect with Ron Bower on LinkedIn.

Our guest this week is Jim Vinoksi, the Host of Manufacturing Talks! In this episode, Jim offers us insight into his career journey and how he became a prominent thought leader in the manufacturing industry.  He shares how his contributions to Forbes inspired his podcast, Manufacturing Talks. Jim and Paul also discuss current manufacturing trends as they relate to the upcoming election, reshoring, workforce development month, and more. As a Michigan native, Jim shouts out Rush Creek Bistro as his favorite restaurant.  Connect with Jim Vinoski on LinkedIn for more manufacturing insights.

This week our guest is Jeffery Stern, Principal at The O.H.I.O. Fund.  Jeffery joins us to discuss his latest venture, The O.H.I.O. Fund, a unique investment fund focused on driving Ohio's economic future. He explains the concept of the industrial renaissance that Ohio is undergoing and emphasizes how strategic investments in manufacturing and technology position our state for long-term growth.  He also hosts Lay of the Land, a podcast focused on telling entrepreneurial stories in Northeast Ohio. He shares how he found his entrepreneurial path, guided by what he learned from our community of entrepreneurs.  Jeffery's top food picks are Mitchell's for ice cream and Il Rione for pizza! Follow Jeffery on LinkedIn for updates on The O.H.I.O. Fund.

Our guest this week is Frank “Sully” Sullivan, President of DayGlo Color Corp. In this episode, Sully walks us through the colorful history of DayGlo and its impact on various industries, from safety to fashion.  Since being named President in 2023, he shares how he's worked to navigate an iconic brand through a competitive market. He also shares how they prioritize a culture of transparency and offers a perspective on how they hope to keep innovating. His top restaurant picks include Cabin Club, Veranda, Il Venetian, and Li Wah. Connect with Sully on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on all things fun & fluorescent!

This week our guest is Torino Fitzgerald, Vice President of Talent and Cultural Transformation, at Process Technology. Headquartered in Willoughby, Ohio, Process Technology is a global manufacturer of thermal and power supply products. Torino joined their team in 2023 and has played a pivotal role in transforming and scaling their company culture initiatives.  In this episode, Torino offers his expert perspective on cultural transformation and unlocking people's potential. This episode is a must-listen for any leader! Torino's restaurant recommendations include El Taco Macho and Young's Sushi. Connect with Torino Fitzgerald on LinkedIn.

Our guest this week is Hector Hernandez, Inside Sales Specialist at Xaloy! Xaloy is a global leader in screw, barrel, and front-end component manufacturing. Headquartered in Austintown, Ohio, they have been a long-time partner of Rust Belt Recruiting. (Listen to Episode 71 featuring Trudy Cheney of Xaloy) Hector was recently placed in his new role with Xaloy through Rust Belt Recruiting. We are thrilled to have him join us to share more about his candidate experience and his career in the manufacturing industry. In this energetic conversation, Paul and Hector discuss Hector's foray into podcasting, how he uses positive thinking to motivate himself, and how he has utilized that perspective in his past management roles. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with a career in manufacturing. Hector's food recommendations are TownHall and Sol. Connect with Hector on LinkedIn.

This week our guest is Rosemary Mudry, Executive Director of the Cleveland Public Market Corporation (CPMC), a non-profit focused on Cleveland's iconic West Side Market.  In this episode, we learn about the roots of the West Side Market, what makes it so unique, and how CPMC is working to preserve that.  Rosemary offers us insight into why the shift to a non-profit happened and how it allows CPMC to be more nimble in approaching challenges and opportunities. She also shares with us the long-term vision of the market and the efforts they are taking to implement new programs.  Residing on the East Side, Rosemary's restaurant recommendations include L'Albatros for drinks on the patio and Tommy's for a family-friendly option. Connect with Rosemary on LinkedIn to stay up to date with CPMC's efforts and check out westsidemarket.org for more information on the market. 

Our guest this week is Terrence Southern, Founder & CEO of Robotopia, an Advanced Automation Systems Integrator and Workforce Development company.  Terrence is a nationally recognized thought leader, strategist, and consultant in the manufacturing automation industry and we are thrilled to have him on the podcast!  In this episode, Terrence shares his career journey, his dedication to making STEM education accessible and exciting for the next generation of our workforce, and what the future looks like for his various endeavors.  Connect with Terrence on LinkedIn to stay up to date with all things robotics! Other Links: Visit his website at terrencesouthern.com Learn more about Robotopia here Check out his podcast, Blerd Out

This week our guest is Jason Therrien, the President & CEO of thunder::tech, an integrated marketing agency.  In this episode, Jason shares how thunder::tech has expanded over the past 25 years, including how he's evolved as an entrepreneur and leader.  He shares his expert insight into the dynamic world of modern marketing with us, focusing on employer branding. He offers actionable advice for small to mid-size manufacturers on developing and leveraging a strong employer brand.  Jason's restaurant recommendations include Momocho, a modern Mexican spot in Ohio City, and Mendoza's in Port Clinton, a hole in the wall with unbeatable burritos. Follow Jason on LinkedIn to stay up to date on marketing trends.Check out thunder::tech and their employer branding resources here.

Our guest this week is Lindsay Fleuriet, the Creative Director of Postindustrial Media. We are thrilled to have our second guest from Postindustrial Media join us to give an update on all things Postindustrial. (Listen to Episode 64 featuring Carmen Gentile of Postindustrial Media)  In this episode, Lindsay offers us insight into her role as Creative Director and how she helps to shape the artistic direction of the publication's narrative and their other efforts. We also learn about her childhood growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, and how her family's background lends itself to helping tell stories about postindustrial communities, the throughline of them being optimism about reclamation, shown through art.  Lindsay's restaurant picks are in Youngstown where you can find the best Italian food in Ohio! Avalon, Wedgewood and Elmton are her top picks for pizza. Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn and learn more about Postindustrial Media at postindustrial.com.

In celebration of National Skilled Trades Day (May 1st, 2024), we are joined by Neftali “Nef” Sanchez of Martindale Electric Co.! Nef was placed by Rust Belt Recruiting at Martindale in 2019. He shares with us how that opportunity came to be and what his experience working with Rust Belt was like. He has found great success in his time at Martindale and he shares with us the positive relationship he has maintained with his employer and the opportunities that a career in the skilled trades has afforded him such as a college degree and his journeyman title. 

This week we are joined by Scott Paul, the President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM).  AAM is a non-profit, non-partisan partnership formed in 2007 by some of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers. Scott shares with us how the AAM was formed and what they are currently doing to advance their mission of strengthening American manufacturing.  Scott and Paul discuss the renaissance of skilled trades and other manufacturing trends such as reshoring and electric vehicles. Scott provides insight into the stories he helps to tell on AAM's podcast, The Manufacturing Report. He also shares with us the experience of making AAM's first documentary, Relighting the Flame, which tells the story of how a new generation of workers at Cleveland-Cliffs facilities are defying enormous odds to rebuild and grow America's steel industry, right in the Industrial Heartland. Scott is a Penn State grad so he cites The Tavern in State College, Pennsylvania as his favorite restaurant. (“For the nostalgia more so than the food!”) Connect with Scott Paul on LinkedIn or follow him on X, @ScottPaulAAM.

Our guest this week is Bob Businger, the Chief Financial Officer of Ramco Specialites Inc.!  In this episode, Bob shares what Ramco does and how they have grown in recent years, aided in part by their partnership with Rust Belt Recruiting.  He gives us insight into how he operates as their CFO and we get his take on AI in the finance industry, along with other manufacturing trends such as investing in automation and reshoring. His favorite restaurant picks are Barrio, Kasai Sushi in Wadsworth, and Angelo's Pizza in Lakewood. Connect with Bob Businger on LinkedIn.

This week we are joined by Trudy Cheney, the Vice President of Global Human Resources at Xaloy. In this episode, we hear from Trudy about her career journey and how she ended up in HR, specifically HR for industrial businesses. Trudy and Paul discuss all things HR - what HR really is, how to strategically work with partners to achieve your HR goals, HR trends, and more.  We also hear about Trudy's involvement with the Mahoning Valley Manufacturer's Coalition (MVMC) and her upcoming involvement with Ashland University's Women In Leadership Program. Trudy's restaurant recommendations in the Youngstown area include YOSTERIA and The Elmton.  Connect with Trudy Cheney on LinkedIn. 

Our guest this week is Brendan Anderson, the Founding and Managing Partner of ScaleCo Capital. ScaleCo Capital is a Cleveland-based lower middle market private equity firm that focuses on control-oriented leveraged buyout and growth equity investments in fast-growing companies based primarily in the Great Lakes region. In this episode, we heard from Brendan about how he got his start in private equity, lessons in entrepreneurship through acquisition, and his personal and professional journey with EOS. Brendan's Cleveland restaurant recommendation is Pizazz Pizza in Shaker Heights for its family-friendly vibe. Connect with Brendan Anderson on LinkedIn or click here to learn more about ScaleCo.

We are thrilled to kick off our 2024 episodes with such a fantastic guest! For this episode, we are joined by Joe Cimperman, President of Global Cleveland.  We hear from Joe about growing up on the East Side of Cleveland as the son of immigrant parents and how it shaped his dedication to and appreciation of Cleveland. He and Paul discuss the ideals of America, civic engagement, and lessons in gratitude. We also hear from Joe about the mission of Global Cleveland and what they have in store for 2024.  Of course, Joe is the expert on global cuisine in Cleveland and he was quick to list his favorites: Marie's Restaurant (Eastern European), Banana Blossom (Thai), Nate's Deli (Mediterranean), LJ Shanghai (Chinese), La Plaza (Mexican), and Half Moon Bakery (Latin-inspired).   Connect with Joe Cimperman on LinkedIn or visit globalcleveland.org for more information. 

This week we are joined by Adam Graves, President of the Pizza & Snacking Division at Nestlé.  In this episode, we hear about Adam's career journey with Nestlé over the last 16 years. He got his start as a marketing intern and has worked his way into his current position, which Paul has dubbed the greatest title of any podcast guest so far!  Along with working in a variety of functions, he has also worked across the world in California, Switzerland, Colombia, Canada, and now Ohio. We learn how he applies his diverse experiences to his management and leadership, how Nestlé aims to be “consumer-obsessed” to succeed, and the importance of the manufacturing aspect of Nestlé's operations among other things.  He names Bogotá as the most interesting city for food that he's lived in but gives Cleveland an honorable culinary mention as it's the only city he has moved back to. Connect with Adam Graves on LinkedIn.

Our guest this week is Paul Roetzer, Founder and CEO of the Marketing Artificial Intelligence Institute. This episode is a must-listen if you are interested in (or even apprehensive of!) artificial intelligence. Paul shares with us how he got interested in AI in 2011 while he was running his marketing agency and how marketing and AI have evolved since then. He talks about the pivotal shift that AI made in 2022 when it became accessible to the public and how that has shifted the general perception of AI. He addresses the pushback from creatives, how companies need to implement change management, and even how AI is redefining the value of college degrees. Paul's restaurant recommendation is Joe's Deli in Rocky River and as an OU alum, his Athen's go-to is Bagel Street Deli.  For free resources on AI, visit marketingaiinstitute.com. To stay up to date on the latest AI trends, connect with Paul Roetzer on LinkedIn. 

This week we are joined by Dan Rose, a Certified EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide.  In this lively conversation, Paul and Dan discuss the multiple businesses that Dan has built and sold and what that taught him about entrepreneurship. They also talk about how to overcome risk aversion and different ways to define and approach happiness and success in relation to entrepreneurship. Dan also shares with us about EOS and how it helps various organizations succeed. Dan's restaurant picks include Pier W, Nemo's, Morton's, and Joe's Deli. Connect with Dan Rose on LinkedIn or visit danjrose.com.

On this special episode of the Rundown, we are joined by Bryce Sylvester, Senior Director of Site Strategies for Team NEO. He joins us to discuss Team NEO's upcoming Developing Opportunities event on November 14th. We learn more from Bryce on how his career journey brought him to his current role with Team NEO, which focuses on site development and location analysis throughout the Northeast Ohio region. Bryce and Paul discuss the importance of driving change in our communities and the significance of manufacturing attraction deals, a focus of the Developing Opportunities event. At this event, Team NEO will present a research and insights report based on recent (prior 2 years) site inventory demand. Learn more about the event here.  Bryce's Northeast Ohio restaurant picks include Ginko, Pier W, and King Wah. Connect with Bryce Sylvester on LinkedIn to keep up with economic development news in the Northeast Ohio region.

Our guest this week is Dr. Sherry Cross, the Director of Adult Education & Assistant Principal at Youngstown City Schools.  Dr. Cross has held a variety of positions in the education field and in this episode she walks us through her career journey and how she gained her expertise. She also shares with us what adult education looks like in today's climate and how their program keeps pace with a variety of industries to fuel demand for skilled professionals.  Other topics discussed include how manufacturing as an industry needs to keep schools informed to inspire the future workforce, how to deal with students in the age of rapidly advancing technology, as well as how K-12 education in general needs to evolve to reflect real-world demands. Dr. Cross' favorite restaurants in the Youngstown area are Margherita's Grille and Barry Dyngles. Connect with Dr. Sherry Cross on LinkedIn.

This week's guest is Carmen Gentile, Founder & Editor-at-Large of Postindustrial Media. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who is interested in the revitalization of Rust Belt communities. In this episode, Carmen shares with us the story behind the inception of Postindustrial Media, a venture motivated by the shockwaves that the 2016 election started and driven by a mission to foster understanding of communities in the region. His unique perspective, informed by growing up in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and his experiences as a war correspondent, provides valuable insights into the complex issues facing postindustrial communities today. From gun control and immigration to the re-invention of industrial jobs, Paul and Carmen engage in a thought-provoking conversation that uncovers the importance of community and resilience. As a Pennsylvania native, Carmen's top choice for cheesesteaks is Pat's King of Steaks.  Hear more from Carmen by connecting with him on LinkedIn or check out his book, Blindsided by the Taliban. 

This week we are joined by Josh Cramer, the Director of Education & Workforce Development at American Makes and the National Center of Defense Manufacturing & Machining (NCDMM). As a long-time educator, we hear Josh's insights on how the education industry has evolved, namely the expanded opportunities for non-traditional career paths. He also shares with us his passion for workforce development, the critical work and mission at NCDMM - America Makes, and the needs of our workforce. As a resident of Western Pennsylvania, Josh's food recommendation is The Red Caboose for the best hot dogs. Connect with Josh Cramer on LinkedIn.

On this episode of the Rundown, we are joined by Jim Cavoli, President & COO of Swagelok.  In this episode, we hear from Jim about his career journey with Swagelok over the years and how he approaches being a business leader. Jim and Paul also discuss manufacturing in Northeast Ohio, what Swagelok is doing to mentor careers in manufacturing, and Jim's involvement as a board member for Global Cleveland and Greater Cleveland Partnership.  Jim's recommendations for authentic Italian are Valerio's in Little Italy and Giovanni's in Beachwood. Connect with Jim Cavoli on LinkedIn.

This week we are joined by Robert Guy for Episode 61! Robert is the Controller of WLS Stamping & Fabricating Co., a full-service short-run stamping and fabrication facility. They have two locations in the Cleveland area and have been partners with Rust Belt Recruiting since 2021. Listen in as Robert shares his perspective on running a manufacturing operation, including finances, training their workforce, working with Rust Belt Recruiting, and more. Robert's Cleveland food recommendations include Amba and Salt+. Connect with Robert Guy on LinkedIn. 

On this episode of the Rundown, we are joined by Shannon Lee, Executive Director of Leadership Columbus. Leadership Columbus provides state-of-the-art education and training for emerging and existing leaders.  In this episode, Paul and Shannon discuss what it means to be a leader, the nuances of leadership, and the resources that are available to prioritize learning how to be a successful leader. They also discuss the process Shannon underwent to write her book, Servant Leader Mindset. This book is designed to help people adopt the mindsets that create great organizations and teams that solve community problems and heal broken systems - all without sacrificing themselves.  Shannon's go-to food spots in Columbus are Kitchen Social, Jeff Ruby, East Market, and Budd Dairy Food Hall.  Connect with Shannon Lee on LinkedIn to stay in the know on all things leadership in Central Ohio!

Our guest this week is Sandy Doyle-Ahern, President of EMH&T. EMH&T is a civil engineering firm based in New Albany, Ohio that offers a variety of services such as landscape architecture, infrastructure evaluation, urban design, and more. In this episode, we learn about Sandy's extensive career with EMH&T and how their service offerings have evolved. Paul and Sandy also discuss some key regional problems and opportunities that Central Ohio is facing such as affordable housing and rail service. Sandy is also a member of numerous boards and organizations and she shares how her passion for community work led her to establish her own group known as ‘The Edge Sisters'. Sandy's favorite food spot in Columbus is True Food Kitchen. Connect with Sandy Doyle-Ahern on LinkedIn.

On this episode we are joined by Sheri Chaney Jones, the CEO & Co-Founder of SureImpact. SureImpact is a software that enables day to day case management and data collection, while also enabling organizations to manage, measure, and communicate their unique social impact in the nonprofit sector. In this episode, Sheri shares her lessons in entrepreneurship and her insights on how social change impact is modernizing. She also discusses her inspiration for starting SureImpact as well as her other ventures as a professor and an author.  Sheri resides in Columbus and cites The Rusty Bucket as her go to spot. Connect with Sheri Chaney Jones on LinkedIn or visit sureimpact.com to learn more!

We have an exciting episode this week on the Rundown! Taylor Evans (Founder & Owner, Rust Belt Recruiting) takes over as host this week to help our listeners get to know his close friend and our host, Paul O'Connor. This is a great episode to learn more about the host you hear each week. Listen in to learn about why they chose Episode 57 for this conversation, how Paul and Taylor became friends at OU and more about Paul's background in podcasts and his career outside of podcasting. This conversation also includes Paul's favorite parts about hosting the Rundown, discussions about Cleveland's unique identity and lessons in entrepreneurship.  Paul resides in Columbus so his local recommendations include Jackie O's on Fourth (of course), Paulie Gee's for the best pizza in Columbus and Stav's Diner for your classic greasy spoon spot.Connect with Paul O'Connor on LinkedIn.

This week we are joined by Kyle Triplett, Director of Aluminum at Olympic Steel! In this episode Paul and Kyle discuss their experiences at Ohio University and how their student involvement influenced and enhanced their careers. Kyle tells us about his extensive career with Olympic Steel and how his role and the company has expanded over the years. Paul and Kyle also discuss the benefits of careers in the manufacturing industry and how many different opportunities there are as the workforce continues to evolve.  For Kyle's favorite food shoutouts, he mentions Brenen's Coffee Cafe as an Athens favorite and Prosperity Social Club as a Cleveland favorite.  Connect with Kyle Triplett on LinkedIn.

Our guest this week is Dr. Ethan Karp, President and CEO of MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network.  In this episode we learn about Ethan's educational background and what led him to ultimately pursue the impact that business and manufacturing can make. He shares with us the vision of MAGNET and how they aim to grow the local economy through collaboration.  He offers us his insight on how the workforce is evolving and how automation and technology play into that as well as the workplace flexibility that is emerging in manufacturing. Read Ethan's Forbes article on employee flexibility here.  He also shares with us the importance of providing an experience to showcase careers in manufacturing and how it becomes a powerful marketing tool because of the social proof that it creates. MAGNET offers these experiences at their new headquarters in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood.Ethan's top pick for food in Cleveland is Li Wah in Asiatown. Connect with Ethan Karp on LinkedIn and check out makeitbetterohio.org to learn more about MAGNET's impact.

On this episode of the Rundown, we are joined by Elad Granot, the Dean of John Caroll University's Boler College of Business.  Elad shares with us how his career evolved beyond venture capital and marketing strategy into higher education in his current role. He offers his perspective on the landscape shifts in higher education, specifically in Midwest business schools. He tells us about Boler's Jesuit take on serving others through business skills and knowledge to positively impact the ecosystem they operate in.  Elad is also a founding board member of OhioX, a statewide nonprofit on a mission to build Ohio into a tech hub so Elad and Paul discuss emerging tech trends such as AI in relation to higher education.   When asked his favorite restaurant in the Cleveland area, his pick for breakfast is The Original Pancake House on Chagrin Boulevard and Hyde Park in Beachwood for dinner and drinks!Connect with Elad Granot on LinkedIn to keep a pulse on emerging tech and education trends in Ohio.

On this episode we are joined by Megan Kim! Megan is the Senior Vice President of Membership Development and Marketing at Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP), our region's leading economic development organization. She is also the Executive Director of COSE, (The Council of Smaller Enterprises) a non-profit designed to help small businesses succeed.  Megan details her career, starting with her interest in public relations and her desire to make an impact by telling the stories of businesses. Wanting to do work that mattered is what drew her to GCP where she has held many roles within the organization over the years.She tells us how she balances her two roles within the organization and how GCP, and COSE specifically, help small businesses. She offers us insight on how recent changes in regional leadership are accelerating economic development in our region and what makes Cleveland such a great place to live and work.  A self-proclaimed ambassador for Cleveland, she knows all the good craft beer spots! Her top picks in the Cleveland area include Saucy Brew Works, The Brew Kettle, Southern Tier and Brew Garden.  Connect with Megan Kim on LinkedIn to stay in the know on all things happening with economic development in our region! 

Our guest this week is Connie King, Workforce Development Director for the Precision Metalforming Association! In this episode Connie offers us her expert take on workforce trends and the importance of investing in and upskilling workers. We also learn more about what resources PMA provides their members such as METALFORM EDU. Paul and Connie also discuss AI and automation in relation to how the workforce evolution. Connie's food recommendation is Kelly's Cafe in Brunswick for breakfast!  Connect with Connie King on LinkedIn and follow the Precision Metalforming Association. 

Joining us this week on the Rundown is Miguel Lugo, the Chief Operating Officer at E.C Kitzel and Sons. In this episode, Miguel shares with us his inspiring story of career advancement in the manufacturing industry from general laborer to COO.  Listen in to hear what E.C Kitzel and Sons does, how Miguel approaches his role as COO, and his advice for career advancement and leadership. He and Paul also discuss Miguel being named a Crain's Newsmaker of the Year in 2021 and what that career milestone was like.  When asked to shout out his favorite food spots, Miguel names Das Schnitzel Haus, Mizu Sushi, and Number One Pho. Connect with Miguel Lugo on LinkedIn.

It's the 50th episode of the Rust Belt Rundown! On this episode we are joined by Art Oestrike, the Founder of Jackie O's Brewery.  Our host, Paul O'Connor, had the unique opportunity to record this episode at Jackie O's On Fourth in Columbus, Ohio! This location is currently a carryout storefront but construction is underway for the inside bar and outdoor patio and they are scheduled to open in the near future. Check out the full video of the episode here.  Jackie O's Brewery originated in Athens, Ohio, the home of Ohio University. Art, as well as our host, Paul, are proud OU alumni, making this episode a must listen for any OU alum or fans of Jackie O's! In this episode, Art details his entrepreneurial ventures, starting with his purchase of Bagel Street Deli, another Athens staple. He tells us stories of his family and how they helped to inspire Jackie O's. Paul and Art reflect on what makes Athens and Jackie O's so special. He also shares with us what goes into the production and distribution of their beer and how he and his team have been able to successfully scale Jackie O's to what it is today and what the new Columbus location has in store.  When asked if he could only pick one Athens restaurant to eat at for the rest of his life, his quick answer was Purple Chopstix. Check out Jackie O's website and Instagram for updates on the official opening date of their Fourth Street location.

This week we are joined by Jack Schron, President of Jergens, Inc., a global manufacturing leader in workholding, lifting and specialty fasteners products.  In this episode Jack tells us about his extensive career with Jergens, what it's like to work for a family-owned business and how his military experience influenced his leadership style. He also tells us the story of his innovative ideas around the inception of Tooling U-SME.  Jack and Paul discuss trends in the manufacturing industry, Jack's role as a Councilman for Cuyahoga County and how county government lends a hand in creating a successful workforce ecosystem. As a Chagrin Falls native, Jack's top culinary picks are Batuqui, 17 River Grille, M Italian, and JoJo's Bar. Connect with Jack Schron on LinkedIn.

This week on the Rundown we are joined by Ned Hill. Ned is a Professor of Economic Development in Ohio State's John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He is also a faculty member of The Ohio Manufacturing Institute, which is housed within OSU's College of Engineering. Listen in as Paul and Ned discuss economic development in relation to regional planning and what cities need to do to attract remote workers back downtown. They also debate public transportation and the current housing market. Ned offers us some insight on the strategies that the Ohio Manufacturing Institute is implementing to solve manufacturers' greatest technical and workforce challenges. Ned has lived in both Columbus and Cleveland and when asked for his favorite places to eat, Pierre's, Mitchell's, and Graeter's were his top picks for dessert.  Connect with Ned Hill on LinkedIn.

On this episode of the Rust Belt Rundown, we are joined by Brian Krusz. Brian is the Founder of Sgt. Clean Car Wash, a premier car wash chain that has proudly served Northeast Ohio since 2013. As a former Marine, Brian emphasizes that Sgt. Clean is proudly Veteran owned and operated.  Listen in as he shares with us why he chose the Marines and how he got started in the car wash industry. He also tells us how Sgt. Clean has achieved their mission of changing the face of car washes. They created a company culture, invested in their employees, created opportunities for advancement and most importantly, became a catalyst in the communities that they serve.  When asked for a restaurant recommendation, his answer couldn't be more fitting. For a car guy that is always driving around Northeast Ohio, no one caters to him better than Sheetz! Connect with Brian Krusz on LinkedIn and visit sgtclean.com to see their locations and where they are expanding to soon. 

Michael Ciatto joins us on this episode of the Rust Belt Rundown! Michael is the SVP and Supply Chain Service Line CEO at Genpact, a global professional services firm. Michael talks about his experience at Dickinson College and how it connected him to mentors and offered him a more global perspective. Those experiences, along with the Rust Belt work ethic he inherited from his family, helped to shape his mindset and launch his career. He got his start in operations and supply chain management with a private equity group that then led to his role with Genpact. Michael tells us about his role with Genpact and the different ways that they serve their clients. He also offers his expertise on global supply chain trends and predictions. He touches on subjects such as how COVID highlighted the volatility of supply chains, geopolitical factors that affect supply chains and trends around reshoring. Michael is based in Austin so of course we asked him for his best BBQ recommendations. Franklin Barbecue, la Barbecue, or Terry Black's BBQ were his top choices. Interested in keeping up with current trends and news around supply chains? Connect with Michael on LinkedIn!

On this episode of the Rust Belt Rundown, we are joined by Nick Kasik, Director of Operations at the Hermanson Company. With over 30 years of experience as a construction executive, Nick has poured his experience and passion into “making the trades cool again”. Listen in as he shares the mission of his non-profit group, Working Class, and the different mediums they use to help young people explore the skilled trades. He also offers us insight on his role at the Hermanson Company and his work with the National Association of Construction Professionals. Nick is our first West Coast guest! If you find yourself in Oregon, he recommends Buster's Barbecue for old-school, Texas-style, BBQ. Check out Working Class online for more information and connect with Nick Kasik on LinkedIn.

We have a special episode this week on the Rust Belt Rundown! We are joined by Taylor Evans and Nate Stansberry as they introduce us to their newest venture, Workforce Strategy Partners. Rust Belt Recruiting has just reached five years of business under Workforce LLC and the family of companies is expanding to include WSP. WSP is a talent management consultancy that delivers processes and strategies to employers to optimize their internal efforts around the attraction, selection and integration of top talent. In this episode, Taylor and Nate share with us their entrepreneurial inspiration behind starting WSP and the shared value it has with the RBR brand. They also share what type of clients they are aiming to partner with and the impact they want to make for them. Interested in what WSP has to offer? Reach out to Taylor Evans or Nate Stansberry on LinkedIn and follow WSP for regular updates on all things workforce strategy!

This week we are joined by Harry Moser, the Founder of Reshoring Initiative. Reshoring Initiative is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to spread the “return-manufacturing-home” message to help manufacturers realize that America is an advantageous place to produce goods. He tells us the story of his personal experiences that inspired him to start this industry-led initiative in early 2010 and why offshoring was not the best choice for many companies in the long-term. He also explains why bringing their message to the mainstream is essential to helping manufacturers achieve success in a time of uncertainty due to factors such as COVID-19, natural disasters and political strife. He also speaks on the importance of fostering the skilled trades and why “Manufacturing Is Cool” is the message that they want to emphasize. Connect with Harry Moser in LinkedIn to keep up with industry trends and to see how Reshoring Initiative's expertise can help your company succeed!

Joining us this week is Hallie Crouch, the Director of Strategy and Associate Principal of Bialosky Cleveland. Bialosky Cleveland is a multidisciplinary design firm whose clients include institutions, civic organizations, government agencies, and private developers. Hallie is a strategic and trusted advisor within her company where she occupies a self-created role. She offers us insight on the power of creating positions from within and the importance of emotionally intelligent leaders. Listen in as Hallie and Paul dive into the art of the commute, the importance of physical space and interpersonal relationships in your career, the value in pursuing non-traditional paths and Hallie's experience with the Cleveland Bridge Builders Program. Hallie resides in Akron and she recommends Square Scullery, which can be described as “punk rock meets gourmet” and the Akron institution, Diamond Grill. Connect with Hallie Crouch on LinkedIn to see what her, Bialosky Cleveland, and the Cleveland Bridge Builders are up to!

In this episode, we are joined by the Executive Director of the Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board, Michelle Rose. Listen in as Michelle shares her experience at the federal level with the U.S. Department of Labor and her return to Cleveland in this new era of leadership in our city as an appointee of Mayor Justin Bibb. Michelle offers us insight on the newfound buying power that workers have and what that means for employers and businesses, discusses overcoming barriers to work and training and how that relates to the transportation paradox, and what the shift to remote work means for Downtown Cleveland. She names Rasika Indian Restaurant as her favorite food spot from her time in D.C. and as a proud Miami University alumna, she recommends Skipper's chicken salad sandwich with waffle fries and a beer tower if you ever find yourself in Oxford. Connect with Michelle Rose on LinkedIn and follow @OMJCleCuy on Twitter to stay in the know on all things workforce development related in Cuyahoga County.

Mick Jendrisak joins us on today's episode of the Rust Belt Rundown. Listen in as Mick discusses his role at Pilot Plastics, their philosophy on workforce development, and the many service offerings they have to offer. Mick also takes the time to discuss the sales process of finding a new client in this industry, workforce automation and what it entails, and other future trends to expect over the next decade. Also, expect to hear about Pilot Plastic's recent rebrand, issuing a brand new website, logo, and more for the company! If you find yourself in Athens, OH, home to Mick's alma mater Ohio University, feel free to check out some of his favorite restaurants! Look no further than Casa Nueva for Mexican cuisine, and Union Street Diner for their hash browns! Are you interested in learning more about Pilot Plastics and their industry? Connect with Mick Jendrisak on LinkedIn.