Tom Cilek's New Best Friend

In the latest episode, Tom sits down with Ruthina Malone, Department Administrator for the University of Iowa Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and member of the Iowa City Community School District Board. Tom talks to Ruthina about her passion for her work with the school board, how she has used her second term to make sure the progress of the district keeps moving forward, her thoughts on reality television, and why she refuses to get her driver's license. Sponsored by West Bank.

In the latest episode, Tom sits down with Lisa Bluder, head coach of the women's basketball program at the University of Iowa. Tom talks to Lisa about the beginning of her career and how she became a successful collegiate basketball coach at a young age, the current state of the Iowa Women's Basketball Program, and what the future holds for her and the team. The two also discuss her family, her opinions on the matter of “Name, Image, and Likeness”, and why she believes women's basketball is the purest form of the sport. Sponsored by West Bank.

In the latest episode, Tom sits down with Brad Kunkel, sheriff for Johnson County. Tom talks to Brad about his background and family, his experience running for sheriff, what a day in the life of a sheriff looks like, how he has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and limited space in the Johnson County jail, and how he views his relationship, and the relationship of officers, with the public. Sponsored by West Bank.

In the latest episode, Tom sits down with Jason Manson, director of player development for the University of Iowa Football Program, to talk about how Jason's previous experience as a Hawkeye and football player has prepared him for his current role, the ways student athletes are impacted by social media, how new rules around the use of name, image, and likeness for collegiate athletes is affecting his work with students, and how his children are already carrying on the family sports legacy. Sponsored by West Bank.

In the latest episode, Tom sits down with Coralville Mayor John Lundell to talk about his work as mayor, how he and his team have worked in the wake of the area's floods, and what partnership means to the city. The two also discuss John's passion for woodworking, his experience as a firefighter, and his friendship with President Joe Biden. Sponsored by West Bank.

Banker and master connector Tom Cilek is back with a new edition of “Tom Cilek's New Best Friend,” featuring Geoff Fruin, City Manager of Iowa City. Tom talks to Geoff about his work as city manager for the past five years, the city improvement projects that are currently underway, and how the city has navigated both the pandemic and social movements of the past 18 months. The two also discuss what drives local leadership and how the city's leadership is looking toward the future. Sponsored by West Bank.

In the latest episode, Tom sits down with Matt Degner, superintendent of the Iowa City Community School District, to talk about managing a school district through a pandemic and what's ahead when students return to school this fall. Sponsored by West Bank.

In the latest episode, Tom sits down with Royceann Porter, the vice chair of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, to talk about her involvement in the Board of Supervisors, lessons learned from the pandemic and the Juneteenth event she's organizing in Iowa City. Sponsored by West Bank.

In the latest episode, Tom sits down with Josh Schamberger, president and CEO of Think Iowa City, who talks about the behind-the-scenes maneuverings that brought Herky on Parade, the Iowa City Downtown District and Xtream Arena to the Corridor. Sponsored by West Bank.

In the latest episode, Tom sits down with Jan Jensen, the associate head women's basketball coach at the University of Iowa, about role players on a team, picking three things to be good at and why giving back is a no-brainer. Sponsored by West Bank.

In the latest episode, Tom sits down with Broderick Binns, director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for University of Iowa Athletics, to talk about the need for tough conversations and what it’s like to pick up the phone to create new connections to make a difference in the community.

In the latest episode, Tom sits down with Hai Huynh to talk about her journey from Vietnam to the Coralville City Council. The mother of four will talk about her work as a paraeducator, food pantry volunteer and community project coordinator. Sponsored by West Bank.

Banker and master connector Tom Cilek is back with a new edition of "Tom Cilek's New Best Friend," featuring Ryan Heiar, the North Liberty city administrator. In this episode, Tom and Ryan discuss motorcycles and football as well as North Liberty's past as a bedroom community and its rapid growth. Sponsored by West Bank.

Banker and master connector Tom Cilek is back with a new edition of “Tom Cilek’s New Best Friend,” featuring Bruce Teague, an entrepreneur and mayor of Iowa City. In this episode, Tom and Bruce discuss his arrival in Iowa City as a teenager, and working as a business owner and public official in the age of COVID and Black Lives Matter.

In the latest episode of Tom Cilek’s New Best Friend, banker and master connector Tom Cilek sits down with Craig Byers, a Realtor with Q4 Real Estate, to discuss the derecho, what's happening now in the Corridor's development scene, and what he sees in the years ahead.

In the latest episode of Tom Cilek’s New Best Friend, banker and master connector Tom Cilek sits down with John Lohman, publisher and owner of the Corridor Business Journal, to discuss his time as Herky the Hawk, his decision to start a newspaper and the birth of the Creative Corridor region and brand.

In the latest episode of Tom Cilek’s New Best Friend, banker and master connector Tom Cilek calls up Michael Gerdin, chairman and CEO of Heartland Express, to discuss his life and upbringing around trucks, his introduction to marathons and the life of a pandemic-era truck driver.

In the latest episode of Tom Cilek’s New Best Friend, banker and master connector Tom Cilek calls up Kate Moreland, president of the Iowa City Area Development Group, to talk about the evolution of ICAD, the launch of ICR Iowa and her path to one of the top economic development jobs in the Corridor.

In the latest episode of Tom Cilek's New Best Friend, banker and master connector Tom Cilek sits down with an Iowa City institution, Bob Downer, to swap memories from the town, Bob's time on the Iowa State Board of Regents and his advice for the next generation of change agents.

In the fifth episode of Tom Cilek's New Best Friend, Tom sits down with Kim Casko, president and CEO of Iowa City Area Business Partnership, to discuss the organization's recent rebrand, what drew her to Iowa City, and the biggest challenges she hears from local businesses.

In the fourth episode of Tom Cilek's New Best Friend, Tom sits down with Steve West, chairman of Coralville-based West Music, for a conversation about his family's beginnings in the industry, moving the needle on music accessibility and giving back to the Corridor. Presented by West Bank.

In the third episode of Tom Cilek's New Best Friend, Tom heads to "the barn" owned by Mike Hodge, president of Hodge Construction, to swap stories about the founding of his company, his wide-ranging service projects and his formula for success. Presented by West Bank.

In the second episode of Tom Cilek's New Best Friend, Tom swaps stories with Kelly Hayworth, Coralville's city administrator, about the birth of regionalism and some early hijinks aimed at earning the area some national attention.

In the premiere of Tom Cilek's New Best Friend, Tom shares stories with Adam Keune, co-founder and chief people officer with Higher Learning Technologies, about the edtech company's origins and how a few impromptu meetings made it happen.