Clarksville Conversations with Charlie Koon

Coach Roland Fanning stops by to discuss Austin Peay baseball and the upcoming Turkeys for Troops charity event. The conversation highlighted how the baseball and softball teams enthusiastically volunteer to distribute frozen turkeys to local military members and veterans. In addition to community service, Fanning spoke about major upgrades to the Raymond C. Hand Park baseball field, including dra...

On this episode newly elected Montgomery County Sheriff Mike Oliver reflects on his extensive career in law enforcement, detailing his progression from the state prison and the jail to the K-9 unit, drug task force, and the Special Victims Unit. He emphasizes his core priorities of protecting vulnerable children and maintaining robust School Resource Officer (SRO) programs across the county. Discu...

How much do major events contribute to Clarksville's growing economy? On this episode, Blake Monroe from Visit Clarksville and Bobby Snyder from AMA Partzilla Arenacross join us to talk tourism, community growth, and the exciting events bringing visitors to town. Discover how these events boost local businesses and generate hotel tax revenue, plus get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to t...

The Clarksville Conversations features Cory Rasch, a local firefighter, family man, and former professional bull rider, to discuss his upcoming annual bull riding event, The Corey Rasch Invitational. Rasch explains how his background touring the rodeo circuit inspired him to launch this major entertainment spectacle at the F&M Bank Arena four years ago. With the help of his wife managing the d...

The Clarksville Conversations features Cory Rasch, a local firefighter, family man, and former professional bull rider, to discuss his upcoming annual bull riding event, The Corey Rasch Invitational. Rasch explains how his background touring the rodeo circuit inspired him to launch this major entertainment spectacle at the F&M Bank Arena four years ago. With the help of his wife managing the d...

On this episode Doretha Minor shares the mission of Mana Cafe Ministries who provides vital food assistance to approximately 30,000 families annually in Clarksville, Tennessee, while facing increasing community needs and fluctuating financial donations. To maximize efficiency and prevent duplicated efforts, local organizations like Urban Ministries and Loaves and Fishes collaborate through the Can...

This episode features Tricia Hanna and Hayes Wellington, representatives of the Clarksville Association for Down Syndrome (CADS), who share their personal journeys as parents of children with the condition. They recount the initial shock of diagnosis and the subsequent realization of the profound love and community impact their children provide. The conversation highlights the essential role of su...

Colonel Mike Snowden, Garrison Commander of Fort Campbell, joins Clarksville Conversations to talk about his journey from Apache helicopter pilot to leading one of the Army’s most important installations. He explains what it takes to manage Fort Campbell, essentially a city of its own, and the thousands of people who keep the post running every day. The conversation also looks at Fort Campbell’s c...

This episode features Renee Bruens, a public health educator for Montgomery County, discussing her efforts to improve community wellness and connection in Clarksville. She details her professional role in teaching healthy habits to various age groups, ranging from nutritional basics for children to the health risks of vaping for older students. Beyond her medical outreach, Bruens highlights her in...

In this episode of the Clarksville Conversations podcast, host Charlie Koon interviews Jo and Thomas Crawford, the owners of two Burn Boot Camp locations in Tennessee. The couple shares their personal journey, beginning with their initial meeting at a hospital in Nashville and moving through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. They explain how Jo’s passion for fitness eventually led the famil...

This episode features an interview with Major General (Retired) Walt Lord, who discusses his transition from a thirty-six-year military career to a prominent leadership role at Austin Peay State University. After choosing Clarksville, Tennessee, as his retirement home, Lord was recruited to serve as a military adviser before becoming the inaugural Vice President for Military and Veterans Affairs....

This episode features an interview with Melinda Shepard and Tom Creech regarding the current state of the Clarksville Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. As the newly appointed chairman, Creech discusses his vision for growth, including plans to increase membership and foster regional collaboration through roundtable discussions with surrounding counties. Executive Director Shepard highlights t...

On this episode, Jonathan Newsome and Chris Colburn introduce Cast and Connect, a Tennessee-based non-profit dedicated to supporting the military community. The organization provides free fishing excursions for veterans and active-duty service members to encourage relaxation and camaraderie. Newsome, an air traffic controller, founded the venture to help local heroes decompress on the water using...

Buck Dellinger, CEO, Josh Ward Executive Director and Janet Wilson, Vice President of Urban Development of the Economic Development Council of Montgomery County discus the strategic recruitment of Costco as a foundational element for the new Freedom Farms mixed-use development. The project involves a massive land assembly effort near Interstate 24, combining private trust property with county-owne...

This episode features Austin Peay State University’s Athletic Director, Jordan Harmon, and Head Football Coach, Jeff Faris, discussing the upward trajectory of the school’s sports programs. They emphasize a unique culture where student-athletes choose to stay and graduate, bolstered by a record-breaking number of retained players and high academic marks. The conversation highlights the strong syne...

On this episode Greg Guinn, a lifelong Clarksville entrepreneur who discusses his family’s deep roots in the local business community and the importance of taking risks. Guinn details his various ventures, ranging from waste management to his current focus on the River Club Golf and Learning Center. He explains how he modernized the facility by adding Buckets, an entertainment-driven driving range...

On this episode Congressman Matt Van Epps joins Charlie for a conversation regarding legislative updates and community advocacy in Clarksville, Tennessee. The discussion highlights the impact of redistricting on Montgomery County and the critical importance of supporting Fort Campbell through infrastructure improvements like water and wastewater management.  Van Epps explains his work on the Honor...

This episode features an interview with Tommy Bates and Jeremy Hoard, the top executives of Legends Bank, the only locally owned financial institution in Clarksville, Tennessee. The discussion highlights the leaders' unique professional backgrounds and the bank’s deep-seated commitment to community banking, which prioritizes local decision-making and personal relationships over corporate distance....

On this episode, Charlie speaks with Brent Nicholson, a successful entrepreneur and owner of multiple SERVPRO franchises. Nicholson discusses his local roots in Clarksville, reflecting on how his early experiences as a farmer instilled a strong work ethic and foundational business skills. Since entering the disaster restoration industry in 2011, he has expanded his operations across several states...

On this episode Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden and his Chief of Staff Lee Harrell provide an overview of the region's fiscal health and future development. The leaders highlight a newly passed budget that maintains the current property tax rate for a third consecutive year despite rising costs and significant infrastructure investments. Key priorities mentioned include the construction of new...

On this episode, Downtown Clarksville business owners, Jeff Robinson, Andrea Herrera and Darla Knight discuss the mounting frustrations surrounding downtown parking management and its impact on local commerce. The participants highlight a confusing hybrid system involving inconsistent apps and meters, noting that the downtown district is the only area in the city where visitors are forced to pay f...

This episode highlights the 20/10 mentorship program, a community-driven initiative in Clarksville, Montgomery County, designed to guide justice-involved youth toward a brighter future. Judge Ken Goble, Kimberly Wiggins and Edward Moss explain how the program provides juveniles with college-student mentors to help them visualize a life beyond the legal system. By offering exposure to higher educat...

This episode features an interview with Steve Conklin, the campus director of Herzing University in Clarksville, Tennessee. Conklin shares his personal journey from being a military brat and Air Force veteran to finding a second career in higher education. The conversation highlights the specific nursing programs offered at the Clarksville campus, ranging from LPN to doctoral levels, and emphasize...

On this episode of Clarksville Conversations, Charlie Koon talks with Leo Millan and Tonya Leszczak regarding the philanthropic work of the Millan Foundation. The discussion highlights the foundation's recent annual banquet and its commitment to fostering local and global partnerships with various nonprofit organizations. Rather than working in isolation, the foundation focuses on standing in the...

This podcast interview features Hadley Ott, a Clarksville native who discusses his professional background and his personal journey overcoming Crohn’s disease. After working in economic policy for the White House, Ott returned to Tennessee to publish his book, "Drug-Free Crohn's," which documents his transition from conventional medicine to functional health. He outlines a healing philosophy built...