Leading Well

Scott Gragg, Former NFL Player and current Principal for McNary High School, talks about his journey a bit and what he has learned about leadership in his years. He talks about the importance of avoiding micromanaging and giving freedom and trust to those who work with you. He also shares some insights about his journey as a parent of 2 very different kids.

Jim Seymour talks about his long career helping communities with Catholic Community services and how his life changed thanks to a man who believed in him enough to promise him work if he committed to educating himself. Truly an inspiring story about determination.

Tom Hoffert, CEO of Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, talks about his journey through his career in the private sector on to nonprofits and focusing on helping small, local businesses thrive in his area. If you'd like to learn more about what Tom does with Salem Chamber, you can visit their website: salemchamber.org Tom also hosts a podcast with the Salem Chamber, you can find more info at salemcham...

Jessica Howard, President of Chemeketa Community College, Shares about her journey through multiple degrees and searching in her career to land where she is today. She also hares a lot about the new Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree that they just offered which was created to make a more meaningful degree focused on real work experience in their chosen field. If you'd like to learn more about wh...

Dan Kohler, Keizer City Council Member and Owner of Professional Preneeds, talks about his important work in the city and how he became the man he is today. He gives advice on surprises he faced in multiple areas and also talks about determination.

Pat Bailey, 2-time National Championship Baseball Coach and current Multi-Area director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, talks with us about his keys to success and how learned to see his job truly as education. If you'd like to learn from a successful coach, you should definitely. listen to this episode!

Soraida Cross is a Keizer City Councilor and the General Manager of the Hotel Salem. She talks about her what she learned starting from the bottom rung of the ladder and moving up to more important positions within the same company. She also talks about the importance of civics and learning to know your limits in capacity for work. If you'd like more info on The Hotel Salem, visit their website: h...

Louis and Leslie Risewick own Aj's Hideaway Bar & Grill and also the KBZY (1490AM) radio station. They talk about their lives growing up and their beliefs about what business is about and how to serve the community through their local businesses. If you'd like to learn more about them, you can go to their radio station's website: KBZY.com or their restaurant's website: ajshideaway.com

Fred Broadwater is a native Oregonian, retired National Guardsmen, and Keizer Post 17 Commander of The American Legion. One of his favorite parts of his post is the Boys State program where high schoolers all gather to practice forming municipalities and government structures from scratch! The kids learn valuable lessons about how to be involved with their local government and the decision-making...

Zak Stone is a photographer that does wonderful work and specializes in capturing the essence of landscapes and the outdoors for himself and his clients. He talks about how he got started in it all and gives advice for newcomers to the craft as well as business owners looking to get the most out of their imaging. You can find him on instagram @zakstonephotography Or his website: zakstonephotograph...

Mike Peterson talks about his world of helping people reach others effectively through marketing. He talks about how he grew from someone who struggled in school to a business owner through learning the value of hard work. If you'd like to reach out to him, you can email him at mpeterson@hitedigital.com OR you can find him on his various socials and websites all branching from mikegpeterson.com

Gayle Withnell is a philanthropist and former teacher who works with her husband, Dick Withnell, to better the communities they are a part of through civic engagement and charity. She talks about how she stays busy and continues to improve the world around her.

Mike Adams is an entrepreneur who owns a few restaurants and is likely most known for turning a food truck into a restaurant: Adam's Rib Smokehouse. He talks about his life story, the beginnings of his entrepreneurial spirit, and gives advice that he wishes he had when he was younger. If you'd like to learn more about his smokehouse, you can visit their website adamsribsmokehouse.com

Justin and Emmy Arana run the Acres of Hope Youth Ranch in Independence, OR. They work with troubled youth tho help them connect with mentors, nature, horses, and more. On the podcast, they talk about their personal origins as well as the origins of the ranch and how they go about doing what they do. If you'd like to learn more about Acres of Hope, visit their website: acresofhopeyouthranch.org Or...

Tim Sinatra is the of the Family YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties. He talks about his struggles in school and how he overcame those to be the successful leader he is today. He also talks about life lessons he learned from his father and how he manages balancing work and life. If you'd like to reach out to Tim to find out more about what he does, you can email him at tsinatra@theyonline.com You can...

Rollyn Betts is a health coach, vocal coach, and even a horse trainer! He has many passions focused around educating others and helping them achieve goals they perhaps didn't think were possible! He shares with us advice he wishes he had and advice for everyone else too. If you'd like to reach him about providing some cpr training, you can find more info at orcprpro.com If you'd like to reach out...

Holly Nelson, Executive Dean of Chemeketa Community College, pops into our podcast this week to share about her journey and what she does for students today. She talks about transitioning from teaching directly to administration and its impact for change. If you'd like to see more of what Chemeketa offers, go to their website chemeketa.edu If you'd like to reach her, you can email her at holly.nel...

Tony Frazier is the Director for the Salem Kroc Center. They work with the local community and underserved children and families to provide activities for young people. Someone can go there to experience their pool, gym, educational centers and so much more. If you'd like to learn more about what Tony does, check out their website: salem.kroccenter.org

Katy Canales shares with us a bit of her life story and what she has learned about having influence in a community and business. She currently works with home loans and mortgages. She talks about being a twin and transitioning to a school without them and other life changes that can have an impact on a person. If you'd like to reach out to her, you can reach her via email katy.teamcanales@gmail.co...

Anna Sponable is a new high school graduate that is on their way to becoming an awesome civic leader one day. She has participated in many community projects and was a participant in the American Legion mock government project. We all wish her luck and are excited to see what she will pursue after she continues her education in college! 

Buddy Puckett joins us today on the podcast! He is a Sales and Leadership Coach and a long-time friend of Tim Davis (one of our co-hosts). He shares about his troubled past as he matured and found his way to be the successful man he is today and advice for people who are looking to find something better suited for themselves even when they feel stuck. If you'd like to reach out for some coaching,...

Taras Sarapin is the owner of Ultrex, an office solutions company helping businesses with the detailed inner workings of running a business. He shares about his childhood in Russia and how he came to the USA and grew into the success he is today through his hard work and dedication. If you'd like to learn more about Ultrex. visit their website: ultrex.com And you can reach out to Taras at tarassar...

Jane Herb is an Enterprise Sales Manager for Baker & Taylor, the larges book wholesaler in the U.S. She talks about her journey of leaving Oregon for her career, but coming back and starting a family later in life. She also shares her wisdom about getting involved in your local community.

Markey Toomes is the owner of The Chicken Shack here in Keizer, Oregon. He prides himself on service and mentoring those who work with him. He shares a bit about his life story and also a passion that some might not know about: playing music. If you'd like to check out his restaurant, you can find them on instagram  @ChickenShackPNW and facebook @ChickenShackPNW or here in town at 3844 River Rd N...

Casity Troutt comes on our podcast to tell us about her campaign for School board and why getting involved in the education of our students is so important as a community. She talks about our current weakness in reading levels in our schools and ways to go about remedying that. She also opens up about her upbringing and passion for agriculture. Learn more about her School Board Campaign at casityf...