Tom Cilek's New Best Friend

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.