Working It

School Superintendents across the nation have one of the toughest jobs. Superintendent Steve Arnold talks about test scores, construction, and the overall wellness of Fairview Schools.  Despite being a rural community located just outside of Sherwood, Ohio, Steve talks about how a rural school can be just as involved with innovative career paths as urban schools. Listen in, as Steve talks about Fa...

Superintendent Nicole Wells talks about the strength of a rural school, along with projects happening, including new construction projects, STEM programs, and their performing arts center. Tinora also just started a new program where they highlight some of their most regarded graduates. The list of distinguished former students is unbelievable and a testament to the education curriculum happening...

Workforce Supervisor with OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) of Defiance and Paulding Counties talks how local Defiance County Businesses can leverage OMJ’s resources…including training grants to take a business to the next level.  In addition to discussing resources, Erika and Tiffany talk about business trends not only happening in Defiance County, but throughout the nation.

Erika and Paige Johnson are joined by Hicksville Area Chamber of Commerce President Jodi Bland. They talk about all the positive energy and community involvement in Hicksville, how Jodi has been part of the Chamber from the beginning, the incredible contributions from their board, Chamber events like the Teacher Back To School Breakfast, Hicksville’s abundance of cool shops and boutiques, recent b...

Erika is joined by Lisa Becher of the Small Business Development Center. Lisa talks about her background as a small business owner and instructor at Northwest State Community College, shares some success stories from the annual Entrepreneurship Forum (kind of a mini “Shark Tank”), and offers tips on starting a small business, from marketing to hiring to writing a business plan. Thanks to OhioMeans...

Erika chats with Chase Eikenbary and Jessica Sattler of the Regional Growth Partnership. They tell how RGP works with JobsOhio in site selection and incentive management and how they’ve teamed with Defiance County Economic Development. They also talk about Defiance County’s recent wins like MetalX and Keller Logistics, and how the Vibrant Communities Grant is being used at a prime downtown Defianc...

Erika gets down to business with Kirstie Mack of the Defiance Main Street & Visitors Bureau. They talk about their new name, upcoming events like the Lilac Festival and Chocolate Walk, some cool local independent downtown businesses, the bureau’s downtown wish list, and “Preaching The Positive”!

On this episode of “Working It”, Erika sits down with Andie Imthurn of Eclectic Wallflower Boutique in Defiance. They talk about Eclectic Wallflower’s over 50 independent vendors offering everything from honey to plants to vintage items, their amazing stock of prom dresses, how important it is to create a sense of community, the benefits of shopping locally and sustainably, and trends…The 90s are...

Erika is joined by Rebecca Singer of the Center For Innovative Food Technology (CIFT). Rebecca explains the idea of functional foods, and talks about streamlining food production and supply chains, sustainable food packaging, workforce training, and CIFT’s most visible success story, Willy’s Salsa. That’s a lot to “CIFT” through, but you’ll be amazed at the work they’re doing!

Erika is joined by Drew Shindler, president of Baker-Shindler Company. Drew tells us he wanted to join the family business at an early age (maybe even before he can remember!) He talks about being in charge of a huge project early in his career, the growth of the company over the last century, and how recent big economic wins are leading Baker-Shindler to expand their workforce. From bridges to gr...

Erika takes a deep dive into the state of manufacturing in northwest Ohio with Tim Mayle of the Center To Advance Manufacturing at Bowling Green State University. They talk about how the Innovation Hub connects higher education with major industries, and look at apprentice programs, evolving supply chain practices, working with multinational workforces, improved databases, and challenges being add...

Defiance Mayor Mike McCann is back in the “Working It” guest chair. He and Erika talk about the recent huge announcements from MetalX and Keller Logistics, Defiance’s diverse manufacturing history, downtown pedestrian safety initiatives, and the continued challenges in building new housing for a growing workforce. What does Defiance want to accomplish in 2024 and beyond? Listen and find out! Thank...

Hicksville’s new Mayor, Mike Barth, joins Erika on this episode of “Working It”. He talks about spending part of his childhood in Hicksville, his experience on Village Council, and everything Hicksville has to offer including a diverse downtown shopping district, robust manufacturing community, and some great available industrial sites. Hicksville’s slogan is “A Proud Past, A Bright Future”…Listen...

Defiance College has been part of our education landscape for over a century and a half. DC President Dr. Richanne Mankey and Vice President For Enrollment Management Dr. Jeremy Taylor talk about how Defiance College is “ReDEFIning The Future” through improved affordability and accessibility, athletic scholarships, the Jacket Journey program, DC’s new engineering program, and an incredible story a...

Workforce Trends. It’s the phrase of 2023, where if you hear, your eyes glaze over. That’s because we’ve heard it so much! BUT…we’re talking about it in a different way!   With Erika, Paige, and Dave, all being from different generations, they talk about How employees shouldn’t be judged by their age, but rather their own merit. Also, it turns out when you have different generations you can learn...

Get to know the Defiance County Economic Development Team and the various initiatives they are working on, in an effort to make a difference in the Defiance County Community. Erika Willitzer, Paige Johnson, and our new Marketing & Office Coordinator Dave Hire talk all things Defiance County. Dave Hire is only three months on the job, and Paige and Erika are throwing him onto a podcast.  If you...

Northwest State Community College – Northwest Ohio:  President and CEO of Northwest State, Todd Hernandez talks Workforce Shortages, Skill Gaps, and how Northwest State is working toward solutions to help employers & students every day. Learning about Todd’s unique background and how he became the President of a Community College is quite fascinating. Let’s just say his career includes militar...

Patriot Rail  – Defiance County, Ohio: Many are fascinated by Trains, and we can see why! They truly are what moves most of the goods around America. Erika talks rail, economy, and so much more with James Kornas of Patriot Rail. Fun Fact: Did you know rail roads transport even animal lard? True Story!  Also, did you know Defiance County sits in a unique location when it comes to rail  – so unique...

Balchem – Defiance, Ohio:  Erika interviews Kenyotta Stantz and Joe Wendell from Defiance’s Balchem Plant. If you have ever smelled the aroma of sweet blueberries or cocoa powder in Downtown Defiance. There’s a good chance it is coming from Balchem. Learn about the amazing products being produced in Defiance. Also, learn about how you can land a Food Scientist position right here in Defiance Count...

Sabre Industries – Hicksville, Ohio   Tom Jagielski and Tiffany Vollmer with Sabre take a deep dive into how they support the power grid by making transmission power poles. They also talk about the amazing opportunities awaiting job seekers at their plant. If you want an innovative career. This is it! Listen in to find out how this Hicksville Company is having a national impact from the small town...

On this Episode of Working It, Erika and Hannah sit down with Angie Franklin to discuss services offered by our local Community Actions Commission. Services include Publicly Funded Childcare, Head Start Preschool, Emergency Assistance, Financial Empowerment, Housing, Homelessness, and Weather & Home Repairs. Angie says it best in this podcast, “if you don’t need it, you don’t know about it”. T...

On this Episode of Working It, Erika and Hannah are joined by a relatively new face at General Motors Defiance, but a seasoned veteran within the General Motors company. New Plant Director, Derrick Parson, took the reins in Defiance just a few months ago, but has been with the company since an internship in 1995. He goes on to describe his journey that has taken him to multiple plants and shown hi...

On this Episode of the “Working It” Podcast Host Erika Willitzer talks with the Owner of Buckeye Roofing & Exteriors Lance Sherry. Lance shares about the reward of being in the construction industry, along with building a work culture that supports families. His passion for his family, his work, his team, and his community are awe inspiring. Tune in to hear how this community leader is jugglin...

On this Episode of Working It, Erika and Hannah talk with who most of Defiance know as, “the guy who went to City Council to pitch an NFL Football Team” …. his real name, John Druska. John was born in Ft. Wayne, IN, but then shortly after moved to Defiance and spent his first 9 years of life here. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California where he is pursuing acting and screenwriting. He des...

On this Episode of Working It, Erika and Hannah are joined by one of the areas top contractors, Bob Spyker of Spyker Contracting. Bob discusses how he got started in the construction industry at the young age of 15. He started off learning the basics and then was given the job of constructing pole barns with a team under him. This eventually led him to wanting to form him own company, known today...