Chamber On!

In this episode of Chamber On!, host Matt Appenzeller sits down with Vin Zachariah, CEO of Ampica Energy Solutions , to discuss how Ohio businesses can take advantage of energy choice, better understand their utility bills, and make smarter decisions about how and when they use electricity to reduce costs and manage risk. From navigating an increasingly complex energy landscape to preparing for gr...

In this episode, SOCA President & CEO Matt Appenzeller sits down with David Noe of Payroll Partners to discuss how small businesses can simplify payroll while strengthening their overall HR approach. Drawing from his experience supporting growing companies, David shares common payroll pain points, what businesses should look for in a payroll partner, and why the human connection still plays a...

In this episode, host Matt Appenzeller sits down with SOCA’s own Chamber Relationship Manager, Will Roberts, to explore the realities of supporting chambers of commerce across Ohio. Will shares firsthand insights on what chambers are getting right—and where they’re facing common challenges. From adopting new tech and measuring impact to leadership turnover and recruiting the next generation, this...

In this episode of Chamber On, host Matt Appenzeller sits down with Cas Maxwell, Co-Founder and CEO of AI Owl , to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the workplace, especially for small to mid-sized businesses.  By sharing real-world applications (including a case study from the Columbus Zoo), Cas explains how employers can gain a competitive edge through workforce training and...

In this episode of Chamber On!, host Matt Appenzeller, President and CEO of the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA), sits down with Dave Moravec, Author and Past President & CEO of the Colerain Chamber of Commerce.  Dave shares how he stepped into chamber leadership just weeks before the COVID shutdown, and how that challenge shaped his approach to building a thriving, value-driven chamber....

In this episode of Chamber On!, host Matt Appenzeller, President and CEO of the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA), sits down with John Webb, Business Development Manager with U.S. Bank. From online ordering and QR codes to embedded payments and enhanced security, John shares how modern merchant services and payment technologies are helping small businesses reduce costs, save time, and deliver...

In this episode of Chamber On!, host Matt Appenzeller, President and CEO of the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA), sits down with Wendy Rodgers, President & CEO of the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce. We find out how Wendy used a “listening tour” to reset the chamber’s direction coming out of the pandemic, the creative ways the Beavercreek chamber is helping small businesses tell their sto...

In this episode of Chamber On!, host Matt Appenzeller, President and CEO of the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA), sits down with Chris Kershner, President & CEO of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.  In this conversation, we dig into Dayton’s deep-rooted chamber legacy, what it means to be a true “voice for business,” how the chamber is tackling workforce challenges head-on, and why rel...

In this episode of Chamber On!, host Matt Appenzeller, President and CEO of the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA), sits down with Erica Salm Rench, Chief Marketing Officer at Sidecar AI. Matt and Erica discuss how Sidecar AI is helping chambers, associations, and nonprofits harness the power of artificial intelligence — from upskilling staff and streamlining operations to building confidence i...

In this episode of Chamber On!, host Matt Appenzeller, President and CEO of the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA), sits down with Mike Throne, President and CEO of the Chillicothe Ross County Chamber of Commerce . Matt and Mike talk about how the Chillicothe community is coming together in the wake of a major economic change—rallying around local businesses, supporting workers, and finding cre...

In this episode of Chamber On!, host Matt Appenzeller, President and CEO of the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA), sits down with David Peterson, Executive Director of the Madeira Chamber of Commerce in Cincinnati. Matt and David discuss how the Madeira Chamber is evolving to meet the needs of today’s business landscape—focusing on supporting solopreneurs, fostering connection in a work-from-h...

Small businesses in Ohio face unique challenges when it comes to providing affordable, high-quality healthcare for employees. That’s where the SOCA Benefit Plan administered by Anthem comes in.  Host Matt Appenzeller sits down with Lori Conine, Director of Individual and Small Group Sales for Anthem Ohio, and Jeff Williamson, CEO of Consoliplex Health Plan Management, to break down how the SOCA Be...

Rising energy prices are hitting small businesses hard—but there’s a smarter way to manage costs. In this episode, we're joined by Kevin Lauterjung, Co-Founder of Community Energy Advisors (CEA) and Viridi LLC, both based in Medina, Ohio, and the infrastructure behind the Chamber Energy and Sustainability Programs. Tune in to hear:  How Ohio businesses can leverage energy brokerage services, effic...

In the premiere episode of Chamber On!, we're joined by Jeff Price of Hunter Consulting Co., a Cincinnati-based third-party administrator for workers' compensation group rating insurance with decades of experience.  This eye-opening conversation covers one of the fastest and easiest ways small businesses in Ohio can cut costs: workers’ comp group rating programs. Tune in to learn about:  What grou...

Welcome to Chamber On! — the official podcast of the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance — shines the spotlight on the inspiring people and partnerships powering local businesses. Hosted by SOCA CEO and President Matt Appenzeller, each episode highlights the local chamber leaders, small business champions, and strategic partners driving growth across our region.