The Alliance Connection

Charles Clayton joins us to discuss the history of AFES (Athletics For Education & Success), his vision for the future of AFES, upcoming events, how to donate & get involved, and more! 🔗 Follow AFES (Athletics For Education & Success): Website: https://afes4kids.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064670532265 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/afes4kids/ 🛑 Spe...

Emily and Denny Stucky are the owners of the Fort Dodge Community Orchard. We discuss the history of the orchard, how they came to be the owners, new products and offerings at the Community Orchard, upcoming events, and more! 🔗 Follow Fort Dodge Community Orchard: Website: https://www.communityorchard.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecommunityorchard Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

Cheryl O'Hern is the owner of Spin Markket + Digital in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Peter Stockdale is the podcast producer/editor at Spin Markket + Digital in Fort Dodge. We discuss how long Spin Markket has been around, the podcasts they produce, the positive benefit to the community, and more! 🔗 Follow Spin Markket + Digital: Website: https://www.spinmarkket.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Spinma...

Cameron Nelson and Cole Benton are past alumni of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance's Leadership Fort Dodge program. They discuss their favorite parts of the program, unique behind-the-scenes looks at the Fort Dodge region, what has changed over the years, what upcoming participants can look forward to, and more! ⛳️ Sign Up For the 57th Annual GFDGA Golf Outing: https://www.greaterfortdodge....

Bill Bush stops by to talk with Astra and Katy about the Fort Dodge Farmers Market. There is something for everyone, and there is always some fresh produce perfectly in season at the Fort Dodge Farmers Market. 🔗 Follow The Fort Dodge Farmers Market: Website: https://www.chooseiowa.com/fort-dodge-farmers-market Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FDMARKET/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fd_fa...

Clayton Bills of the Dayton Championship Rodeo stops by to discuss the 2026 Dayton Rodeo in Dayton, Iowa. We talk about the long history of the event, the events taking place, the local parade and garage sales in Dayton, the multitude of vendors, the fireworks, the nightly musical entertainment, and more! 🔗 Follow The Dayton Championship Rodeo: Website: https://daytonrodeo.com Facebook: https://w...

Jenn Becker and Elizabeth Stanek join us to discuss childcare in the Fort Dodge, Iowa area. We discuss Linking Families and Communities, the Fort Dodge Play & Learn Center, Sprouts Early Education and Development School, the importance of interaction with children, different ways the community can help, and more! 🔗 Follow Fort Dodge Play & Learn Center: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/...

Lindsay Laufersweiler is the Community Engagement Director for the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance. We discuss her journey to the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, her first few months on the job, how she is implementing her vision for community engagement, and more! ⛳️ Sing Up For the 57th Annual GFDGA Golf Outing: https://www.greaterfortdodge.com/57th-annual-gfdga-golf-outing/ 🛑 Special T...

Lydia Schuur and Janet Johnson stop by from One Vision to discuss the upcoming One Vision Color Run in Fort Dodge, Iowa, how to sign up, how to make donations, what will take place at the Color Run, and more! 🔗 Follow One Vision: Website: https://www.onevision.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onevisioniowa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onevisioniowa/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.co...

Jen Lane (Director of Engagement) and Julie Thorson (President/CEO) of Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge, Iowa, stop by to discuss the upcoming Havenpalooza 2026. 🔗 Follow Friendship Haven: Website: https://www.friendshiphaven.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendshipHavenFortDodge/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendshiphavenfd/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/friendship-...

Brenda Clark Hamilton is a dynamic keynote speaker and workplace trainer known for her high-energy presentations on leadership, communication, and personal resilience. Based in Iowa, she has built a nationally recognized speaking career since 2005, delivering engaging and practical presentations at nearly 100 events each year across a wide range of industries. With a background in education and pr...

Phil Gunderson is the recipient of the 2026 Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Catalyst Award. We discuss his involvement in the community, the trees he planted with Gunderson Funeral Home, the impact the community has had on his family, and more! 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Spin Markket + Digital: https://www.spinmarkket.com Becker Florist: https://www.beckerflorist.com/ 🗓️ Check Out the G...

Matt Johnson is the recipient of the 2026 Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Volunteer of the Year Award. We sit down with him to discuss what volunteering means to him, his support for the community, his favorite GFDGA events, and more! 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Spin Markket + Digital: https://www.spinmarkket.com Becker Florist: https://www.beckerflorist.com/ 🗓️ Check Out the GFDGA Commu...

Luke Hugghins is the recipient of the 2026 Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Emerging Leader Award. We sit down with him to discuss his past endeavors, what leadership means to him, his upcoming projects, and more! 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Spin Markket + Digital: https://www.spinmarkket.com Becker Florist: https://www.beckerflorist.com/ 🗓️ Check Out the GFDGA Community Calendar: https:/...

Sarah Rustvold is the Director of the Fort Dodge Regional Airport. We discuss recent improvements at the airport, upcoming changes, the simplicity of flying out of a small town, recently added flights to Denver, and more! 🔗 Follow Fort Dodge Regional Airport: Website: https://fortdodgeregionalairport.com Website: https://www.fortdodgeiowa.org/airport/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fdairport/...

Cameron Nelson & Sarah Shelton join us from GreenState Credit Union as the top sponsor of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Annual Dinner. We discuss credit unions vs. banks, what lines of business GreenState Credit Union offers, their community involvement, Cameron and Sarah's favorite Growth Alliance events, and more! 🔗 Follow the GreenState Credit Union: Website: https://www.greenstat...

Chad Schaeffer is the Chief Development Officer for the City of Fort Dodge, Iowa. We discuss recent and upcoming changes to the riverfront area, recently completed projects, upcoming agendas, the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Dinner, and more! 🔗 Follow the City of Fort Dodge: Website: https://www.fortdodgeiowa.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortdodgeiowa/ Instagram: https://www.insta...

Joey Coleman is a speaker and a Fort Dodge native. We discuss his ties to the Fort Dodge area, his experience with business and customer service, his books "Never Lose a Customer Again" & "Never Lose an Employee Again", his upcoming speaking arrangement at the GFDGA banquet, and more! 🔗 Follow Joey Coleman: Website: https://joeycoleman.com 📖 Get Joey Coleman's Books: Website: https://joeycol...

Jen Fitzgerald and Macy Johnson join us from Five Points Events to discuss how they became involved in event planning, the services they offer, recent and upcoming events, their favorite parts about planning events, and more! 🔗 Follow Five Points Events: Website: https://www.fivepointsevents.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581137170240 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

Andy Reed and Brian Pederson discuss how Lights at Kennedy got started, the behind-the-scenes work involved in this event every year, some of their favorite displays, and more! 🔗 Follow Lights At Kennedy: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LightsatKennedy/ 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Spin Markket + Digital: https://www.spinmarkket.com Becker Florist: https://www.beckerflorist.com/ 🗓️ Check...

Astra sits down with Chris Cournoyer, the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Iowa, to discuss the economic progress of the state of Iowa, Iowa's "America 250" initiative, how individuals can get involved, and more! 🔗 Follow Iowa's America 250: Website: https://governor.iowa.gov/america-250/ 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Spin Markket + Digital: https://www.spinmarkket.com Becker Florist: htt...

Shelby Fleming is the Administrative Assistant at Koch Fertilizer. We discuss the operations at Koch, opportunities for interns, how Koch impacts the local community, and more! 🔗 Follow Koch: Website: https://kochfertilizer.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KochFertilizer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KochFertilizerFortDodge/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kochagandenergy/...

Vickie Reeck and Paige Wheeler join us this week to discuss the City of Fort Dodge's recent housing progress, upcoming items on the agenda, how people can help out, and more! 🔗 Follow The City of Fort Dodge: Website: https://www.fortdodgeiowa.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortdodgeiowa/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortdodgeia X: https://www.twitter.com/FDCITY LinkedIn: https://w...

Jean Bral and Laura Todd from Buena Vista University join Astra and Katy this week to discuss how BVU is involved in the Fort Dodge area and beyond. They discuss updates to the BVU campus, strategic partnerships with businesses, local companies participating in BVU's programs, and more! 🔗 Follow Buena Vista University: Website: https://www.bvu.edu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buenavistauniv...

Astra and Katy sit down with Dr. Jesse Ulrich and Brady O'Brien from Iowa Central Community College. They discuss upcoming events at Decker Auditorium, how ICCC shapes the Fort Dodge community, the upcoming November 4th vote, and more! 🔗 Follow Iowa Central Community College: Website: https://www.iowacentral.edu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iowacentral/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...