The Table

Join hosts Brad and Chris on Episode #37 of The Table as they welcome Chancellor Janet Gooch from the University of Illinois Springfield. Chancellor Gooch shares her insights into the university’s evolving landscape and her leadership philosophy that drives UIS forward. Discover her vision for enhancing academic excellence, community engagement, and student success at UIS. We love to talk business...

Join hosts Brad and Chris as they explore the vision of Main Place Properties with guests Ben Andreas and Zane Peterson on Episode #36 of The Table. Main Place Properties, a cornerstone in Decatur's real estate sector, discusses their new upcoming projects. Ben and Zane delve into how they are doing their part in enhancing community living through innovative developments and expert management...

Join hosts Brad and Chris on Episode #35 of The Table as they chat with Marc Maslauski, owner of Jim Herron Limited, a staple in men's fashion in Springfield for over 40 years. Marc shares his transition from golf professional to successful entrepreneur, offering insights into Jim Herron Ltd.'s evolution and commitment to top-quality men's clothing and personalized service, includin...

Join hosts Brad and Chris on Episode #34 of The Table as they chat with Kate Peters, Executive Director of the Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS, and Amy Beadle, Marketing Manager for Visit Springfield. Kate oversees the prestigious PGA Korn Ferry Tour event, highlighting Springfield nationally while boosting local tourism and community pride. Amy collaborates closely with the tourname...

Join hosts Brad and Chris at The Table as they sit down with Ed Curtis, President/CEO of Memorial Health. With over four decades of healthcare leadership, Ed shares his journey from nurse to CEO and discusses Memorial Health's mission to provide comprehensive care to central Illinois. His extensive experience and passion for patient-centered care have earned him recognition and accolades both...

Prepare to be inspired as hosts Brad and Chris sit down with a special guest on this episode  of The Table - Jacob Garner, guitarist for country music sensation Riley Green and a beloved member of the Peerless family. In a heartfelt conversation, Jacob opens up about his remarkable journey, filled with twists, turns, and a relentless pursuit of his passion for music. Jacob's path to success w...

Join hosts Brad and Chris for a new episode of The Table as they sit down with two distinguished guests from the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office: Sheriff Jack Campbell and Lieutenant Travis Dalby. In this episode, Sheriff Campbell and Lt. Dalby delve into the challenges and rewards of serving the community, highlighting the importance of building trust and fostering positive relationships wi...

Join hosts Brad and Chris for an enlightening episode of The Table as they welcome two esteemed guests, Jeff Nelsen from Cherry Hills Church and Mike O'Shea from O'Shea Builders, for a profound discussion on leadership, faith, and business. With a shared journey spanning years of collaboration and dedication, Jeff and Mike have not only built successful businesses but have also cultivate...

Join hosts Brad and Chris on a sparkling journey into the heart of Springfield's jewelry scene with Carl Giganti, Giganti & Giganti Fine Jewelry, and Josh Giganti, Giganti Watches. With over 37 years of dedicated service to the community, Giganti & Giganti Fine Jewelry has become synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship and personalized service, continuing the tradition of providing...

This week, on Episode #28 of The Table, hosts Brad and Chris welcome two distinguished guests from Springfield Clinic, a cornerstone of medical care in Central Illinois. Tom Fitch, the Vice President of Facilities, Real Estate, and Construction, and Zach Kerker, the Chief Brand and Advocacy Officer, join us for a fascinating discussion on elevating patient care and the unique approach of Springfie...

On Episode #27 of The Table, Brad and Chris are honored to be joined with Kara Dermirjian Huss, a dynamic force in both the electric vehicle sector and the marketing world. As Vice President of T/CCI Manufacturing, Kara leads the charge towards a zero-emission future, exemplified by the groundbreaking Illinois EV Innovation Hub project. Kara also excels as the Founder and President of DCC Marketin...

In Episode #26 of The Table, Brad & Chris are excited to sit down with Brad Zara, the esteemed former owner of Zara's Collision Center, Springfield's premier auto-body repair company. Brad's reputation as a formidable business leader has left a lasting impact on the local community and beyond. During our conversation, Brad shares the journey of Zara's Collision Center. His...

Welcome to 'The Table' - our 25th episode, and 1 year anniversary! In this special edition, we turn the table on our co-host, Chris Hembrough. From the gridiron glory at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School and the University of Miami to a distinguished business career that led him back to Springfield where he led organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois and the The...

Episode #24 of The Table features an insightful conversation with Steve Oliver, president of BLDD Architects. Under Steve's leadership, BLDD has been at the forefront of transformative renovations and new construction projects, especially in the K-12 educational sector, reshaping the learning environments in our communities. Join hosts Brad and Chris as they delve into the world of architectu...

Episode #23 of The Table welcomes the remarkable Harry Schmidt, Director of Business Strategies at O'Shea Builders. Harry's diverse and impressive background spans from the skies as a Navy fighter pilot and Top Gun school graduate to significant roles in healthcare management at Memorial Health. In this episode, hosts Brad and Chris explore Harry's extraordinary journey. They delve...

On Episode #22 of The Table, Brad and Chris sit down with Ryan McCrady, the President & CEO of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance. Join in as they delve into the economic and community growth within the region.  From groundbreaking projects to innovative initiatives, we explore the transformative efforts that are driving progress and prosperity in Sangamon County. It's a deep dive i...

Join us for Episode #21 of The Table as we sit down with Brit Miller, a former NFL athlete and the current owner of Beck Tech. Brit's journey from the football fields of Eisenhower High School in Decatur to the adrenaline-packed stadiums of the NFL is nothing short of inspiring. His time at the University of Illinois carved a path that led him to the heights of professional football, a story...

Welcome to Episode #20 of The Table. We are honored to welcome Jennifer Gill, the esteemed superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, District 186. In this episode, Jennifer shares her journey through the education system, reflecting a deep commitment and a heartfelt passion for shaping young minds. Join us as we explore the current state and the exciting future developments of District 186. Je...

On this week's episode of The Table, Brad and Chris are joined by Mike Chamness, the author of "Victorious!" a captivating tale that explores the lives of two extraordinary Sangamon County football coaches, Ken and Derek Leonard—a father and son duo whose story transcends the gridiron. In "Victorious!" Mike Chamness brings to life the remarkable narrative of Ken and Derek...

Join us for an exciting episode as hosts Brad and Chris sit down with two extraordinary entrepreneurs, George Streckfuss and Ryan Spurlock, the dynamic forces behind The Brass Horn. George and Ryan's commitment to crafting personalized experiences for every customer has set a new standard in our community. We love to talk business, leadership, community engagement and involvement. So, why not...

On this episode of The Table, Brad and Chris have the pleasure of sitting down with Kevin Hinton, the visionary owner of Maverik Marketing right here in Decatur. Join us as we delve deep into Kevin's entrepreneurial journey, his invaluable insights into customer service, and the secrets behind Maverik that fuels his success. Get ready for an enlightening conversation that will leave you inspi...

Welcome to The Table! In this episode, Brad and Chris sit down with the remarkable Mark Watson, former Executive VP and COO of BUNN, who has embarked on an inspiring journey of reinvention as an author with his book, "Joyous Leadership." Join us as Mark shares his incredible story and insights, offering a unique perspective on leadership that promises to ignite your passion for success W...

Welcome to Episode #15 of The Table! In this insightful installment, hosts Brad and Chris are joined by a special guest, Regan Deering, a formidable candidate running for the Illinois House District 88. Join us as we embark on a deep dive into Regan's philosophies, her ambitious goals for her district, and the inspiring journey that led her to this moment. Her dedication to positive change an...

On this episode of The Table, Kevin Breheny with First Mid Insurance Group and John West with First Mid Bank & Trust join Brad & Chris as they delve into the fascinating world of business and community.  With engaging insights and spirited discussions, this episode is your ticket to uncovering the dynamic interplay between commerce and community.  We love to talk business, leadership, comm...

Football season is just around the corner! And what better way to kick off the excitement of Friday Night Lights than with a dynamic duo of high school football greatness? Joining your hosts Brad Wike & Chris Hembrough at The Table this week are the legendary head coaches, Derek & Ken Leonard, both renowned for their exceptional records and multiple state titles. Derek, leading the powerho...