Iowa Business Podcast
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Legacy and Innovation: The Burns Family Story at Mason Road Manufacturing
Join us for a heartwarming and insightful episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, where we sit down with Kerry Burns, owner of Mason Road Manufacturing, and his two sons, Jack and Jordan. Together, they share the story of their family-run business and how they’ve managed to merge legacy, innovation, and a strong work ethic to…
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From Refugee Camp to Aerospace Engineer: Kwizera Imani’s Inspiring Journey
Listen to Part 1: Listen to Part 2: In this powerful episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, we sit down with Kwizera Imani, a Project Engineer at Collins Aerospace, to hear his extraordinary story of resilience, perseverance, and the transformative power of mentorship. Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp, Imani learned early the values of…
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What’s in a Name – Looming Deadline for USPTO
Leisa Fox collaborated with BrownWinick to bring Iowa Manufacturing Podcast listeners this exclusive content. Sponsors compensate hosts for their time. Join us for an insightful conversation with Chris Proskey, Chair of the Intellectual Property Practice at BrownWinick, as we navigate the intricate world of trademarks and brand protection. With the United States Patent and Trademark…
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Workforce Response in Action: Navigating the Tyson Layoffs
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa interviews Eric Kress of the Central Iowa Workforce Development Board to discuss the board’s response to the Tyson layoffs in Perry, Iowa. Eric shares how the board coordinated with federal, state, and local leaders to address the layoffs and the barriers that have hindered redeployment…
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Redefining Workplace Wellness: VOI vs. ROI in Action
In the latest episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa engages with Troy Vincent of Navigate Wellbeing Solutions and Whitney Kolbe of Kemin to explore the evolving landscape of workplace wellness through the lens of Value on Investment (VOI) versus Return on Investment (ROI). As companies strive to balance employee wellbeing with business outcomes,…
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How Co-Warehousing is Transforming Manufacturing
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa sits down with Levi Cermak, Co-Founder of Elevator Spaces, to explore the transformative impact of co-warehousing on the maker and manufacturing communities in Omaha—and soon, Central Iowa. Elevator Spaces has reshaped how over 100 companies operate by providing dynamic warehousing, kitting, docking, and comprehensive business…
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From Advanced Manufacturing to ETR: Reimagining Careers in Waukee and Beyond
The APEX program (Aspiring Professional Experience) at Waukee Community School District’s Innovation Learning Center is reshaping how high school students in Iowa engage with potential career paths. Directed by Michelle Hill, APEX empowers students to gain practical, hands-on experience in a variety of industries, preparing them for the workforce while they’re still in school. Established…
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From Pro-Labor to Pro-Employer? What a Trump Administration Could Mean for Manufacturers
In a recent conversation with employment lawyer Dani Smid we dive into significant employment law changes that may arise under a Trump administration, with potential impacts across the manufacturing sector. Dani highlighted a sharp increase in frivolous employment lawsuits, spurred by pro-employee and pro-labor rules enacted under Biden’s watch. This uptick has led to a…
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A Window into the Future: How Automation is Shaping Careers at Pella Corporations
In this engaging episode of the Iowa Manufacturing podcast, Ben Coady from Pella Corporation shares his journey from joining the company as a process engineer in 2011 to navigating a changing landscape of roles and responsibilities. Ben highlights how his skillset has evolved alongside the company’s increasing emphasis on robotics and automation. As manufacturing technology…
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Hy-Vee Health and Exemplar Care: A New Era in Urgent and Concierge Healthcare
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, Carl Behne, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Hy-Vee Health/Exemplar Care, joins us to explore how their innovative concierge healthcare model is transforming the landscape of healthcare in Central Iowa and beyond. Behne discusses Exemplar Care’s recent partnership with Hy-Vee, a collaboration that allows them to expand…