Clearly Kosciusko

Rich Haddad – Impacting the health & wellness of Kosciusko County

In Episode 41 we chat with Rich Haddad, who serves as president & CEO of K21 Health Foundation, a private foundation that focuses on improving health and wellness for the residents of Kosciusko County.

Show Notes

• [2:00] Meet Rich Haddad, president & CEO of K21 Health Foundation
• [2:30] What is K21 Health Foundation?
• [8:30] How does K21 funding work? 
• [10:25] How the current economy is impacting K21
• [14:15] An impact for a healthier community
• [20:50] A glimpse of what’s ahead for K21
• [24:00] Rewards and challenges
• [28:40] Rich and his family
• [36:45] Selling points of K-County–firsthand from Rich
• [39:30] What “ClearlyKosciusko” means to Rich

Are you new to the community or considering moving to the Kosciusko County area? KEDCO is here to welcome you! Click here to learn about KEDCO’s Talent Initiative. Want the scoop on events and happenings? Subscribe to our newsletter and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram.

Mike Cusick & Greg Demopoulos – Kosciusko County Velo & all things biking

Mike Cusick and Greg Demopoulos, Kosciusko County Velo (KCV) Cycling Club President and Vice President & Co-Founder join us for a chat about "all things biking" and how this hobby and organization is creating a sense of community in Kosciusko County. 

Show Notes

 

• [1:30] Meet Mike Cusick and Greg Demopoulos, Kosciusko County Velo (KCV) Cycling Club President and Vice President & Co-Founder
• [2:23] The start of KCV
• [7:55] Where KCV is today
• [12:00] Who KCV works with
• [16:45] KCV involvement throughout Kosciusko County
• [20:40] Expanding trails outside the county
• [26:12] Favorite local spots to eat
• [28:48] Fat & Skinny Tire Fest event 2022
• [29:10] Coming to the community–why Kosciusko County?
• [31:00] Kosciusko County bike ways
• [34:45] What Clearly Kosciusko means to Mike and Greg
• [38:20] Fundraising for new bike park and event center

Are you new to the community or considering moving to the Kosciusko County area? KEDCO is here to welcome you! Click here to learn about KEDCO’s Talent Initiative. Want the scoop on events and happenings? Subscribe to our newsletter and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram.

Lyn Crighton – Life on the water, and working hard for clean lakes today and in the future

In this episode we hear about all-things-water from Watershed Foundation Executive Director Lyn Crighton! Kosciusko County is part of the Upper Tippecanoe River Watershed, which covers 236 square miles and contains over 60 lakes across several counties.

Show Notes

• [1:40] Meet Lyn Crighton, executive director of The Watershed Foundation
• [3:00] The purpose and focus of The Watershed Foundation
• [5:55] What’s a watershed anyway?
• [8:54] Education is an important aspect of The Watershed Foundation
• [10:53] The founding of The Watershed Foundation
• [14:00] Monitoring our waterways
• [15:42] The progression of the Tippecanoe River
• [19:50] The life of Lyn – her back story
• [24:57] Hidden gem in Kosciusko County
• [26:40] Lyn’s must-see and must-do list in the county
• [28:48] Engaging positively with your local waterways
• [34:00] What Clearly Kosciusko means to Lyn
• [35:51] How to get involved with the Watershed Foundation

Brian Peterson – The housing market and living life in Kosciusko County

Brian Peterson, a Kosciusko County native and owner of Brian Peterson Real Estate, shares insight on the current housing market, where we're headed, and his take on living life fully in Kosciusko County!

Show Notes

• [1:40] Meet Lyn Crighton, executive director of The Watershed Foundation
• [3:00] The purpose and focus of The Watershed Foundation
• [5:55] What’s a watershed anyway?
• [8:54] Education is an important aspect of The Watershed Foundation
• [10:53] The founding of The Watershed Foundation
• [14:00] Monitoring our waterways
• [15:42]The progression of the Tippecanoe River
• [19:50] The life of Lyn–her backstory
• [24:57] Hidden gem in Kosciusko County
• [26:40] Lyn’s must-see and must-do list in the county
• [28:48] Engaging positively with your local waterways
• [34:00] What Clearly Kosciusko means to Lyn
• [35:51] How to get involved with the Watershed Foundation

Josh Miller – Opportunities with a global company while living with a “small town” feel

Making the leap from a bigger city to something smaller, doesn't mean less opportunities. Josh Miller, a global project manager with Zimmer Biomet shares his story and experience about journeying to Kosciusko County, and opportunities with a global-leading company.

 

Show Notes

• [2:55] Meet Josh Miller,a  global project manager at Zimmer Biomet
• [5:50] Reasons for the move to Warsaw and the big change
• [9:00] Josh discusses his wife’s involvement in the community
• [10:40] Growing up in Indianapolis
• [14:20] Leading a young professional network for Zimmer Biomet
• [20:20] Leisure time spent at restaurants, bike riding, and more
• [21:45] A local food truck fan
• [24:10] Wanting to grow without losing who we are
• [26:32] Working and opportunities to make an impact at Zimmer Biomet
• [28:18] Community involvement and nonprofit passion

Are you new to the community or considering moving to the Kosciusko County area? KEDCO is here to welcome you! Click here to learn about KEDCO’s Talent Initiative. Want the scoop on events and happenings? Subscribe to our newsletter and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram.

Jamie Visker – Local resident and entrepreneur and why creativity matters in building & supporting teams

We take a deep dive with local resident and entrepreneur, Jamie Visker, owner and CEO of Winona Powder Coating. We chat business, living life in K-County, and why creativity matters for building & supporting teams. 🙌

 

Show Notes

• [1:48] Meet Jamie Visker, owner and CEO of Winona Powder Coating
• [4:20] How Jamie discovered Winona Powder Coating
• [5:28] In 2012, Winona Powder expanded by purchasing a facility in Etna Green
• [10:08] Jamie explains powder coating technology
• [15:40] Growing up on the west side of Indianapolis
• [16:00] Co-op opportunity with IBM
• [16:40] Raising a family and residing in the Warsaw area
• [20:50] Winona Powder is exploring options for childcare for employees
• [24:00] Using referrals for hiring and rewarding employees
• [26:47] What Jamie loves about this area–living on the water and great restaurants
• [30:35] Adding more affordable housing options in the community
• [33:00] Winona Powder Coating is hiring

Are you new to the community or considering moving to the Kosciusko County area? KEDCO is here to welcome you! Click here to learn about KEDCO’s Talent Initiative. Want the scoop on events and happenings? Subscribe to our newsletter and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram.

 

Orville Haney – Real estate, agriculture and the power of listening to others

Local native, Orville Haney, a 6th generation dairy farmer, turned realtor, shares insight on the housing and real estate market, agriculture, and why over anywhere else in the world, he chooses Kosciusko County. 

 

Show Notes

• Orville Haney is a 6th generation dairy farmer “turned realtor”with Home, Land & Lakes Realty.
• As a testament to the business-friendly climate and entrepreneurial environment, Orville said, “Kosciusko County wants your business. Kosciusko County has people in place to not only listen to your needs, but to try to help you find a spot––they want to see you succeed. There’s not a lack of people lined up to help somebody stake a claim here and start up a business here.”
• Orville mentioned more than once, the value he’s found in simply listening to the needs of others in business, building community, and relationships.
• Orville believes the people here are a big part of what makes Kosciusko County feel like home. He said, “I have had the opportunity to see a good share of this world, I have seen this country...there is nowhere else I want to be than Kosciusko County.”
• Orville emphasized the variety of offerings in Kosciusko County. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures or something indoors with the family in the winter, the community has a variety of offerings––oftentimes for free. Orville and his family enjoy the ample rivers, lakes and trails.
• “We’re[Kosciusko County] big enough to have everything of being big, but still small enough to have a heart.”
• Want to learn more about Kosciusko County and connect with new people? Checkout KEDCO’s “Outside the Fishbowl” monthly meetups for newcomers. If you’ve never been to Kosciusko County, and might consider a move in the future, contact KEDCO for a customized community tour.

Lakesha Green – Pursuing the arts and finding her peace and calm in Indiana

After journeying from New York to Indiana to continue her 25-year career in the arts, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts Executive Director Lakesha Green found home at Winona Lake. She's pursuing her passion, and appreciates the welcoming community, and peace and calm of life here in K-County. 

 

Show Notes

• Lakesha Green has worked in the arts for the past 25 years. She recently journeyed to Kosciusko County, Indiana from New York, and serves as the new Executive Director for the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts in Warsaw.
• Lakesha said she quickly learned that “The Wagon Wheel is a part of everyone’s story [here].”
• When asked about the quality of the shows at The Wagon Wheel, Lakesha said, “We bring Broadway here. There’s not a show on Broadway that a Wagon Wheel alums haven’t touched.” Actors come from all over to audition for the Wagon Wheel.
• With the unique asset of being around theatre, and with only 12 rows of seats, guests are truly a part of and immersed in every show.
• When Lakesha pursued the executive director opening, and first visited the community she knew it was the right fit. “Everybody was so welcoming! “It just blew me away...the community did.”
• As a resident now of Winona Lake, Lakesha highly recommends Cerulean Restaurant and Light Rail Café and Roaster in the Village at Winona.
• Lakesha said,“Coming from New York and coming here, was the best transition for me because it’s where the peace is.”
• Be sure to checkout upcoming events and shows at The Wagon Wheel!
• Want to learn more about Kosciusko County and connect with new people? Checkout KEDCO’s “Outside the Fishbowl” monthly meetups for newcomers. If you’ve never been to Kosciusko County, and might consider a move in the future, contact KEDCO for a customized community tour.

Michael Pahl – Entrepreneurship, outdoor opportunities, and a community with open arms

Michael Pahl, founder and owner of local business Winona IT, came from Switzerland to Grace College in Winona Lake, IN and planted roots for his family and a growing business.  

 

Show Notes

• Michael Pahl is the founder and owner of Winona IT, an IT consulting, support and software development company.
• He was born and raised outside Philadelphia, then lived several years in Switzerland. His family regularly visited Winona Lake during the summertime, which is what brought him back after graduating high school.
• Winona IT prides itself on operating outside that typical “break-fix”relationship with customers. The team broadens their approach by understanding the big-picture needs of the business to serve in more ways than one may typically think an IT company might do.
• Michael attended Grace College where he met his now wife, who also moved to the area from Alaska.
• After experiencing a great college internship with Silveus Insurance, where he worked for 10 years, Michael became passionate about offering similar opportunities to interns at Winona IT.
• “This community is extremely generous... people will go out of their way to help you, meet with you and support you,” Michael said.
• Michael appreciates the contrast he’s able to experience by living life in Kosciusko County. As an outdoorsman who enjoys fishing, hunting and hiking, and as an entrepreneur, he can be a business leader and IT pro by day, and enjoy a sunrise or sunset from a tree stand.
• Want to learn more about Kosciusko County and connect with new people? Checkout KEDCO’s “Outside the Fishbowl” monthly meetups for newcomers. If you’ve never been to Kosciusko County, and might consider a move in the future, contact KEDCO for a customized community tour.

Stefan King – HopLore Brewing Co. and how beer and community go hand in hand

Hear from Stefan King, HopLore Brewing Company's co-owner and brewer, about the journey to where HopLore is today, and why community matters so much in the industry.

 

Show Notes

• Stefan King, is co-owner and brewer of HopLore Brewing Co. which has two locations in the county, the original located at “The Mill” in Leesburg, which was formerly a grain mill, and its second location is on Market Street in Warsaw.
• HopLore is more than great craft beer and food. Stefan said,“Breweries have an opportunity to bring communities together.”
• Along with its must-try craft beer and food, HopLore hosts events, offers trivia nights, games and more, to bring people together. Learn more.
• HopLore tries to meet the needs of beer drinkers who like their “go-to” brew, and those explorers who want to try something new. HopLore typically keeps 4-5 of their “staple” beers consistently on tap, and rotates specialty brews like their pastry- inspired line. Check out the menu.
• Stefan shared that as a business owner, “You have to have a good perspective, and check your own ego sometimes.” As a reminder, he keeps a 4-pack of beer he brewed and dumped (didn’t end up adding to the menu) as a reminder to never get to the point where he believes, “Everything I make is good because I made it.”
• Want to learn more about Kosciusko County and connect with new people? Checkout KEDCO’s “Outside the Fishbowl” monthly meetups for newcomers. If you’ve never been to Kosciusko County, and might consider a move in the future, contact KEDCO for a customized community tour.