The Alliance Connection
Welcome to The Alliance Connection, the podcast of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Astra and Katy sit down with a variety of individuals, businesses, and major players within the Fort Dodge community that embody #DelightfulDodge. Join us the first and third Wednesday of every month for new episodes!
Episodes
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
🗓️ Check Out the GFDGA Community Calendar: https://business.greaterfortdodge.com/ca...
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
🗓️ Check Out the GFDGA Community Calendar: http...
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://www.linkedin.com/company/fortdo...
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/buenavistauniversity Instagram: https://www.in...
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/iowacentral/ X: https://www.twi...
Katy sits down with Corey Jansen this week to discuss the arrival of Baker Group to Fort Dodge, their upcoming ribbon cutting, their involvement with GFDGA, and more!
🔗 Follow The Baker Group: Website: https://www.thebakergroup.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bakergroup63/ Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/baker-group X: https://www.twitter.com/bakergroup63 Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user122056763
Matt Johnson and Todd McCubbin of the Better Way Project stop by to discuss what the Better Way Project is, how it formed, how it aims to help our community, and much more!
🔗 Follow The Better Way Project: Website: https://www.betterwayproject.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBetterWayProject Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheBetterWayProject X: https://www.twitter.com/TheBetterWayFD YouTube: https://www.youtub...
Matt Johnson joins Astra and Kamisha to discuss the 2025 Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Golf Outing, how the event has changed over the years, the networking opportunities available, fun games to play, prizes to be won, and more!
🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Buena Vista University - https://www.bvu.edu
🗓️ Check Out the GFDGA Community Calendar: https://business.greaterfortdodge.com/calendar
Craig Schlienz sits on the Shellabration board that organizes the annual Downtown Country Jam. We discuss how the first Downtown Country Jam came to be, the HUGE response for this year's concert, possible upcoming changes to the Downtown Country Jam, and more!
🗓️ Downtown Country Jam - Saturday, August 9th, 2025: Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1146199760326825
🎙️ Follow Shellabration Inc.: Facebook: https://www.faceboo...
Leah Glasgo is the President and CEO of UnityPoint in Fort Dodge, Iowa. We discuss her journey to becoming the President and CEO of UnityPoint, the services UnityPoint provides, being one of the region's largest employers, how UnityPoint stays up-to-date with changes in healthcare, and more!
🔗 Follow UnityPoint: Website: https://www.facebook.com/UnityPointHealth/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnityPointHealth/ X: https://w...
Debi Durham, Iowa's Director of Economic Development Authority and Iowa's Finance Authority, stops by to discuss her journey, how Fort Dodge was recently named a Thriving Community, workforce attraction, targeted industries, and more!
🔗 Follow Iowa's Economic Development Authority: Website: https://opportunityiowa.gov/about/iowa-economic-development-authority Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iowaeconomicdevelopment/ LinkedIn:...
Julie Thorson (President/CEO) and Jen Lane (Director of Engagement) work at Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Astra and Katy sit down with them to discuss the history of Friendship Haven, the upcoming "Legacy Week", celebrating 75 years in our community, and more!
🔗 Follow Friendship Haven: Website: https://www.friendshiphaven.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendshipHavenFortDodge/ Instagram: https://www.instagram....
George Berger works at Force America in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Astra and Katy discuss how Force America came to be, how it has changed over the years, their upcoming relocation in Fort Dodge, being employee-owned, and much more!
🔗 Follow Force America: Website: https://forceamerica.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forceamerica YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forceamericainc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/force-a...
Terry Allers is the owner of Allers Associates Architects, PC in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Terry is also the winner of the 2025 Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Ambassador of the Year Award. Astra and Katy sit down with Terry to discuss how it felt to win the award, what drives Terry to support his local community, and more!
🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Buena Vista University - https://www.bvu.edu
Jill Nelson is the Vice President and Community Engagement Director at the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance. Jill is also very involved in Junior Leadership Fort Dodge. Astra and Katy sit down with Jill to discuss how Junior Leadership Fort Dodge came about, what it entails, how it changes the perspectives of the students who are enrolled, and much more!
🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Buena Vista University - https://www.bvu...
Kate Stucky is the Director of Operations and Finance at St. Edmond Catholic School and Holy Trinity Parish in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Kate is also the 2025 Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Emerging Leader Award Winner. Astra and Katy sit down with Kate to discuss her community involvement, balancing work and life, winning the Emerging Leader Award, and more!
🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Buena Vista University - https://www.bvu....
Jim Kersten is the Vice President of External Relations and Government Affairs at Iowa Central Community College. Jim is also the winner of the 2025 Catalyst Award from the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance. Astra and Katy sit down with Jim to discuss his community involvement, his interactions with all levels of government, Jim's dedication to service, and much more!
🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Buena Vista University - ht...
Dawn Larson is the Economic Development Specialist for the City of Fort Dodge. Dawn is also the recent winner of the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance. Astra and Katy sit down with Dawn to discuss how she became a volunteer, the impact her volunteering has had on the community, different ways individuals can get involved, and much more!
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