Iowa Manufacturing Podcast
Manufacturing is Iowa's most innovative, creative, and productive sector. Delivering the lion's share of Iowa's GDP, the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast tells the story of our state's economic heroes. Hosted by Leisa Fox, subscribe for a weekly deep dive with leaders in manufacturing, those who support them, and leaders who empower their infrastructure. Guests include Iowa Economic Development Authority Director, Debbie Durham. Gentry Collins, CEO of American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, and BJ Spyksma, CEO of Aplos, and many others. Fox has a long history of developing collaborative business relationships and networks in Iowa. During her time at the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, she led their revenue efforts, increasing membership by 30% and more than doubling revenues. Most recently she ran Youth Emergency Service & Shelter where she guided them through a merger with another agency and worked herself out of a job. Today, she runs Fox Growth Strategies, a boutique fractional business development firm.
Episodes
This week’s Iowa Manufacturing Podcast explores how manufacturers can cut through the noise of endless measurements to focus on what truly drives performance. Guest Jason Greer of Peel Business Design explains that while data is powerful, too much of it can distract and overwhelm. By narrowing focus to just three to five meaningful metrics, companies can make smarter decisions, improve cost accuracy, and strengthen pri...
John Rapp, President of Auto-Jet Muffler Corporation, joins the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast to share his entrepreneurial journey and the principles that guide his decision-making. From launching ventures to building synergies with his sister company, Heartland Harness, John explains how discernment shapes which projects move forward and how he maintains a competitive edge.
He also explores the critical role...
This week, Leisa Fox and EOS Implementer Loraine Hardin reflect on three significant events that highlight the momentum of Iowa’s business and manufacturing community: the Traction Table, the CBJ Manufacturing Conference, and the Manufacturing Masterminds tour at Seneca Foundry. Together, they explore the common challenges companies are facing—from workforce transitions to economic pressures—and the EOS tools and leade...
The live CBJ Manufacturing Conference podcast brought together three leaders—Dawn Ealy, Steve Coleman, and Wendy Mihm-Herold—to map out strategies for addressing Iowa’s looming workforce crisis. With 240,000 Baby Boomers set to retire by 2030, the conversation underscored the need for employers to proactively leverage automation, retain senior workers through flexible arrangements, and intentionally engage the next gen...
On this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, Leisa Fox welcomes Todd Shores, Virtual CFO with Creative Planning, to discuss how manufacturers can respond to the financial turbulence caused by expanded tariffs. Shores underscores the importance of transparency—encouraging leaders to openly communicate financial challenges with employees, building trust while aligning teams behind critical decisions.
T...
In this episode, host Leisa Fox tackles one of Iowa’s most urgent challenges: the looming workforce gap. With hundreds of thousands of jobs set to open in the next five years, the solution isn’t abstract—it’s work-based learning. Leaders from iJAG, ABI, MidAmerican Energy, and Kuder share how their collaboration is creating a clear pathway for students while giving businesses direct access to the skilled workforce they...
Qore’s new facility in Eddyville marks more than production—it’s a statement: QIRA is the gold standard in bio-derived materials. Capable of replacing fossil-based inputs with renewable corn-sourced alternatives, QIRA stands as a drop-in replacement for traditional BDO and is already transforming global supply chains. With Cargill and HELM at the helm, QIRA exemplifies how agriculture, industry, and innovation can unit...
The future of housing in Iowa is getting smaller—and smarter. In this conversation, Mike Stuart of Tiny Homes Iowa explains how his company is transforming the housing market with tiny homes that combine modern design, efficiency, and affordability. With the state’s new legislation paving the way for tiny homes in every Iowa city and county, Mike shares how this change could redefine where and how Iowans live.
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Robotics is no longer just for high-volume automotive lines. In this insightful conversation, Mark Barglof of Kinetic Technologies explains how advances in robotic welding are making automation accessible to manufacturers running short batches and tackling complex part geometries. With benefits that extend far beyond labor savings—such as reduced wire and gas consumption, lower scrap, and even floor space optimization—...
Tanya Fish of ITA Group joins the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast to share the power of personalized incentives and strategic recognition. From sales teams to distributor networks, she explains how behavior-based reward programs create stronger relationships, boost retention, and drive better business results. ITA Group’s tailored approach ensures individuals are motivated in ways that matter most to them.
More...
What if you could eliminate waste in your marketing budget and double down on what actually works? August and Alex Severn of Capitol Data Analytics join the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast to explain how manufacturers can do exactly that. By using precise audience targeting and tracking the right metrics—like lifetime customer value—CDS helps clients transform guesswork into growth.
Manufacturers are entering a new era of digital discovery—and it’s powered by artificial intelligence. In this episode, Amanda Phillips of Anthologic breaks down the growing impact of Search Generative Experiences (SGE) and what it means for Iowa’s industrial sector. With AI now summarizing and curating search results, your company’s visibility could be at risk if your website isn’t built to meet the moment.
This episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast features Grant Veenstra, Founder of Frozen Gains, a high-protein gelato company born from personal necessity and entrepreneurial grit. What started as a high school athlete's search for a better-tasting alternative to chalky protein shakes is now a full-fledged business on the rise. Grant shares how CyStarts, Iowa State University’s entrepreneurship accelerator, helped him...
Artificial intelligence is no longer a buzzword—it’s a competitive requirement. In this episode, Paul Gormley of CIRAS lays out a high-stakes roadmap for Iowa manufacturers. He challenges listeners to think differently about AI—not as a technology project, but as a strategic business decision that will determine who thrives and who falls behind. His three-question framework simplifies the complexity of AI and puts the ...
The Principal Charity Classic just set a new fundraising record—and in this episode, we reveal why that matters to Iowa’s business and manufacturing leaders. Jo Christine Miles and Ken McCullum share how the tournament leverages corporate power, strategic philanthropy, and community partnerships to uplift youth and strengthen Iowa's future workforce.
This is more than a golf tournament—it’s a model of how ...
Iowa’s workforce is expected to shrink by 240,000 people by 2030, posing a significant threat to the state’s manufacturing economy. In this episode, Dawn Ealy from CIRAS joins the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast to share how her team is equipping manufacturers to face this challenge head-on. From retention strategies to recruiting Gen Z and crafting age-inclusive leadership approaches, Dawn offers practical guidance grounde...
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, Todd Shores of Creative Planning breaks down the benefits of the Fractional CFO model, especially for manufacturers navigating uncertainty, staff turnover, or growth. Rather than relying on a single in-house person, companies gain a full team of experts with deep knowledge in finance, HR, ERP, AI, and operational strategy.
Todd also shares how manufacturer...
In this powerful episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Ian Roberts, Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, as he shares his compelling leadership journey and vision for the future of education in Iowa’s largest school district. With responsibility for over 31,000 students and 72 aging school buildings, Dr. Roberts discusses the challenges and opportunities ahead, including a $51 million ...
In this insightful episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, digital marketing strategist Sachin Sehgal delves into the parallels between SEO and real estate, emphasizing the importance of owning and optimizing your digital "property" to drive sustainable growth. He discusses NFC's acquisition of Bond Branding, highlighting how strategic branding and digital presence are pivotal in today's market.
Sachin ...
Allen Patton, of Patton Benefits, joins the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast to unveil a game-changing AI tool that’s disrupting the way manufacturers approach health insurance. His platform uses artificial intelligence to quote plans faster and more precisely, resulting in average savings of 20–30% for companies. Allen walks us through how the system works, the type of data it leverages, and why it’s a smarter approach comp...
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