Watts Happening Podcast

There are few (if any) who know more about the campus & architecture of University of Iowa than our guest this week, Rod Lehnertz. Rod is the Vice President of Finance & Operations at U of I as well as an Iowa City Native and voice of Carver Hawkeye Arena. Join Gary and Rod as they discuss the history of the University’s most iconic buildings, what new construction projects are in the works at Iowa, and much more!

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From the Iowa Hawkeyes to the NFL and back to Iowa City, we’re excited to be joined this week by former pro kicker & local entrepreneur, Nate Kaeding. Join Gary and Nate as they discuss his football career and how it helped him become the business man he is today. Learn more about Nate’s life growing up in Iowa City as well as his transition back home and journey into entrepreneurship.

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We’re excited to be joined on the podcast this week by the Hoover Presidential Foundation Vice President of Development, Mundi McCarty. Join Gary and Mundi as they discuss the life of Herbert Hoover before, after, and during his presidency. Learn more about his time abroad, relationships with presidents that succeeded him, and his wife Lou Henry. Gary and Mundi also discuss The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, its fu...

Loyalty to a company takes another meaning when you’ve spent 39 years working for the same organization. Our guest this week, Tim Finer, exemplifies this with an extraordinary career at Hills Bank that has lasted nearly four decades. Join Gary and Tim as they discuss the history of Hills bank, changes in modern banking, trends in interest rates, raising foster children, and much more!

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We’re excited to be joined by one of our own this week, Adam Hahn! Adam has been with Watts Group for nearly ten years and has a deep knowledge of everything that goes into our construction projects. Join Gary and Adam as they discuss their history together, the development process at Watts Group, paths to a successful career in construction, and much more!

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Ep 31 | Doug Boldt | City Administrator of Tiffin

We are joined this week by the City Administrator of Tiffin IA, Doug Boldt!

Doug has held the role since 2015 and has a seasoned background in Iowa public administration. Join Gary and Doug as they discuss Tiffin’s incredible population growth, new amenities coming to the community, Clear Creek School District, and much more!

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We’re excited to be joined this week by the Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Iowa, Dr. Matt Howard!

Dr. Howard joined the University in 1993 and has been the Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery since 2001 where he leads a team of 12 faculty and 14 residents. Join Gary and Matt as they discuss innovations in machine brain interface, the importance of medical research, Iowa’s outstanding hospit...

Our guest this week is Nate Kullbom of Sugar Bottom Bikes in North Liberty.

Nate has worked at bike shops for over 20 years and has competed in cycling races of nearly all disciplines. This includes the “Rule of Three” race in May of this year where Nate placed 5th among 380 other national racers. Join Gary and Nate as they discuss the diversities of the cycling world, including mountain biking, fat tires, cyclo-cross even...

Ep 27 | Brad Kunkel | Johnson County Sheriff

We are excited to be joined on the podcast this week by Johnson County Sheriff, Brad Kunkel! 👮

Brad has been with the Johnson County Sheriff’s office for over 22 years and has made a career of serving our community. Join Gary and Brad as they discuss the duties of the Sheriff’s office, how emergencies are handled in our community, new efforts to improve officer wellnes...

We are honored to be joined on the podcast this week by Lisa Bluder, Head Coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball team.

Coach Bluder and her Hawkeyes had an incredible season last year that culminated in playing at the NCAA championship. Join Gary and Lisa on the newest episode of the Watts Happening Podcast as they discuss this phenomenal season, principles of hard work, what fans can look forward to next season, an...

We’re excited to be joined this week by Pete Johnson, Mortgage Loan Officer at Green State Credit Union.

Join Gary and Pete in this new episode as they discuss entrepreneurship, lending options for buying a home, how to become a mortgage broker, and much more!

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As a quick correction on this episode, Pete mentions at around 21:30 that Freddy Mae and Frannie Mac ...

To celebrate the Iowa City Parade of Homes happening this week, we are excited to be joined by our own Residential Construction Manager, Brent Yirkovsky!

Brent has been with the Watts Group for over 11 years and is responsible for the construction of nearly 100 homes annually, which includes our homes featured on this year’s Iowa City Parade. Join Gary and Brent as they discuss the homebuilding process, current residential...

We’re excited to be joined by the President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Johnson County, Shelly Maharry!

Shelly just celebrated five years at the Community Foundation and has a passion for connecting donors with good causes in our community. Join Gary and Shelly as they discuss the role of community foundations, the importance of endowment building, the joys of living in Johnson County, and much more!

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Does your golf game need some improvement? Our guest this week, Sean McCarty, is here to help!

Sean is the Head Pro at Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville as well as a veteran professional golfer who has played such competitive circuits as the PGA tour and US Open.

Find out why slicing a shot shouldn’t ruin your entire game, as he shares how mental toughness and routine can give you a competitive edge. Listen as Ga...

We are joined this week by Doug Alberhasky! In addition to being the owner of Iowa City’s iconic John’s Grocery, Doug is also an IC brewery historian and local expert on all things beer.

Join Gary and Doug as they discuss the background of John’s Grocery, the beer brewing process, and Iowa City’s historic brewery roots - such as downtown’s beer caves and IC’s prohibition “beer mafia”. 

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“The Ironmen” is an upcoming film based on famed Iowa Hawkeye, Nile Kinnick. On this week’s podcast, we are joined by the film’s producer, Joe Heath!

Joe is an Iowa City native who has been in the film industry for nearly 20 years. Join Gary and Joe as they discuss “The Ironmen”, the history of the Hawkeyes & Nile Kinnick, what’s needed to create a major motion pictures film, Joe’s other upcoming film endeavors, and mu...

This week we are joined by the founder of Valor Wealth Planning, Mike Young. 

Mike is also an advocate for mental health and is working to start his own foundation, One More Sunset, which will help to identify and assist people suffering with suicidal depression. Join Gary and Mike as they discuss mental health and the options for support that are available.

Video Version 🎥 https://youtu.be/PTmPyYaXvB8

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Ep 18 | Jack Tank | Iowa Agriculture & Ag Insurance Expert

We are joined this week by Jack Tank, owner of Ag Risk Insurance. 

Join Gary and Jack as they discuss all things Iowa agriculture - including the state’s family farms, the cost of land, farmland conservation efforts, the profitability of raising cattle, and much more!

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Music by local artist...