Chamber Amplified

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In this episode of Chamber Amplified's Day in the Life series, Doug Jenkins sits down with Brian Whitta, Broker/Owner of Coldwell Banker Flag City, for a behind-the-scenes look at the real estate profession.

Brian discusses how every day is different, why relationships are the foundation of real estate, how he monitors housing trends and economic indicators each morning, and what today's housing market really looks like. They also explore why inventory remains tight years after the Great Recession, how technology and regulations have changed the industry, and why community involvement plays such an important role in building a successful business.

Whether you're thinking about buying or selling a home, considering a career in real estate, or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the region's most important industries.

Topics include:

•  Housing inventory and market trends 
•  Real estate careers 
•  Building client relationships 
•  Community involvement 
•  The future of housing 
•  Small business leadership

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Ohio has officially been named CNBC's #1 State for Business, but what does that actually mean?

In this episode of Chamber Amplified, Doug Jenkins sits down with Chase Eikenbary of the Regional Growth Partnership and Matt Gilroy of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development to unpack how Ohio climbed from 41st in the rankings to the top spot, why infrastructure became the most important category this year, and how years of planning are paying off across the state.

The conversation also explores what this ranking means for businesses in Findlay and Hancock County, why site readiness and workforce development matter more than ever, and where Ohio still has room to improve as it works to remain competitive.

Whether you're a business owner, community leader, or simply interested in Ohio's economy, this episode offers an inside look at the strategies helping attract new investment and create opportunities across the region.

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Rod Walton spent nearly 44 years building relationships in the banking industry, and while technology has changed dramatically, he believes the fundamentals of business success haven't.

In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Rod shares advice on networking, building trust, following up with clients, handling mistakes professionally, and developing relationships that last throughout an entire career.

Whether you're just starting your career, growing your business, or looking to strengthen your professional network, this conversation offers timeless lessons that apply to every industry.

Topics include:

• Building trust and credibility
 • Effective networking strategies
 • Following up without feeling "salesy"
 • Customer service as a competitive advantage
 • Advice for young professionals
 • Why relationships still matter in an AI-driven world

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Summer travel is in full swing, and there’s no shortage of places to explore across Ohio. In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins talks with Matt MacLaren, Director of Travel and Tourism Policy for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, about Ohio’s tourism industry, the proposed Ohio, The Heart of It All Pass, and the connection between travel, local businesses, and economic growth.

The conversation covers major attractions like Cedar Point, Kings Island, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Ohio’s professional sports teams, and the state park system, but also highlights the smaller local destinations that help bring visitors into communities across the state. Matt also explains how tourism can support workforce attraction by helping more people see Ohio as a place to visit, live, work, and invest.

Whether you’re planning a summer trip, looking for something new to do close to home, or interested in how tourism impacts local economies, this episode offers a look at why travel matters for Ohio communities.

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In this Day in the Life episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins talks with Dr. Todd Gillfillan and Alicia Weaver from The Wellness Way of Ada about what it’s like to work in the wellness and health restoration industry.

The conversation covers chiropractic care, inflammation, lifestyle change, immune health, common misconceptions about wellness clinics, and why many people look for answers when they’re told everything looks normal but still don’t feel their best.

Todd and Alicia also discuss how wellness-focused care and modern medicine can each have a time and place, why health restoration is often a step-by-step process, and what people should know about maintaining better long-term health habits.

This episode is part of our monthly Day in the Life series, where we highlight different Chamber members and industries from across the Findlay-Hancock County business community.

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Former Findlay Mayor and former Alliance Economic Development Director Tony Iriti passed away on May 6, 2026. Ahead of his celebration of life on Friday, June 26 at 5:30 p.m. at Dorney Plaza in Findlay, Chamber Amplified is taking time to remember his impact on Findlay and Hancock County.

This episode features three shorter conversations with Jody Combs of RooBarb Studios, former economic development directory Tim Mayle, and Lydia Mihalik, former Findlay mayor and current director of the Ohio Department of Development. Together, they reflect on Tony’s humor, compassion, leadership style, love for Findlay, and ability to bring people together.

From his work in local government and economic development to his mentorship, friendships, and unforgettable stories, Tony’s influence can still be felt across the community. This episode is not a complete retelling of his life, but a collection of memories from people who knew him, worked with him, and learned from him.

Topics include Tony Iriti’s leadership in Findlay, his role in economic development, the “go where the energy is” philosophy, flood mitigation efforts, mentorship, community building, and the relationships that helped shape Findlay and Hancock County.

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Traditional job fairs can bring employers and students into the same room, but that doesn’t always lead to successful hires.

In this “Best of” episode of Chamber Amplified, Doug Jenkins revisits a conversation with Kyle Watts, work-based learning liaison at Millstream Career Center. Kyle shares what Millstream learned after a large job fair led to dozens of student job offers but only a small number of accepted positions.

The issue wasn’t that students didn’t want to work. Many students simply weren’t sure what to expect from the workplace.

Kyle explains how tours, job shadows, short-term work experiences and other hands-on opportunities can help students build confidence, connect with employers and see a realistic career path. He also shares practical steps businesses can take before creating a work-based learning opportunity, including identifying which skills are truly required, showing employees a clear path for advancement and allowing room for students to learn from early mistakes.

This episode originally aired in October 2024. Chamber Amplified will return with a new episode on June 23.

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Your next great hire might not live in Ohio yet, and that doesn’t have to be a dead end. In this best of episode we sit down with Alex Connolly, director of Find Your Ohio at JobsOhio, to unpack a practical talent attraction strategy built for employers who have exhausted the local candidate pool, especially in technology, engineering, healthcare, and other STEM-heavy roles.

We get specific about how Find Your Ohio works: candidates come to the site to learn about working and living here, then submit one simple application that feeds a large resume database employers can search. Alex also explains the two paths for employers, self-service searching or hands-on help from her team to match candidates to your openings, which can be a game-changer when HR teams are strapped and the recruiting process feels like shouting into the void.

Then we dig into the message that helps Ohio compete nationally. It’s not only about a job. It’s about quality of life, cost of living, and how far a salary can go compared with high-cost markets. You’ll hear real outcomes, including match and interview rates, plus a story where an employer liked a candidate enough to create a new role. We also talk about common employer concerns, relocation realities, and why veteran and transitioning military talent can be a strong fit.

If you’re trying to grow a team in Findlay, Hancock County, or anywhere in Ohio, hit subscribe, share this with a hiring manager, and leave a review so more employers can find the tools that make hiring easier.

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Energy costs are becoming a growing concern for businesses across Ohio, and many companies are starting to look more seriously at long-term ways to control utility expenses.

In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins talks with Terry Nielsen of Superior Energy Solutions about rising electric rates, solar energy systems, battery storage technology, and the looming deadline for key federal solar tax incentives.

They discuss:

•  Why utility costs are increasing across Ohio  
•  Commercial solar ROI and tax credits 
•  Battery storage and peak demand reduction 
•  Energy efficiency opportunities for businesses 
•  What companies need to know before July incentive changes 

Whether you’re actively considering solar or simply trying to better understand where energy costs are heading, this episode offers practical insight for business owners, manufacturers, and facility managers.

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A major transition is coming for small businesses across the country - and most communities aren’t talking about it enough.

In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins sits down with Josh Robb from Hixon Zuercher Capital Management to discuss the growing wave of business owner retirements expected over the next decade and what it could mean for local communities.

They discuss:

•  why succession planning matters, 
•  how retiring owners can prepare their businesses for transition, 
•  why local ownership matters to a community, 
•  how entrepreneurs can position themselves to buy existing businesses, 
•  and the emotional side of stepping away from a company you spent decades building. 

The conversation also explores how this “silver tsunami” could impact local leadership, charitable giving, workforce stability, and the future character of communities like Findlay.

If you’re a business owner, future entrepreneur, investor, or simply someone who cares about the future of local business, this episode is for you.

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