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It's the first in what we plan on being a monthly series of "A Day in the Life" style episodes, where we highlight local businesses and industries and the challenges they are facing.

First up: What is it really like to run a trucking company?

In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins sits down with Jeff Hall of HTI Hall Trucking Express to break down the reality of the trucking and logistics industry.

From being on call 24/7 to dealing with rising fuel costs, regulations across multiple states, and constant operational challenges, Jeff shares what most people don’t see behind the scenes.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

-What a typical day looks like in trucking
-Why empty trucks still cost money
-How fuel prices impact operations
-The role of regulations and compliance
-Why it’s hard to find drivers today
-How technology is changing the industry
-What keeps trucking companies competitive

Trucking is one of the most essential industries in the economy, and this conversation gives you a real look at what it takes to keep it moving.

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In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins talks with Christie Tunison of Fifth Third Bank about what businesses need to know when it comes to financing, lending, and building a strong financial foundation.

From startups to established companies, many businesses run into challenges when applying for funding. Christie shares insight into what lenders are really looking for - and why factors like cash flow, credit, and business planning can make or break a financing decision.

The conversation covers:

•  The biggest financing challenges businesses are facing right now 
•  Why cash flow is one of the most important metrics lenders evaluate 
•  The role of a business plan and why “granular” detail matters 
•  Common reasons businesses get declined for loans 
•  Why “no” often means “not right now” and what to do next 
•  How business owners can improve their chances of approval 
•  Free resources available to help businesses grow and prepare for financing 

If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or leader thinking about growth, expansion, or improving your financial position, this episode offers practical insights you can apply right away.

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In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Doug Jenkins of the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce sits down with Nicole Gunka from Project Life to discuss a program that is much more than a job training initiative, it's a bridge to independence.

Project Life is a comprehensive two-year program helping young adults with developmental disabilities master both the workplace and the home. From navigating public transit and cooking meals to painting soccer fields at the University of Findlay, these interns are learing valuable skills and making a positive impact at their places of emplolyment

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The vital role of job coaches in ensuring success for both the intern and the employer.
• A "full circle" success story that will change how you view inclusive hiring.
• How local businesses can get involved in providing new rotation opportunities.

Connect with Project Life: Visit BlanchardValley.org or call 419-422-6387 to learn more.

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In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins talks with Amanda Fisher of Corporate Intelligence Consultants about e-Verify, the federal employment verification system, and why a new Ohio requirement means more employers may need to pay attention right now.

While e-Verify has long been used by federal contractors and other employers, Ohio is now adding a new mandate for certain non-residential contractors, with implications that can extend to subcontractors and staffing agencies as well. Amanda breaks down what e-Verify is, how it works alongside the I-9 process, what employers in Ohio should be doing now, and why this is more than just another piece of HR paperwork.

The conversation covers:

• What e-Verify is and how it works
• Which Ohio employers may be affected by the new law
• Why subcontractors and staffing agencies should pay attention
• What risks and fines come with noncompliance
• Why policies, contracts, and internal processes matter just as much as enrollment
• Where employers can go for reliable guidance

If you’re a business owner, HR leader, contractor, or staffing partner this episode is a timely look at a compliance issue that could have a real impact on your hiring process.

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Transportation may not be the first thing businesses think about when discussing workforce challenges, but maybe it should be.

In this episode of Chamber Amplified, Doug Jenkins talks with Kendra Lenz of Rowmark about how access to reliable transportation directly impacts hiring, retention, attendance, and workforce development in Hancock County.

They discuss:

• Why transportation is becoming a bigger workforce issue
• How Tall Timbers businesses are partnering with HATS
• The real cost of absenteeism tied to transportation gaps
• Why vehicle affordability is part of the challenge
• How local support for transit leverages federal funding
• What the proposed microtransit plan could mean for employers

With over 87,000 rides provided in 2025 and more than 4,200 ride requests turned away due to capacity limits, the need for reliable workforce transportation is clear.

If you care about hiring, retention, and keeping Hancock County’s economy strong, this is a conversation worth hearing.

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Hancock Youth Leadership (HYL) helps high school students build real-world confidence, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of the community. In this episode, you’ll hear that impact directly from a student leader.

Doug Jenkins talks with Maya Logsdon, a Senior Board Representative for Hancock Youth Leadership, about what the program is really like, what surprised her most, and why the community component of HYL often becomes the biggest takeaway.

They discuss:

• Why HYL is more than “leadership skills," and how it changes students’ perspective
• How students build confidence through communication, connection, and community exposure
• What Senior Board Reps do behind the scenes (and why it’s a major growth experience)
• How recruitment works across Hancock County schools, including Findlay High School
• How local businesses can support HYL through fundraisers and student-led outreach
• What students need to know about the application process and recommendations

The deadline to apply for the next Hancock Youth Leadership class is February 27, 2026 for current sophomores in Hancock County and Findlay City Schools.

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Cybersecurity threats are increasing in 2026, and AI is making scams more sophisticated than ever.

In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins talks with Josh Rabe of CentraComm about the growing rise in phishing attacks, ransomware threats, data breaches, and how artificial intelligence is lowering the barrier for cyber criminals.

They talk about:

• Why phishing remains the #1 entry point into businesses
• How AI is making scam emails harder to detect
• The importance of employee cybersecurity training
• What “least privilege” and zero-trust security mean for small businesses
• How cyber insurance works, and what it doesn’t cover
• What to do immediately if your business experiences a breach

Whether you’re a small business owner, nonprofit leader, or corporate executive, this episode provides practical steps to strengthen your organization’s cybersecurity posture.

Cyber threats aren’t slowing down, but with the right preparation, your business doesn’t have to be an easy target.

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On this episode of Chamber Amplified, we take a closer look at franchise businesses in the area and why they’re often more local than people realize.

Franchises sometimes get lumped into the “big box vs. buy local” debate, but the reality is more nuanced. Many franchise operators are deeply embedded in their communities, creating jobs, supporting local organizations, and investing time and resources right where they live and work.

Host Doug Jenkins is joined by Paul Hadde, the franchise operator of Chick-fil-A in Findlay, to talk about what it’s really like to operate a franchise at the local level. They discuss how franchisees engage with the community, how local ownership works within a national brand, Paul’s path to Findlay, and what’s ahead for Chick-fil-A in the area - including updates many listeners are curious about.

This conversation is a good reminder that a strong local economy includes a mix of independent businesses, franchises, and larger employers - and that community impact often depends less on the logo and more on the people behind it.

Chamber Amplified is a free podcast made possible by the investment of members of the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, highlighting the issues, ideas, and people shaping our local business community.

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In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins sits down with Jennie Gilroy from the Hancock Leadership Class of 2026 to talk about this year’s community impact project: building a safer, more usable playground for families in Riverview Terrace.

You’ll hear why the project matters (it’s about more than playground equipment, it’s about safety, connection, and giving kids a healthy place to play), how the team is relocating equipment from the former Lincoln School with support from the city, and what’s happening behind the scenes right now - from planning and approvals to painting, layout, and community input sessions to make sure the final result reflects what the neighborhood actually wants.

Jennie also shares how Hancock Leadership helps new and longtime residents better understand local challenges, build relationships across industries, and learn to work with different personalities and skill sets, all while doing real work that benefits the community.

Want to support the project? You can donate here. The class is fundraising toward a $20,000 goal (including a major $10,000 gift from Flag City Morning Rotary Club). Learn more and donate via the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce website by searching “2026 Hancock Leadership.” 

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Note: This episode is a bit different than our usual format. Due to the level 3 snow emergency and being snowed out of the office, Doug wasn't able to access our normal podcast equipment. As a result, you won’t hear our standard intro and outro this week. We’ll be back to the regular format next week.

In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins is joined by Zach Thomas of Hancock County ADAMHS to break down the newly released Hancock County Community Health Improvement Plan and what it means for the local business community.

Every three years, community partners come together to assess the biggest health challenges facing Hancock County and identify priorities for action. This latest plan highlights recurring issues like access to care, housing, transportation, mental health, substance use, and chronic disease - topics that increasingly intersect with workforce stability, employee well-being, and economic competitiveness.

Doug and Zach discuss:

• What the Community Health Improvement Plan is and why it exists
• Key findings from the latest community survey and focus groups
• What “access to care” really means beyond just having providers available
• Why employers should care about community health outcomes
• How businesses of all sizes can engage without becoming health care providers
• The connection between housing, workforce recruitment, and long-term economic growth
• How accountability and transparency are built into the plan through 2028

This conversation frames community health not as a social issue alone, but as a business issue - one that affects productivity, retention, recruitment, and quality of life across Hancock County.

If you’re a business owner, manager, HR professional, or community leader wondering how public health planning impacts your organization, this episode provides a practical, local perspective.

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