Chief J. Thomas Manger, Chief of Police for Montgomery County, Maryland, tells Andy he fell in love with police work as a summer cop in Ocean City, Maryland, the same year he graduated from the University of Maryland. He followed his passion and that’s led to a successful career with more than a few awards under his belt, including the Silver Medal of Valor for bravery in the line of duty. Chief Manger epitomizes leadership. He is grounded, insightful, and a skillful manager of human resources for his department and the community. He also shows a deep respect for tradition, family and community. And, he is humble. For that reason alone, to draw your own conclusions, you’ll need to listen in to how he says what he says, and what others say about him. The entire transcript for this podcast can be found on our website here:

https://ourtowndc.com/chief-manger-montgomery-county/ A special thanks to Our Town sponsors GEICO, as well as Attorney Mike Collins, Tony & Joe's Seafood Restaurant and Nicks Riverside Grill, and Living Health Integrative Medicine Regenerative Medicine.

Tycely Williams is a successful business woman and leader in Our Town who is passionate about advancing philanthropy. She is as southern as they come, having grown up in Birmingham, AL. You’ll need to listen in to see whether she bleeds crimson or orange and blue! Tycely chose to attend, and graduated from, Wake Forest University. Its motto, Pro Humanitate, continues to influence her to this day. In fact, that influence led her to charitable fundraising and development in the non-profit sector. She has been the Chief Development Office at the Red Cross working closely with its CEO Linda Mathes and now works at The YWCA of the USA to raise awareness and revenues for them. When she isn’t at The YW, she is fulfilling her responsibilities as the first African-American President of the Junior League of Washington. She has her hands full 24/7 working her passion. This is only a smidgeon of who Tycely is. Listen in to her conversation with Andy O to learn more about this bright beautiful energetic amazing woman of Our Town.

Fred Smoot is a former pro football player for Washington. Andy O agrees with Fred that he is much more than that. Andy calls him inimitable! You will see just how accurately that word describes Fred Smoot when you take a listen to this all new Our Town podcast interview. Enjoy! The entire transcript for this podcast can be found on our website here:

https://ourtowndc.com/fred-smoot/ A special thanks to Our Town sponsors GEICO, as well as Attorney Mike Collins, Tony & Joe's Seafood Restaurant and Nicks Riverside Grill, and Living Health Integrative Medicine Regenerative Medicine.

Chris Isleib, Director of Public Affairs for the United States WWI Centennial Commission, wants the world to know that this November 11 is the 100th year anniversary of WWI. Chris is charged with making sure WWI no longer stands in the shadow of WWII but is known for its contribution and sacrifice in history in its own right and that the public is made aware of why the US was involved and the enormous sacrifice Americans made in WWI to help save democracy. Take a listen. You’ll find out things you may not have known about WWI and what the US WWI Centennial Commission is, and has been, doing to commemorate WWI’s upcoming Centennial. Check out the myriad of events on their website ww1cc.org under the Commemorate tab. The entire transcript for this podcast can be found on our website here:

https://ourtowndc.com/chris-isleib-wwi-centennial/ A special thanks to Our Town sponsors GEICO, as well as Attorney Mike Collins, Tony & Joe's Seafood Restaurant and Nicks Riverside Grill, and Living Health Integrative Medicine Regenerative Medicine.

Robin Ficker is a living legend in Our Town. He is an attorney, a political activist and a sports heckler (which he gave up some time ago to attend his kids sports events only because he couldn’t figure out how to be in two places at the same time!). He has more energy than the Energizer Bunny and he’s putting it all right now behind his 2018 campaign for County Executive in Montgomery County, Maryland. Listen in as Ficker shares stories with host Andy Ockershausen about growing up in Our Town, his education and friendships, and advocacy for issues he’s encountered along the way. Ficker is intrepid, unflinching and unapologetic for doing the right thing. When you’re done listening in leave a comment and let us know if you agree. The entire transcript for this podcast can be found on our website here:

https://ourtowndc.com/robin-ficker/ A special thanks to Our Town sponsors GEICO, as well as Attorney Mike Collins, Tony & Joe's Seafood Restaurant and Nicks Riverside Grill, and Living Health Integrative Medicine Regenerative Medicine.

Gary Cohen started his career in the restaurant industry with Marriott. He came to Our Town from New York and has never looked back. He proved himself by turning a profit at the old Hogates, and then went to work for Vie de France Bakery Cafes. At the right time, he left and went to operate Glory Days Grill with two mentors from Vie de France. He shares the evolution of GDG with Andy O, and how one of the most important responsibilities he has is his work with WRAP and how he's incorporated that into the corporate culture at Glory Days. The important message within this podcast is about drinking responsibly: Just do it but have a plan. Check out WRAP's Sober Ride http://www.wrap.org/soberride/ this Halloween!

Janice Ockershausen, and host Andy Ockershausen, wrap up Our Town's Season 3 with a look back at their guests and what it means to them to have spent time- over all three Seasons - with them revisiting past experiences and learning new ones. They are looking forward to Season 4 and would love to hear from you! The entire transcript for this podcast can be found on our website here: https://ourtowndc.com/janice-ockershausen/ A special thanks to Our Town Season 3 sponsor GEICO

Burt Cohen, WMAL Engineer and The Duke of Derwood, retired from WMAL AM630 on November 12, 2004, after 39 years of service to the station. For 18 of those years he was the board op for the popular afternoon drive team Trumbull and Core. Burt and Bill Trumbull worked well together, as he was able to anticipate what Bill wanted next, and became a calming force for him. There are a few anecdotes throughout this podcast about Trumbull that you’ll want to hear. Burt also worked with many a WMAL sportscaster, including Sonny, Frank and Sam, for 23 years during football season and Ron Weber during hockey season (there’s a funny story there). He also worked with news people such as Bob Gneiser, Joe McCaffrey, Ed Meyer, and Bud Steele. He says his success as a broadcast engineer was that he had a back up to a back up to a back up. His broadcasts never failed. Listen in to find out how the diesel horn came to be a popular sound effect while John Riggins was on the field, and the funniest bits about Burt as told by Trumbull and Core as only they could on WMAL airwaves. Enjoy! The entire transcript for this podcast can be found on our website here: https://ourtowndc.com/burt-cohen-wmal-engineer/ A special thanks to Our Town sponsors GEICO, as well as Geppetto Catering, Attorney Mike Collins, Tony & Joe's Seafood Restaurant and Nicks Riverside Grill.

Tom Buckley, EyeOnDC and TV Broadcast History Buff, is a man that, according to Our Town host Andy Ockershausen, “knows more about radio and TV than I do, which is spectacular because I've been around a lot longer.” Tom is number two in seniority at Channel 9 and loves the work he does, but his real passion lies is the gathering, recording, and sharing of TV Broadcast History. He and Andy go way back to as the 1950s in local tv and radio broadcast. Not only do they discuss on-air personalities, but also how tv went from black and white to color, how the unions influenced broadcasting, and how some broadcast assets changed hands. Tom is a great resource for anyone studying the history of Our Town broadcast! The entire transcript for this podcast can be found on our website here: https://ourtowndc.com/tom-buckley-eyeontv/ A special thanks to Our Town sponsors GEICO, as well as Attorney Mike Collins, and Tony & Joe's Seafood Restaurant and Nicks Riverside Grill.

Larry O'Connor is a talk radio host at 105.9 FM & AM 630 WMAL. He is the first afternoon drive host since Chris Core left in 2008. He hasn’t always been in radio, but has always been a political junkie. He got his start in political commentary on Andrew Breitbart’s websites, and successfully grew into the guest host role on the national platform. After Andrew Breitbart died, Larry decided it was time to move on. He credits being in the right place at the right time and his agent for being picked up by WMAL to replace Bryan Nehman on its morning show. Larry identifies with WMAL listeners and is grateful for the opportunity to reach them. Larry crossed country a couple of times before he settled in Our Town and he sounds happy with where he’s landed. The entire transcript for this podcast can be found on our website here: https://ourtowndc.com/larry-oconnor-talk-radio-host/ A special thanks to Our Town sponsors GEICO, as well as Attorney Mike Collins, and Tony & Joe's Seafood Restaurant and Nicks Riverside Grill.