OUTdrive

Derrick Mein is a renowned athlete in the shooting sports world, most recently named the 2020 National Sporting Clays champion and a member of the U.S. Olympic team. His hard work, dedication and passion for the sport have led him to be recognized nationwide and internationally as an expert competitor and instructor. He is a team player and is passionate about improving his skills and representing his sport, family, community and country.

Growing up on his family's farm in southeast Kansas, Derrick began shooting sporting clays at just eight years old, enjoying the activity with his father and competing throughout his youth. He was awarded a dual-scholarship to Lindenwood University, where he played baseball and was a member of the shooting team. He later transferred to Kansas State University, where he majored in Agriculture Business and continued competing in shooting sports. After graduating, Derrick moved to Ohio where he designed and managed Cardinal Center Sporting Clays before returning closer to home to manage Powder Creek Shooting Range in Kansas.

With the support of his family, Derrick has dedicated himself to competing professionally, representing his country at competitions across the world. When he's not focusing on his career, Derrick can be found at home with his wife and daughter, enjoying the rural lifestyle.

Hear more from Derrick and Cliff on some key factors for success in sporting clays that are also applicable to marketing and more about the value of strategic partnerships, building a personal brand and the power of social media.

Listen to this episode of OUTdrive now!

What you'll learn:

• Insight into the determination and passion that fuels Derrick's career
• The importance of a strong foundation and fundamentals to carry you through stressful situations
• Effective strategies to build genuine connections with rural audiences
• More about Derrick's background and how he made a career in shooting sports
• The value of strategic partnerships to build brands and more on the brands that Derrick partners with
• Derrick's thoughts on the rural lifestyle and why his family calls rural America home
• Insight into trap shooting growing as a high school sport and what Derrick anticipates for the future
• Increased interest and growth in the shooting sports industry and the importance of proper education
• The importance of sharing the good in the world through everything you do
• Life lessons and principles that guide the way Derrick lives

Scott Benbrook is a successful financial and banking professional with experience in a variety of industries. Currently Chief Financial Officer for Elliot Management Services Co., Scott manages and grows a diverse portfolio of real estate, automobile dealerships, restaurants and retail. One business at a time, Scott is playing an integral role in the resurgence of rural America.

A Missouri native, Scott received his business degree from the University of Missouri. Interested in banking and financial services, he began his career as a loan officer with a community bank, where he gained experience and knowledge working at several of the bank's locations before accepting his current position. Scott enjoys living the rural lifestyle and investing in his community, building upon a strong foundation for a successful future.

Hear more from Scott and Cliff on the resurgence in rural America, the value of an individualized marketing approach and creating good luck with hard work. They also discuss the opportunities and core values of rural America, the importance of lifelong connections and learning every step of the way.

Listen to this episode of OUTdrive now!

What you'll learn:

• Opportunities that rural America provides for businesses and individuals
• Establishing valuable connections in all stages of life to build upon throughout your career no matter where you live
• The importance of an individualized marketing strategy for unique businesses
• Taking advantage of opportunities when they become available
• Utilizing traditional and evolving marketing strategies for optimal results and business growth
• Creating good luck with a lot of hard work, respect and dedication
• Investing in marketing as a long-term strategy and staying the course to achieve results
• Rural American core values that are leading to a resurgence in rural America towns
• Adapting to changes in business for continued success

Abby Carere is an accomplished professional with a breadth of knowledge and experience in communication technology. Currently Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Conexon, Abby leads the company's client acquisition strategy and serves as a vital resource for Conexon's electric cooperative clients to efficiently and effectively deploy fiber-optic broadband to rural communities.

A Kentucky native, Abby received her undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky, where she majored in marketing. An interest in healthcare device sales led her to begin a career in direct business-to-business telecom sales, where she quickly stepped into leadership roles and continued to prove herself a powerful leader. Abby later discovered a passion for rural cooperatives and communities, partnering with them to efficiently deploy broadband in her current position at Conexon.

Hear more from Abby and Cliff on providing easily accessible resources for clients for optimal results, efficiently recognizing and meeting the needs of key audiences and building sustainable partnerships. They also discuss the importance of broadband availability to connect rural American communities, unique characteristics of the rural lifestyle and more.

Listen to this episode of OUTdrive now!

What you'll learn:

• The unique approach of building centralized resources for clients to deliver quality content while streamlining processes and increasing efficiency
• Recognizing opportunities to meet additional customer needs and delivering an effective solution
• Insights into how Abby works with electric cooperatives to deploy fiber-optic broadband to rural communities
• How digital and telecommunication technologies continue to evolve
• More about the rural way of life and how Abby discovered her passion for connecting families and communities through telecommunications
• Establishing yourself as a trusted resource and advisor for clients
• The importance of a team mentality and working together to serve clients in all industries
• Guiding clients through opportunities in unknown territories
• Delivering quality services and strategic communications for individuals of all geographic locations to provide equal opportunities

Rob Lamm has led a successful career providing integrated technology solutions for small to mid-market businesses and organizations. As founder, President and CEO of LammTech, Rob's entrepreneurial spirit is complimented by his passion for innovation, commitment to adapting and evolving and leading his team to success. He is a savvy businessman and trusted advisor to many and he is seeing the results of many years of hard work.

Rob's strong work ethic has served him well, and he credits it to growing up on the family farm in rural Missouri. His passion for education led him to attend State Fair Community College, where he studied electronics. Combining his interests and strong work ethic, he began his career in the IT industry in Kansas City, working as a network technician and project manager. He later returned to his hometown of Sedalia, Missouri, where he founded LammTech and continues to serve as President and CEO. In his free time, Rob enjoys the rural way of life with his family.

Hear more from Rob and Cliff about the spirit of successful entrepreneurs and core principles of conducting business in rural America. They visit about building a business from the ground up, developing and implementing a strategic plan, understanding your market to attain top of mind and keeping relationships at the core of everything you do.

Listen to this episode of OUTdrive now!

What you'll learn:

• Core principles of conducting business in rural America
• The entrepreneurial spirit and what current and potential business leaders should know
• The importance of developing and implementing a strategic business plan
• Remaining top-of-mind with current and prospective clients
• Transitioning focus to working on the business, not in the business
• The dedication and commitment that is required to run a successful company
• More on meeting customer needs through an individualized approach
• Rural American core values that Rob lives and leads by every day

In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff discusses the unique opportunities of the fall season in a quick solocast. As the days grow shorter and nights grow colder, our farmers are hard at work harvesting their crops to provide for their families and communities. This time presents unique challenges but also opportunities to reach and connect with rural audiences. Listen in as Cliff shares insights into the unique opportunities of the fall season and how to reach your audiences in meaningful ways.

What you'll learn:

• Unique strategies to connect with rural audiences during a busy time of year
• Insight into using radio, email and other tactics to reach farmers and ranchers
• More on why personal connections are more important than ever
• Rural American core values of hard work, dedication and commitment to family
• Ways to maintain a positive outlook and stay the course
• Strategically planning for the holiday season
• Opportunities for growth during Q4 and ahead

Mark Thomas is an accomplished communications professional, with a proven track record of delivering results through strategic efforts for brands in a variety of industries. Currently Director of Marketing and Communications for Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) in North Haven, Connecticut, Mark utilizes his expertise in strategy, public relations, crisis communications and audience segmentation to effectively reach the diverse audience that education provides.

A Missouri native, Mark received his bachelor's degree from Missouri State University, where he majored in marketing and journalism. He combined his education, his strong work ethic and passion for learning and set out for an exciting and successful career in marketing. He has since led communication efforts for a variety of brands, including Du Pont Sporting Goods, Continental Airlines and Invisible Fence before transitioning into his current position. When he is not navigating the uncertainties of COVID in education, Mark can be found gardening and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Hear more from Mark and Cliff on the importance of a well-structured crisis communications plan, utilizing audience segmentation to effectively communicate with a diverse audience and how marketing tools and platforms continue to evolve while strategic marketing principles remain the same. They also discuss the importance of continuing to learn, remaining curious and how rural American roots run deep, regardless of where you're at.

Listen to this episode of OUTdrive now!

What you'll learn:

• The importance of being prepared to navigate the unexpected
• Insight into how to effectively develop and implement a crisis communications plan
• More on how the COVID pandemic has affected educational institutions and businesses across the country
• Identifying audience segments and preferred communication channels, generational differences and more
• Adapting messaging strategies to best communicate with unique audience segments
• Mark's experiences driving creative solutions for clients in a variety of industries
• The importance of being actively involved in conversations surrounding your brand
• How digital technologies and marketing tools have changed the ways that brands communicate with customers
• Achieving results through effective strategy, information and direction
• The rural American and midwestern work ethic and core values that are recognized across the country

Matt Boatright leads a successful career as Sedalia/Pettis County Market President for Wood & Huston Bank. With a unique set of qualifications and a vast and diverse career in government, farming and now as a trusted financial advisor, Matt has an appreciation for the rural American lifestyle and the people who make it so desirable. Matt knows how to create an ideal customer experience, and he does so daily, through his leadership and passion for helping others.

Born and raised in rural Missouri, Matt understands the lifestyle and values of his customers, as he is their neighbor and trusted friend. In addition to his current position with Wood & Huston, Matt has lifelong passion for agriculture, growing up on his family farm which he now operates with his wife. He received his bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Missouri - Columbia before attending the University of Wisconsin - Madison Graduate School of Banking. Before stepping into his current position, Matt served in several positions within the Missouri state government. When he isn't delivering an excellent customer experience at Wood & Huston Bank, Matt spends his time on the family farm

Matt is passionate about providing an exceptional customer experience and focusing on personal connections in everything he does. From start to finish, everything Matt does is with a smile.

Hear more from Matt and Cliff on these topics and more, including special considerations for navigating COVID-19 in the financial industry and the value and benefits of treating your customers as friends and neighbors.

Listen to this episode of OUTdrive now!

What you'll learn:

• The importance of providing an exceptional customer experience from start to finish
• Understanding your audience's preferred methods of communication and interaction
• Establishing yourself as a trusted advisor to your audience
• Insight into COVID implications and what it means for the financial and customer service industries
• Adapting methods of communication to meet your audience where they are
• Recognizing new opportunities and stepping out of your comfort zone to take advantage of them
• The art of learning how to lose gracefully and the lessons that evolve from it
• Investing in your community to actualize sustainable growth
• Rural American core values including faith, family and farming that drive Matt's life
• Conducting business with a smile each and every day

Tom Brand has led a successful career in farm broadcasting, and communicating with and advocating for farmers and producers in the agricultural industry. Currently serving as Executive Director for the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, Tom uses his communication skills to provide value to member stations through a variety of efforts and has earned the reputation of a trusted friend to agriculture.

Growing up on a diversified family farm, Tom's rural American roots run deep. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia, majoring in general agriculture with an emphasis in communications. He began his farm broadcasting career early, starting with Learfield and the Brownfield Network before moving closer to home, where he worked for KMA in Shenandoah, Iowa and KFEQ in St. Joseph, Missouri. He later transitioned into his current position where he and his team continue to serve the agricultural community and provide value for its member stations and networks. In his free time, Tom can be found with his wife, kids and grandson enjoying the rural American lifestyle.

Hear more from Tom and Cliff on the power of voice, connecting with audiences through personalized content and establishing authority by providing accurate information to reach consumers. They also discuss how rural American communities are evolving and share some great life lessons along the way.

Listen to this episode of OUTdrive now!

What you'll learn:

• Why personalized content is vital for connecting with audiences
• Establishing authority by providing timely and accurate information
• More on the power of voice in rural America and why radio is more relevant than ever today
• Tips on using radio advertising to reach your audience
• Ways rural American communities are changing and how technology is playing a major role
• How Tom works to create value for NAFB member stations through research, continued education, an in-house news service and promotion at industry events
• The pride of ownership that rural Americans exhibit in their daily lives
• A behind the scenes look at farm broadcasting and what it means to rural Americans
• Life-guiding principles that Tom lives by every day

Christine Tew leads a successful career as Director of Communications and Public Relations for the Missouri Soybean Association. A passionate communications expert, Christine helps Missouri soybean producers tell their stories and communicate the value of their product. She and her team know the value of personal connections and work diligently to better the soybean industry by facilitating communication, education and training for Missouri soybean farmers and consumers year round through strategic programs.

Originally a Florida native, Christine grew up living the rural American lifestyle and continues to live with rural America values running through her veins. Throughout her youth, Christine was involved in 4-H and FFA, which provided her with opportunities to learn that challenged her along the way. After moving to Missouri, Christine received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Journalism and a Master of Science degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Before stepping into her current position, Christine served as Communications Director for the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Christine is passionate about helping others and finding creative solutions to everyday challenges. Whether it is a new strategic approach to reach your audience where they are or helping peers through mentorship, Christine values communication and connections with every person she meets.

Hear more from Christine and Cliff on these topics and more, including the evolution of the soybean and agriculture industries and the spirit of connection in rural America.

Listen to this episode of OUTdrive now!

What you'll learn:

• More about the unique spirit of connection in rural America
• Using unique strategies to reach audiences where they are through social media
• Adapting communication channels to provide content that users want to consume and are able to do so on their own terms
• COVID implications on media consumption
• The importance of communication and setting clear expectations
• Encouraging peers and team members to grow through mentorship and support
• Insight into the evolution of the soybean and agricultural industries and what it means for communicators and consumers
• Rural American core values including independence and determination
• The value and importance of helping others tell their stories
• Ways that communicators can continue to adapt to best reach audiences

Ron Toellner, Alaina Gump and Adam Wolfe are partners at Wilson-Toellner CPA, which has been meeting the needs of business and individual clients in Central Missouri for 32 years. Together, its team of over 40 individuals provide traditional CPA firm services, as well as business advisory and support services to help clients solve problems and achieve their goals.

Ron Toellner is co-founder and managing partner of Wilson Toellner, working with the leadership team to guide the firm's operations and strategies for achieving its vision. He specializes in income tax planning, business acquisition and sales, and succession and estate planning and holds a degree in accounting from the University of Missouri. He is actively involved in his community and serves in several organizations including. When he is not focused on finding optimal solutions for clients, Ron enjoys traveling with his wife Judy, spending time with their children and grandchildren and is a St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Also joining the group is Alaina Gump, partner at Wilson Toellner. Through her professional expertise and attention to detail, Alaina serves clients through tax-planning and forward-thinking business strategies. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting and a Masters of Arts in Accountancy with a specialization in tax from the University of Central Missouri. She continues to grow as a professional through her involvement in peer and industry organizations. When she is not focused on providing innovative and timely accounting services, Alaina enjoys spending time with her husband and children, watching sports and reading.

Joining Ron and Alaina is Adan Wolfe, partner at Wilson-Toellner. Adam specializes in business development and consulting and income tax planning and preparation. He provides value to clients by gaining a deep understanding of what is important to them and building successful relationships through communication. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Missouri State University, with majors in accounting and finance and is involved in several industry organizations. In his free time, he can be found at home with his wife and son on his family farm near Climax Springs, leading an active lifestyle and being involved in his church.

Hear the group's thoughts on the business industry in rural America, planning for business success, integrating new technologies for growth and the core values that drive their personal and professional lives. They discuss capitalizing on a business niche, developing a strong team and adaptable work environment and the importance of having fun along the way.

Tune in to this episode of OUTdrive now!

What you'll learn:

• Core values that power small businesses in rural America
• More about the freedom and opportunity present in rural America today
• Understanding employee needs to foster an effective work environment
• Integrating new technologies to serve customers and grow your business
• Utilizing artificial intelligence to be more time-efficient and make more of an impact with clients' investments
• Serving clients through an individualized approach and understanding their unique needs
• Understanding the rural American lifestyle and the unique benefits it provides to small businesses
• Insight into the financial impact of COVID-19 on small businesses
• Adding talented individuals to build an effective and efficient business
• Capitalizing on a niche by doing what you love and knowing your audience