Rust Belt Rundown

This week our guest is Todd McCracken, President and CEO of the National Small Business Association (NSBA). NSBA is the nation’s first small business advocacy organization and is proud to be staunchly nonpartisan. 

In this episode, Todd discusses his 37-year career with NSBA and how their advocacy work has evolved. He shares his insights into the Corporate Transparency Act, workforce retention, healthcare, and other key issues facing small business owners today. 

Todd’s top DC area food picks include SHŌTŌ, Rumi’s Kitchen, and Cantlers. 

Learn more about NSBA and its resources here or connect with Todd on LinkedIn. 

On this week’s episode, we’re wrapping up the Rundown for 2024! Inspired by Spotify Wrapped, here are some top highlights from this year’s episodes:

A sincere thank you to all of our guests who shared their time and stories with us this year. Check out all of 2024’s episodes and more here. Is there a guest that you’d like to hear on the Rundown? Submit a request here. Learn more about the Rundown and sign up for email notifications here.  

Our guest this week is Caleb Townsend, Co-Founder of Factur, an agency that provides marketing and sales services to B2B manufacturers and industrial distributors. 

In this episode, Caleb delves into the common challenges industrial companies face with their sales and marketing efforts. He shares Factur's industry-specific approach to lead generation, content strategy, and business development and debunks misconceptions about outsourcing. 

Hailing from Carmel, Indiana, Caleb’s restaurant pick is Juniper on Main for Southern Coastal cuisine. 
Follow Caleb on LinkedIn to learn more about Factor’s unique solutions for the industrial sector.

This week our guest is Dana McCallum, the Vice President of North American Sales and Partnerships at Xact Metal.

Dana’s career has always been within the manufacturing industry but she shares how she transitioned from marketing to sales and tells about her current sales role with Xact Metal. 

She offers insight into the rapid evolution of 3D printing and the advancements it’s making for manufacturers. She also shares her advice for supporting and mentoring underrepresented groups in manufacturing and her work with Women in 3D Printing. 

Her Cleveland restaurant shout-out goes to Alea in Ohio City for a vibrant Mediterranean fusion menu and top-notch drinks. 
Connect with Dana on LinkedIn for updates on industry trends!

Our guest this week is Joe Manofsky, Co-Founder of One Step Ahead Ohio!

In this episode, he shares the inspiration behind One Step Ahead Ohio, the nonprofit he helped to launch in 2021. He offers insight into the varied ways they support the Northeast Ohio community and how OSAO sets itself apart from traditional nonprofits. 

Joe joins during Manufacturing Month, so he also elaborates on one of their core initiatives, the Skilled Labor Foundation, which advocates for the benefits of a career in the skilled labor industry for Northeast Ohio youth. 

Joe cites Whistle as his favorite spot for pizza in the city. 

Connect with Joe Manofsky on LinkedIn.

This week our guest is Ron Bower, Founder and President of InterviewPath. 

In this episode, Ron shares his journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship and explains how his two talent management ventures, InterviewPath and Brickpath Group, complement each other. 

He offers his seasoned take on all things talent—from overcoming common recruiting challenges to refining your interview process, and most importantly, how leaders can stay ahead of the curve regarding generational workforce shifts. 

His Cleveland area restaurant picks include Strip Steakhouse in Avon, Lakewood Truck Park, and the West Side Market. 

Connect with Ron Bower on LinkedIn.

Our guest this week is Jim Vinoksi, the Host of Manufacturing Talks!

In this episode, Jim offers us insight into his career journey and how he became a prominent thought leader in the manufacturing industry. 

He shares how his contributions to Forbes inspired his podcast, Manufacturing Talks. Jim and Paul also discuss current manufacturing trends as they relate to the upcoming election, reshoring, workforce development month, and more.

As a Michigan native, Jim shouts out Rush Creek Bistro as his favorite restaurant. 

Connect with Jim Vinoski on LinkedIn for more manufacturing insights.

This week our guest is Jeffrey Stern, Principal at The O.H.I.O. Fund. 

Jeffrey joins us to discuss his latest venture, The O.H.I.O. Fund, a unique investment fund focused on driving Ohio’s economic future. He explains the concept of the industrial renaissance that Ohio is undergoing and emphasizes how strategic investments in manufacturing and technology position our state for long-term growth. 

He also hosts Lay of the Land, a podcast focused on telling entrepreneurial stories in Northeast Ohio. He shares how he found his entrepreneurial path, guided by what he learned from our community of entrepreneurs. 

Jeffrey’s top food picks are Mitchell’s for ice cream and Il Rione for pizza!

Follow Jeffrey on LinkedIn for updates on The O.H.I.O. Fund.

Our guest this week is Frank “Sully” Sullivan, President of DayGlo Color Corp.

In this episode, Sully walks us through the colorful history of DayGlo and its impact on various industries, from safety to fashion. 

Since being named President in 2023, he shares how he’s worked to navigate an iconic brand through a competitive market. He also shares how they prioritize a culture of transparency and offers a perspective on how they hope to keep innovating.

His top restaurant picks include Cabin Club, Veranda, Il Venetian, and Li Wah.

Connect with Sully on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on all things fun & fluorescent!

This week our guest is Torino Fitzgerald, Vice President of Talent and Cultural Transformation, at Process Technology.

Headquartered in Willoughby, Ohio, Process Technology is a global manufacturer of thermal and power supply products. Torino joined their team in 2023 and has played a pivotal role in transforming and scaling their company culture initiatives. 

In this episode, Torino offers his expert perspective on cultural transformation and unlocking people's potential. This episode is a must-listen for any leader!

Torino’s restaurant recommendations include El Taco Macho and Young’s Sushi.

Connect with Torino Fitzgerald on LinkedIn.