In this episode of The Fiber, I sit down with Brad Hummel, Executive Director of the Firebox Initiative, to talk about the incredible journey of Southern Soul BBQ on Saint Simons Island, GA. Brad shares the story of how a devastating fire in 2010 rallied the community to help rebuild the award-winning restaurant and how this support inspired the creation of Firebox, a charitable initiative that helps local restaurants in need. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about Southern Soul's resilience and its impact on the community!

In this heartwarming episode of "The Fiber," host Garret O'Leary sits down with Nellie Bogar, founder of Youth Village, and her daughter Valerie Bogar, the organization's director. They dive into the impactful work Youth Village is doing in Fort Walton Beach, providing a safe and nurturing environment for children in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Nellie and Valerie share the history of Youth Village, the programs they offer, and their vision for the future. Discover how this mother-daughter duo is empowering the next generation to embrace learning, achieve their dreams, and become positive, self-sufficient members of the community.

In this special episode of "The Fiber" podcast, host Garret O’Leary sits down with Jody Craft, President and CEO of LiveOak Fiber, and Steve Smith, Chief Revenue Officer, to reflect on the journey and growth of LiveOak Fiber over the past 18 months. They discuss the challenges encountered and overcome during construction, the impact of new FCC regulations requiring ISPs to publish Internet broadband facts, and the company’s impressive expansion from 30-40 employees to over 100. Additionally, they share personal and professional growth experiences, insights on the recent $250 million funding acquisition, and reaffirm their commitment to LiveOak's mission: improving the quality of life in communities through technology. Join us for an in-depth conversation on LiveOak Fiber's past achievements and future aspirations.

In the latest episode of "The Fiber" podcast, host Garret sits down with Uriah Matthews, Executive Director of the Walton County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA). Discover the history and strategic plan of the WCEDA, key initiatives driving the organization's success, and gain valuable insights into the dynamic growth and development of Walton County. Join us for an enlightening conversation on how WCEDA is shaping the future of this vibrant community.

In this episode of "The Fiber" podcast, Garret sits down with Scott McQuade, President and CEO of the Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Scott shares his journey to leading the CVB, the goals of the organization, and how they attract visitors to the beautiful Golden Isles. Discover their strategies for balancing historical preservation with modernization, and what makes this destination so special. Plus, enjoy some fun insights into the movies filmed in the area, including Anchorman 2 and X-Men: First Class.

Grab some snacks and get comfortable, because Garret had a great conversation with Emerald Coast local, Cole Randall. Cole is the founder and CEO of Precision Leadership and Project Manager at One Okaloosa EDC. In their conversation, Cole guides us through what led him to start Precision Leadership and how he aims to help develop the next generation of leaders. Cole also gives us a peek behind the scenes at One Okaloosa and some of the exciting things coming to the Emerald Coast. And last, but certainly not least, Garret and Cole talk about their favorite video games of all time. 

In this episode of "The Fiber" podcast, join Garret as he sits down with Rebekah Manley, the holistic realtor revolutionizing the real estate landscape on the Emerald Coast of Florida. Discover Rebekah's journey into real estate, her deep-rooted passion for industry reform, and her innovative mission to promote sustainability and environmentalism in construction. Don't miss this  conversation about reshaping the future of homebuilding.

Join Kimber in an engaging conversation with Bill Fallon, Glynn County Manager, in the newest episode of "The Fiber" podcast. Discover Bill's journey to Brunswick, his passion for community improvement, and the exciting projects shaping Glynn County's future. Gain insights into the priorities of his office for 2024 and beyond.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Anne Goodstein, Creative Director and Partner at h2o Creative, and founder of Via Connects, in the latest episode of "The Fiber" podcast. Anne shares her journey to partnership at h2o Creative, her inspiration behind founding Via Connects, and how both endeavors are shaping the landscape of branding and community empowerment.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Lou Martinez, Vice President of Service Experience at LiveOak Fiber, in our latest episode of "The Fiber" podcast. Lou shares his journey to LiveOak, the challenges of deploying fiber optic networks, and the intricacies of ensuring customer satisfaction. Discover the driving force behind our commitment to service excellence.