On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett welcomes Kelly Lynch, the Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society!

Kelly has been involved with the organization in some capacity for 20 years and has seen the organization grow significantly. He discusses how his love for trains got started, the different types of train rides they offer, including cigar and whiskey rides to Christmas rides, and how he began consulting for movies, including A Man Called Otto and Sinners.

To learn more about Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, visit: https://fortwaynerailroad.org/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible. Barrett McNagny https://www.barrettlaw.com/ Sweetwater https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett and Marketing Content Producer Callie Herring welcome the founder of Sammie's Buddy Bench Project and our 2025 Junior Pioneer Award Winner, Sammie Vance!

Sammie discusses starting her Buddy Bench project at the age of eight. Her project started in Fort Wayne and is now global, with buddy benches as far as Ghana. Buddy Benches were just the start of her never-ending journey toward filling the world with good. Sammie talks about how she is surrounded by a fantastic support system, including her family, her classmates, and teachers, and how the project has allowed her to spread kindness farther than she ever thought she would.

To watch Sammie's Pioneer video, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGo8In-X36U

To learn more about Sammie's Buddy Bench Project, visit: https://sammiesbuddybenchproject.com/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

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▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny https://www.barrettlaw.com/ Sweetwater https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Marketing Content Producer Callie Herring welcomes local artist and entrepreneur Andi Sherman! Andi discusses her transition from a bridal beauty stylist to running The Kingsbury in Howe and the nonprofit, The Howe Historical Society. She talks about the businesses in The Kingsbury and how it's a space for people from many different walks of life to gather.

To learn more about the Kingsbury, visit: https://thekingsburyinhowe.com/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

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▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible. Barrett McNagny: https://www.barrettlaw.com/ Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast ##northeastindiana #historicalpreservation #localhistory #smalltownlove #smalltownstories #thekingsbury #indiana #history #historicbuildings

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett and Copywriter Brice Vance welcome Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana CEO Josette Rider. Josette discusses her background before outlining the various programs offered, the process for getting involved, and the future of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana.

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana and how to become a Big, visit: https://bbbsnei.org/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

▶︎ Follow Us on Social LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/neindiana/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/pioneerstartshere/ X https://twitter.com/NortheastIN | https://twitter.com/psh_nei Instagram https://www.instagram.com/northeast_in/ | https://www.instagram.com/pioneerstartshere/ Facebook https://facebook.com/neindiana | https://www.facebook.com/PioneerStartsHere

▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible. Barrett McNagny: https://www.barrettlaw.com/ Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #bigbrother #bigsister #northeastindiana #bigbrothersbigsisters #mentor #mentorship #bbbsnei #bebig #biggertogether

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett and Copywriter Brice Vance welcome National Soccer Hall of Famer DaMarcus Beasley and Chief Operations Officer Scott Sproat from Fort Wayne FC.

DaMarcus and Scott discuss the beginnings of Fort Wayne FC, the club's progression up the professional ranks, and the new stadium set to open in May 2026. Additionally, DaMarcus talks about his playing career, from the early days at South Side all the way to the English Premier League.

To learn more about Fort Wayne FC and buy tickets to an upcoming match, visit: https://www.fortwaynefc.com/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

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▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny: https://www.barrettlaw.com/

Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #soccer #damarcusbeasley #americanfootball #futbol #usl #mls #majorleaguesocccer #football #soccerplayer #fortwaynefc #ruoff #epl #englishpremierleague

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, it's the whole MarCom team! Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett, Digital Content Producer Callie Herring, Videographer Hannah Hanagan, and Copywriter Brice Vance come together to discuss the 2025 Pioneer Event before the event gets underway!

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

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▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny: https://www.barrettlaw.com/

Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #pioneerevent #awards #finale

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett welcomes Mike Terzo and David De Silvo, the co-founders of HeavyTech! Mike and Davide discuss how HeavyTech is reshaping the future of manufacturing and construction machinery by innovating through the use of electric technologies. Both Mike and Davide bring a high level of experience and expertise to the industry, and they tackle the hot-button topics surrounding their work in electric vehicle manufacturing.

To learn more about HeavyTech, visit: https://www.heavytech.ai/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

▶︎ Follow Us on Social

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▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny: https://www.barrettlaw.com/

Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #spacex #elonmusk #heavytech #ev #electricvehicle #offhighway #hydrolics #engineering #china #europe #usa

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett and Copywriter Brice Vance welcome the owner of Poptique Popcorn, Gary Hively! Gary discusses the beginnings of Poptique Popcorn with his daughter Lindsey, the variety of flavors Poptique has, and continuing on Lindsey's Legacy.

To learn more about Poptique, visit: https://www.poptiquepopcorn.com/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

▶︎ Follow Us on Social

LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/neindiana/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/pioneerstartshere/

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▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny: https://www.barrettlaw.com/

Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #popcorn #poptique #fatherdaughter #fatherhood #entrepreneur #business #legacy

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett welcomes The League's President and CEO, John Guingrich! John discusses growing up with a disability and how he had to make tough decisions on his own. Then, John helps us explore the power of disability identity, self-advocacy, and the work being done by The League and other organizations around the region to create a more inclusive Northeast Indiana. The League is a disability rights and service organization based in Fort Wayne, dedicated to advancing independent living and breaking down barriers for people with disabilities.

To learn more about The League, visit: https://the-league.org/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

▶︎ Follow Us on Social

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▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny: https://www.barrettlaw.com/

Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #disability #theleague #advocacy #deaf #signlanguage #inclusionmatters #inclusion

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett and Vice President of Partnerships & Government Relations Nick Darrah welcome INvets CEO Sarah Harrison and Veteran Engagement Manager Andrew Messmer! They discuss their experiences in the military and transition to civilian life, how INvets can help with that transition, and the continuous evolution of the organization as it grows.

To learn more about INvets, visit: https://www.invets.org/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

▶︎ Follow Us on Social

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Facebook https://facebook.com/neindiana | https://www.facebook.com/PioneerStartsHere

▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny: https://www.barrettlaw.com/

Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #military #veteran #INvets #army #navy #marine #nationalguard #airforce #coastguard #usmc #usarmy #soldier #usaf #usnavy #usmilitary