Jeff Rea, the President and CEO of South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce, discusses the chamber's role in economic development, tourism, and business advocacy. The chamber serves 1,300 companies employing 60,000 people. Jeff emphasizes the importance of balancing immediate needs with long-term strategies, citing past successes like improving US 31 and advocating for higher education. He highlights the chamber's versatility, combining different roles under one team. Jeff also reflects on his journey, including lessons from his family business and experiences as Mishawaka's mayor, stressing the importance of honesty, resilience, and community involvement.

We feature JB Brown and Jordan Brown from BCI Solutions. JB provides a history of BCI, founded in 1939, and its evolution into a diversified foundry and machining company. They discuss the challenges of leading a family business, including the importance of transparency, accountability, and adapting to change. JB shares his experiences with tough leadership decisions, while Jordan emphasizes the value of self-awareness and continuous growth. They highlight the impact of mentors, family dynamics, and the need for a balanced approach to leadership and business succession.

Jacqueline Barton, President and Founder of Specialized Staffing, shares her journey of starting the company in 2001 after 11 years at a regional staffing firm. Inspired by personal challenges and a desire to create a thriving culture, she built a business with 30 employees across five offices in Michigan, Indiana, and Kansas. Jacqueline emphasized the importance of relationships, community service, and finding joy in work. She highlighted the company's unique approach, focusing on impactful work and community involvement, and shared her leadership philosophy centered on love and service. Jacqueline also discussed the significance of setting personal goals and the power of kindness in leadership.

Matt Harrington, President and CEO of Logan Center, discusses his journey and Logan Center's impact. Logan Center, celebrating its 75th anniversary, serves 1,600 individuals annually across various settings. Matt emphasizes the transition from sheltered workshops to competitive job placements, highlighting the organization's role in fostering inclusion and acceptance. He shares his personal passion for triathlons and the importance of leadership, particularly servant leadership, which he promotes through the Logan Leadership Academy. Matt also reflects on his growth, the significance of vulnerability-based trust, and the impact of his family's involvement in Logan Center's mission.

Amish Shah, CEO of Kem Krest, shared his journey of growing the company from $1 million in revenue to $650 million over 29 years. He emphasized the power of intentionality, presence, and community impact in leadership. Amish credited mentors like Craig Fullmer and Rudy Yakym for shaping his leadership philosophy and discussed his strategies for balancing work and family life, including weekly journaling and digital detox. He also announced the appointment of Marty Brown as President, marking a new chapter for Kem Krest. Viewing the current era as a time of renaissance, Amish encouraged leaders to embrace positivity, growth, and the importance of mentoring young entrepreneurs.

https://www.kemkrest.com/

Ashley Martin, President and CEO of NIBCO, shared insights into the company's 120-year journey, from its origins as the Northern Indiana Brass Company to its evolution into a fifth-generation, employee-owned business. With 15 manufacturing plants worldwide, NIBCO remains at the forefront of innovation in the plumbing industry, striving toward its ambitious goal of reaching $1 billion in revenue.

https://www.nibco.com/

Jeff has been the President of Goshen Stamping since 2019

Located in a 80,000 square foot facility in Goshen Indiana, Goshen Stamping is a leading supplier of metal stampings to the ladder, educational map , and recreational vehicle industries.  In addition, the automotive, agriculture equipment and rubber industries continue to develop as major metal stamping customers.

Goshen Stamping - https://www.goshenstamping.com/

Ryan is the President and CEO of PWI

PWI helps manufacturers maximize productivity and safety by designing and fabricating overhead cranes, fall protection systems, and mezzanines, offering turnkey solutions that improve efficiency and space utilization. Founded as a small welding shop in 1979, PWI remains a family-owned industry leader committed to innovative solutions and strong customer relationships. They've grown from ~50 employees to ~160 employees in about 5 years.

About PWI - https://pwiworks.com/

Todd Gongwer, Executive Vice President of Leadership and Culture at Patrick Industries and founder of Kardia Transformation Group, focuses on cultivating leadership and organizational culture through character-driven development. With an approach that integrates leadership growth into daily operations, he helps individuals and teams align with core values to lead with purpose and influence.

Todd's best selling book, "Lead for God's Sake" was first published in 2010.

Todd is a leadership coach, a national speaker, an author, and a leadership and culture guru!

Rebecca is the CEO of CAPS

CAPS (Child and Parent Services) is Indiana's largest organization dedicated to preventing and responding to child abuse, ensuring every child lives free from abuse and neglect. With nearly 50 years of service, CAPS offers parenting education, abuse prevention programs like Healthy Families, and response services such as forensic interviews and court advocacy. Committed to creating the safest community in Indiana, CAPS continues to innovate and expand its impact.

Website - https://capselkhart.org/