Working It

On this Episode of Working It, Erika and Hannah sit down with Angie Franklin to discuss services offered by our local Community Actions Commission. Services include Publicly Funded Childcare, Head Start Preschool, Emergency Assistance, Financial Empowerment, Housing, Homelessness, and Weather & Home Repairs. Angie says it best in this podcast, “if you don’t need it, you don’t know about it”. Tune in to listen to services that maybe you aren’t aware of but could help someone in need. The motto at NOCAC, “Helping People & Changing Lives” …and Angie & her team are doing just that!

On this Episode of Working It, Erika and Hannah are joined by a relatively new face at General Motors Defiance, but a seasoned veteran within the General Motors company. New Plant Director, Derrick Parson, took the reins in Defiance just a few months ago, but has been with the company since an internship in 1995. He goes on to describe his journey that has taken him to multiple plants and shown him the endless possibilities that GM has to offer. Endless possibilities aren’t the only thing GM has to offer, but they are dedicated to their Community Grant Program. Tune in to hear the amount of time and dollars donated to local non-profit organizations to help communities across the country.

On this Episode of the “Working It” Podcast Host Erika Willitzer talks with the Owner of Buckeye Roofing & Exteriors Lance Sherry. Lance shares about the reward of being in the construction industry, along with building a work culture that supports families. His passion for his family, his work, his team, and his community are awe inspiring. Tune in to hear how this community leader is juggling it all, and with a smile!

On this Episode of Working It, Erika and Hannah talk with who most of Defiance know as, “the guy who went to City Council to pitch an NFL Football Team” …. his real name, John Druska. John was born in Ft. Wayne, IN, but then shortly after moved to Defiance and spent his first 9 years of life here. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California where he is pursuing acting and screenwriting. He describes some of the movies and tv shows he thinks would be a perfect fit for our rural, Midwest community. Listen in to hear how John has dreams of bringing arts and film into Defiance, Ohio.

On this Episode of Working It, Erika and Hannah are joined by one of the areas top contractors, Bob Spyker of Spyker Contracting. Bob discusses how he got started in the construction industry at the young age of 15. He started off learning the basics and then was given the job of constructing pole barns with a team under him. This eventually led him to wanting to form him own company, known today as Spyker Contracting. Tune in to hear all the projects in Defiance County that are currently in the works that Bob and his team have a hand in. We’d also like to congratulate Spyker Contracting for being awarded a 2023 Top Metal Builder in the Metal Construction News Magazine, May Edition.

On this Episode of Working It, Erika, Hannah, and Paige provide an update about what’s going on in the office. They start things off with Hannah explaining the Grand Re-Opening of Goodwill Industries, along with the launch of the Job Connection Center and how this will be a huge benefit to Defiance County and hopefully surrounding communities. Next Paige takes over and discusses the Four Flags of Freedom campaign – listen in to see exactly where these flags will be placed! Erika follows with updates on all the projects she is working on in the county. Wrapping things up they each provide a “nugget of knowledge” from their areas of expertise.

On this Episode of Working It, Erika and Hannah are joined by the City of Defiance Mayor, Mike McCann. To updated roadwork being done in the City to all of the open sites available for development, they discuss it all! And to top it off, a recently announced grant that allows to keep improving the quality of life right here in Defiance, Ohio! Tune in to hear what the Mayor says is his greatest accomplishment since the beginning of his term.

On this Episode of Working It, Erika and Hannah sit down with Rocky again to hear about the best practices regarding the labor shortage. He explains how employers are starting to get very creative with how they operate with their employees. Rocky also discusses “Apprenticeships” and is busting all the myths! And tune in to learn about the relationship between the Greater Ohio Workforce Board and your local OhioMeansJobs.

On this Episode of Working It, Erika and Hannah are joined by 2 top members of The Greater Ohio Workforce Board, John & Rocky. John provides great statistics on the labor shortage and 4 key takeaways you won’t want to miss. He explains how they looked outside of the box during the Covid pandemic to gather data…” social media listening”. John discusses what entices the difference generations back into the workforce. Stay tuned to listen to the number 1 benefit wanted in the workplace by almost every generation! Any guesses?!

On this Episode of Working It, Erika and Hannah discuss all things design with Karen from The JDI Group. What does The JDI Group do? Listen in to hear Karen explain all the market sectors they support, which may be one of their best kept secrets. JDI’s mission is to turn clients’ visions into working realities that address their wants and needs while exceeding their expectations. And they do just that day in and day out.