Up Close: Bobby King, Donald Kom, and Annabella Marquez

For his final week filling in for Casandra Eames, guest host Bill Gebhart brings back all three recent guests—Bobby King, Donald Kom, and Annabella “Bella” Marquez—for a roundtable conversation that’s all about connection. Though they come from different backgrounds and walks of life, Bobby, Don, and Bella discover surprising overlaps in their stories—whether it’s a shared sense of purpose, love for community, or the different ways each has found (or rediscovered) home in Ames. They reflect on what drew them here, what keeps them rooted, and how even in a town that feels familiar, new relationships and stories are always waiting to be uncovered. It’s a warm, wide-ranging episode about place, people, and the threads that quietly tie us together.   The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect those of the City of Ames or its employees.   Want to Be On Up Close? Have a story to share? Reach out to Casandra Eames in the City Manager's Office or email [email protected] to be featured on a future episode.