Episodes
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Mary MacNamera Bernstein
Mary is an enthusiastic Rockfordian with more than two decades of experience teaching, creating, and promoting the arts in our community and beyond. Mary’s passion and commitment to community connection, public service, and justice make her a powerful advocate for the Arts Council’s mission: to...
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Barbara Berney
Born in Amityville, NY, Barbara Berney is a freelance graphic artist, editor, and jewelry designer, a member of The ELEMENT, and an exhibiting board member of the Inscape Midtown Collective on 7th Street at 1st Avenue. Her activities in the arts community have included managing the Art on the…
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Anthony Cortez, Executive Director, Rockford Public Library
Welcome to Ford the Rock, presented by The Element, where we highlight the people, organizations, and ideas helping shape the future of Rockford. Today, we’re joined by Anthony “Tony” Cortez, Executive Director of the Rockford Public Library. A graduate of Rockford University, Tony has dedicated...
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Bobby Walsh
Born and raised in Wellesley, Massachusetts, today’s guest has never been afraid to bet on himself. After a few years at the University of New Hampshire, he made a life-changing move at just 20 years old—heading to Chicago to work on the legendary futures trading floor at the Chicago Board of...
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Josiah Vander Hayden
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Josiah Vander Heyden, a realtor, entrepreneur, and builder with a vision for what’s next. He’s been hard at work developing the Union event space and its bar, helping create a destination that’s bringing new energy to the community. But that’s just one piece…
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Paul Sletten
Paul Sletten knew early on that the restaurant business was where he belonged. He began his culinary journey as a young apprentice at Café Patou, learning the art of fine dining under Chef Philippe Forcioli, and eventually rising to the role of sous chef. Building on that foundation, Paul took…
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Amy Chatfield, Ad Vice Marketing
Welcome back to the Ford the Rock podcast by The Element of Rockford. Today, I’m catching up with someone who’s been on the show before, and since then, a lot has changed. Last time we talked, she was the VP at Ad Vice Marketing. Now? She’s running the whole show as President. She’s also a mom to...
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Kate Wirth, Autism & Advocacy
Welcome to Ford the Rock, presented by The Element of Rockford. Today's guest is Kate Wirth. Kate is a business owner, professional, and advocate. At 40 years old, she was also diagnosed with Autism. In this episode, Kate guides us through her journey of understanding herself, redefining her...
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Dave Pedersen, Maze Books
This episode's guest is a truly unique individual with a diverse background. Dave Pedersen served in the U.S. Army as both a Military Police officer and a Public Relations specialist. Now, he’s the proud owner of Maze Books, located on East State Street in downtown Rockford. Dave is passionate...
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Eric Wilson
Eric Wilson of the Crusader Clinic Foundation joins us for this episode. Eric is a longtime Rockford resident with a diverse background, including acting alongside his daughter at the Rock Valley College’s Starlight Theatre. Before becoming the head of the Crusader Clinic Foundation, he was a…
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Brent Scott and Ita Reilly, Rockford Community Bank
Today's Ford the Rock podcast episode features Brent Scott and Ita Reilly. Brent is the President of Rockford Community Bank, and Ita is a Vice President and Regional Branch Manager. Both have a long history in the banking industry. This episode highlights the only bank in Rockford that includes...
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Pat Alberto of 27Aluna
Today's guest is Pat Alberto, the owner of 27Aluna in downtown Rockford. He grew up in the Philippines and moved here when he was 18. His is an interesting background story. Pat began his career journey at fast food joints before landing a job at Octane restaurant, the predecessor to 27Aluna in…
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Jen Spencer, Principal, Studio GWA
Our guest for this episode of Ford the Rock is Jennifer Spencer, a principal at Studio GWA. Jennifer grew up just outside of Madison, WI. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota and received her graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Upon…
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Tyler Pickering
This episode’s guest is Tyler Pickering, a Rockford native who returned to Rockford after a few years in Colorado. Tyler is a graduate of Guilford High School and the University of Illinois. After several jobs of varying difficulty, he was led into the insurance industry, where he is doing well…
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Ann Wasser, Director, Severson Dells
Today’s guest is Ann Wasser, Director of Severson Dells Nature Center. Ann moved to the Rockford region from the Monterey Peninsula in California, known as one of the most scenic places in the country. She however, was very aware of the rising cost of living there, and thus became a financial...
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Joshua Patterson, Wired Cafe
Walk into the newly owned Wired Cafe and Joshua greets you as a welcome neighbor. He would not have it any other way. A part of the community, Joshua grabbed the short straw and became Wired Cafe's general manager. A founding member of 815-Capital Group, along with Matthew Simpson, Terence Hall,...
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Gretchen Gilmore, RAVE
Today's guest is Gretchen Gilmore, General Manager of RAVE - Rockford Area Venues & Entertainment Authority. After working in private-sector accounting, Gretchen started with RAVE as the Director of Finance. She became interim GM during the pandemic and secured well over $20 million in grant…
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Mike Dunn
Mike Dunn is the Executive Director of the Chicago/Rockford International Airport. Mike is a Rockford native who started his career in Illinois state politics. Mike has presided over much of the tremendous growth that has occurred at Rockford’s airport over the past two decades. Under Mike’s...
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Melissa Hagerman, Rockford Career College
Our guest this week is Melissa Hagerman of Rockford Career College. Melissa is the Vice President of Career Services, Community Outreach, and Alumni Affairs at the College. Before moving to the Rockford region, she grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and eventually made her way out to DeKalb to...
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Terrakotta
Earlier this year, Kailee Schulz and Kendra Moreno began a homegrown plant business appropriately named “Terrakotta”. While working full-time, they grew and cared for hundreds of plants and ran their business at the Rockford City Market and other local events. Perhaps most shocking is that they...
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Kevin Versino, Rocktown Adventures
Kevin Versino is the General Manager of Rocktown Adventures Kevin has been an outdoor guy his whole life. In 2008 an opportunity arose to move to Rockford and make outdoor sports his career. Kevin moved his family here from Chicagoland and has been living a sporting life ever since. Kevin knows…
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Eamonn James, 317 Art Collaborative
Today’s podcast features 317 Art Collaborative in the longest-running arts building in Rockford at 317 Market St. Our guest is Eamonn James Talkington, a resident artist at 317 Collaborative. James attended Columbia College in Chicago. After finishing up at Columbia College, Eamonn moved around…
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Kevin Haas
A Rockford lifer, Kevin grew up around and in the newspaper business. His father, Wally Haas, worked at the Rockford Register Star for over 40 years. Kevin followed in his father’s footsteps while still in high school. He left the RRS to take over Rock River Current, a local startup on the...
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John Groh, President & CEO, RACVB
Soccer tournaments, heads in beds, Stroll on State, murals in downtown, and beyond! What do these things have in common? John Groh. John is President & CEO of the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. (The CVB for short.) John has been President of the CVB for 14 years and did a stint as...
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Laurie Anderson, Rockford Park District
Summertime is upon us; it is time to discover what the Rockford Park District has planned. Our guest today, Laurie Anderson, is a Superintendent of Operations for the Rockford Park District. Laurie is originally from Peoria, IL, and graduated from Western Illinois University with a Parks &...
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John Phelps
If you need a loan to start or expand a small business, you want to meet our guest on this episode of Ford the Rock Podcast . John Phelps is the Executive Director of the Rockford Local Development Corporation in Rockford. John and the RLDC historically have specialized in SBA loans. Now, they’re...
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Josiah Vander Heyden
Rockford boomerang definition: Individual or couple returning to Rockford for family support while raising a family. Meet Josiah (Joe) Vander Heyden: family man, engineer, developer, realtor, excellent guy, and Rockford boomerang. Joe graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in…
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Kate Wirth
A unique entrepreneur, creative stylist and advocate for women’s health - her holistic salon and boutique, Lucette is located on East State St. in Downtown Rockford. Kate Wirth is a joy to talk with because she is positive, uplifting, and knows her stuff. Kate pays her employees by the hour so…
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Justin Fern, Urban Equity Properties
“Live in downtown Rockford. Are you crazy?” “Rent an apartment downtown. You’re out of your mind. Who would do that?” Well, all the naysayers have been wrong over the years. Many folks will not only live in downtown Rockford but will love it. Justin Fern, our guest today, knows. He’s the founder...
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Kyle Saunders, Director of Public Works
Snow removal, water from your faucets, potholes in your street, and sidewalks—whose responsibility are they? How about major street projects such as Charles St., Harrison Avenue, 9th St., and the Whitman St. interchange? Who handles these large-scale projects? Sit back and listen to the man...
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Lynn Stainbrook, Executive Director, Rockford Public Library
Lynn Stainbrook is the Executive Director of the Rockford Public Library, one of our city’s most challenging roles. Lynn came to Rockford from Brown County, Wisconsin, where she was the library’s executive director. In this episode, we discuss the opportunities facing the Rockford Public Library…
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Miles Nielsen
Singer/songwriter Miles Nielsen is a bandleader, father, husband, and Rockford native. He established his band, The Rusted Hearts, 10 years ago. He and the band have toured America and Europe and produced numerous recordings. Miles brought along his guitar, so you’ll also hear some original songs...
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Mike Schablaske
If you looked in the dictionary for the definition of a community leader, you might find Mike Schablaske’s picture. Mike’s professional background is in corporate business. At his last suit and tie job, he worked in finance at Woodward, an aerospace corporation founded in the Rockford region.…
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Amy Chatfield of Ad Vice Marketing
We’re talking with Amy Chatfield, Vice President of Ad Vice Marketing. Amy is a businesswoman, mom, and community activist. Ad Vice Marketing is a boutique marketing agency serving the Rockford market and beyond. We’ll talk about marketing in this world of seemingly infinite communication...
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Dr. Carlson-Dexter
Dr. Carlson-Dexter has been practicing family medicine in Rockford for five years. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford, which is just one of the reasons we’re talking with him today. A primary care physician, Dr. Carlson-Dexter is working on becoming...
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Greg Watt, Rockford Business owner and Downtown Resident
In this episode, you’ll be introduced to Greg Watt, one of the founders of The Element of Rockford. He is president of WATT Global Media. Although an international company, WATT Global Media operates a results-only work environment that allows its employees to work remotely at all times. Greg is…
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About this show
Ford The Rock Podcast is brought to you by The Element of Rockford. Join us as we talk to Community Leaders, Artists, Entrepreneurs, and people in the know about what it takes to develop a thriving community.
Hosted by
Edward McCullough
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