Erie’s Front Row

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jordan and Colleen are joined by Michael Gaines the Executive Director of the Bradley H. Foulk Children's Advocacy Center of Erie County. On this episode we discuss the Children's Advocacy Center network, the services and programs that they provide our community, and the impact of the organization.     

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jordan and Colleen are joined in the studio by Jeremy Young, the CEO of FRC. FRC is a federal government contractor based in Erie, PA. On this episode we discuss the growth of FRC from its roots in Washington DC to relocating the headquarters to Erie PA in 2018. We discuss thoughts on growing businesses, the importance of community engagement, and the future of FRC and its portfolio companies. 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Colleen and Jordan are joined in the studio by Nick and Jessica Taylor, the founders of Menajerie Studio. Outside of Menajerie, Nick and Jessica are also leading the effort to energize Erie's film ecosystem with their work through Film Erie. In this episode, we discuss Menajerie Studios, the film ecosystem in Erie, and efforts to attract and support talent in this industry in our region.

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jordan and Colleen are joined in the studio by Brian Gutowski, Middle School Social Science Educator and Technology Director at Erie Day School, to discuss the National Civics Bee program. The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership is proud to partner with the US Chamber Foundation and educators across the region to present the National Civics Bee regional competition. In this episode, we discuss the importance of civics education, the program's experience for educators and students, and take a moment to celebrate the next generation of leadership. 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jordan and Colleen are joined in the studio by Jeff Parnell. Jeff specializes in helping business owners prepare for a major transition in their business, whether growth, acquisition, or selling. This week, we discuss the signs that business might need a transition, how to prepare for that, and best practices for a successful transition.    Your can look for Jeff's upcoming book, the Heart of Transition later this year, more information is available at www.theheartoftransition.com 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jordan is joined by Kahla Maguire and Curtis Jones from the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership to discuss the new Diverse Business Scholarship Program available to small businesses in Erie County. On this episode, we discuss eligibility, benefits, expectations of participants, and the process to apply.    Learn more here - https://eriepa.com/Diverse_Business_Scholarship_Program 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jordan is joined by Colleen Dougherty. Colleen is in an exciting new shared role between the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership and InfiniteErie, Regional Collaboration and Economic Development. On this episode we introduce Colleen to the audience, discuss the new partnership between Infinite Erie and the ERCGP, and what people can expect coming out of this new position. 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jordan is joined by Kahla Maguire. Kahla is the new Director of Membership at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.  On this episode, we introduce Kahla to our audience and hear about her new role at the organization.

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jordan is joined by Bobbie and Soven Shrivastav, founders of Solvrays. Solvrays is an AI-driven orchestration platform modernizing insurance operations by automating complex workflows across legacy and modern systems. Solvrays was a participant in the 2025 cohort of the FIRE Accelerator presented by Erie Insurance and ValueMomentum.   Solvrays Website - https://www.solvrays.com/ 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jordan is joined by Drew Watkins and Kevin Mallory, the founders of Ella. Ella is an Erie-based startup building a collaborative workbench to allow trusted advisors to "go from intake to insight in a fraction of the time" while assisting their clients in the business transition process. Ella was an observer in the 2025 cohort of the FIRE Accelerator presented by Erie Insurance and ValueMomentum. 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jordan is joined by the founders of Obai, Kameron Seabrook and Justin Fields. Obai is building a technology that works with Insurance carriers to navigate Catastrophic events. Obai has built a technology that brings every participant in the auto claim process together onto the same tool to coordinate action. Obai graduated from the 2025 cohort of the FIRE Accelerator presented by Erie Insurance and ValueMomentum. 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jordan is joined in the studio by Lydia Floyd and Ami Patel co-founders of InsureScope. InsureScope has built an AI-Powered tool allowing Insurance professionals to analyze coverage in minutes, compare policies instantly, and build a knowledge base to share expertise across the business. InsureScope is a participant in the 2025 Cohort of the FIRE Accelerator presented by Erie Insurance and ValueMomentum.  Learn more about InsureScope: https://insurescope.ai/

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jordan interviews Chris Lantinen the Director of the PennWest Edinboro's branch of the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network, and Katie Schaible, Program Director at Bridgeway Capital. On this episode, we discuss the NWPA Made program and the resources that are available to Maker Entrepreneurs in the region.    https://nwpamade.org/

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by the founders of Local Dutch. Local Dutch is based in the Netherlands and operates Urban Farm Markets, featuring fresh produce and indoor agriculture. Local Dutch was awarded a Pennsylvania Agriculture Innovation Grant and is considering Erie for one of its locations. 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by friend of the show, Chuck Peters. In this episode, we discuss Chuck's journey as a business and community leader across media, technology, and development. We discuss the critical role that leaders play within organizations and how we can operate and make the most of the assets available in our community. 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Ryan Palm, the Executive Director of the Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity at Mercyhurst University. In this episode, we introduce the audience to Ryan and discuss the services available to neurodivergent students at Mercyhurst University.   Mercyhurst has a rich history of supporting neurodivergent students. You can learn more here: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/student-services/center-neurodiversity 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Benton C. Bainbridge, an artist and entrepreneur in Erie. In this episode, we interview Benton about his life and career, which started in Erie, saw him around the world twice with the Beastie Boys, and has recently brought him back.    Benton C. Bainbridge is the Founder of Feed Media Art Center, https://www.feed.art/ , a media art space in Downtown Erie.  FEED actively fosters the creation, presentation, preservation, education, and ongoing innovation of real-time media art within Erie, PA, specifically highlighting the vibrant Downtown ARTs District. It operates not only as a gallery but also as a dynamic arts incubator dedicated to the advancement of interactive creative technologies.

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jake and Jordan are joined by Christopher Harben, D.S.L.. Chris is the Toudy Chair of Entrepreneurship and Family Business, Academic Director for the Center for Family Business, and an Associate Teaching Professor at PennState Behrend. On this episode we discuss family business and the resources available to them through the Center for Family Business and the economic development ecosystem. 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Sarah Hanks, the new President and CEO of the Northwest Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC). On this episode we get to know Sarah, the services of the NWIRC, and the importance of the manufacturing industry in our region. 

This week Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Erie-based filmmaker, John C Lyons. On this episode we discuss the film-making process, the economic value of the film industry, and Erie's arts and culture scene.    Check out these events if you are listening around release - FILM 10|20: https://www.filmerie.org/film1020 Film Erie new weekly series of thought-provoking films. Wednesdays starting Sept 3. Tethered: http://tetheredimmersive.com/ Massive, 30,000 sq ft immersive experience created by dozens of paid Erie-based creatives to tell a story about memory, consciousness, and connection. 4 shows at the former Maennerchor building: Sept 19, 20, 26, 27.

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by the three generations of leadership at Moore Research. In this special episode Jake and Jordan interview Peggy Moore, Founder of Moore Research, Colleen Moore Mezler, President and CEO, and Lindsay Bach-Moore, Director of Research and Insights. We discuss the history of the company, how market research has changed over the years, and what the future of the industry and this great company look like. 

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Matthew White, CEO of Whitethorn Games. We discuss the history of video games, the video game industry, and the founding and story of Whitethorn Games.

This week on Erie's Front Row, Jake and Jordan are joined by Gary Lee, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Erie County Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission, also known as Diverse Erie. We discuss Gary's background, as well as the formation and focus of Diverse Erie.

This week on Erie's Front Row Jake and Jordan are joined by John Oliver, Founding President and CEO of Visit Erie. John shares his background, and the story of Visit Erie covering it's origins, initiatives, and tourism in Erie, Pennsylvania. 

This week, we turn the spotlight around and interview Jake Rouch, Vice President of Economic Development, on the principles and basics of Economic Development. We discuss the principles of Economic Development, including Business Attraction, Entrepreneurship, Business Retention and Expansion, and Workforce Development.

This morning Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Tina Mengine the President and CEO of the Erie County Redevelopment Authority. On this episode, we discuss the services of the ECRDA, key initiatives in the region, and economic development strategy. 

This morning, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Brad Gleason, Director of Entrepreneurial Operations, and Nicholas Devine, Design Fabrication Engineer for Gannon University. This week we discuss the Gannon University I-HACK building, Entrepreneurial Services at Gannon University, and the new MakerSpace. 

This week Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Del Birch. Del leads the business outreach function for the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. We discuss "boomerangs", economic development, and living in Erie. 

This week we turn the microphone around and Jake interviews Jordan about the FIRE Accelerator. The FIRE Accelerator is the flagship entrepreneurship program of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. On this episode we talk about the history of the program, the goals of the accelerator, and celebrate some early wins from the program. 

This week, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Dr. Chris Gray, Founding President of the Erie County Community College. On this week we discuss the effort to establish our region's first community college, what makes community college's special, and what a day looks like in the life of  a student. 

This week, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Thomas Laird, CEO of Expivia and Founder of Otto QA. On this episode, we discuss Artificial Intelligence, how it is impacting business, and tips for how to become more comfortable using AI in your daily life. 

This week, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Matt Greene, Park Operations Manager for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). On this episode, we discuss Presque Isle State Park, Erie Bluffs State Park, and the critical function DCNR serves in our community, supporting these tremendous natural resources. 

This week, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Roo Kojancie, Executive Director of the Erie Zoological Society. On this episode, we discuss the history of the Erie Zoo, the assets that the Erie Zoological Society oversees, and ways to get involved with the Erie Zoo. 

This week Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Matt Laverde, Director of the Erie County Technical School. On this episode, we discuss the Erie County Technical School, the resources available to students in Erie County, and how the ECTS can help address workforce challenges regional employers are facing. 

This week Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Brian Slawin, Regional Director and Portfolio Manager at Ben Franklin Technology Partners Central and Northern PA. In this episode we discuss Ben Franklin Technology Partners, resources available to regional businesses, and regional initiatives and collaborations. 

This week, Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Gus Pine, Executive Director of Erie Events. On this episode, we discuss the Erie Convention Center Authority, known as Erie Events, the facilities that they manage, the events that they promote, and the future plans for the organization. 

This week Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Sean Fedorko, Founder of Radius CoWork. On this episode we discuss the coworking movement, Erie's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, and Erie's own coworking community, Radius. 

This week Jake and Jordan are joined in the studio by Kim Clear, Millcreek Supervisor, Chuck Peters, Managing Partner - Altair, and Amy Murdock, Senior Director - Planning at Altair. On this episode, we discuss the Presque Isle Gateway Project - Planning, Execution, and Community Engagement. 

In this week’s episode, Jake and Jordan are joined by Brian Polito, Executive Director of the CRIZ Authority. This week we discuss the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) Program, the potential impact of the program, and some of the responsibilities of businesses that are located within the CRIZ. 

In this week’s episode, Jake and Jordan are joined by Curtis Jones, Director of Government Affairs at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, and Sarah Schmidt, Manager of Civics Partnerships at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. This week, we discuss the National Civics Bee program, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the importance of Civic Engagement for people of all ages.  

In this week’s episode, Jake and Jordan interview Derek Martin, Executive Director, of the Erie International Airport. They discuss Derek’s background, the status of air service regionally and nationally, the impact of the Fly Erie Fund, and the future of our airport.

In this week’s episode, Jake and Jordan welcome Dr. Walter Iwanenko, President of Gannon University, and Jim Foote, Co-Founder and CEO of First Ascent Biomedical. Join us for a discussion about the FIRE Accelerator program, the history and future of First Ascent Biomedical, and an exciting partnership with Gannon University and others.

In this first episode, Jake and Jordan introduce our new CEO, Brandon Mendoza! Listen in as Brandon shares his background, exciting plans for the ERCGP, his first impressions of Erie, and so much more! Enjoy your front-row seat!