Shows
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #21 Gentlemen’s Cigars with Daniel HooberryIf you’re traveling through Nashville, Tennessee, you may find an all-black trolley with gold font lettering, giving folks over the age of 21 a memorable experience that transports them back in time: boutique cigars, a shoeshine, and a conversation with a true gentleman, today’s guest, Daniel Hooberry, also known as Daniel Dark. Hear about his history as an electrical engineer, chocolatier, smokeshop owner, and culinary student, and how his health challenges altered the course of his career. Daniel tells us about his cookbook on Catsup, before sharing the story of how he narrowly avoided signing a lease for comm...
2021-08-2631 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #20 Going Viral on TikTok with Jess and Dub McCorkleListeners are likely to recognize today’s guests, Jess and Dub McCorkle, from their tremendous success on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In today’s episode, we get together with Jess and Dub to discuss their seemingly instant success on social media, how they decided to pursue the RV lifestyle and what they have learned from it thus far. Tuning in you’ll hear them share the story of their daughter's drawn-out battle with an autoimmune disease and how her unexpected recovery prompted their decision to travel. They share how their overnight success on TikTok provided them with t...
2021-08-1934 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #19 Expanding, Enhancing, and Improving the RV and Camping Industry in Pennsylvania with Elizabeth PeroniThe Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle & Camping Association, or PRVCA, is a nonprofit organization representing nearly 400 RV dealers, manufacturers, campgrounds, component part suppliers, lenders, and insurance and service companies. Their mission is to enhance the recreation vehicle and camping industry through education and promotion by being a resource and partner to all segments of the recreation vehicle and camping industry. With the 52nd annual edition of America’s Largest RV Show coming up on September 15th, 2021, please join us in welcoming PRVCA’s Communication Director, Elizabeth Peroni! In today’s episode, Elizabeth highlights the importance of education and industry standard training in the...
2021-08-1221 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #18 From Canada to Mexico in an RV with the Dashboard DriftersMany of us have big dreams, but only a small percentage of people get to live them. Jenn and Kendall, also known as the Dashboard Drifters, are a young couple who are living their dream life, having traveled from Canada to Mexico while living in an RV and working as digital nomads. On today’s episode, you’ll hear what life is like living on the road in La Paz, Mexico, and how reading The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss sparked a huge lifestyle change for Jenn and Kendall. Next, we talk about their business, RVSpotDrop, which connects boutique loca...
2021-08-0529 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #17 100,000 Miles and Nothing but RVLove with Marc and Julie BennettToday on the Where’s Willie Podcast, we are talking about RVLove! You may be wondering, what is RVLove? Well, with over 100,000 miles traveled, Marc and Julie Bennett are much more than just the bestselling authors of Living the RV Life: Your Ultimate Guide to Life on the Road and RV Hacks, the number one new release on Amazon! They have been featured on the New York Times, CNBC, Fox, and The Wall Street Journal, helping hundreds of thousands of people hit the road in an RV, while saving them money, with their time-tested and proven tips and advice. In...
2021-07-2920 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #16 Bringing Joy, Happiness, and Hope with Jennifer Mercer of Care CampsToday we welcome to the show Jennifer Mercer, who is the Director of Development for an amazing and impactful organization known as Care Camps — a charity founded to help children battling cancer and their families experience the healing power of the outdoors. One of the most neglected aspects of diagnosing and treating childhood cancer is the emotional aspect, which is what Care Camps focuses on. By bringing joy, happiness, healing, and hope to the campers and their families, the charity shows every child that they don’t have to fight their challenging journey alone. Tune in Where's Willie today, to he...
2021-07-2214 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #15 RVnGO: the AirBnB of RVs with Richard Saling and Paul KacirIf you want to take your family to an amazing destination but you don't currently own an RV, or if you have an RV and you’d like to make a bit of extra cash when you’re not using it, this episode is for you! Today we are discussing the Airbnb of RVs, RVnGO. In this episode, we are joined by Richard Saling and Paul Kacir of RVnGO, one of the fastest-growing companies in the North American RV industry. Paul shares how he came up with the idea for the company and how, in the interests of bringing peop...
2021-07-1523 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #14 The Lahr Family: Full-time RV'ing with Four Kids, a Dog, and a CatPacking up your family and pursuing the dream of life on the road sounds close to impossible, but today’s guests, Luke and Mel Lahr have been full-time RV’ing for five years with four kids, a dog, and a cat. You may recognize them from Instagram, Facebook, or their own website Lahrs with Latitude. As a family who has always been honest about the realities of full-time RV’ing, today they open up about the challenges and the rewards of this kind of lifestyle. Tuning in you’ll hear what made them decide that this was the life they wan...
2021-07-0825 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #13 Connectivity on the Road with Marvin Metzler of WinegardEstablishing a WiFi connection on the road is one of the most frequent topics our listeners ask about. Whether you’re looking to accommodate your teenage child, or hoping to carry on with your work responsibilities from the road, a steady WiFi connection in your mobile home is a common non-negotiable. Today, we speak with a phenomenal resource in the RV community, the Senior Director of Business Development at Winegard, Marvin Metzler, who distributes all the products you need for a seamless network on the road. We dive into our episode with a summary of the history of Winegard an...
2021-07-0133 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #12 Innovating How People RV with Mike Ray of GasStopWhether you have a fifth wheel, travel trailer, or toy hauler, you will usually find dual propane tanks on every single one of these units. These propane tanks can be quite dangerous so when you and your family venture off to amazing destinations, it’s important that you make sure that you are safe and protected. To help you to ensure your RV’s safety, today we talk to Mike Ray from GasStop. Mike explains that GasStop is the only product in the USA like it. He sheds some light on how GasStop shuts down the flow of propane inst...
2021-06-2418 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #11 How to Explore the Country and Build a Community with Kelly Beasely of Camp AddictMeet Kelly Beasely, the founder of Camp Addict and a woman who has explored the country thanks to her RV and adventurous spirit. In this episode, Kelly talks about everything from how she began this journey, to becoming a full-time solo RV’er and boondocking. She also talks about how although this lifestyle can seem intimidating to some, it’s not much different then living in any given town–you just have a much greater level of freedom, and potentially a smaller fridge.Kelly also discusses the incredible community she has found through RV’ing, and how she is w...
2021-06-1729 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #10 RV Diagnostics with Jeffery MalatestaOn today’s show, we introduce someone that can save you money and help you learn how to take care of your coach. We are really excited to welcome Jeff Malatesta, the Founder and a technician at RV Diagnostics. Jeff has held a multitude of mechanic positions over the past 40 years. The most memorable being his service in the United States Army where he worked on all types of vehicles including M1 tanks. He served in both Germany and Iraq. Over the past 25 years, Jeff has worked with a steady increase of electronics and electrical systems, giving him an ed...
2021-06-1021 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #9 Traveling through a Pandemic with the Whole Family in Tow with Jason and Abby EppersonNo matter how many miles we’ve traveled, we all have a story to tell. On today’s episode of the Where’s Willie podcast, we speak to Jason and Abby Epperson, who we’ve dubbed the Walter Cronkite and Barbara Walters of National Parks and RV industry news with very good reason! Jason and Abby kick off with the story of how they started the full-time RV journey in a converted school bus with their kids in tow. We talk about how the pandemic-related restrictions snowballed the RV industry. Jason and Abby walk us through the concept behind each of...
2021-05-2743 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #8 Traveling Life’s Journey at 190mph with Melissa ParisMelissa Paris is an impressive athlete who consistently takes the male-dominated motorsports world by storm. In today’s episode, Melissa tells us about her background and upbringing and tells the story of how she was able to start racing professionally. She goes on to share insights about the challenges she has faced with imposter syndrome and why being a mom is the craziest thing you’ll ever do. Melissa also describes her pandemic experience, starting with a state of emergency being declared at the Daytona 200 and ending with unexpected camping and RV adventures. Next, we talk about the value of f...
2021-05-2031 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #7 Exploring the Open Road with the Proha FamilyIt was about three years ago that Brentt and Brittnee Proha decided to leave their home life on a small farm, in a small town for life on the road. Joined by their two boys, three girls, and playful bulldog, the Proha Family is showing the world how to live life with nothing but an open mind and the open road. While it might seem like close quarters, the Proha family has learned how to do just about everything, from homeschooling and making new friends to running their essential oils and remodeling consulting businesses while immersed in the great...
2021-05-1338 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #6 Country in the Time of COVID with John KingOn today’s episode of Where’ Willie we get together with talented musician, husband, and father John King. John’s journey has led him across the US performing in hundreds of venues and cities and now, for the first time in his adult life, he was able to take the summer off due to a COVID-enforced hiatus. John shares how he first realized he could sing, the many hours he spent with friends at band practice, and how their silly songs turned into good songs and then great songs. Hear about why John is proud to have graduated from Georgi...
2021-05-0626 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #5 Living Rootlessly with Demian RossIn this episode of the Where’s Willie podcast, we are sitting down with Demian Ross, the publisher of Rootless Living Magazine. We talk about his foray into nomadic life, what it means to be rootless in today's globalized world and how he hopes that Rootless Living can foster empathy and excitement for those who have chosen or been forced by circumstances to live outside of their initial comfort zone and take to the road. The thing about traveling or working from the road is that you don't have to put your life on hold to do wha...
2021-04-2947 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #4 Turning Pain Into Purpose with Leighton KennedyKennedy Leighton is a Central Michigan University student and self-published author from Schoolcraft Michigan whose vulnerable story has uplifted, supported, and encouraged many struggling with grief and loss. In 2014, Kennedy and her family experienced the tragic loss of her mother. As her role model and the woman she admired most, Kennedy felt at a loss — confused and brokenhearted — as she prepared to start high school. For a brief period, she found herself on the wrong path, with the wrong group of friends. But a turning point arrived on her sixteenth birthday, in which Kennedy fully realized the potential to transform her life, and the lives of o...
2021-04-2230 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #3 Imagining Your Life’s Journey with Dana LatteryA Professional Guide is a professional at all times — they are mentally alert and physically prepared for a strenuous day of guiding. Their self-confidence can be observed but not heard — they are totally prepared for the day and ready to accept its challenges, good or bad. Their appearance and dress show pride in themselves and the operation they represent. They immediately become a teacher to their clients and the client readily accepts their leadership. The motto belonging to our guest’s Fly Fishing outfitting company. Today we welcome a good friend of Willie’s, and a former college and AHL hock...
2021-04-1533 min
Where's Willie?Sn. 2, #2 Adventure, Family, and the Open Road - Meet the Flying HensWhen the travel bug bit Chris and Molly, it bit hard! The COVID-19 pandemic led to a huge decline in income for them, but instead of giving up traveling with their family, which has always been a big part of their life, they decided to give up their house instead. For the past four months, Chris, Molly and their three children have been living in a 400 square foot RV, and they are loving it. Of course, there are challenges, which Molly and Chris share with us on today’s show, but as you will also hear today, the positive as...
2021-04-0833 min
Where's Willie?Sn 2, #1 Creating a Content Empire with Jeffrey Hayzlett“Whenever there’s chaos, whenever there’s disruption, there are always opportunities for people to thrive.” This powerful takeaway comes from today’s conversation with global business celebrity, bestselling author, and C-Suite Network Co-Founder and Chairman Jeffrey Hayzlett. We open our discussion with Jeffrey by exploring the important role that content and branding play in modern businesses. With an especial focus on podcasts, Jeffrey dives into the topic, highlighting the need for companies to serve their communities and embrace new content platforms. After chatting about how you can measure a podcast’s returns, we talk about how Jeffrey’s content empire...
2021-04-0134 min
Where's Willie?#30 Bullfrog Spas: Marketing and Manufacturing with Jake RicksWelcome to today’s episode of Where Willie Podcast! Willie’s virtual travels take him to Herriman, Utah, to talk to the legendary Jake Ricks, the Director of Marketing for the greatest company in the world, Bullfrog Spas. Jake has a background in digital marketing, as well as the marketing and operations of hospitality businesses, having overseen some of the most iconic boutique lodges in the Western United States. Jake is an avid fly fisherman and has spent several years on competitive fly fishing circuits and owned and operated guide/outfitter operations. Jake continues to enjoy time outdoors, especially time...
2020-10-0133 min
Where's Willie?#29 Securing Future Engineers with Debbie Holton and Christine ReilleyReal-world problems are becoming increasingly complex, along with many of the technological solutions that we employ. Keeping up with this pace can be a struggle, but those who stay behind get left behind. Enter the America Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) — an organization devoted to advancing the future of both engineering and engineers. Today we speak with key ASME members Debbie Holton and Christine Reilley, the respective ASME Managing Director of Events and Senior Director of Strategy and Innovation. After sharing details of their extensive careers, we explore the role that the ASME plays within the engineering landscape. Debbie an...
2020-09-2427 min
Where's Willie?#28 Making Shift Happen with Coach Trisha Terns.Our personal development and the support we get can determine our potential success and overall happiness. Today, Willie’s virtual travels take him to Chelsea, Michigan where he talks to coach Trisha Terns. Just as you would upgrade your phone, Trisha believes that your true potential can be activated by upgrading your habits, mentality, and energy. She teaches people to step into their next level through the scientifically proven process of certified high performance coaching. In addition to being a certified high-performance coach, she is a neurolinguistic programming and timeline therapy practitioner and owner of Be Here Now LLC, a...
2020-09-1721 min
Where's Willie?#27 Inventing the World’s First Four-Way Volleyball Game with Chris Meade, Co-Founder of CROSSNETSometimes you get an idea that seems so good you’re sure it exists already. Today’s guest is Chris Meade and when he got the idea for CROSSNET he had that same thought, except that after googling it, he found nothing! CROSSNET is the world’s first four-way volleyball game and since its conception in 2017 it has grown to become the fastest-selling consumer product in North America, partnering with giants like Walmart, Amazon, and Wilson. Today we were lucky enough to get Chris, now a celebrity and a Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee, on the show to talk about how he cam...
2020-09-1031 min
Where's Willie?#26 Finding a Way to Weather the Storm of the Pandemic with Alex and Kelsey Carroll, from Stand Up StationsToday our destination is Irving, Texas, as Willie chats to Alex Carroll from Stand Up Stations! Alex is the co-founder of the company along with his wife Kelsey, and he tells us about this new venture that was born as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. After their previous business, Toss Up Events, came to grinding halt with the social restrictions, Alex began looking for other ways to stay afloat and came across the shortage of available sanitizer stations, a need he and his wife then set out to service. We hear about their earliest choices, the first prototypes...
2020-09-0341 min
Where's Willie?#25 Digital Transformation and the Integration of E-commerce Technology with Karthik ChidambaramOn the podcast today, Willie’s virtual travels take him to Chennai, India, to talk with Karthik Chidambaram. Karthik is the founder and CEO of DCKAP, a company that he bootstrapped in 2005 from his small apartment in Chicago, Illinois. DCKAP was started with two people, two computers, and two desks and is now a global team with headquarters in the Greater Austin area and operations in Chennai, India. He reckons industry setbacks and renders solid and practical solutions to organizations. Karthik holds a Master’s degree in computer engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, in Chicago, IL. Today on the...
2020-08-2722 min
Where's Willie?#24 From Hollywood to Mainstream Manufacturing with Tatsuya “Tats” NakagawaOn the podcast today, Willie’s virtual travels take him to Reno, Nevada, where he chats with Tatsuya Nakagawa. Tatsuya “Tats” Nakagawa co-founded Castagra and where he is currently the COO. He is also the host of Specified Growth Podcast and co-authored Overcoming Inventoritis: The Silent Killer of Innovation. Tats is passionate about innovation and loves the challenge of developing great ideas that can change the world! When he’s not working, he likes to spend time with his family and read as much as possible (mostly books about innovation). He’s not all business though! He played college tennis in...
2020-08-2132 min
Where's Willie?#23 The Sales Checklist with Dave VarnerToday, Willie's virtual travels take him to Eden Prairie, MN, to talk to his good friend Dave Varner. Dave is a speaker, award-winning author, and the founder of The Millau Group Global; a sales training company focused on providing their clients with The Sales Checklist — a simple to use, easy to coach sales process, which produces immediate, and measurable results. Additionally, Millau's solutions are designed to complement existing sales curriculums. Upon graduation from Michigan State University, where he was the first industrial marketing student, Dave went to work for a machine tool manufacturer and robotic systems company as an ap...
2020-08-1332 min
Where's Willie?#22 Snowboard Everywhere with Aaron Aders, Creator of SummerboardToday, Willie’s virtual travels across the country take him to Orange County, California, to talk to – in the words of his 12-year old son – the coolest man in the world, Aaron Aders. Aaron is the founder of Summerboard, an electric snowboard designed so that he could snowboard anywhere. Summerboard is wildly popular among snowboarders, but it is also loved by surfers, rock climbers, musicians, and engineers who get lost in their own passions. In this episode, Aaron shares a bit about his background and what led him to creating Summerboard, to emulate the feeling of snowboarding, and providing an exp...
2020-08-0637 min
Where's Willie?#21 Specializing in Customer Experience with Teri ShaubToday on the Where's Willie podcast, Willie’s virtual travels take him to Dayton, OH, to talk with Ms. Teri Shaub. Teri has a background in the motion control industry with a strong foundation in industrial automation technologies — having previously worked for a leader in precision motion, Kollmorgen. She has experience evaluating technical and commercial application requirements in order to provide complete solutions to manufacturers. Teri also worked in project management for several years as a contractor to GE Aviation. There, she managed large scale, multidiscipline aerospace, and industrial projects, from conceptual design to product testing with full accountability for...
2020-07-3024 min
Where's Willie?#20 Understanding the Real Value and Role of E-commerce with Ken Ott, Co-Founder of Metacake.Today Willie's digital travels take him Nashville, Tennessee to chat with author, speaker, and co-founder of Metacake, Ken Ott! Metacake is an e-commerce growth team who have helped many influential brands all over the world to achieve healthy growth in online sales. The company provides coaching, one-on-one services, as well as guides and courses for businesses of all sizes. In addition to this, Ken is also the host of the Agency Exposed Podcast, where he talks all about his business strategies and philosophies with a variety of guests. In our conversation today, Ken lays out his 'anything can happen...
2020-07-2347 min
Where's Willie?#19 Helping Manufacturers Save More Money with Brian Nunes of APS PaymentsStopping off in Mesa, Arizona for today's chat, Willie hosts Brian Nunes of APS Payments to talk about the amazing ways the company can save money for manufacturing companies! Brian has more than 20 years of e-commerce experience, and we get to hear all about how he brings that expertise into his work at APS. Our guest breaks down Level 3 rates and the issue of ignorance around them, explaining how they apply directly to the manufacturing sector. Brian also shares his special guarantee offer for a payout from APS if they are not able to save you money! That part...
2020-07-1643 min
Where's Willie?#18 From Veteran to Business-owner with VETtoCEOToday, we’re talking with the veterans of VETtoCEO, a nonprofit organization that supports veterans and transitioning military members to succeed in business ownership. We meet the co-founders, Michael Horn and John Panaccione, the First Executive Director, Monty Heath, and current Executive Director, Rob Campbell. Michael served as an Airborne Ranger for 21 years in the US Army, and also owns Brothers Body and Equipment, a specialty vehicle manufacturer in Galion, Ohio. John served 6 years on active duty as a US Army Officer, mostly as a Paratrooper and Jumpmaster in the 82nd airborne division. John is also the co-founder and CEO of...
2020-06-251h 04
Where's Willie?#17 Carrying on Through the Pandemic with Mark McClure, from International PlasticsWillie touches down in Greenville, South Carolina today to chat to Mark McClure, Vice President of International Plastics! The company is a second-generation family business and Mark has an immense 36 years of experience in the flexible packaging industry with an extensive resume of knowledge in the field. We get to hear about the history of the company, how it was started by Mark's father, the way it grew, and its current response to the pandemic and the instability of the industry, that is so prevalent. International Plastics has managed to continue to provide value to clients and stay open and...
2020-06-1844 min
Where's Willie?#16 Improving the Manufacturing Sector's Marketing Strategies with James SotoToday Willie's podcasting travels take to him Nashville, Tennessee, where we find James Soto, the CEO of Industrial Strength Marketing. James and his company fulfill a vital role that is often neglected and underplayed in the manufacturing sector - making sure that your company is marketing itself to its full potential! We discovered James on YouTube and instantly reached out to have him on the show because of the desperate need for more attention to this part of the manufacturing business. James' reputation speaks for itself. He has helped a huge number of companies get on track with their marketing...
2020-05-281h 08
Where's Willie?#15 The Complete Toolbox for Selling to Distribution Channels with John PanaccioneToday Willie’s travels take him to Wilmington, North Carolina where he talks to John Panaccione, the CEO of LogicBay. John has over 18 years of experience, leading teams that focus on using technology to improve corporate performance. They help companies develop and implement strategies for scaling indirect sales channels using a combination of services and technologies offered by LogicBay. Before founding the company in 2003, John has led sales and marketing at Cognitive Arts, an innovative leader in high-end workplace simulation software. In this episode, John discusses the what, why, and how of their software solution, describing their product as a co...
2020-05-2154 min
Where's Willie?#14 Being Future-Ready with Jennifer Deamud, ED of the Manufacturing Growth AllianceIn this episode, Willie’s travels take him to Benton Harbour, Michigan, to talk with Jennifer Deamud – the executive director of the Manufacturing Growth Alliance (MGA). Jennifer has over twenty years’ experience leading teams, establishing strategic direction, and achieving operational excellence. Respected for helping organizations innovate, thrive, and grow, and known for optimizing resources to achieve core mission while satisfying stakeholders, Jennifer has a successful track record as a forward-thinking leader who has a passion to serve others. Jennifer earned a master’s degree in Public Administration and a second master’s degree in Communications from Grand Valley State University (GSVU). She...
2020-05-1434 min
Where's Willie?#13 The Benefits of Good Lead Management Systems with Larry White, CEO of InterlynxAs we are in the COVID-19 jungle and are unable to meet face-to-face, finding new technologies that can get your product to customers may be just what you’re looking for. Today’s guest on the Where's Willie Podcast is Larry White. As CEO of Interlynx Systems, he might be able to help with the new challenges brought to the manufacturing industry by COVID-19. Interlynx is a sales lead management system that provides beautifully crafted sales leads every month. Their primary goal is to foster a better relationship between the manufacturer and distributor when it comes to lead management and they...
2020-04-2340 min
Where's Willie?#12 An Innovative Response to the COVID-19 Crisis with Shawn Kitchell, President and CEO of MadicoToday we touch down in Florida to explore Madico Inc., a manufacturing and distribution company specializing in a broad range of protective, functional and decorative material-based solutions. Their CEO, Shawn Kitchell, joins us on the Where's Willie podcast today to talk about how they have transformed the company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they are aiming to aid those whose lives have been impacted by the crisis. Shawn and his team quickly pivoted their production line of coatings and laminates to suit the shortage of protective materials used in the relief of the coronavirus. Shawn has worked...
2020-04-0938 min
Where's Willie?#11 Serving Society Through Energetic Manufacturing with Ryan Mannion of Coghlin CompaniesThe destination of today's episode is Westborough, Massachusetts where we are talking to Ryan Mannion from Coghlin Companies. Ryan and Willie met in Boston recently and immediately hit it off, so it only makes sense that he would make an appearance on the podcast! Ryan holds a degree in business management and now works at Coghlin, a fourth-generation family company that does $400 million in annual revenue! On top of that they are servicing some of the coolest technology that America has produced and if you don't believe us, just wait till you hear what Ryan has to say! In this...
2020-03-1331 min
Where's Willie?#10 New Innovations in Medical ManufacturingIn this episode, Willie shares his excitement about the upcoming MD&M West show. Now in its 35th year, this is the event where engineers and executives from across the world come together to change and improve the lives of patients. In addition to the three-day conference covering MedTech, 3D printing, and smart manufacturing, the show offers visitors the opportunity to meet the suppliers and experts who are disrupting the medical space.Willie talks about the projected growth of the medical device manufacturing industry, the innovation process from concept to finished product, the new technologies emerging in the market, and...
2020-02-0615 min
Where's Willie?#9 Streamlining Processes and Breaking Down Operational Silos with John KellerThis week's show brings us to Pleasant Grove, Utah, to have a conversation with John Keller, Co-Founder and President of REDLIST. For as long as manufacturing has existed, different divisions have been managed independently or regulated by separate entities. This means that within companies, there are vacuums and powerful operational silos. Not only is this an inefficient way to manage a manufacturing business, but it also means that one when one area is optimized, the other ones suffer. John Keller looks to tackle this last-standing problem through his company, REDLIST, based in Pleasant Grove, Utah. As a SaaS company, REDLIST...
2020-01-2350 min
Where's Willie?#8 The Significance of Technological Innovation in ManufacturingIn today’s episode, Willie travels to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he has a conversation with Sunny Han, founder and CEO of Fulcrum. Sunny started learning how to code from the age of seven when he taught himself to write his own games as a child. After studying engineering, he used his business acumen to help struggling manufacturers through the recession. For the last 15 years, he has helped countless mid-size manufacturers around the globe to grow and expand their capacity. Sunny explains to listeners how Fulcrum introduces and implements the latest technology in the manufacturing industry and what their mission and vi...
2020-01-1631 min
Where's Willie?#7 Four Divisions of Great Service with Scott Bailey of TECO TechnologyFor today's show, we are joined by a wonderful friend, colleague and manufacturing industry expert! Scott Bailey, the Director of Sales at TECO Technology is here to tell us all about his work at the company, the particulars of their successful model for manufacturing and how they built out from a strong footing in pneumatics. TECO is based in Pleasanton, California and is well established in a huge number of industries, locally and further afield. In our conversation, we cover Scott's own journey in manufacturing and his position now at TECO, something he values greatly. Scott also gives us some...
2020-01-0929 min
Where's Willie?#6 Winning Formulas with Kevin MullenToday on the show we are in San Jose for day two of the BIOMED show to meet Kevin Mullen, a sales engineer at RTP Company. After graduating from CalPoly Pomona and working in engineering for 20 years, Kevin found RTP and branched out into the world of sales. RTP Company is committed to providing solutions, customization, and service for all thermoplastic needs. They offer a wide range of technologies available in pellet, sheet, and film that are designed to meet even the most challenging application requirements. In our conversation with Kevin today, we get to hear his story as well...
2019-12-1915 min
Where's Willie?#5 The Value and Innovation of Piezo Technology Solutions, with Nic CopleyOn today’s episode of the Where's Willie podcast, our travels bring us to the city of Sarasota, Florida to talk with Discovery Technology International Inc. (DTI), a manufacturer of piezo motors. Our guest today is Nic Copley. Nick joined DTI in 2018 as Vice President of Business Development. DTI is an early-stage company bringing an exciting new range of innovative Piezo Motors to the motion and control market. Prior to joining DTI, Nic held a position of Vice President of Innovation and Technology for Parker Hannifin’s Automation Group, which comprised of pneumatic, electromechanical, and fluid control technologies. Nic’s career...
2019-12-1218 min
Where's Willie?#4 A City Built On ManufacturingThis week on the Where’s Willie? Podcast, Willie travels to Winchester, Virginia to talk to George Hoddinott and his associates from the City of Winchester about the central role of manufacturing and how the city supports this. Recognized by Forbes as the number one place in Virginia for business and careers, the city is resolutely committed to attracting and retaining young talent for its industries. We discuss all the things the city is doing to positively impact lives through manufacturing, including coordination of various departments of local government, the education system, and incentive programs. The panel talks about the way...
2019-12-0426 min
Where's Willie?#3 Tying Responsiveness & Value Back To The CustomerThis week on Where’s Willie? we travel to Rockford, Illinois to the home of RJ Link International Inc. to speak to their Vice President of Business Development, Terry McCormick. Terry is a tech-head who admits that he just loves making things, having been in manufacturing, quality, and operational management for the past 30 years. He has spent a lot of that time in gearing and hydraulics. His background has given him a springboard to traverse the areas of strategies and business management. Willie and Terry talk about increasing growth and profitability, how to tie responsiveness and value back to the cus...
2019-11-2133 min
Where's Willie?#2 Quality, Training, And GrowthIn this week’s episode of Where’s Willie? we have our first interview with Jackie Luciano, the Vice President of Manufacturing Operations at ZaGO Manufacturing in Newark, NJ. ZaGO is a producer of sustainable, high-tech, self-sealing solutions and components that has been in business for almost two decades. Jackie’s story is really inspiring, working her way up through the company from her initial position as a part-time bookkeeper. As her role has grown over the years, she has played an integral part in the company’s growth and evolution. Jackie is highly skilled in management, customer service, sales, strategy...
2019-11-1426 min
Where's Willie?#1 Meet WillieThe first episode of Where's Willie is finally here! In the debut episode, host, William Miller, talks about how this podcast was born out of his love for the magic of manufacturing. He shares a bit about how he got to where he is today, his career at Koganei America International Inc., and what listeners can expect from future episodes!Along his amazing journey, Willie has met many amazing and brilliant leaders that have a story to share, and who give a face to the already fantastic world of product manufacturing! These are the people you will meet on the...
2019-11-0717 min