The DeCesare Group Podcast

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Maureen Carpenter, President and CEO of the Barren County Economic Authority. https://barrencoea.com/ Carpenter talks about Glasgow’s recent historic milestone, ranking No. 9 in the nation among micropolitan communities in the 2025 Site Selection Governor’s Cup rankings, based on the number of economic development projects announced during the year.The ranking is the highest placement Glasgow has ever had by Site Selection magazine.She talks about the initiatives that led to the recognition, updates the South Cooper Industrial Park and looks at what’s ahead in 2026.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Julie Milam, Executive Vice President of Partnership Services at the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. https://www.bgchamber.com/Milam is widely known across South Central Kentucky for her long-standing commitment to community development and economic growth having spent 17 years as General Manager at WNKY-TV.A former small business owner herself, she is now bringing her more than two decades of deep-rooted community involvement, small business advocacy, and visionary leadership to the chamber.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Dr. Gary Houchens, Board Chair for Chesterton Academy. https://chestertonbgky.com/For the first time in more than a half a century, Bowling Green will be home to a Catholic High School beginning this fall.Chesterton Academy is a faith-based, academically rigorous high school opening initially to freshmen and sophomores in August.Dr. Houchens has been part of a group working for years behind the scenes to make this private Catholic school a reality in Bowling Green.The Chesterton Schools Network website says the following:Chesterton students enjoy a cohesive, content-rich education. A broad exposure to many different disciplines helps students expand their interests and uncover hidden talents.There are currently more than seventy Chesterton High Schools across the country with Bowling Green being added to the list.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, host Jim DeCesare sits down with Kevin Wallace, newly appointed Director of Corporate Development for ABR Systems Group. https://www.abrsg.com/Wallace has earned numerous state and national coaching honors and is recognized for his leadership and lasting impact on high school football in Kentucky.He retired after the 2025 season with a career record of 371 wins and 130 losses which ranks fourth in KHSAA history for career victories.Wallace talks about his legendary career, what the transition to the private sector is like and what he brings to a company like ABR Systems Group.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Bowling Green City Manager Jeff Meisel. https://www.bgky.org/Meisel began his career with the City in 2002 as City Treasurer, was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2006, and became City Manager in 2018.He’s only the sixth city manager in Bowling Green’s history!Meisel has an update on the long awaited Riverfront Project as well as other exciting developments in the city of Bowling Green.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Dr. Martha Sales, Vice President of Student Success and Dean of Students at WKU. https://www.wku.edu/admin/staff/studentexperienceWith her 27 years of grant writing experience, Dr. Sales has been awarded 20+ million for students' success.It would be hard to overstate the impact she has made at WKU.Aside from her administrative roles, she also teaches and facilitates courses and trains students and her colleagues in her various areas of expertise.A native of Franklin, Kentucky, Dr. Sales overcame the barrier of being a low-income and first-generation student herself, and went on to obtain the multiple degrees from WKU.She has lots of interesting insights, especially on generations in the workforce and what we can learn from those patterns.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you like The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and on YouTube.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Dave Deerman, executive coach, author, speaker, and longtime ministry leader.Over his 43 years in ministry, Dave has served as a church planter, lead pastor of a 1,000-member congregation, executive pastor in two megachurches, and an executive in real-estate research.Today, he works with MVP Leader Group, a nonprofit that supports ministry and Christian business leaders with mental, physical, and spiritual encouragement. https://mvpleadergroup.com/MVP currently serves 400 pastor couples and 80 business couples, helping unite pastors and business leaders to impact their communities for faith, family, and finances.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Santa Claus!In honor of Christmas week AND the 100TH EPISODE of The DeCesare Group Podcast, Jim talks with Santa about all the preparations that go into the busy holiday season!He also gets into how many years his agent, Nick Wilkins, has kept him booked and busy here in South Central Kentucky. https://www.facebook.com/BroadwaytheClown/It’s a fun and magical episode and a great way to mark such a milestone!Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Retired Lieutenant General Steven L. Basham. https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/467205/steven-l-basham/General Basham is back in Bowling Green after serving more than 36 years in the United States Air Force in various leadership roles across the Department of Defense.His most recent assignment was as Deputy Commander of the United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, where he directed a warfighting headquarters overseeing more than 85,000 U.S. personnel in Europe.A highly decorated aviator, General Basham accumulated over 3,400 flying hours in the B-1, B-2, B-52, T-38 and T-37 aircraft.He is recognized for his leadership, extensive operational expertise and deep understanding of defense policy, legislative affairs and acquisition processes.It’s an honor to catch up with General Basham to find out what he’s been up to since his retirement and what’s next for him.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Jeff Fields. Jeff is the Founder and CEO of Cheetah Clean Auto Wash, one of the fastest growing, privately held carwash platforms in the Kentucky/Tennessee and Mid-South Area. https://cheetahclean.com/ He talks about how he took a small automotive detailing operation in Bowling Green and transformed it into Cheetah Clean, a multi-market, multi-brand operating system with category leading customer experience standards, a powerful membership model, and a vision to scale to 50 plus stores through real estate-driven expansion and strategic capitol partnerships.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, host Jim DeCesare welcomes Allison Mefford, Director of the Education Foundation for Warren County Public Schools. Allison shares exciting news about the upcoming IMPACT Center for Leadership and Innovation, set to open in 2026 in Warren County.Designed as a state-of-the-art hub for both students and educators, the IMPACT Center will serve middle and high school students through a dynamic blend of traditional academics and forward-thinking career and college readiness programs. With a strong focus on industry-led pathways, the Center aims to prepare students not just for graduation—but for life beyond it.Tune in as Jim and Allison explore how the IMPACT Center is poised to transform education in Warren County for years to come.For more information you can log onto https://impactcenter.warrencountyschools.org/ Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Mike D’Eramo, CEO of Graves Gilbert Clinic, to discuss an alliance between GGC Health and Ascension Saint Thomas, a formal, clinically integrated partnership designed to transform how outpatient care is delivered across southcentral Kentucky. https://www.gravesgilbert.com/This collaboration brings together two trusted healthcare organizations to create a new outpatient-centered system focused on high-quality, affordable, and accessible care. The alliance will expand diagnostic and treatment services, support clinical research, and open new doors for physicians and healthcare professionals across the region.In this episode, Mike breaks down what this partnership means for patients, providers, and the future of healthcare in our community—and why this step forward matters more now than ever.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, host Jim DeCesare sits down with Miles Leach, Founder and CEO of Kanbol, Inc in Auburn Kentucky. https://www.kanbolinc.com/Miles is the brains behind an innovative and sustainable way to create packaging from one of the U.S.’s most abundant crops, corn.Chances are you have used some of these eco-friendly disposable food containers.He talks about the origin story of how he turned agricultural waste into something that is revolutionizing the packaging industry in a way that honors our planet.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with State Senator Mike Wilson.He currently serves as State Senator for District 32 which includes Warren, Simpson, Logan and Todd counties. He is the Senate Majority Whip serving in Senate leadership.Mike serves on several committees and sub-committees in the Senate such as Education, Economic Development Tourism & Labor, Veterans Military Affairs and Public Protection, and Transportation, just to name a few!Senator Wilson is going to update us on the state of the Commonwealth, specifically all the positive changes coming out of the legislature since 2017.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Dr. Ryan Quarles, President of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. https://kctcs.edu/KCTCS has sixteen community and technical colleges including SKYCTC here in Bowling Green.Ryan is also a former legislator, a former Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner and a ninth generation farmer at Quarles Farms in Scott County.He has a lot to share about workforce training, the future of higher education in the community college system and more!Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Warren County Sheriff Brett Hightower. https://warrencountykysheriff.com/Sheriff Hightower has served in the position since late 2018. He began his law enforcement career in 1994 at the Bowling Green Police Department. His leadership skills were developed through his 21 years of military service and continuing education with law enforcement.Brett is also the recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He talks about his journey to get to the position he’s in today, how Warren County is preparing for future growth from a law enforcement standpoint and lots of other fun facts along the way.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, host Jim DeCesare sits down with Lifeskills President and CEO Joe Dan Beavers and Lifeskills Director of Legal and Governmental Affairs Whitney Westerfield. https://www.lifeskills.com/Lifeskills Industries is a vital organization that’s been South Central Kentucky’s premier provider of mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities services for over 40 years. Serving more than 12,000 people each year across multiple counties, Lifeskills employs over 800 professionals.Lifeskills Industries also offers a wide array of vocational services for individuals with disabilities. These supports are designed to help people assess and develop job skills, find meaningful employment, and maintain long-term workplace success.Beavers and Westerfield talk about all that Lifeskills brings to the ten county BRADD region and break down a new, comprehensive initiative to combat the opioid epidemic.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Johan Mirkovic, Vice President and General Manager of The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs in Simpson County. https://themintkentuckydowns.com/ Mirkovic explains the hype around Kentucky’s largest sportsbook opening this month at The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs in Simpson County.Whether it's college football Saturdays, NFL Sundays, baseball playoffs or beyond, this will become the go-to destination for fans looking for a high-tech betting experience. https://www.circasports.com/kentucky-appThe screen is 80 feet wide and 40 feet tall!orts betting and horse racing to the hotel and entertainment venue, an exciting transformation has taken place at The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs over the last five years. You don't want to miss this episode. Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC.If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, host Jim DeCesare sits down with Brooke Waldrup, President and CEO of the Logan Economic Alliance for Development (LEAD) https://www.loganleads.com/, and Logan County Judge Executive Phil Baker https://logancountyky.gov/ .Together, they explore how Logan County—a community of over 27,000 residents—is fostering a thriving, business-friendly environment through a strong partnership. Brooke and Judge Baker share valuable insights into the strategies driving economic growth in the region, including efforts to attract new businesses and ensure the local workforce is equipped for the industries of tomorrow.If you're interested in economic development, workforce readiness, or community-driven success stories, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup .

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Danette Idlett, Executive Director of Life’s Better Together. https://lifesbettertogether.org/Life’s Better Together is a non-profit organization here in Bowling Green that started back in January of 2015. The mission? To provide direct financial assistance and support to families with a child or parent battling a critical illness. Danette talks about what inspired her and her husband to create the organization, how it improves the lives of individuals and families, and the way Life’s Better Together collaborates with local partners or other community organizations to maximize impact.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.