Clarksville Conversations with Charlie Koon

 In this episode, Austin Peay State University’s new Athletic Director, Jordan Harmon, sits down to share his journey from student-athlete to leading the Govs’ athletic department. Harmon talks about building strong ties with the Clarksville community, growing revenue, and creating a culture that values both winning and academic success. He reflects on the mentors and family who shaped his path and lays out his vision for the future of Austin Peay athletics, offering listeners a clear look at the leadership style and priorities guiding the program forward. 

 In this episode, Congressman Matt Van Epps reflects on his journey from military service to representing Tennessee’s fast-growing communities. He explains how team building and structured processes guide his work in Congress, including on the Homeland Security and Science, Space, and Technology committees. Van Epps also discusses his advocacy for Fort Campbell, the role of local business support, and how national issues like border security and government funding affect his district—underscoring his focus on veterans, economic growth, and hands-on community engagement. 

Dawn Sanders-Garrett, Interim Director of the Clarksville Housing Authority, walks through the plan to redevelop Lincoln Homes and why it matters. She explains how federal RAD conversion and tax credits make the project possible, what demolition and rehabilitation will look like, and how the new development will modernize affordable housing without losing sight of the people who live there. The episode also explores how the master plan aims to keep residents stable while helping fuel Clarksville’s local economy. 

In this episode, Barry Sullivan and Chad Hunley of the Clarksville Jeep Crew share how a simple love of Jeeps has grown into one of the area’s most reliable grassroots support networks. Founded in 2019 and now more than 2,300 members strong, the volunteer group steps up during crises, most recently during the snow and ice storm, helping stranded drivers, transporting essential medical staff, and supporting emergency response efforts when conditions were at their worst. The conversation highlights the Crew’s highly organized training, close coordination with local agencies, and commitment to service without compensation, instead encouraging support for local charities like Mana Cafe and Loaves and Fishes. It is a timely reminder of how community, preparation, and generosity can make a real difference when the weather and circumstances turn tough. 

On this episode Mark Riggins, General Manager of Clarksville Gas and Water, joins Charlie Koon to talk about some of the big projects in the works for CGW.  Those projects include a new natural gas pipeline from Kentucky that will provide Clarksville with a redundant supply of natural gas, a new app and more.

 In this episode, Mayor Wes Golden reflects on a period of rapid growth and key administrative milestones shaping Montgomery County as it looks ahead to 2026. He discusses major public safety advancements, including the launch of the county’s first paid fire department and the expansion of school resource officers. The conversation also explores significant infrastructure investments, road expansions, new schools, and plans for a large community fairground honoring the area’s agricultural heritage. Golden highlights quality-of-life priorities through expanded parks, greenways, and collaborative youth and veteran programs, while outlining a forward-looking economic development strategy focused on high-end retail and smarter traffic management to support a young, fast-growing population. 

In this episode of Clarksville Conversations, Josh Ward, Executive Director of the Clarksville–Montgomery County Industrial Development Board, breaks down the unprecedented economic expansion reshaping the region. Ward details Clarksville’s strategic shift toward high-tech manufacturing, spotlighting major investments such as Korea Zinc and LG Chem—projects expected to generate thousands of jobs by 2030 and significantly raise local household incomes.The conversation also explores how growth extends beyond industry, including the large-scale retail transformation at Freedom Farms and the arrival of competing healthcare providers aimed at improving access and quality of care. Ward explains why confidentiality is critical during complex business negotiations and how discretion helps ensure major deals successfully cross the finish line.Looking ahead to 2026, Clarksville’s focus begins to pivot from aggressive industrial recruitment toward quality-of-life investments—convention space, greenway expansion, and urban amenities designed to support a growing population. The episode underscores a community-wide effort to manage rapid growth responsibly while building long-term prosperity for residents.

In this episode of Clarksville Conversations, host Charlie Koon sits down with Michael Lankford, the newly appointed state representative for Tennessee’s District 75, for an in-depth conversation about his roots, his public service, and what comes next for Montgomery County.Lankford reflects on growing up in Clarksville and Montgomery County, sharing how his local upbringing shaped his perspective and commitment to the community. He walks through his educational journey, from Austin Peay State University to UT Martin, and explains how those experiences prepared him for a career in public service.The discussion also revisits Lankford’s time as County Commissioner for District 6, where he focused on practical, day-to-day issues affecting residents, including infrastructure needs and traffic challenges. He outlines the lessons learned at the county level and how they inform his approach to leadership.A key portion of the conversation centers on his unexpected transition to the state legislature. Lankford recounts how a sudden vacancy led to his appointment, culminating in a rare tie-breaking vote cast by the mayor. He closes by outlining his priorities as state representative, with an emphasis on strengthening infrastructure, supporting economic growth in Montgomery County, and advocating for local farmers.

In this episode of Clarksville Conversations, host Charlie Koon sits down with Congressman Matt Van Epps for an in-depth discussion about his rapid and unconventional path to Congress. Fresh off a special election victory, Van Epps describes the whirlwind transition into Washington and what it was like to step onto the House floor for the first time.The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how voting actually works in the U.S. House of Representatives, demystifying a process many constituents rarely get to hear explained firsthand. Van Epps also outlines his early priorities in Congress, including his assignments to the Homeland Security Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and what those roles mean for the region he represents.To close, Van Epps emphasizes his commitment to staying connected at home, detailing plans to reopen and fully staff district offices in Clarksville and Franklin. He also shares his intention to hold future town halls, reinforcing his focus on accessibility, constituent service, and maintaining a strong local presence while serving in Washington.

Bill Marbet, Russ Plummer, Blake Monroe and Angie Brady join Charlie to talk about the TACA East-West All-Star Game, a prominent Tennessee high school football event hosted in Clarksville held at Austin Peay State University. Blake and Angie from Visit Clarksville explain how securing and maintaining this event demonstrates their commitment to relationship-based tourism, citing the importance of local partners and "unreasonable hospitality" in attracting large groups. The discussion expands to showcase Clarksville's broader portfolio of athletic and unique competitive events, including a national volleyball tournament and the state robotics championship, which contribute significantly to the local economy. Guests emphasize that the city's success in event recruitment is bolstered by the availability of quality venues and the overall affordability of the destination. 

This episode of Clarksville Conversations features two separate interviews with members of Christian rock bands who are performing on the upcoming Awakening Tour 2025. The first interview is with John Cooper from Skillet, who discusses his band's long history, their energetic hard rock style, and their positive faith, family, and freedom message. The second interview is with Darren Mulligan of We Are Messengers, where he shares his personal and spiritual journey, including how his wife's faith and perseverance led to his own conversion and the band's formation. Both musicians emphasize the importance of hope, faith in Jesus, and the power of music to spread a positive message, often referencing the challenges and storms of life as inspiration for their songs.The Awakening Tour Featuring Skillet and We Are Messengers takes place on Saturday November 22nd at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville.

Charlie Koon and guest Pastor Mike Burnette talk about the upcoming 8th annual Turkeys for Troops event in Clarksville. The event, scheduled for Saturday November 22nd, provides free frozen turkeys to active-duty military, veterans, and their families as a gesture of appreciation. They talk about the origins and growth of the event, now too large for its initial location, and highlights the crucial roles played by numerous community partners and volunteers, including Convoy of Hope, LifePoint Church, Legends Bank, Serra Chevrolet, Austin Peay State University, and others.

In this inspiring episode of Clarksville Conversations, host Charlie Koon sits down with Major General (Retired) Walt Lord and Edgar Maldonado from Austin Peay State University’s Military and Veterans Affairs division to explore the deep bond between APSU, Fort Campbell, and the region’s thriving military community. Together, they discuss why Clarksville is unlike other military towns and how APSU continues to serve as a home base for thousands of military-affiliated students.Lord and Maldonado share the significance of Veterans Day and explain why APSU extends the celebration into a full Veterans Week dedicated to honoring service members. Maldonado also opens up about his own service in both the Marine Corps and the Army, reflecting on the powerful sense of camaraderie veterans carry with them throughout life. The conversation drives home one message: veterans aren’t broken—they’re part of a strong, supportive tribe that always looks out for one another.

On this episode Charlie speaks with former professional bull rider and Clarksville native Cory Rasch. The conversation focuses on Rasch’s upcoming sanctioned Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event scheduled for November 8th at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee. Rasch shares details about his history growing up in the area, his professional bull riding career, and the extensive planning involved in producing the event, which includes everything from laying down 33 loads of dirt to coordinating with local sponsors and the Clarksville Fire Department, where Rasch currently works. The discussion also touches upon logistical challenges, like avoiding basketball scheduling conflicts, and efforts to make the event a community affair, including a charity auction and military rappellers.

Charlie Koon and co-host Ryan Ploeckelman talk to guest Debra Sutton from Manna Cafe Ministries. The discussion focuses on Combat Hunger, Manna Cafe’s annual food drive, which has been expanded to the entire month of October to address growing food insecurity in Clarksville and Montgomery County, particularly among military families and seniors. Manna Cafe, a Clarksville original charity in its 15th year, relies heavily on community support, seeking to collect three months' worth of non-perishable food to stock their warehouse for the winter. The organization is organizing a corporate challenge and seeks volunteers for a major collection day on October 25th, utilizing nearly 40 drop-off locations, including all Clarksville Fire Department stations and various retail stores.

On this episode, Mary Durrett, a lifelong resident of Clarksville, shares information about her Sasha Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to funding mental health therapy for the underserved, and her own health journey using functional medicine. Cliff Syner, a former Army flight medic, discusses why he settled in Clarksville, the origins of his nonprofit, Risen Wellness, and the principles of functional medicine—a practice focused on addressing the root cause of health issues through lifestyle changes rather than solely relying on medication. Both guests stress the importance of community involvement, with Syner explaining that Risen Wellness aims to make functional medicine accessible and affordable to the broader community through donor support.

On this episode Charlie Coon, and guests Jay Albertia and Britney Campbell, discuss an upcoming charity event, The Legends Bank’s Game Changer Clay Shoot supporting Progressive Directions, a non-profit organization led by Jay Albertia that aids individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Middle and West Tennessee. Britney Campbell, representing Legends Bank, explains the event's evolution from a golf scramble to a clay shoot and details the process of selecting Progressive Directions as the current beneficiary through employee nominations. Jay emphasizes the importance of the funds and community awareness generated by the event to support his organization's extensive programs, including residential services, employment initiatives, and the Buddy Ball special needs athletic league. 

On this episode Charlie chats with Cole Smith of the Nashville Predators. The main topics of the conversation center around Smith's background in hockey, including his start skating on a frozen lake in Minnesota and his eventual decision to pursue hockey over football, his strengths as a player who relies on work ethic and excels at the penalty kill, and his positive experience with the Predators organization. A significant portion of the interview focuses on the Predators' community involvement, particularly their support of Gold Star families and military communities in the Clarksville area, which both Smith and Coon express deep appreciation for.

On this episode Charlie is joined by Mayor Wes Golden of Montgomery County, and Bobby DeVoursney the CEO of the Nashville Kats Arena football team. The primary focus of the discussion is the major announcement that the Nashville Kats will officially relocate their next home season to Clarksville, Tennessee, starting in 2026, playing at the F&M Bank Arena. The participants emphasize the community support, affordability of tickets, and the team's commitment to engaging with the local area, even suggesting a future name change to reflect Clarksville's identity. Additionally, Mayor Golden provides updates on several other Montgomery County quality-of-life initiatives, including new parks, libraries, and the development of a fairgrounds project.

On this episode host Charlie Coon discusses the Clarksville Rotary Club with guests Betty Burchett and Jill Moore. The conversation centers on the club's impactful community work in Clarksville, Montgomery County, highlighting their long history of service projects such as Rotary Park, Heritage Park's splash pad, and the Buddy Ball Fields. A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to an upcoming project: the installation of a peace pole at Rotary Park, symbolizing a commitment to fostering peace and addressing issues like youth conflict within the community. The guests also explain how individuals can become members of the Rotary Club, emphasizing the organization's welcoming and diverse environment, and the opportunities for mentorship and leadership.