Business & Beyond with Gerry Dick

In this episode, Gerry sits down with Indiana Destination Development Corporation CEO Amy Howell to talk about the surprising economic power of tourism and how billions of dollars in visitor spending are helping drive Indiana’s economy. We explore what’s behind the state’s continued tourism growth, from sports tourism and major events to agritourism and Indiana’s unique destinations and experiences. Howell also explains why tourism is increasingly becoming part of Indiana’s population-growth strategy, helping attract visitors who may ultimately decide Indiana is a great place to live, work and build a business.

In this episode, Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock joins Gerry to talk about surging growth across Indiana's three ports, the critical role they play in the state's economy and why Indiana's location gives it a bigger role in global commerce than many Hoosiers realize. Peacock takes us inside the strategy and investments transforming Indiana's port system, the opportunities ahead and why embracing new forms of shipping—including containerized cargo—could be a game changer for Indiana businesses and the broader state economy.

Purdue University in Indianapolis is charting a new course—and creating a new model for how a university can connect with a city and its businesses community. In this episode, Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer David Umulis talks about what it means for the university, the city and the state. But Umulis’ own story may be the most remarkable part of the conversation. A first-generation college student, he was just 14 years old when his father lost his business after suffering an injury, forcing David to take on the responsibility of supporting his family. He shares how that experience shaped his life and ultimately his path to higher education. It’s a conversation about Purdue’s future—and the power of education to change a life.

For more than 40 years, Jean Wojtowicz has built Cambridge Capital Management into a uniquely Indiana success story. The company has carved out a niche, helping businesses access funding when traditional bank financing may not be the right fit. Cambridge Capital launched in 1983 and has now surpassed $1 billion in funding to more than 2,000 Indiana companies. In this episode, Wojtowicz talks about her entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of Cambridge Capital, and why helping entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed has been so rewarding.

In this episode, the creator and host of the popular Get IN podcast provides perspective on his travels crisscrossing the state to tell the stories of interesting, innovative and inspiring Hoosiers. The native of small town Indiana also shares his passion for the state, what’s next for Get IN and his growing platform and why Indiana needs to do a better job of telling its own story.