<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2113432/open_sms">Send us a text</a>In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the forces driving growth, innovation, and opportunity across Northern Indiana. We’re joined by two exceptional leaders whose work impacts communities across the state and the nation.First, Shannon Kellogg, Vice President of  Public Policy for AWS for the  Americas at Amazon. Shannon brings a national perspective on technology, public policy, and the future of cloud innovation—along with how these global shifts connect to the work being done right here in our region.We’re also excited to welcome Heather Ennis, President and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum. Heather is a leading voice in regional economic development, partnership building, and strategic transformation across Northwest Indiana.Together, we’ll explore how public policy, economic collaboration, and technological advancement are shaping a stronger, more competitive future across our communities.So settle in—because today, we’re going Behind The Region.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2113432/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the forces driving growth, innovation, and opportunity across Northern Indiana. We’re joined by two exceptional leaders whose work impacts communities across the state and the nation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;First, &lt;b&gt;Shannon Kellogg&lt;/b&gt;, Vice President of  Public Policy for AWS for the  Americas at Amazon. Shannon brings a national perspective on technology, public policy, and the future of cloud innovation—along with how these global shifts connect to the work being done right here in our region.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We’re also excited to welcome &lt;b&gt;Heather Ennis&lt;/b&gt;, President and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum. Heather is a leading voice in regional economic development, partnership building, and strategic transformation across Northwest Indiana.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, we’ll explore how public policy, economic collaboration, and technological advancement are shaping a stronger, more competitive future across our communities.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So settle in—because today, we’re going &lt;em&gt;Behind The Region&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the forces driving growth, innovation, and opportunity across Northern Indiana. We’re joined by two exceptional leaders whose work impacts communities across the state and the nation. First, Shannon Kellogg, Vice President of  Public Policy for AWS for the  Americas at Amazon. Shannon brings a national perspective on technology, public policy, and the future of cloud innovation—along with how these global shifts connect to th...

 Shannon Kellogg, Vice President of  Public Policy for AWS for the Americas at Amazon and Heather Ennis, President and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2113432/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Today on Behind the Region, we’re excited to welcome Jonathon McKinnies, Branch Manager and Senior Loan Officer with CrossCountry Mortgage. Jonathon is widely recognized for his client-focused approach to home financing and his commitment to helping individuals and families across our region navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.With years of experience in the mortgage industry, Jonathon brings a blend of deep expertise, community-minded leadership, and a passion for educating borrowers. His team is known for delivering a smooth, transparent lending process—something that has earned him a strong reputation throughout the South Bend–Mishawaka area and beyond.Today, we’ll talk with Jonathon about the current mortgage landscape, what homebuyers should know in today’s market, and how CrossCountry Mortgage is working to make homeownership more accessible in our community.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2113432/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Today on &lt;em&gt;Behind the Region&lt;/em&gt;, we’re excited to welcome &lt;b&gt;Jonathon McKinnies&lt;/b&gt;, Branch Manager and Senior Loan Officer with &lt;b&gt;CrossCountry Mortgage&lt;/b&gt;. Jonathon is widely recognized for his client-focused approach to home financing and his commitment to helping individuals and families across our region navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With years of experience in the mortgage industry, Jonathon brings a blend of deep expertise, community-minded leadership, and a passion for educating borrowers. His team is known for delivering a smooth, transparent lending process—something that has earned him a strong reputation throughout the South Bend–Mishawaka area and beyond.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Today, we’ll talk with Jonathon about the current mortgage landscape, what homebuyers should know in today’s market, and how CrossCountry Mortgage is working to make homeownership more accessible in our community.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text Today on Behind the Region, we’re excited to welcome Jonathon McKinnies, Branch Manager and Senior Loan Officer with CrossCountry Mortgage. Jonathon is widely recognized for his client-focused approach to home financing and his commitment to helping individuals and families across our region navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. With years of experience in the mortgage industry, Jonathon brings a blend of deep expertise, community-minded leadership, an...

Jonathan McKinnies - Senior SVP of Mortgage Lending at CrossCountry Mortgage

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2113432/open_sms">Send us a text</a>In this episode we sit down with Mathew Welsch, local franchise owner of GigWorx, We’ll explore how flexible, gig-style employment is reshaping the modern workforce across Michiana.Mathew discusses the origins of GigWorx, why employers are turning to on-demand staffing models, and how workers of all ages are leveraging gig opportunities for supplemental income, career transitions, and long-term stability. He also dives into the challenges local businesses face in today’s labor market—and how platform-driven solutions can bridge workforce gaps in real time.Listeners will gain insight into:·        How GigWorx’s model works for both workers and employers·        Trends in flexible work and staffing across the region·        Workforce development collaborations with local partners·        Mathew’s perspective on the future of work in South Bend and beyond

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2113432/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode we sit down with &lt;b&gt;Mathew Welsch&lt;/b&gt;, local franchise owner of &lt;b&gt;GigWorx&lt;/b&gt;, We’ll explore how flexible, gig-style employment is reshaping the modern workforce across Michiana.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mathew discusses the origins of GigWorx, why employers are turning to on-demand staffing models, and how workers of all ages are leveraging gig opportunities for supplemental income, career transitions, and long-term stability. He also dives into the challenges local businesses face in today’s labor market—and how platform-driven solutions can bridge workforce gaps in real time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listeners will gain insight into:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;·        How GigWorx’s model works for both workers and employers&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;·        Trends in flexible work and staffing across the region&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;·        Workforce development collaborations with local partners&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;·        Mathew’s perspective on the future of work in South Bend and beyond&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text In this episode we sit down with Mathew Welsch, local franchise owner of GigWorx, We’ll explore how flexible, gig-style employment is reshaping the modern workforce across Michiana. Mathew discusses the origins of GigWorx, why employers are turning to on-demand staffing models, and how workers of all ages are leveraging gig opportunities for supplemental income, career transitions, and long-term stability. He also dives into the challenges local businesses face in today’s labor...

Mathew Welsch - Local Franchise Owner at GigWorx

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2113432/open_sms">Send us a text</a> Today, we’re stepping inside one of Mishawaka’s most historic and elegant landmarks—the Beiger Mansion.Joining us are Ron Montandon and Dennis Slade, the owners and caretakers of this iconic 1900s Neoclassical home turned boutique inn and event venue. Dennis and Ron have spent years restoring the Beiger Mansion to its timeless grandeur, preserving its history while opening its doors to guests from all over the region and beyond.In this episode, we’ll explore the story behind the mansion, the restoration journey, the unique experiences guests can expect, and why the Beiger continues to be a treasured gem in our local community.So settle in as we go Behind the Region with Dennis Slade and Ron Montandon of the Beiger Mansion.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2113432/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Today, we’re stepping inside one of Mishawaka’s most historic and elegant landmarks—the Beiger Mansion.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Joining us are Ron Montandon and Dennis Slade, the owners and caretakers of this iconic 1900s Neoclassical home turned boutique inn and event venue. Dennis and Ron have spent years restoring the Beiger Mansion to its timeless grandeur, preserving its history while opening its doors to guests from all over the region and beyond.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we’ll explore the story behind the mansion, the restoration journey, the unique experiences guests can expect, and why the Beiger continues to be a treasured gem in our local community.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So settle in as we go &lt;em&gt;Behind the Region&lt;/em&gt; with Dennis Slade and Ron Montandon of the Beiger Mansion.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text  Today, we’re stepping inside one of Mishawaka’s most historic and elegant landmarks—the Beiger Mansion. Joining us are Ron Montandon and Dennis Slade, the owners and caretakers of this iconic 1900s Neoclassical home turned boutique inn and event venue. Dennis and Ron have spent years restoring the Beiger Mansion to its timeless grandeur, preserving its history while opening its doors to guests from all over the region and beyond. In this episode, we’ll explore the story b...

Ron Montandon and Dennis Slade - Owners of the Beiger Mansion in Mishawaka

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2113432/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Today on Behind the Region, we’re excited to welcome a leader who knows how to bring calm to chaos and turn some of life’s worst moments into opportunities for renewal. Michael Scott, of BluSky Restoration, joins us for a deep dive into the world of disaster recovery, property restoration, and what it takes to support businesses and families when the unexpected strikes.Michael has built a reputation for combining technical expertise with compassion—whether it’s water damage, fire loss, mold remediation, or large-scale commercial restoration. Under his leadership, BluSky Restoration has become known across our region for reliability, rapid response, and a commitment to doing the job right the first time.Today, we’ll talk with Michael about the realities of running a restoration company, the trends he’s seeing in the industry, the importance of preparedness, and the human side of helping people rebuild. We’ll also get to know the story behind BluSky Restoration and the values that drive their work every day.So sit back and join us as we go Behind the Region with Michael Scott of BluSky Restoration—a man who quite literally helps bring back brighter days.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2113432/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Today on &lt;em&gt;Behind the Region&lt;/em&gt;, we’re excited to welcome a leader who knows how to bring calm to chaos and turn some of life’s worst moments into opportunities for renewal. &lt;b&gt;Michael Scott&lt;/b&gt;, of &lt;b&gt;BluSky Restoration&lt;/b&gt;, joins us for a deep dive into the world of disaster recovery, property restoration, and what it takes to support businesses and families when the unexpected strikes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Michael has built a reputation for combining technical expertise with compassion—whether it’s water damage, fire loss, mold remediation, or large-scale commercial restoration. Under his leadership, BluSky Restoration has become known across our region for reliability, rapid response, and a commitment to doing the job right the first time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Today, we’ll talk with Michael about the realities of running a restoration company, the trends he’s seeing in the industry, the importance of preparedness, and the human side of helping people rebuild. We’ll also get to know the story behind BluSky Restoration and the values that drive their work every day.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So sit back and join us as we go &lt;em&gt;Behind the Region&lt;/em&gt; with &lt;b&gt;Michael Scott of BluSky Restoration&lt;/b&gt;—a man who quite literally helps bring back brighter days.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text Today on Behind the Region, we’re excited to welcome a leader who knows how to bring calm to chaos and turn some of life’s worst moments into opportunities for renewal. Michael Scott, of BluSky Restoration, joins us for a deep dive into the world of disaster recovery, property restoration, and what it takes to support businesses and families when the unexpected strikes. Michael has built a reputation for combining technical expertise with compassion—whether it’s water damage, f...

Michael Scott - Vice President at BluSky Restoration

What’s happening to spur economic vitality in the South Bend, Indiana, Region, and surrounding areas? And who are the people behind these efforts? We'll dive deeper beyond the headlines to keep you informed on the people and businesses making things happen in the region. You’ll hear casual and candid conversations with real people—business and community leaders driving the region forward. Hear authentic, unscripted stories from entrepreneurs, business owners, elected officials, and more!

Behind the Region

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