The DeCesare Group Podcast

Hosted by Jim DeCesare

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Episodes

122

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Are you interested in South Central Kentucky's latest economic development and business activities? Then, you will not want to miss The DeCesare Group Podcast hosted by Jim DeCesare, a Kentucky Association of Economic Development Hall of Fame member. The DeCesare Group Podcast is a companion to the SOKY Economic Development and Business newsletter. In each episode, we'll talk to individuals who know about South Central Kentucky's latest economic development and business activities. You'll hear from industry leaders, business owners, and other experts in the field as they share their insights and perspectives on the economic and business landscape.

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60 recent

November 9, 202622 min

Bekhzod Khasanov, AKFA Aluminum Solutions

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, Jim talks with Bekhzod Khasanov, Head of Finance at AKFA Aluminum Solutions. https://akfaaluminium.com/eng/ Last December, AKFA Aluminum Solutions, a division of Uzbekistan-based AKFA Group, announced plans to establish a U.S. manufacturing facility right here in Bowling Green, creating 331 jobs. It’s a landmark investment—the first time an Uzbekistani company has established manufacturing operations in the United States. So, what brought AKFA to Bowling Green, and what does this investment say about our community’s growing role in the global economy? 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/

October 26, 202638 min

Kyle Bumgarner, U.S. Attorney, Western District of KY

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with the top federal prosecutor for the Western District of Kentucky. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdky Kyle Bumgarner has served as U.S. Attorney since June of 2025. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes and representing the United States in federal criminal and civil cases across 53 Kentucky counties, including Bowling Green, Louisville, Owensboro and Paducah. After taking office, Bumgarner said his priorities would include fighting the drug epidemic and violent crime, combating fraud, and protecting vulnerable victims. His office has been involved in several major cases over the past year — including the investigation into the 1996 abduction and murder of 7-year-old Morgan Violi. That case finally resulted in a guilty plea this summer, three decades after Morgan disappeared. 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/

October 12, 202645 min

Dan Harbison, Pinnacle Financial Partners

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Dan Harbison, Regional President of Pinnacle Financial Partners. Harbison brings more than 44 years of banking experience to Pinnacle, including more than three decades leading community banking organizations throughout the Bowling Green Community. He’s been involved in a lot of commercial development over the years and has had a front row seat to the growth of this community. 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/

September 28, 202642 min

Jim Page, President/CEO, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce

This week on The DeCesare Group podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Jim Page, new President and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. https://www.bgchamber.com/ Only a few months into the job, Jim Page is the inaugural guest on “The Green Room”, a Leadership Bowling Green Alumni exclusive event. The live podcast interview was followed by a meet and greet recently, and The DeCesare Group was thrilled to be a part of it. Jim brings 25 years of professional experience to the position, including 11 years serving as President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama in Tuscaloosa. His experience also includes launching The EDGE, a business incubator and accelerator developed in collaboration with the University of Alabama and the City of Tuscaloosa, as well as helping create West Alabama Works, a nine-county workforce development initiative recognized for its industry-led, education-aligned model. I think you will enjoy this conversation getting to know him and what he sees for the future 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/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup .

September 15, 202626 min

Wes Swietek, Author

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, Jim DeCesare sits down with Wes Swietek, Managing Editor of the Bowling Green Daily News and author of When the Bluegrass Ran Red . https://www.acclaimpress.com/authors/wes-swietek/ The book digs into one of Kentucky's most turbulent eras — the 1960s and early 1970s — when Bowling Green earned the nickname "Little Chicago," Newport was called "Sin City," and sensational murders, corruption, and vice were a regular part of life across the Commonwealth. Wes talks about the unsolved cases he encountered, the colorful and often chilling characters he uncovered, and what keeps drawing him back to local true crime history. It's his second book — his first, The Cemetery Road Murders , also explored an infamous homicide case right here in 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/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup .

August 31, 202648 min

Congressman Brett Guthrie, United States Congress

This week on The DeCesare Group podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Congressman Brett Guthrie. https://guthrie.house.gov/ Guthrie was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008 and represents the Second Congressional District. He currently serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the oldest standing legislative committee in the House with broad jurisdiction over our nation’s energy, the environment, health care, telecommunications, and consumer product safety policies. In this episode, he talks about his role as chairman, the Ratepayer Protection Act and how it could help address concerns about the impact of data centers on consumers, as well as the ongoing efforts to combat Medicaid fraud. 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 .

August 17, 202627 min

Rob Clayton, Warren County Public Schools

A brand new school year has just started, and our guest is Rob Clayton, Superintendent of Warren County Public Schools. https://www.warrencountyschools.org/ Clayton talks about the opening of the long awaited IMPACT Center and what it will mean to the students of Warren County. https://impactcenter.warrencountyschools.org/ He also shares what it’s like to lead the fourth largest – and arguably the most diverse – school district in Kentucky. He gets into how decisions are made regarding capital projects and how his team is carefully planning for even more growth as we get closer to 2050. 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/

August 3, 202634 min

Jason Gumm, Robert E. Spiller Bowling Green Veteran’s Center

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, Jim DeCesare sits down with Jason Gumm, Administrator of the Robert E. Spiller Bowling Green Veterans Center. https://veterans.ky.gov/Veterans-Centers/Pages/Bowling-Green.aspx Gumm discusses the long-awaited opening of the state-of-the-art facility, which will provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care for 60 Kentucky veterans. Located on approximately 25 acres in the Bowling Green Intermodal Transpark, the 80,000-square-foot, single-story center represents a major investment in veteran care across the region. Drawing on nearly 30 years of nursing home management experience, Gumm shares what it means to lead the new veterans center, a role he describes as both an honor and a blessing. 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/

July 20, 202632 min

Dylan Stanke, Easyr

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Dylan Stanke, founder of Easyr, http://easyrjobs.com a verified job discovery platform for Louisville, Bowling Green, Nashville, and Lexington. This episode focuses on entrepreneurship, solving real-world problems, and how Dylan turned personal frustration into a platform that’s helping thousands navigate the job market with confidence. He also talks about one thing most people misunderstand about today’s job market—and what job seekers should be doing differently right now. 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 .

July 6, 202633 min

Dr. Michelle Trawick, Chancellor SKYCTC

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Dr. Michelle Trawick, Chancellor of SKYCTC. https://southcentral.kctcs.edu/ This week’s guest just completed her first year as Chancellor of South Central Kentucky Community and Technical College. Dr. Michelle Trawick has more than 30 years of experience in higher education, including nearly 20 years at WKU, her undergraduate alma mater. After earning awards for teaching, research, and student advising as a faculty member, Dr. Trawick moved into administration, serving at both WKU and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A first-generation college student from Logan County, Dr. Trawick understands firsthand the life-changing impact higher education can have on individuals, families, and communities through both technical training and academic opportunities. She talks about the growth happening at SKYCTC, what people misunderstand about community and technical colleges in 2026, and how AI is impacting higher education. 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 .