Business & Beyond with Gerry Dick

Sonny Beck: Growing a business, one farmer at a time

It started on a tiny Hamilton County farm 87 years ago. From seeds planted on that 80-acre piece of ground, Beck’s has grown into the third-largest seed brand in the United States and is continuing to grow at a double-digit pace. CEO Sonny Beck talks about the vision, culture and servant leadership that have created a driving force in American agriculture.
 

Jim Bullard: Building a Business School

He spent 15 years building a case to shape U.S. monetary policy. Now Jim Bullard is building again, this time creating a “new and distinctive brand” for the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business at Purdue University. The former CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis talks about the critical role technology will play in the process and gives his take on the state and national economies.

Alan Bacon: Connecting a City and Changing the Narrative

It was built on the idea of using art and culture to bring people together at a time when the world seemed so far apart. Indianapolis natives Alan and Mali Bacon launched GANGGANG in 2020 when the city and nation were reeling from the pandemic and social unrest. In this episode, Alan talks about the power of creatives, how it’s changing the Indy narrative and GANGGANG’s prime time role in the NBA’s All-Star weekend.  

John Pistole: University President Comes Full Circle

For John Pistole, leading Anderson University as its tenth president is truly a homecoming. He played basketball and graduated from AU, as did his parents and siblings. He met his wife there. But it’s his path to the presidency that might surprise you. Pistole rose through the ranks to become the number two man at the FBI and later led the Transportation Security Administration in the wake of 9-11. In fact, you may want to thank him the next time you go through TSA PreCheck.
 

Jeff McCabe: Dreaming big, the Disney way

What began in a tiny upstairs room of a downtown Nashville, Indiana pizza joint has blossomed into one of the state’s hottest destinations. Hard Truth Distilling Company’s rustic, 325-acre distilling campus now attracts more than 400,000 visitors annually to Brown County and growth is far from over. Co-founder Jeff McCabe talks spirits, craft brews, a growing restaurant empire and the influence of Walt Disney.

Tanuja Singh: UIndy’s 10th President Eyes Significant Growth

“I’m looking at these beautiful flags…we have students and faculty from about 80 countries.”  In episode 151, University of Indianapolis President Tanuja Singh talks about the school’s diverse student body, the importance of making education relevant and the power of “just in time” learning.

Dan Starr: Building a Business with a Strong Foundation

He’s a Buckeye by birth, but a Hoosier by choice.  As a youngster,  Dan Starr lived all over the country, arriving in Indiana to attend Anderson University. Today he leads Indiana’s largest private business, Fort Wayne-based hardware, lumber and building materials cooperative Do It Best. Starr talks about his path to the corner office, commitment to community and what led to a new global headquarters.
 

Brandon Sakbun: Two Tickets to ‘Terredise’

“My version of the American Dream is public service.” He may be 27 years-old and a political novice, but Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun is not shy about promoting his hometown and a new path for its future. The Army Ranger and son of immigrants talks about the life experiences that have shaped him, the national attention he’s generating and the thing Terre Haute has that other Hoosier cities don’t.

Cathy Langham: Work Hard, Solve Problems and Treat People Fairly

She has succeeded in the male-dominated logistics industry with grit, determination and the belief that she can outwork anybody. Langham CEO Cathy Langham talks business, community and why she is decidedly bullish on Indiana.
 

Chuck Johnson: Vincennes University President

It is Indiana’s first university. In Indiana’s first city. And its leader grew up just 20 miles from campus. But Vincennes University and President Chuck Johnson are making an impact far from southwest Indiana. In this episode, the Washington, Indiana native talks robots, Red Skelton and readying Indiana’s workforce of the future.