The DeCesare Group Podcast

John Gregory, Kentucky Center for Leadership

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with John Gregory, Executive Director at the Kentucky Center for Leadership. John has more than 20 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, dedicated to developing individuals, strengthening teams, and building cultures where employees can thrive. His expertise spans Human Resources, Training, Leadership Development, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Find out how you and your business can benefit from the exciting programs offered at the Kentucky Center for Leadership, located inside WKU’s Innovation Campus. More information can be found at www.KC4L.org [http://www.KC4L.org]. 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/ [https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/] and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup].

Dr. Evelyn Thrasher, Gordon Ford College of Business

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Dr. Evelyn Thrasher, Dean of WKU’s Gordon Ford College of Business. https://www.wku.edu/business/ [https://www.wku.edu/business/] In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, twelve WKU graduate programs landed among the best in the country—including five from the Gordon Ford College of Business. Dr. Thrasher breaks down the recognition and talks about the impact Amy and David Chandler Hall as well as the Living and Learning Communities is having on student success on the hill. She gets into the biggest gap between what students think they need to succeed in business and what matters once they graduate, what leadership really means in today’s business environment and how WKU is making sure students are prepared for how fast business is changing- technology, AI, remote work – all of it. 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/ [https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/] and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup].

John Harnage, Kentucky Thermal Institute

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with John Harnage, owner of Kentucky Thermal Institute. John is being recognized nationally this week after being named the 2026 Small Businessperson of the Year for Kentucky by the U.S. Small Business Administration. It’s one of the nation’s highest honors for small business leadership. Kentucky Thermal Institute is based at the Western Kentucky University Innovation Campus in Bowling Green. John talks about the beginning of the institute dating back nearly twenty years and why thermography is now poised to be one of the fastest growing professions in the United States. You can find more information at www.kythermal.institute [http://www.kythermal.institute]. 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/ [https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/] and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup].

Alex Downing, Franklin Bank & Trust

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Alex Downing, President and CEO of Franklin Bank and Trust. https://www.fbtco.com/ [https://www.fbtco.com/] Downing talks about his transition from accountant to leading the College Heights Foundation to leading Franklin Bank and Trust. He’s also has a lifetime of memories (and memorabilia) from WKU where his father served as president from 1969 until 1979. 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/ [https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/] and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup].

Maureen Carpenter, Barren County Economic Authority

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Maureen Carpenter, President and CEO of the Barren County Economic Authority. https://barrencoea.com/ [https://barrencoea.com/] Carpenter talks about Glasgow’s recent historic milestone, ranking No. 9 in the nation among micropolitan communities in the 2025 Site Selection Governor’s Cup rankings, based on the number of economic development projects announced during the year. The ranking is the highest placement Glasgow has ever had by Site Selection magazine. She talks about the initiatives that led to the recognition, updates the South Cooper Industrial Park and looks at what’s ahead in 2026. 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/ [https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/] and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup].