Where Community and Conversation Connect
Welcome to The Alliance Connection, the official podcast of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance. Each week, we bring you engaging conversations with the people, businesses, and organizations driving progress in Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa. Whether you're a local resident, business owner, or visitor looking to learn more about our thriving community, this podcast is your insider’s guide to everything that makes Fort Dodge a great place to live, work, and grow. New episodes drop on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.
🔍 What You’ll Discover on The Alliance Connection
Local Business Spotlights: Meet the entrepreneurs and innovators shaping our local economy.
Community Initiatives: Learn about exciting projects and partnerships enhancing quality of life.
Economic Development Updates: Stay informed on the latest news in job creation, infrastructure, and regional growth.
Events and Happenings: Get the scoop on can’t-miss events, festivals, and member programs.
Leadership Insights: Hear from city and county leaders, educators, and influencers making an impact.
Listen to the Alliance Connection Podcast
- #23 - Cameron Nelson & Sarah Shelton | GreenState Credit Union Supports the GFDGA Annual Dinner February 18, 2026Cameron Nelson & Sarah Shelton join us from GreenState Credit Union as the top sponsor of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Annual Dinner. We discuss credit unions vs. banks, what lines of business GreenState Credit Union offers, their community involvement, Cameron and Sarah's favorite Growth Alliance events, and more! 🔗 Follow the GreenState Credit […]
- #22 - Chad Schaeffer | The Future of Fort Dodge: City Growth, Projects, and Progress February 4, 2026Chad Schaeffer is the Chief Development Officer for the City of Fort Dodge, Iowa. We discuss recent and upcoming changes to the riverfront area, recently completed projects, upcoming agendas, the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Dinner, and more! 🔗 Follow the City of Fort Dodge: Website: https://www.fortdodgeiowa.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortdodgeiowa/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortdodgeia/ X: https://x.com/FDCITY YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cityoffortdodgeiowa […]
- #21 - Joey Coleman | Building Loyalty Through Customer Experience January 21, 2026Joey Coleman is a speaker and a Fort Dodge native. We discuss his ties to the Fort Dodge area, his experience with business and customer service, his books "Never Lose a Customer Again" & "Never Lose an Employee Again", his upcoming speaking arrangement at the GFDGA banquet, and more! 🔗 Follow Joey Coleman: Website: https://joeycoleman.com […]
- #20 - Jen Fitzgerald & Macy Johnson | Planning, Creativity, and Community at Five Points Events January 7, 2026Jen Fitzgerald and Macy Johnson join us from Five Points Events to discuss how they became involved in event planning, the services they offer, recent and upcoming events, their favorite parts about planning events, and more! 🔗 Follow Five Points Events: Website: https://www.fivepointsevents.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581137170240 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fivepointsevents/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fivepointsevents 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: […]
- #19 - Andy Reed & Brian Pederson | Lighting Up Fort Dodge: The Story Behind Lights at Kennedy December 17, 2025Andy Reed and Brian Pederson discuss how Lights at Kennedy got started, the behind-the-scenes work involved in this event every year, some of their favorite displays, and more! 🔗 Follow Lights At Kennedy: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LightsatKennedy/ 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Spin Markket + Digital - https://www.spinmarkket.com 🗓️ Check Out the GFDGA Community Calendar: https://business.greaterfortdodge.com/calendar […]
- #18 - Chris Cournoyer | State Leadership and Community Development December 3, 2025Astra sits down with Chris Cournoyer, the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Iowa, to discuss the economic progress of the state of Iowa, Iowa's "America 250" initiative, how individuals can get involved, and more! 🔗 Follow Iowa's America 250: Website: https://governor.iowa.gov/america-250/ 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Spin Markket + Digital - https://www.spinmarkket.com 🗓️ […]
- #17 - Shelby Fleming | Building a Career and Community at Koch November 19, 2025Shelby Fleming is the Administrative Assistant at Koch Fertilizer. We discuss the operations at Koch, opportunities for interns, how Koch impacts the local community, and more! 🔗 Follow Koch: Website: https://kochfertilizer.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KochFertilizer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KochFertilizerFortDodge/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kochagandenergy/ 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Spin Markket + Digital - https://www.spinmarkket.com 🗓️ Check Out the GFDGA Community […]
- #16 - Vickie Reeck & Paige Wheeler | Fort Dodge Housing Progress November 5, 2025Vickie Reeck and Paige Wheeler join us this week to discuss the City of Fort Dodge's recent housing progress, upcoming items on the agenda, how people can help out, and more! 🔗 Follow The City of Fort Dodge: Website: https://www.fortdodgeiowa.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortdodgeiowa/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortdodgeia X: https://www.twitter.com/FDCITY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fortdodgeiowa 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Spin […]
- #15 - Jean Bral & Laura Todd | BVU Brings Strategic Partnerships to Fort Dodge October 15, 2025Jean Bral and Laura Todd from Buena Vista University join Astra and Katy this week to discuss how BVU is involved in the Fort Dodge area and beyond. They discuss updates to the BVU campus, strategic partnerships with businesses, local companies participating in BVU's programs, and more! 🔗 Follow Buena Vista University: Website: https://www.bvu.edu Facebook: […]
- #14 - Dr. Jesse Ulrich & Brady O'Brien | The Future of Learning at Iowa Central October 1, 2025Astra and Katy sit down with Dr. Jesse Ulrich and Brady O'Brien from Iowa Central Community College. They discuss upcoming events at Decker Auditorium, how ICCC shapes the Fort Dodge community, the upcoming November 4th vote, and more! 🔗 Follow Iowa Central Community College: Website: https://www.iowacentral.edu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iowacentral/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iowacentral/ X: https://www.twitter.com/IowaCentral TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iowacentral YouTube: […]