Specializing in injection molding, engineering, prototyping, and in-house tooling, Artemis Plastics is Ocala's one-stop shop for contract manufacturing. It's also been recognized as a company to watch by GrowFL. Join us as CEO, Gary Mishkin highlights his company's innovations and how they ensure a quality product for their customers. Featured Nonprofit: Marion County Public Schools Gary Mishkin CEO, Artemis Plastics Gary Mishkin has a BA in Economics from Brandeis University, an MS in Medical Engineering from George Washington University, and an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden ..read more

A new affiliate organization has come to serve the business community in South Marion County. The Ocala Metro CEP (Chamber and Economic Partnership) has launched the Belleview CEP to bring business services, attraction, retention, creation, and advocacy to the City of Belleview and surrounding communities located in the southern part of the county. Join us as we hear from Joe Reichel, Director of the Belleview CEP about this new entity and its future programming. Featured Nonprofit: Shephard's Lighthouse Joe Reichel Director, Belleview Chamber & Economic Partnership  Joe Reichel beg ..read more

Joint replacement surgery has not only become more commonplace, but many patients can return home on the same day with greatly reduced recovery time thanks to new minimally invasive techniques. Join us as we hear from Dr. Justin Deen, Orthopaedic Surgeon with Florida Orthopaedic Institute as he discusses the latest advances in patient-centered orthopaedic care available in Ocala. Nonprofit Featuring in this Episode: Marion Senior Services Justin Deen, M.D. Orthopaedic Surgeon, Florida Orthopaedic Institute  Dr. Justin Travis Deen is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic S ..read more

Military service is in the background of many Ocala/Marion County leaders. Often thrusting them into leadership positions early in their careers and greatly influencing how they approach their roles in the private sector. Join us as we hear from Jeremiah Blocker, a decorated combat veteran, attorney, and partner at Douglas Law Firm as he discusses how serving his clients and his country go hand-in-hand. Featured Nonprofit: The Marion County Veterans Council Jeremiah Blocker Partner, Douglas Law Firm Jeremiah was born and raised in Ocala, Florida, and is a sixth-generation Floridian. He is a g ..read more

Want to feel better about your financial future in the New Year, but you don't know where to start? Join us as Charisse Rivers, CEO of Zinnia Wealth Management shares some simple strategies, free resources, and the message that it's never too early or too late to plan for retirement. We also discuss how a singular focus on building her team helped Zinnia land on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately held companies the last three consecutive years.    Nonprofits featured in this Episode: The Grilled Cheese Foundation and the Tim Tebow Foundation Charisse Rivers CEO and ..read more

As a logistics hub, the Ocala Metro sees firsthand the effect a national truck driver shortage has on this growing sector of the economy. Join us as Tra Williams, President and Founder of FleetForce,  discusses the challenges and innovative solutions developed to address this shortage and get more drivers on the road. We also explore the state of entrepreneurship, the concerning decline in the number of Americans who are self-employed, and the implications this has on the vitality of our communities. Nonprofit featured in this episode: Operation Warrior Resolution Tra Williams President ..read more

With more than a decade at the helm of the Ocala Metro CEP, Kevin Sheilley and his team have set the pace for job and wage growth in the Ocala Metro. Serving as the voice for the business community, the CEP has attracted new businesses and industries, helped existing employers expand, and launched innovative programs designed to help entrepreneurs thrive. Learn more about the chamber and economic partnership, what new programs are on the horizon, and how the CEP is moving our community forward. Nonprofit Featured in this Episode: Project Hope Kevin Sheilley, CCE, President & CEO Ocala Me ..read more

Get to know the incoming  Mayor of Ocala, Ben Marciano. With his first term starting this December, he won the election uncontested thanks to his popularity and widespread support in the community.  Ben has become a well-known figure in Marion County since opening his highly successful gym, Zone Health & Fitness nine years ago. Learn more about his priorities for Ocala and why he felt called to public service. Nonprofit Featured in this Episode: Kut Different Ben Marciano Mayor-Elect, City of Ocala Owner, Zone Health and Fitness, Mayor, City of Ocala Ben began his career in the ..read more

As the Horse Capital of the World®, Ocala/Marion County has long been known for its abundance of horse farms and rolling pasture land.  But today, the Ocala Metro is also gaining attention as one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. Hear from Sara Fennessy with Horse Farms Forever, as she shares how her organization advocates for smart growth, educates the broader public on the importance of conservation, and works to preserve all that makes Ocala/Marion County such a special community to live, work, and play.  Nonprofit featured in this episode: Horse Farms Forever Sara F ..read more

With 24 years of service to the City of Ocala, including 12 as mayor,  hear from Kent Guinn as he completes his term and reflects on major accomplishments, challenges he continues to be passionate about addressing, and his favorite part about serving the citizens of Ocala. Nonprofits featured in this episode: Open Arms Village and Children's Home Society Kent GuinnKent Guinn assumed the office of Mayor in December 2011 after serving the City of Ocala for 12 years as the Councilman representing District 4. Mayor Guinn has been in the financial services business for the past 41 years and ..read more