Contributors

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Host

Christopher Swing

Diverse Industry Expertise: Christopher’s extensive experience across logistics, healthcare, private equity, manufacturing, and finance allows him to offer valuable insights that appeal to a wide range of audiences.

Leadership Insights: As a seasoned executive and board director, Christopher can share practical advice and strategies on leadership, decision-making, and driving organizational growth.

Private Equity and Investment Knowledge: With his experience in private equity and investments, Christopher can provide insights into evaluating ventures, generating returns, and empowering emerging companies, which would be of interest to finance, investment, or startup-focused individuals.

Thought Leadership: Christopher’s broad knowledge and visionary outlook can help shape discussions on the future of healthcare, banking, insurance, logistics, and finance. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherswing/
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Co-host

Ian Stamps

Communication

With over two decades of teaching and preaching experience in the church and university setting, Ian knows the benefits of effective communication. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Expository Preaching. No matter the context, healthy and clear communication has the power to solve countless problems. 



Character-Based Leadership

Who you are determines what you do. Your core values determine how you lead. These truths have guided Ian’s life and leadership over his career. Ian can provide direction and inspiration towards basing your leadership on the foundation of your character.



Integration of faith into all of life

As a man of faith and pastor who leads a church, Ian has unique insight into the challenges and joys of bringing your own personal faith and values to bear on the everyday decisions of your life.

Guests

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Guest

Ann S Deters

Ann Deters founded Vantage Surgical Services, which has provided cataract services to hospitals and surgery centers throughout the United States for the past 30 years. In addition, she has started several healthcare ventures, e.g. surgery centers, medical billing services, and software technology. Currently, she sits on multiple corporate boards.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anndeters/

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Dawn Johnson, Attorney, UB Greensfelder


Dawn thrives on being responsive to, and getting to know, her clients and their businesses so she can help them find the best and most practical business solution when faced with legal disputes. Her exceptional client service was recognized when she was awarded the 2024 Client Choice Award winner for franchise in Missouri and named Franchise Lawyer of the Year for Missouri for two consecutive years. 


https://www.ubglaw.com/dawn-m-johnson

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Dr. Jay Gatrell, President Eastern Illinois University

Effective July 1, 2023, Jay became the the 12th sitting President at Eastern Illinois University. Before this appointment, he served as EIU's Provost from 2017 and held positions at Bellarmine University (2014-2017), ISU (2000-2014), and Wright State University (1999-2000).

Throughout his leadership career, Jay took on various roles such as assistant vice president, vice provost, dean, chief research officer, associate dean, interim chair, interim director of international affairs, and program coordinator. He was also chosen as an American Council on Education Fellow during the 2012-2013 academic year.

As a first-generation college graduate, Jay earned a B.S. in political science from Eastern Michigan University and graduate degrees in geography from The University of Toledo (M.A.) and West Virginia University (Ph.D.). Jay and his wife Kriss take pride in their blended family, which includes five remarkable adults — Forrest, Zoe, Claudia, Mary, and Ezra.

https://www.eiu.edu/president/staff.php?id=jgatrell

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Dr. Josh Bullock

Dr. Jonathan “Josh” Bullock Dr. Bullock has served as the chief executive officer of the college since July 1, 2013, responsible to the Lake Land College Board of Trustees. Prior to joining Lake Land College Dr. Bullock served as the vice president for strategic advancement at Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac, WI.

Under Dr. Bullock’s leadership, Lake Land College has implemented a comprehensive strategic planning process, integrated a data analytics platform to facilitate data-driven decision making, developed unique training models to assist local businesses in sustaining a skilled workforce, began the Presidential Scholarship program to provide educational opportunities for talented high school graduates, and undertaken efforts to modernize campus infrastructure and technology.

Dr. Bullock is married to the love of his life, Jen, and they are the proud parents of five adult children. He and his wife enjoy spending time with their six grandchildren.

https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/biography/

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Jason Carpenter, SVP Operations, Vantage Surgical Solutions

Jason Carpenter is a service-driven leader with over twenty years of experience in the ophthalmology industry. He is passionate about establishing and nurturing strong client relationships, exceeding operational goals, and developing new business. Jason is consistently lauded for exceptional customer service, leading to record market share gains for Vantage. During his tenure, he has established himself as a premiere subject matter expert in the ophthalmic industry, fueled by his vast production and technical knowledge.

When it comes to Vantage, Jason is the epitome of “Experience. Delivered.” 

Jason’s passion for service doesn’t stop with Vantage. He has served on the Board of Education for St. Anthony (2015-2021) with four years on the executive committee, including two as President. Jason also enjoys serving on the Scholarship Committee for the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce and participates in the CEO Mentorship program.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-carpenter-13615214

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Joe Dively

Mr. Dively currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Mid Bancshares, Inc. and President of First Mid Bank & Trust. He previously served as Senior Executive Vice President of First Mid Bancshares, Inc. and President of First Mid Bank & Trust from May 2011-December 2013. Prior to his employment with the Company, he was Senior Vice President of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., a publicly traded telecommunications holding company.


Mr. Dively has been a Director since 2004

https://www.firstmid.com/

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Kory Culp

Kory is the CEO of Clear Water Service Corporation. He joined Clear Water in 2019, became the General Manager in 2022, and became the CEO in 2023. He is a Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard, a husband, and a father to two great kids. Kory has been a blessing to Clear Water. Under his leadership, the company has acquired three distribution networks and new raw water capacity. It is also investing in a significant water main extension project and conducting long-range planning.

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Lucinda Hart

Lucinda Hart, CAE, MBA, IOM, brings over 28 years of invaluable experience in nonprofit management and customer service to her role. Specializing in strategic alliance, business development, membership, meeting planning, governance & administration, and certification programs, Lucinda is a seasoned professional dedicated to driving organizational success.


Lucinda earned her Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management and her Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership & Management from Concordia University Texas. Her commitment to excellence is demonstrated through her attainment of the Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives and her completion of the Institute for Organization Management program through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.



https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucinda-hart/

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Matthew Porter

Matthew E. Porter is father to three amazing kids, husband to a phenomenal woman, geek, trail runner, ultramarathoner, and entrepreneur. 

Porter founded Contegix, a cloud computing firm, in 2004. He served as CEO from its founding until recently. In late 2016, Porter merged two companies into Contegix and sold a majority to Strattam Capital, a private equity firm based in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX. He realized this was the time to hire his replacement and assumed the role of Vice Chairman. He retains a minority share and a board seat while taking a stab at retirement.


The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the charity that matters most. He is on a selfish mission to ensure his friend with cystic fibrosis remains healthy and in his family’s life for a long time to come. He currently serves on the Board and Executive Committee and was recently elected as Board President for 2018.

https://porterhome.com/

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