Looking Forward Our Way

In our next episode, we have the opportunity to talk with Kelly Fuller. She is the Vice President of Talent and Workforce Development for the Columbus Chamber. She has a unique perspective on the issues and challenges for the central Ohio workforce and how to grow our economic picture.

This episode will be in your podcast player on Monday 5/2/2022.

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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

"This was a a really strong convening then for employers and education to to better communicate and then plan on how to improve that connectivity between graduating students and employment."

We welcome guest experts John Hambrick, Work-Based Learning Coordinator at the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Central Ohio, and Lauren Stowe Jones, Senior Director of K-12 Partnerships at Columbus State Community College.

John Hambrick, who moved to Columbus in 1998, transitioned from a background in education and restaurant industry work into non-profit roles, ultimately leading him to his current position in workforce development at ESC of Central Ohio. The Educational Service Center serves 30 member school districts across eight counties, working to bridge the gap between K-12 education and industry needs.

Lauren Stowe Jones started her educational journey as a 7th-grade teacher in Boston but returned to Central Ohio due to high living costs. She joined Columbus State Community College, where she worked on reforming developmental education to reduce the need for remedial courses. Presently, she oversees 10,000 high school students taking college credit courses through the College Credit Plus program. This significant initiative offers free college courses to high school students, impacting their educational pathways.

Both guests emphasize preparing students for future job markets by aligning educational programs with evolving industry demands in Central Ohio. They highlight dual enrollment and teacher education programs as critical strategies. Lauren discusses how dual enrollment influences teaching demographics and necessitates changes in teacher preparation to deploy educators quickly and support their continuous development. John highlights Ohio's emphasis on expanding registered apprenticeship programs, especially to address teacher shortages, and mentions the creation of teacher academies in school districts as pre-apprenticeships.

Ohio's alternative licensure models are also a focal point, creating pathways for veterans and industry professionals to enter teaching roles. John outlines significant state funding to support education, including a $100 million investment from the Ohio legislature for career technical education equipment and workforce boot camps. While the full impact of these initiatives on students remains to be seen, the guests express optimism about creating more informed and prepared students.

The conversation turns to the integration of technology, particularly the role of AI, in education. AI is viewed as a complement to traditional teaching methods rather than a replacement. Teachers will need to adapt, and educational policies will have to guide the use of AI in schools. Community involvement is also essential, with partnerships between colleges, businesses, and economic development sectors shaping educational messages and providing resources.

Educational innovation is discussed, including the creation of innovation labs equipped with VR, 3D printers, and augmented reality tools. These efforts aim to provide equitable access to technology for all students. Programs like the Intel project highlight economic development activities, with a need to communicate future manufacturing and economic opportunities to the community. Columbus State has introduced career educators focused on in-demand industries and developed tailored educational materials for various audiences to spread awareness about regional career opportunities.

Partnerships with economic development partners are crucial to bring business insights into the educational realm, helping prepare students for new career pathways. Emerging technologies, smart mobility, and connected technology in Central Ohio are also highlighted, with resources provided by entities like the Department of Transportation and DriveOhio. Columbus State’s advanced training center in New Albany serves as a hub for technology and business-education interactions.

We take a look at a shift in educational focus, integrating career relevance within disciplines and emphasizing the need for continuous learning and adaptability in response to rapid technological changes, particularly post-COVID-19. The importance of critical thinking skills in employability contexts is underlined, and the discussion covers the need to equip students with broader skill sets necessary for job market readiness.

Dual enrollment programs and career education paths are becoming essential as high school education alone no longer suffices for well-paying jobs. Community colleges play a significant role, providing flexible and tailored programs to transition students into careers efficiently. Initiatives such as the Central Ohio Compact exemplify regional cooperation between K-12, higher education, and employers, facilitating direct feedback loops to ensure education aligns with workforce ...

We tackle a pressing issue that is impacting Central Ohio: the housing crisis. Joining us as our special guests are Michael Wilkos and Carlie Boos, who will shed light on the current state of affordable housing in the region and discuss potential solutions. We'll explore the allocation of funds for affordable housing, efforts to update zoning codes, and the impact of restrictive suburban communities.

Additionally, we delve into the interdependence of transportation and housing, the consequences of the eviction crisis caused by COVID-19, and the unique challenges and opportunities that Central Ohio faces in meeting housing demands.

Here are three key takeaways:

1️⃣ Affordability and Accessibility: The City of Columbus is taking bold steps to tackle the housing crisis. Through bond packages and updated zoning codes, they are creating more affordable housing options and ensuring accessibility for all residents, regardless of income level.

2️⃣ Collaborative Approach: It's not just Columbus that needs to address the housing crisis. As part of the greater metropolitan region, collaboration is key. By working together, different communities can contribute to and benefit from the creation of adequate housing options.

3️⃣ Intersection of Housing and Infrastructure: Housing and transportation are intertwined. The LinkUS project, aimed at improving bike lanes, sidewalk connectivity, and transit lines, recognizes the importance of housing and infrastructure working hand in hand to create thriving communities.

Carlie Boos, Executive Director, Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio

https://www.ahaco.org/

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

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ahaco/

Michael Wilkos, Senior Vice President/Community Impact, United Way of Central Ohio

https://liveunitedcentralohio.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-wilkos-7b40655/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-way-of-central-ohio/

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2025 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

We have a very special guest joining us once again - Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano. Together, we will explore the hot topic of property tax reappraisal in 2023 and its impact on homeowners across the county.

As we discuss the importance of modernizing the Homestead exemption and preventing property taxes from driving long-time residents out of their neighborhoods, we will also explore potential solutions such as capping tax increases and targeted tax breaks. Our guest sheds light on a Cleveland Ohio model and how it could prove to be an effective solution.

But that's not all - we'll also take a deep dive into the intricacies of the property tax system, the importance of understanding how taxes are established, and how a slight change in property values can have significant implications for homeowners.

The best way to get a handle on all of this is to go to their new website, Know Your Home Value.

So, whether you're a homeowner interested in the 2023 property tax reappraisal, or simply intrigued by the interplay between property taxes and community development, this episode has something for you.

Get ready to gather valuable insights from Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano as we explore this timely and important topic.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2025 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

On this episode of Looking Forward Our Way, we examine the issue of BBB scams with guest Lee Anne Lanigan, Director of Consumer Relations & Investigations - Better Business Bureau Serving Central Ohio.

You are going to hear valuable tips on how to avoid scams and warn against buying into products and services that are "too good to be true." We urge listeners to use secure payment methods like credit cards instead of unconventional methods like wire transfers and prepaid money cards.

We also discuss the BBB Scam Tracker website, which allows consumers to report scams they have experienced and read about.

In addition, Lee Anne explains the process by which scammers convince victims to purchase gift cards and provides tips on how to block spam calls and report them.

Finally, you will hear insights into customer reviews and how to use them to make informed decisions.

In the last year, April 2022 - April 2023, the BBB office received 655 scam tracker reports from Central Ohio consumers who also reported losing $600,000 to scams.

Online purchases were the number one scam for Central Ohio consumers as well as nationally.

Nationally, online retail fraud losses approached $380M in 2022. Online purchases include everything from puppies, trademark merch like MLB jerseys, women's clothing, CBD products, and weight loss products. Here is that study.

Resources mentioned in the podcast.

Scam Studies

BBB Scam Tracker

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2025 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson