Podcast

Leveraging the Washington Small Business Development Center with State Director, Sheryl McGrath In this episode, Sheryl McGrath, the state Director of the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC), provides an in-depth look into the resources offered by the SBDC, its connection to Washington State University, and her own journey in the nonprofit and business sectors. Sheryl…

Exploring WSU’s Engineering and Technology Management Program In this episode, we’re joined by Kay Bachman and Nicholas Brunney to discuss the unique and impactful Engineering and Technology Management (ETM) program offered by WSU’s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. They highlight the program’s flexibility, holistic approach to education, and its ability to prepare students for…

Exploring Cougar Legacy & Business In this engaging podcast episode, we welcome Ron and Bryant Claudon to discuss their rich WSU football history, fraternity ties, and family business ventures. They delve into why they chose to attend WSU, their experiences with Cougar tailgating, and the vibrant RV culture associated with game days. The Claudon family…

The Journey of Two WSU Medical Students – Pierce & Kyanna This episode highlights the experiences of Pierce Claassen & Kyanna Cusick, two medical students. Kelsey interviews them about their backgrounds, personal journeys to studying medicine at WSU, and what’s next for them after graduation. They discuss the college’s mission to serve rural communities, the…

Leading Through Challenges Join us for an insightful interview with Jen Gangwish, CEO of College Hill. From its roots in Greek apparel to expanding into the corporate sector, Jen shares the company’s journey and her leadership insights. Learn about navigating challenges, including COVID-19, and the strategic decisions that shaped College Hill’s growth. Tune in for…

Leadership, Philanthropy, & Continuous Growth This podcast episode features Mahmood Ghassemi, a distinguished Washington State University (WSU) alum, electrical engineer, and CEO of Sequoyah Electric, discussing his journey from Iran to becoming a key figure in the engineering and construction industry. Mahmood shares insights into his deep appreciation for WSU, the importance of building connections,…

From the Cockpit to the Boardroom This podcast episode features an engaging conversation with Howard Wright, a former commercial pilot who transitioned to become a successful business leader as the founder and chairman of Seattle Hospitality Group. Howard shares his unique career trajectory, from obtaining his pilot’s license for fun to overseeing thousands of employees…

From Family Recipe to Thriving Business This episode of the CougsFirst! Podcast features a fascinating conversation with Drew and Brighton, a father-son duo who turned their unique ginger sauce into a thriving business. Starting from a family recipe developed 30 years ago by Drew, the sauce gained popularity among friends and family. Brighton, during his…

Leadership, Sales, and the Power of People This latest episode of our Business & Startup Series features a conversation with Bill Gruber, a retired executive with extensive experience in the medical device industry. Bill shares his career journey, starting from his college days at WSU, through different management and leadership roles, including sales representative, fraternity…

Startup Series: Exploring Business, Community & Entrepreneurship In this episode of the CougsFirst! Podcast, Lance Lijewski, a digital marketer with hands-on experience in different business domains, discusses his path to entrepreneurship, starting from his days as a first-generation college student to his current role managing numerous businesses. Lance holds a dual degree in multimedia journalism…