Ever wonder what shapes the education policies that impact our children? In this eye-opening conversation, State Senator Jeff Raatz pulls back the curtain on Indiana’s remarkable educational transformation and the legislative process behind it.

Joining host Michael Allen on The Hub, Senator Raatz shares his journey from picking cherries on a Michigan orchard at age 11 to chairing Indiana’s Education Committee, where he’s helped propel the state from 19th to 6th in national education rankings. With refreshing candor, he explains how precise language in legislation has revolutionized reading instruction across Indiana, ensuring more children can “learn to read by third grade, then read to learn for the rest of their life.”

The conversation also explores the infrastructure challenges facing East Central Indiana, particularly the long-awaited reconstruction of Interstate 70. Raatz proudly notes that unlike many states, Indiana pays cash for these massive projects rather than issuing bonds—fiscal responsibility that comes with both benefits and trade-offs for residents. This practical approach to governance defines his service to Wayne, Henry, Union, and Franklin counties.

Perhaps most compelling is Raatz’s discussion of workforce development and the transportation barriers preventing many potential workers from accessing available jobs. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” he suggests, challenging employers, government agencies, and communities to collaborate on innovative solutions. His career coaching initiative exemplifies this mindset, helping students identify their aptitudes earlier to forge more fulfilling career paths.

Throughout the conversation, Senator Raatz demonstrates the thoughtful, relationship-focused leadership that has characterized his nine years in the Indiana Senate. Whether you’re passionate about education reform, infrastructure improvement, or economic development, you’ll gain valuable insight into how state government shapes our daily lives.

This episode of The Hub with Michael Allen is sponsored by Manpower Richmond. Listen now to understand the person and principles behind the policies affecting our region.

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What does it take to grow a garage-based tool and die shop into a thriving 100,000-square-foot manufacturing powerhouse with over 100 employees? According to Jeff Sheridan, co-owner and vice president of Ahaus Tool & Engineering, the answer is simple: purpose.

In this episode of The Hub, host Michael Allen of Manpower Richmond sits down with Jeff to explore his unique journey—from designing HVAC systems for luxury vehicles at General Motors to helping lead a multi-generational manufacturing company in Richmond, Indiana. After earning his graduate degree from Stanford, Jeff was looking for more than corporate prestige—he wanted to create tangible impact. That opportunity came in 1997 when he joined Ahaus, a place where his technical expertise could make a lasting difference.

Founded in 1946 by William and Irvin Ahaus, the company has grown far beyond its tool and die roots. Today, Ahaus specializes in custom automation equipment, work-holding fixtures for CNC machines, and precision machining. The company has smartly diversified its client base—from primarily automotive to also include construction, medical, transportation, and drainage systems—helping it stay resilient through economic changes.

Ahaus is also known for its nationally accredited apprenticeship program, launched in the late 1970s. While many local manufacturers moved away from training investments, Ahaus doubled down—graduating over 50 apprentices who now fill roles in machining, engineering, management, and even accounting. It’s a testament to the company’s commitment to people, not just products.

Jeff also addresses the challenge of succession planning. With no family members currently in line to take the reins, he and co-owner Kevin Ahaus are building a strong internal leadership team to keep the company locally owned and community-driven—avoiding the trend of selling out to outside investors who lack ties to Richmond.

This episode goes beyond machines and manufacturing—it’s about leadership, community, and building something that lasts.

🌐 Learn more:
www.ahaus.com
www.mprichmond.com

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The Hub Podcast with host Michael Allen, sponsored by Manpower Richmond – visit mprichmond.com

In this episode, Michael sits down with Brett Guiley and Matt Golliher of Vista Investment Partners for a powerful conversation on the future of finance and how digital assets like Bitcoin are reshaping the investment landscape.

The episode kicks off with timeless investing wisdom – including Brett’s breakdown of the “Rule of 72,” a simple way to understand how long it takes your money to double at a given interest rate. It’s a reminder that the earlier you start, the more time you give your investments to grow through compound interest.

Brett and Matt also stress the importance of building a solid financial foundation: start with an emergency fund that covers 3–6 months of expenses. Once that’s in place, you can confidently begin investing for the long term.

Things get especially interesting as the conversation turns to Bitcoin. Unlike traditional assets, Bitcoin has a hard cap of 21 million coins, creating a unique form of digital scarcity. Because of this, they see it not just as another crypto, but as an entirely separate asset class – one with the potential to act as digital gold that’s transferable in real time.

They also share why their firm launched Orange Horizon Wealth, a service tailored specifically for clients interested in Bitcoin-focused financial planning. It’s a growing area of interest as more people explore how Bitcoin can fit into a long-term investment strategy.

Whether you’re new to investing or curious about where digital assets fit in, this episode offers real, actionable insight from two experienced financial advisors.

👉 Ready to start building your future? Press play and take the first step.

Disclaimer: Vista Investment Partners is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. The oral and written communications of an adviser provide you with information about which you determine to hire or retain an adviser. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name.

This presentation has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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