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Community Connections Podcast

Community Connections Podcast

The Community Connections Podcast strengthens the bonds of the ĢƵ Valley by sharing inspiring stories, local initiatives, and the people driving our region forward. Through engaging conversations, we highlight the opportunities that career, community, and collaboration bring to the area—celebrating local voices and innovative ideas to build a more connected ĢƵ Valley while inspiring individuals to pursue meaningful careers and lives shaped by opportunity and purpose.

Launched in August 2024, this series aims to highlight the dynamic relationship between the university and the local business community. Through in-depth interviews and engaging discussions, the podcast will showcase success stories, innovative business practices, and the vibrant community spirit that defines the ĢƵ Valley.

 

Communications Studies Student, OHIO Eastern
Drake Watson

Drake Watson is a 2023 graduate of Harrison Central High School in Cadiz, OH, and a proud sophomore at ĢƵ University Eastern, where he is studying communications. In addition to hosting the Community, Connections, and Commerce podcast, he continues to work with Harrison Central as their lead play-by-play commentator for live-streamed athletic events. He is also dedicated to his work for his cousin’s Harco Media Solutions, a digital media company where he performs graphic design, video editing, and more.

The incredible people at Harrison Central allowed Drake to start broadcasting when he was just 16. Since then, he has provided either play-by-play or color commentary for over 50 football and basketball games, working with Harrison Central, John Marshall High School, WTRF, and the ĢƵ Valley Athletic Conference.

Drake’s passion for the strategy of the game of football has largely contributed to his success in calling games. He is also passionate about music, music production, and music theory. Producing high-quality videos for high school sports teams has become a recent passion of his. Whether it’s a 30-second trailer, a two-minute highlight, or a 20-minute mini movie, Drake always gets excited with a blank canvas in front of him.

In addition to his aforementioned passions, Drake is proud of where he is from. This pride motivates him to strive for excellence with the Community, Connections, and Commerce podcast. He believes the ĢƵ Valley is one of the best places in the United States. It’s where Appalachia meets the Midwest, and it’s home to some of the best people you could ever meet. Drake finds great importance in conversation. While he and his co-host are in two very different positions in life, nothing brings them together like the power of conversation. He believes that conversation can help a community thrive. Their goal is to use conversation to bring together everybody in the ĢƵ Valley, sharing laughs and good stories along the way. 

Director, St. Clairsville Chamber of Commerce
Wendy Anderson

Wendy has been in the people business for over 25 years. In her current position as the Director of the St. Clairsville Chamber of Commerce, her motto is, “We put you and your business first”. She stands by the principles that “Networking and Connections are the building blocks of a good Chamber” and that “Excellent customer service and attending to the small details are what will always set us apart.”

Wendy has been the Director at the Chamber for seven years. I serve many other businesses in the capacity of committee member such as Valley Hospice, Alzheimer Assoc. America Heart Association. I am also the President of the Rotary of St. Clairsville. We have increased the scope of the Chamber to include over 500 members.

Her experience in various local businesses, The Limited, Bath & Body, Retail Manager for Victoria Secrets, and 11 years as the Retail Manger at Cracker Barrel, has driven her passion for the ĢƵ Valley businesses. “We serve more than St. Clairsville, we provide service and business connections across state lines and throughout the whole ĢƵ Valley area.”

She and her husband Dave live in Bridgeport, ĢƵ. They have 16 beautiful Grandchildren and 2 lab puppies.

“Each one of us can do GOOD things but together we can do GREAT things.” 

Do you have suggestions for upcoming podcast guests or topics you'd like to hear about? We'd love to hear from you! 
Please email your ideas to ouepodcast@ohio.edu.