WiLLcast
WiLLcast™, Wisconsin Lighting Lab's multimedia brand, is committed to not only our partners, products, customers, and the lighting technology industry – but all things Wisconsin. With content and conversations covering everything from brewing to farming to race cars to manufacturing and technology, WiLLcast is dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on the latest happenings and innovations from WiLL and our Wisconsin community. And, of course, you'll hear all about the quirky interests and musings plaguing Host Adam Rupp and the WiLL team. Recorded at the WiLL Lighting Campus in Fond du Lac, we'll explore not only what it means to be Made in Wisconsin, but also work and live in the Badger State, too. Subscribe today!
Episodes
51 episodes
Laconia High School Project G.R.I.L.L. 2024 – Project Overview | WiLLcast Ep. 52
Laconia High School students Evyn, Oliver, and Wyatt joined WiLLcast host Adam Rupp to talk about their 2024 Project G.R.I.L.L. solution, a custom "drum set" featuring three grills with rock 'n roll flair. The students also share their perspect...
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Episode 52
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36:27
Introduction to Automation in Manufacturing featuring Paul Reetz + Jason Strange | WiLLcast Ep. 51
Join Adam Rupp as he sits down with local manufacturers Jason Strange of Wells Vehicle Electronics and Paul Reetz of Integrity Saw & Tool. The crew talks manufacturing automation, implementing automation technology, and more!Stay up...
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Episode 51
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39:52
Higher Education in Fond du Lac w/ Marian University President, Michelle Majewski | WiLLcast Ep. 50
Marian University President Michelle Majewski joined Adam and Becca at the WiLLcast table to give an update on all things higher education during this episode. President Majewski shares her experience leading the small private university, the p...
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Episode 50
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42:37
FDL County Exec Sam Kaufman Talks County Gov't, Development, Economy + More | WiLLcast Ep. #49
Newly elected Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman joined Adam and Becca for this WiLLcast episode! Kaufman shared what his role entails, an update on the county, and his views on manufacturing in the Fond du Lac community. Sta...
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Episode 49
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38:17
Dan Kroetz, The Commonwealth Companies, Talks Development + Construction Process | WiLLcast Ep. 48
Senior Vice President of Development for The Commonwealth Companies, Dan Kroetz, stopped by the WiLLcast studio to share his experience in the construction field. He'll discuss working in development as well as the need for affordable housing.&...
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Episode 48
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34:32
Bernadette Ericksen Talks Supporting FDL Manufacturing + Attracting Young Talent | WiLLcast Ep. 47
Tune in as Bernadette Ericksen, Director of Business Client Services for Envision Greater Fond du Lac, joins Adam and Becca to talk about her work in the Fond du Lac community and manufacturing industry. Bernadette also shares her career path, ...
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Episode 47
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30:48
Whitney + Kelsey Birschbach Talk Manufacturing in Agriculture + Family Business | WiLLcast Ep.46
Sisters Whitney and Kelsey Birschbach stopped by the WiLLcast Studio to discuss their own local manufacturing operations – Agromatic, Inc. and Davis Plastic. Adam and Becca talk with Kelsey and Whitney about their operations, working in agricul...
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Episode 46
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51:41
Wells Vehicle Electronics' Tom Schaefer Talks Manufacturing, Automation, + More | WiLLcast Ep. 45
Host Adam Rupp sat down with Thomas Schaefer, Vice President of Engineering, Procurement & Category Management for Wells Vehicle Electronics, to talk about his more than 40 years of manufacturing industry experience. Tom shares his professi...
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Episode 45
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1:04:34
The Ledge Games: Tyler + Josh Talk Flannels, Flying Axes, Supporting the TLG Cause | WiLLcast Ep. 44
Dust off your flannels and start stretching because The Ledge Games (TLG) are back for the seventh consecutive year! Host Adam Rupp + Producer Becca Schumacher are joined by TLG Co-Founders Tyler Oestreich and Josh Michels for this WiLLcast as ...
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Episode 44
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31:27
Sadie Vander Velde, Envision, Discusses FDL Economy, Manufacturing, Future + More | WiLLcast Ep. 43
Envision Greater Fond du Lac President + CEO, Sadie Vander Velde, joined Host Adam Rupp and Producer Becca Schumacher to record Episode #42 of WiLLcast. Sadie shared her thoughts on all things Fond du Lac county - from the economy to the import...
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51:22
Lauren Schellpfeffer, Excel - Recruiting + HR in the World of Engineering | WiLLcast Ep. 42
After nearly a decade with Excel Engineering, HR Manager Lauren Schellpfeffer joined host Adam Rupp to discuss the role of HR and recruiting in engineering. Lauren shares her professional evolution, breaks down a few HR "myths," and kicks off t...
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Episode 42
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1:00:36
Smith: Putting the Contract in Contractor– Insights as Legal Counsel at C.D. Smith | WiLLcast Ep. 41
C.J. Smith, legal counsel for Fond du Lac-based contractor C.D. Smith, took a seat at the WiLLcast table with Adam and Becca to share his unique perspective on the construction industry and the FDL community. C.J. shares his experience with, an...
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Episode 41
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46:27
Chad Collett Discusses Managing (And Lighting) the Fond du Lac Soccer Complex | WiLLcast Ep. 40
Chad Collett, President of Fond du Lac Soccer Association, joined Adam & Becca to talk about his role as he leads the charge at the FDL Soccer Association and manages the Fond du Lac Soccer Complex. A premier facility within the state of Wi...
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Episode 40
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27:30
Josh Bilicki Returns to Talk Racing at Road America, 2022 NASCAR Race Season | WiLLcast Ep. 39
WiLL's favorite NASCAR driver and long-time WiLLcast guest, Josh Bilicki was back in the studio to talk more about the 2022 NASCAR Race season thus far. Get his take on pulling "double duty" at his home track - Road America - as he raced in bot...
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Episode 39
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29:34
Adam + Jake Talk Remote vs Onboard Power for Sports Retrofit Lighting Projects | WiLLcast Ep. 37
Director of Application Engineering Jake Ortner joined host Adam Rupp to talk about the benefits of both remote and onboard power supply options for retrofit sports lighting projects. They take a look at key considerations including pole design...
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Episode 37
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31:22
Paul Reetz Joins Adam to Talk Small Manufacturing Operations, FDL Culture + More! | WiLLcast Ep. 38
Paul Reetz, President & Owner of Integrity Saw & Tool, Inc., joined Adam at the WiLL Lighting Campus to share his perspective as a fellow small-sized manufacturer in the Fond du Lac community. Covering lots of ground, Adam and Paul disc...
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Episode 38
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49:03
NASCAR to Manufacturing: Ron Malec Shares Career Insights from the Track & Beyond | WiLLcast Ep. 36
Former NASCAR Car Chief Ron Malec joined Adam at the WiLLcast Studio to take a closer look at his long-standing career – from NASCAR Car Chief for Jimmie Johnson to Senior Manager of Accessories Engineering at Milwaukee Tool. Learn more about l...
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58:04
Nick Recht: Labels + Enterprise Software, Working w/ Product Managers + Engineers | WiLLcast Ep.35
Listen in as Nick Recht, Sales Manager Americas for TEKLYNX, joins Host Adam Rupp to not only discuss labeling technology and enterprise software but also how these solutions can help solve problems for customers. Additionally, Nick will give h...
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Episode 35
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35:04
Meet INCubatoredu@nfdl – Local Educator Brings Entrepreneurial Spirit to Classroom | WiLLcast Ep. 34
Kurt Wismer, the business teacher at Horace Mann High School in North Fond du Lac, joined Adam at our WiLLcast studio to discuss INCubatoredu@nfdl, an entrepreneurship experience for high school students that helps them through the process of d...
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Episode 34
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30:45
Local Author Shares Insights on Book Writing, Publishing + the Promotion Process | WiLLcast Ep. 32
Meg Hutter, a local author and the creator of Henry the Brave & The Cancerasaurus, joined Adam to talk about her moving inspiration for "Henry the Brave," the process of writing the story, working with an illustrator, and continuing to prom...
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Episode 32
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23:08
Tyler + Adam Talk 3D Printing Technology and Its Benefits + Value in Manufacturing | WiLLcast Ep. 31
Tyler Oestreich, WiLL Co-Founder + Director of Technology, sat down with Adam to talk about WiLL's 3D printing farm and the value it brings to our manufacturing process. Adam and Tyler also discuss the best use cases for the 3D printers and int...
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Episode 31
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26:30
PM Bob Poch Talks Design/Build Projects, Working as a General Contractor, WiLL 3.0 | WiLLcast Ep. 30
Project Manager Bob Poch, Keller, Inc., stopped by to discuss the WiLL 3.0 Lighting activity, design/build projects in general, and the role of the general contractor. He and Adam walk through the different parties and their roles in a construc...
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Episode 30
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33:58
Local Business Owners Talk Leadership, Training Youth, Military Experience + More | WiLLcast Ep. 29
The team from Rewired Dynamics sat down with Adam to talk about all things leadership. Kim and Fritz shared their stories and journeys, how they came together to create Rewired Dynamics, and the importance of developing and engaging with local ...
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Episode 29
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51:46
FDL City Manager Talks Leadership – From Military to COVID to City Gov't + More! | WiLLcast Ep. 28
Long-time Fond du Lac City Manager Joe Moore sat down with Host Adam Rupp to discuss leadership – from the military to city government, and through a pandemic. Joe shares his thoughts on the future of Fond du Lac, the developments on Brooke Str...
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Episode 28
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42:24
Deconstructing The Sports Field Development Process feat Sprinturf's Mat Steinberg | WiLLcast Ep. 27
Sprinturf's Mat Steinberg stopped by to talk all things sports field with Adam! An expert in sports turf – Mat shares his invaluable insight on the sports field development process, key considerations for these projects, and working with custom...
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Episode 27
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45:33