Episode 89 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Mike Heldstab and Captain Ryan "Sugar" Shieve

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Mike Heldstab has brought years of experience working with our nation’s military and McConnell Air Force Base, previously serving as state military liaison for U.S. Senator Jerry Moran.

During his time with Sen. Moran, Mike worked diligently to connect with each Kansas military installation and its leaders. His experience helps The Chamber continue its long-standing partnership with McConnell Air Force Base and the military units based there, as well as reinforce the base’s economic impact on our region.

Mike is currently an honorary commander for the 22nd Communications Squadron. He has volunteered with the Kansas National Guard Foundation, Humanities Kansas, the Kansas Association for Youth and the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. Mike is an alumnus of the Chamber Leadership Academy, Mission Wichita and Leadership Wichita.

Originally organized in the 1960’s to provide financial support for a variety of non-budgeted items, Friends of McConnell initially consisted of ten civic leaders who each donated $1,000. During the 1990s, Friends of McConnell’s visibility on base increased, helping connect Wichita and Derby to base commanders, active duty, reserve and the guard. More recently, the organization expanded to encompass Andover, Haysville and Mulvane, and became a vital link between regional businesses and military. The group supports activities and programs on base and expands awareness of local military throughout the region and state.

Today, Friends of McConnell is a select group of area business leaders and citizens dedicated to developing a strong social and economic link between McConnell’s senior military leaders and their civilian counterparts.

 Frontiers in Flight
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On this episode we discuss:

● How does McConnell AFB impact our local community economically?
● What is “Friends of McConnell” and how does it work?
● Keeping military talent in Wichita
● How pilots get their call signs
● Partnerships with the W young professionals organization through Mission Wichita
● All the airshow events and static displays that you can check out (there is a lot)
● The parking situation
● What to bring / leave at home
● Oh yeah, did we mention that the air show is FREE!?!?!?!

Listen on popular podcast directories and aggregators, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, and ICT Podcast Network or using the player above. Send feedback on this show and/or suggestions for future guests or topics by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or emailing communications@wichitachamber.org.

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Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator is a weekly podcast devoted to supporting and learning from area business owners. Released every Wednesday, it's produced by Forge Podcast Co, managed by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Evergy. 

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