“Story of” Series Launched to Connect Successful Entrepreneurs with Today’s Startups

Are you an aspiring or current startup, entrepreneur, or local supporter of our entrepreneurial ecosystem? Then we invite you to a new quarterly event titled “Story of". The Story of connects a successful entrepreneur to startups and entrepreneurs to engage and energize them and cultivate the Marion entrepreneurial ecosystem. The journey our featured guests will share through their experiences and perspective of what it takes to start and grow a business will provide the attendees with inspiration and lessons to apply to their future or ongoing entrepreneurial quest.

The Story of Bob Sternowski - April 2022

Twenty years ago Robert Sternowski grew tired of corporate politics and retired from a comfortable aerospace job to grow his own company. He had spent thirty-four years working all facets of the industry from marketing and business development to engineering and manufacturing. In 2003, he leveraged that experience to scale Marion-based Softronics. Today the company has grown to twenty-five employees and a customer based including NASA, Boeing, and Collins Aerospace.

Read Bob's Story:  "The Story of Bob Sternowski"
Listen to Bob's Story on "Candid Community Leadership"
Watch Bob's Story on Youtube

The Story Of the ESCO Group - November 2022

In 1964, Wayne and Shirley Engle, started a small electrical contracting business in their Marion home. By the 1970s, ESCO had grown into one of the most successful electrical companies in the Midwest, working on both residential and commercial projects. Through multiple generations of family leadership, the ESCO Group has now grown to serve industrial markets across the United States including a client list of Fortune 500 companies. In 2014 the company welcomed Ray Brown as the new CEO of ESCO Group, a position he continues to hold today. The ESCO Group is now 100% employee owned and proud to continue to call Marion home.

Read about the ESCO Group’s story!

Listen to the ESCO Group’s Story on "Candid Community Leadership"