On this episode of Leadership LevelUp, Jeff Williamson sits down with Jakob Knox, a dynamic emerging leader who wears multiple hats as the CEO of the Manteno Chamber of Commerce and Marketing Director for the Village of Manteno. Jeff and Jakob delve into his journey from his first job at Bourbonnais Township Park District to his current leadership roles, highlighting the principles and experiences that have shaped his leadership ethos.

Key Takeaways

Emerging Leadership Insights: Jakob Knox, a young and dynamic leader, shares his journey from working at the Bourbonnais Township Park District to becoming the CEO of the Manteno Chamber of Commerce and the Marketing Director for the Village of Manteno. His path offers valuable lessons on leveraging early career experiences and the importance of community engagement in leadership.

Power of Community and Collaboration: Both Jeff Williamson and Jakob Knox emphasize the incredible power of community support and collaboration. They discuss how working together with local businesses, volunteers, and other municipalities has significantly enhanced the effectiveness and reach of community events like the Manteno Oktoberfest.

Event Management and Execution: Learn about the logistics and behind-the-scenes efforts involved in organizing large community events. Jakob gives insights into managing the Manteno Oktoberfest, an event that attracts over 20,000 people, and the importance of delegating responsibilities and trusting your team to make it successful.

Jakob Knox shares the significant milestones in his career, beginning from his high school years, his tenure at Milner Media, and eventually his dive into the chamber life. His experiences working in the community ignited a passion for fostering community engagement and development, which he now channels into his work with the Chamber and the Village of Manteno.

Jakob touches upon his early leadership lessons, learned from valued mentors and various professional experiences, which underscored the importance of understanding operational structures and the power of community collaboration. The conversation naturally flows into Jakob’s role in leading numerous community events, including Manteno’s beloved Oktoberfest, illustrating the dedication and teamwork required to successfully execute such large-scale events.

As someone who thrives on collaboration, Jakob Knox emphasizes the value of trusting and empowering his team, acknowledging the collective effort that drives the success of the Chamber’s initiatives. He shares his approach to managing and inspiring volunteers and community members, ensuring everyone feels part of the bigger picture.

Throughout the episode, Jakob reveals how his guiding principles of collaboration, empowerment, and community focus have not only shaped his professional journey but also brought together a robust support system for the businesses and residents of Manteno. As a testament to leadership, Jakob candidly discusses the lessons learned and the rewards of fostering a united community spirit.

Tune in to glean valuable insights on leadership, community engagement, and effective event management from Jakob Knox’s experiences and strategies, all of which underscore the essence of collaborative leadership.

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Meet The Guest

Jakob Knox works hard to promote and strengthen the local business community by forming positive and impactful working relationships while continuing to build upon and support our community’s business sector. Jakob also serves as the Marketing and Community Relations Director for the Village of Manteno. 

Born and raised in Limestone Township, Jakob is a 2017 Herscher High School graduate, and received his degree from Kankakee Community College. His passion for community ignited at sixteen years old when he was employed at the Bourbonnais Township Park District. In 2021 Jakob began his professional career at Milner Media Partners as a Marketing & Sales Account Executive. 

Understanding the importance of community involvement and giving back Jakob serves on the Board of Directors for United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, is a member of the Manteno Rotary Club, and serves on the Auxiliary Board for the Kankakee County Museum. 

Currently, Jakob resides in Bourbonnais with his partner Josh, an 8th-grade Special Education Teacher at Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center with their two dogs Ruby and Hazel. In his free time Jakob enjoys spending time with his friends and family, volunteering, caring for his plethora of house plants, building LEGOS, and tapping into his creative side. 

About the Leadership LevelUp Podcast

Being a boss and a leader are very different. A boss tells you what to do and a leader partners with you in the process. Jeff, being a leader of leaders, has a vast knowledge of best practices and exercises to discover leadership traits. Jeff shares about the ups and downs of the leadership quest while talking to business and community leaders to discuss their personal leadership journey. Who influenced them? What do they do when they have a bad day? What gives them inspiration? Do french fries or tacos or ice cream make them feel better after a bad day? Through laughter and casual conversation, they explore all aspects of good leadership.

Meet The Host

Dr. Jeff Williamson

Dr. Jeff Williamson is the Founder of Converge Group Inc. an executive coaching and people development practice. Prior to launching his business in 2017, he was a Dean, Executive Director, and Professor of Organizational Leadership serving in higher education for over 30 years.

He holds a bachelor’s, and master’s degree in Speech Communication, and a Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and was a post-doctoral student at The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business. He is the host of “Leadership LevelUp” podcast and is also a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach.

He regularly teaches and speaks to business and industry on topics such as: Personal Leadership, Leadership Paradigms, Leading Change, Discover Your Strengths, Building a Strengths-Based Organization, Coaching, Mentoring & Conflict Resolution.

Show Sponsor

Pathfinder: A full-service creative & marketing agency with a mission to provide strategic storytelling to our clients. There is no greater impact in this world than a story. Storytelling is how we learn, remember, and feel. The world has used storytelling since the beginning of time to entertain, teach, inspire, and innovate. Pathfinder’s mission is to provide strategic storytelling for our clients. How? Through inventive business services and pioneering campaigns that help organizations find their own path and carry out their vision.