Clarksville Conversations with Charlie Koon

On this episode, Charlie speaks with Brent Nicholson, a successful entrepreneur and owner of multiple SERVPRO franchises. Nicholson discusses his local roots in Clarksville, reflecting on how his early experiences as a farmer instilled a strong work ethic and foundational business skills. Since entering the disaster restoration industry in 2011, he has expanded his operations across several states, providing essential cleanup services for both residential and large-scale industrial emergencies. He credits his significant professional growth to a talented leadership team and a corporate culture built on mutual accountability and trust. Beyond business expansion, Nicholson emphasizes the importance of community involvement, family support, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.

In this episode, Austin Peay State University’s new Athletic Director, Jordan Harmon, sits down to share his journey from student-athlete to leading the Govs’ athletic department. Harmon talks about building strong ties with the Clarksville community, growing revenue, and creating a culture that values both winning and academic success. He reflects on the mentors and family who shaped his path and lays out his vision for the future of Austin Peay athletics, offering listeners a clear look at the leadership style and priorities guiding the program forward.

Dawn Sanders-Garrett, Interim Director of the Clarksville Housing Authority, walks through the plan to redevelop Lincoln Homes and why it matters. She explains how federal RAD conversion and tax credits make the project possible, what demolition and rehabilitation will look like, and how the new development will modernize affordable housing without losing sight of the people who live there. The episode also explores how the master plan aims to keep residents stable while helping fuel Clarksville’s local economy.

On this episode Mark Riggins, General Manager of Clarksville Gas and Water, joins Charlie Koon to talk about some of the big projects in the works for CGW. Those projects include a new natural gas pipeline from Kentucky that will provide Clarksville with a redundant supply of natural gas, a new app and more.

In this episode of Clarksville Conversations, Josh Ward, Executive Director of the Clarksville–Montgomery County Industrial Development Board, breaks down the unprecedented economic expansion reshaping the region. Ward details Clarksville’s strategic shift toward high-tech manufacturing, spotlighting major investments such as Korea Zinc and LG Chem—projects expected to generate thousands of jobs by 2030 and significantly raise local household incomes.The conversation also explores how growth extends beyond industry, including the large-scale retail transformation at Freedom Farms and the arrival of competing healthcare providers aimed at improving access and quality of care. Ward explains why confidentiality is critical during complex business negotiations and how discretion helps ensure major deals successfully cross the finish line.Looking ahead to 2026, Clarksville’s focus begins to pivot from aggressive industrial recruitment toward quality-of-life investments—convention space, greenway expansion, and urban amenities designed to support a growing population. The episode underscores a community-wide effort to manage rapid growth responsibly while building long-term prosperity for residents.

In this episode of Clarksville Conversations, host Charlie Koon sits down with Congressman Matt Van Epps for an in-depth discussion about his rapid and unconventional path to Congress. Fresh off a special election victory, Van Epps describes the whirlwind transition into Washington and what it was like to step onto the House floor for the first time.The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how voting actually works in the U.S. House of Representatives, demystifying a process many constituents rarely get to hear explained firsthand. Van Epps also outlines his early priorities in Congress, including his assignments to the Homeland Security Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and what those roles mean for the region he represents.To close, Van Epps emphasizes his commitment to staying connected at home, detailing plans to reopen and fully staff district offices in Clarksville and Franklin. He also shares his intention to hold future town halls, reinforcing his focus on accessibility, constituent service, and maintaining a strong local presence while serving in Washington.