Glass City Center Speakers Announced
August 8, 2022
After our amazing All-Jeep Parade, Vendor Midway, Kids Zones and other attractions, you might be interested in our Glass City Center Speakers Series on the hall’s main stage.
Beginning at 2 p.m., Toledo Jeep Fest will feature five speakers – Tedd Long, Kyle Sword, Ron Olson, Matthew Wolak and Jamie Weasel speaking on Jeep, outdoors and lifestyle topics.
Tedd Long is an author, photographer, lecturer, and the curator of www.HolyToledoHistory.com. As a local author and master storyteller, Tedd’s unique appreciation for the city is shown through every page
of his new book, “100 things to do in Toledo before you Die.” Even longtime residents will find
something new to do among his suggestions. Tedd will speak about the rich history that comes with
Toledo’s relationship with Jeep.
Kyle Sword is the Business Development Manager for Pilkington North America and heads the company’s interests in business development, marketing, and historic restoration. He has worked for NSG Pilkington for 20+ years, mostly in glass manufacturing. Toledo has a rich automotive glass history that is also steeped in innovation and developments. Kyle will go into more extensive detail on how Jeep was involved in the glazing developments and helped shape Toledo into the glass powerhouse that it is today. His session will look more deeply at some of these innovations as well as what the future of automotive glazing may hold.
Ron Olson has served as Michigan’s Chief of Parks and Recreation for more than 17 years, during which he has overseen the planning, budgeting, and operation of more than 100 state parks and recreation areas, 3,000 miles of ORV routes, and 6,000 miles of snowmobile trails. Ron is an outdoor enthusiast and diehard runner. He previously served as the Associate City Administrator and Superintendent of Ann Arbor’s Parks and Recreation Department for 20 years. Ron will speak to the importance of creativity in the identification, funding, development, and operation of recreational facilities to meet ever-changing recreational needs
Matthew Wolak is the inventor of the Jeep tool “Faster 2 Freedom,” created for 2007 – 2018 Jeep Wrangler owners who have mounting knob screws that make it difficult to take their front roof panels off. He is a graduate of Xavier University’s Williams College of Business. Matthew and his wife, Stacy, live in Germantown, WI and are supporters of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization. Matthew is a member of the Mequon/Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club and enjoys hiking, pickle ball, and travel. He will deliver an entertaining and crowd-engaging experience reminding us all that you can do anything in life, if you have the right tools!
Jamie Weasel is an outdoor enthusiast and “gearhead” with motorsport experience that includes owning
several 4x4s, building vehicles to participate in the Michigan and Colorado Gambler 500, competing
in TSD rallies, and racing vintage snowmobiles on ice ovals in Northern Michigan. Jamie will speak
about the development and operation of Holly Oaks and some of the challenges and opportunities
of converting a depleted gravel mine into an ORV park in a populated area.
Following the speakers will be Toledo Jeep Fest’s official program at 4:30 p.m. hosted by Buckeye Broadband Anchor Justin Feldkamp. The official program will also include Dana Incorporated‘s Best-In-Show award and the Mickey Thompson Wheels Giveaway.