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The Iowa Idea: Nate Kaeding
“The importance of design.”
In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by Nate Kaeding. Nate is the Director of Business Development for Build to Suit, Inc. a construction management and real estate development firm based in Bettendorf and Coralville, Iowa. Nate is an active venture capital investor in several Corridor businesses and real estate developments including: Involta, Higher Learning Technologies, Pullman Bar & Diner, St. Burch Tavern, Big Grove Brewery, Tailgate Clothing and others.
Born and raised in the Iowa City area and attended the University of Iowa. As a student-athlete and graduated with a BA in History and a Secondary Education Social Studies teaching certificate from the College of Education. As a collegiate athlete Nate was a football team captain, earned both academic and athletic First Team All-American honors, is the all-time leading scorer in Iowa Football history and is a member of both the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame.
Nate was the 65th overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft. He went on to play nine seasons for the San Diego Chargers and was twice selected to the Pro Bowl. Upon retirement from the NFL in 2013, Nate moved back to Iowa City and completed MBA from the University of Iowa Tippie School of Business.
We dig into Nate’s journey as a kicker, being the first scholarship offer under Kirk Ferentz at Iowa; his interests in history, education, and business, collaboration, and design. We talk about Zen and Art of Archery and the lessons Nate has applied to kicking and business. We explore the power of experiences that bring together the intersections of brand, history, and experiential design. I appreciated Nate’s willingness to share his insights and lessons with Tailgate Clothing, as well as his belief in the importance of design, collaboration, and community in business. I was especially excited to hear more about Burch the Bear. Long before Herky, Iowa’s first football mascot was a live bear. Burch the Bear has inspired brewing a local supper club.
It was a pleasure having Nate on the podcast. I hope you enjoy the episode.
About Nate
Nate Kaeding is the Director of Business Development for Build to Suit, Inc. a construction management and real estate development firm based in Bettendorf and Coralville, Iowa. Prior to his role with Build to Suit, Inc., Nate served as the Director of Retail Development for the Iowa City Downtown District where he managed economic development and various marketing, branding and place-making initiatives for the district. Nate is also an active venture capital investor in several Corridor businesses and real estate developments including: Involta, Higher Learning Technologies, Pullman Bar & Diner, St. Burch Tavern, Big Grove Brewery, Tailgate Clothing, 245 Kingston and numerous others. He serves on the Board of Directors for MidWestOne Bank, the Johnson County Community Foundation and the Iowa Sports Foundation.
Born and raised in the Iowa City/Coralville area, Nate was a three-sport athlete at Iowa City West High School and was named the Iowa High School Athlete of the Year in 2000 by the Des Moines Register after winning state championships in football, basketball and soccer. He went on to attend the University of Iowa as a student-athlete and graduated with a BA in History and a Secondary Education Social Studies teaching certificate from the College of Education. As a collegiate athlete Nate was a football team captain, earned both academic and athletic First Team All-American honors, is the all-time leading scorer in Iowa Football history and is a member of both the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame.
Nate was the 65th overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft. He went on to play nine seasons for the San Diego Chargers and was twice selected to the Pro Bowl. Upon retirement from the NFL in 2013, Nate moved back to Iowa City and completed his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Iowa Tippie School of Business.
Links
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-kaeding/
St. Burch – https://www.saintburchtavern.com/
Pullman – http://pullmandiner.com/
Burch the Bear – http://bit.ly/BurchTheBear
Zen and Art of Archery (Herrigel) – https://amz.run/4Uei
Credits
Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).
The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).