Welcome to the Belt Friends podcast,
Casey Hutchinson, President of Empire Rubber & Supply Company brings to you industry leaders to come together and share stories, insights, and a few laughs along the way about the belt industry.
Belt Friends Episode 20 – Rafael Benitez (Director of Distribution Sales – Conveyor Solutions – US at Ammega)
In this special episode, Rafael Benitez, Director of Distribution Sales – Conveyor Solutions – US at Ammega, joins Casey Hutchinson, President of Empire Rubber & Supply Company, for a personal and professional deep dive.
Rafael shares his story, from growing up and his family background to his education and the work he did before entering the belting industry. He reflects on what first brought him into the industry and, perhaps most importantly, the role his family has played in the business across multiple generations.
We’ll also explore Rafael’s involvement with NIBA, including how he first became involved and what the organization has come to mean to him. From participating in NIBA committee meetings to the groups he’s involved with, Rafael shares how those experiences have helped shape his professional relationships, knowledge, and connection to the industry.
Rafael also breaks down what he does at Ammega and how he explains his role in distribution sales and conveyor solutions to someone outside the industry. Beyond the business, we’ll get to know Rafael on a more personal level what he enjoys doing when he’s not working, his passion for sports, and what he dreamed of doing for a career when he was younger.
From family legacy and industry involvement to career aspirations and personal passions, Rafael offers an insightful look at his journey through the world of belting and conveyor solutions.
Links: www.empirerubber.com (http://www.empirerubber.com) www.newwavemediapdx.com (http://www.newwavemediapdx.com) Listen on other platforms: Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber/id1755792035 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber/id1755792035) Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/24yhT2Ap7X9ntNfkINxHq8?si=f0c65a666b324e13 (https://open.spotify.com/show/24yhT2Ap7X9ntNfkINxHq8?si=f0c65a666b324e13) iheart radio https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-belt-friends-by-empire-rub-165196400/ (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-belt-friends-by-empire-rub-165196400/) Pandora https://pandora.app.link/UHkjzXM2JIb (https://pandora.app.link/UHkjzXM2JIb) Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f57694ed-3adf-4f6e-b372-46737d0babd1/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f57694ed-3adf-4f6e-b372-46737d0babd1/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber) RSS https://rss.com/podcasts/beltfriends/ (https://rss.com/podcasts/beltfriends/) Podcast Index https://podcastindex.org/podcast/6865600 (https://podcastindex.org/podcast/6865600) Listen Notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber-empire-rubber-KhQ8SZAXeTD/ (https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber-empire-rubber-KhQ8SZAXeTD/)
3 Aug 2026
Belt Friends Episode 19 – Chad Ackerman (Senior Manager of Strategic Accounts at Flexco)
In this special episode, Chad Ackerman, Senior Manager of Strategic Accounts at Flexco, joins Casey Hutchinson, President of Empire Rubber & Supply Company, for a personal and professional deep dive. Chad shares stories from his upbringing, family life, and educational background, while reflecting on the work he did before entering the belting industry. He walks us through the journey that brought him into the business and discusses how those early experiences helped shape the career he has built today. We'll also hear about Chad's time with Ammeraal Beltech (Ammega) and the responsibilities he held there, before diving into his current role with Flexco and the work he does today as Senior Manager of Strategic Accounts. Chad offers insight into the products, people, and relationships that make the industry unique and rewarding. From his involvement with NIBA and the impact it has had on his career, to the lessons learned along the way, Chad shares thoughtful perspectives on both professional growth and industry leadership. Outside of work, we get to know the person behind the title—what he enjoys doing for fun, any nicknames he's picked up over the years, a few guilty pleasures, and the accomplishments he finds most rewarding. And because every great conversation deserves a little humor, we'll wrap things up by putting Chad on the spot for what may be his greatest challenge of all: delivering a memorable Dad Joke. From career milestones to personal stories and plenty of laughs along the way, Chad brings an engaging and authentic perspective to this episode.
Links:
www.empirerubber.com (http://www.empirerubber.com)
www.newwavemediapdx.com (http://www.newwavemediapdx.com)
Listen on other platforms:
Apple Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber/id1755792035 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber/id1755792035)
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/24yhT2Ap7X9ntNfkINxHq8?si=f0c65a666b324e13 (https://open.spotify.com/show/24yhT2Ap7X9ntNfkINxHq8?si=f0c65a666b324e13)
iheart radio
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-belt-friends-by-empire-rub-165196400/ (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-belt-friends-by-empire-rub-165196400/)
Pandora
https://pandora.app.link/UHkjzXM2JIb (https://pandora.app.link/UHkjzXM2JIb)
Amazon Music
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f57694ed-3adf-4f6e-b372-46737d0babd1/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f57694ed-3adf-4f6e-b372-46737d0babd1/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber)
RSS
https://rss.com/podcasts/beltfriends/ (https://rss.com/podcasts/beltfriends/)
Podcast Index
https://podcastindex.org/podcast/6865600 (https://podcastindex.org/podcast/6865600)
Listen Notes
https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber-empire-rubber-KhQ8SZAXeTD/ (https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber-empire-rubber-KhQ8SZAXeTD/)
27 Jul 2026
Belt Friends Episode 18 – Jessica Stroup (Product Specialist at LGG Industrial)
In this special episode, Jessica Stroup, Product Specialist at LGG Industrial, joins Casey Hutchinson, President of Empire Rubber & Supply Company, for a personal and professional deep dive. Jessica shares stories about where she grew up, her family background, and her education, while reflecting on any work experiences she had before entering the belting industry. She also gives us insight into her roots in the business through Stroup Belting, discussing the family business, the markets it served, and the products that helped shape her early experiences in the industry. We'll hear about Jessica's responsibilities during her time at Stroup Belting and her transition to LGG Industrial, where she now serves as a Product Specialist. Jessica walks us through LGG Industrial, the markets they serve, their focus on heavy and lightweight belting solutions, and what her role looks like today as part of a larger organization. From discussing what she enjoys most about the work she does—and whether she considers herself a true "belt nerd"—to explaining how she describes her career to people outside the industry, Jessica offers a unique and relatable perspective on life in the belting world. Outside of work, we get to know Jessica on a more personal level as she shares her hobbies and interests, any collections she may have accumulated over the years, and even reflects on what career path she might have pursued had she not found her place in the belting industry. From family business roots to new opportunities and industry expertise, Jessica brings an engaging and refreshing perspective to this episode. Links: www.empirerubber.com (http://www.empirerubber.com) www.newwavemediapdx.com (http://www.newwavemediapdx.com) Listen on other platforms: Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber/id1755792035 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber/id1755792035) Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/24yhT2Ap7X9ntNfkINxHq8?si=f0c65a666b324e13 (https://open.spotify.com/show/24yhT2Ap7X9ntNfkINxHq8?si=f0c65a666b324e13) iheart radio https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-belt-friends-by-empire-rub-165196400/ (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-belt-friends-by-empire-rub-165196400/) Pandora https://pandora.app.link/UHkjzXM2JIb (https://pandora.app.link/UHkjzXM2JIb) Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f57694ed-3adf-4f6e-b372-46737d0babd1/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f57694ed-3adf-4f6e-b372-46737d0babd1/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber) RSS https://rss.com/podcasts/beltfriends/ (https://rss.com/podcasts/beltfriends/) Podcast Index https://podcastindex.org/podcast/6865600 (https://podcastindex.org/podcast/6865600) Listen Notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber-empire-rubber-KhQ8SZAXeTD/ (https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/belt-friends-by-empire-rubber-empire-rubber-KhQ8SZAXeTD/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 8 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
4
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
31
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