Paul Sletten knew early on that the restaurant business was where he belonged. He began his culinary journey as a young apprentice at Café Patou, learning the art of fine dining under Chef Philippe Forcioli, and eventually rising to the role of sous chef. Building on that foundation, Paul took the leap into ownership with Brio, which would later become Abreo, his signature restaurant and a cornerstone of Rockford’s dining scene. From there, he expanded his creative reach with Social Urban Bar, ventured into the food truck scene with Disco Chicken, and added a sweet twist with his ice cream truck, Bad Humor. Most recently, Paul opened Harvey Wallbangers in the former Irish Rose location—continuing his commitment to bringing fresh, inspired food experiences to his favorite part of the city: historic downtown Rockford.

Welcome back to the Ford the Rock podcast by The Element of Rockford. Today, I’m catching up with someone who’s been on the show before, and since then, a lot has changed.

Last time we talked, she was the VP at Ad Vice Marketing. Now? She’s running the whole show as President.

She’s also a mom to an 18-year-old son, leads a small but mighty team of nine—all women—and she’s making some waves in the digital marketing world.

We get into what it’s really like running your own company, the pressure that comes with it, and how she’s navigating it all with honesty, humor, and hustle.

Welcome to Ford the Rock, presented by The Element of Rockford. Today's guest is Kate Wirth. Kate is a business owner, professional, and advocate. At 40 years old, she was also diagnosed with Autism. In this episode, Kate guides us through her journey of understanding herself, redefining her strengths, and advocating for awareness and acceptance.

This episode's guest is a truly unique individual with a diverse background. Dave Pedersen served in the U.S. Army as both a Military Police officer and a Public Relations specialist. Now, he’s the proud owner of Maze Books, located on East State Street in downtown Rockford. Dave is passionate about doing everything right here in Rockford, including publishing

books. Maze Books has also become a vibrant “third space” for the community, hosting a variety of special events. Take a listen as Dave shares his fascinating journey from soldier to bookseller.

Eric Wilson of the Crusader Clinic Foundation joins us for this episode. Eric is a longtime Rockford resident with a diverse background, including acting alongside his daughter at the Rock Valley College’s Starlight Theatre. Before becoming the head of the Crusader Clinic Foundation, he was a news anchor at a local TV station. Join us as we explore Eric's experiences in Rockford and delve into the workings of one of the city's leading health service providers.

Today's Ford the Rock podcast episode features Brent Scott and Ita Reilly. Brent is the President of Rockford Community Bank, and Ita is a Vice President and Regional Branch Manager. Both have a long history in the banking industry. This episode highlights the only bank in Rockford that includes "Rockford" in its name. Please enjoy this entertaining and informative episode.

Today's guest is Pat Alberto, the owner of 27Aluna in downtown Rockford. He grew up in the Philippines and moved here when he was 18. His is an interesting background story.

Pat began his career journey at fast food joints before landing a job at Octane restaurant, the predecessor to 27Aluna in the space on N.Main St. He started as a dishwasher and part-time cook and then moved on to Abreo, where he connected with and learned from Paul Sletten, Abreo’s owner. Paul mentored Pat until he became Abreo’s sous chef, and once he’d spent several years there, he was ready to go out on his own. When Dan and Michelle, owners of Octane, offered him a position, Pat jumped at the opportunity. He became head chef and then later purchased the restaurant. With dedication and hard work, Pat managed to survive through COVID and ultimately created 27Aluna.

Our guest for this episode of Ford the Rock is Jennifer Spencer, a principal at Studio GWA. Jennifer grew up just outside of Madison, WI. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota and received her graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Upon graduation, Jen accepted a position working for Rockford architect Gary Anderson. We’ll discuss her love of Rockford and GWA’s current work, including the Rockford Public Library.