Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain MCA Podcast

The Present and Future of Energy featuring Colorado Oil & Gas Association President and CEO Dan Haley

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Dan Haley, President & CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association (COGA). COGA strives to be the unified political and regulatory voice for the oil and natural gas industry in Colorado, and to support their members through advocacy, partnerships, education and stakeholder engagement.  Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:

• What is the current state of the oil and natural gas industry in Colorado?
• In his time running COGA, what are the technological changes that have occurred in the oil and natural gas industries?
• How do the skilled trades intersect with and embolden the oil and gas industry?
• What are the biggest misconceptions about the oil and gas industry?
• For young people considering their career path, what would Dan tell them about work in the oil and natural gas industry?
• What should people know about the push for electrification, climate change, and Colorado's future of energy?

This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.

For more information about Colorado Oil & Gas Association, please visit their website. 

For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.

U.S. Engineering is Making Sh*t Happen featuring Josh Seiler and Andy Wright

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Josh Seiler, General Manager of Service, and Andy Wright, Senior Project Manager with U.S. Engineering, a full-service mechanical contractor committed to providing solutions for the life of your facility. U.S. Engineering focuses on improving the total cost of ownership through construction, service, maintenance, metal fabrication and energy analysis. Their priority is to support your mission today and vision for tomorrow.  On this episode we're discussing the Central Utility Plant for the National Western Complex, which is the largest sewer heat recovery system in North America. And Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:

• What are the origins of the Central Utility Plant, and how did it come to be?
• What unique components went into the design of this facility?
• What challenges are associated with designing and implementing a system of this size?
• How many tons of CO2 are saved by implementing a system like this?
• How could a system like this work elsewhere?
• What makes U.S. Engineering uniquely suited for such a project?

This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.

For more information about the U.S. Engineering, please visit their website. 

For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.

The Many Hats of National Western Center Authority CEO Brad Buchanan

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Brad Buchanan, CEO of the National Western Center Authority. When you hear National Western Center, you likely think of the National Western Stock Show, one of Denver's marquee events each year. We discuss the Stock Show in depth, but there is so much more happening at the National Western Center, this episode is your behind-the-scenes tour. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:

• What else happens at this complex outside of the 16 days in January when the Stock Show occurs?
• What construction projects are on the horizon for the National Western Center (and there are plenty)?
• What types of innovative projects have the skilled trades been involved in with this complex?
• What is the future of jobs in agriculture, construction, and the skilled trades?
• What challenges exist in those industries, and how might they be overcome?
• In this role, how does Brad contribute to our understanding of the future of food?

This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.

For more information about the National Western Center, please visit their website. 

For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.

Go Behind the Scenes at Water World with JR Berninzoni and Bob Owens

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Water World General Manager JR Berninzoni and Deputy Director Bob Owens. Water World is a water park that is part of the Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District and located in Federal Heights, Colorado, roughly 10 miles north of downtown Denver, Colorado. The park first opened in August 1979 with the first two waterslides in the state of Colorado, the Bonzai Pipeline. The park occupies 70 acres making it one of America's largest water theme parks, and features 50 attractions. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:

• What types of work do skilled tradespeople do at Water World?
• What does it take to manage a theme park as big and complex as Water World?
• Which attraction has the highest degree of difficulty?
• What advice would JR and Bob give to people considering a career in the skilled trades?
• What are the hidden gems of Water World?
• After 20+ years each working at Water World, what is their favorite ride?

This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.

For more information about Water World, please visit their website. 

For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.

A Wide Ranging Conversation with Denver Metro Chamber President J. J. Ament

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome J. J. Ament, President and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. As president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the leading voice for Colorado's business community, J. J. Ament is focused on effectively advocating for small and large businesses in our region. Before being appointed to his current position, he served from 2017 to 2021 as the chief executive officer of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, a part of the Chamber family of organizations and the largest privately funded and governed economic development organization in Colorado. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:

• What are the Chamber's key areas of focus? Who does it represent, and what does it do?
• How would J. J. characterize this year's legislative session?
• Equally as important, how does J. J. characterize the current regulatory environment?
• Why is it vital for businesses to engage in the civic process?
• What are the hurdles and possible solutions to workforce development in Colorado?
• How do we embolden the skilled trades and build a strong pipeline of workers in this key industry?
• What are J. J's thoughts on the evolving political climate in the city and region?

This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.

For more information about the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, please visit their website. 

For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.

The Many Wonders of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science featuring George Sparks

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome George Sparks who has been the president & CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science since November 2004. Sparks’ passion is public policy, particularly around science and education. He is a member of the Colorado Forum, Colorado Concern, and is on the boards of Colorado Education Initiative, Colorado Music Hall of Fame, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, and the Denver School of Science & Technology. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:

• What was the journey that ultimately pointed George to the museum, which he has successfully led for 19 years?
• What role do the skilled trades play in preserving the massive collection of artifacts stored by the museum?
• Why does George have a profound passion for science and education?
• How can we continue to get people excited about careers in the skilled trades?
• What is the most surprising thing people could discover about the museum? (This answer is a doozy)
• How does George view DMNS's place in the overall tapestry of the City of Denver?
• Why is George so active in so many nonprofits and civic organizations throughout the city?

This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.

For more information about the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, please visit their website. 

For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.

The Sum and Substance featuring Ed Sealover

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Ed Sealover, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Editor. He is also in charge of The Sum and Substance for the Colorado Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the Colorado Chamber, Ed was a multiple-time award-winning journalist at the Denver Business Journal and other publications. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:

• Why did Ed leave a decorated journalism career for the Colorado Chamber?
• How did Ed cultivate a rapport with the business community and establish credibility?
• What does Ed see as the future of journalism?
• How does Ed see this transition as giving back to the business community and how does he hope to contribute positively to the economic future of the state?
• What is going on at the Capitol with construction defects, construction and zoning legislation, and other pertinent issues to our industry?
• Have the skilled trades broken through with our message to elected officials and what are the signs of that?
• What is Ed's favorite craft beer of the moment?

This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.

For more information about the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, please visit their website. 

For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.

A Conversation with Governor of Colorado Jared Polis

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Governor of Colorado, Jared Polis. Governor Polis is an entrepreneur, education leader, public servant, and Colorado native. He was elected as Governor in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Prior to serving as Governor, Polis served on the State Board of Education and represented Colorado's 2nd Congressional district. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:

• What steps are you taking to boost workforce development specifically in skilled trades, how can we reach Coloradans at a younger age to strengthen the talent pipeline?
• What are some of the other innovative ways Colorado is thinking about workforce training?
• How do your investments in workforce development specifically for the skilled trades contribute to this work?
• In what ways can the private sector work with the state government to grow our workforce and keep our economy thriving?
• What are some examples of things that you've seen that have worked in other states that could work here?

This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.

For more information about Governor Jared Polis, please visit his website. 

For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.

Who Is Economic Literacy Colorado? featuring Amy Sherman

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Amy Sherman, President and CEO of Economic Literacy Colorado, an organization that seeks “To empower Colorado students to achieve a lifetime of economic understanding and financial security.” Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:

• How does Economic Literacy Colorado work with school districts to empower students to be more financially literate?
• What types of projects do they work on?
• How has the conversation around economic literacy changed over the years?
• How would Amy envision a holistic approach to ensuring every student has good economic literacy?
• How does the mission of ELC align with RMMCA?
• How can you get involved with ELC?

This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.

For more information about Economic Literacy Colorado, please visit their website. 

For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.

An Inside View of Denver International Airport featuring Stacey Stegman

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Stacey Stegman, Vice President of Communications, Marketing & Customer Experience at Denver International Airport (DIA). Denver International Airport is the third-busiest airport in the world. With over 69 million passengers traveling through the airport in 2022, DEN is one of the busiest airline hubs in the world’s largest aviation market. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $33.5 billion for the region annually. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:

• What updates can she provide about the ongoing renovation?
• Her job entails multiple roles. What's involved in each, and how do they differ?
• How important are the skilled trades to ensuring DIA runs effectively 24 hours a day?
• What does Stacey hope people say about their experience at DIA?
• What's the story with all the conspiracy theories at the airport?

This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.

For more information about Denver International Airport, please visit their website. 

For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.