Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain MCA Podcast

What Does an HVAC Maintenance Sales Rep Do? featuring Sue Russell and Crystal Ackerman

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Sue Russell (right), Colorado Service Sales Manager at Tolin Mechanical Systems, and Crystal Ackerman (left), Service Sales Representative also at Tolin Mechanical Systems. Tolin Mechanical specializes in energy efficient HVAC Solutions for clients throughout the Southwest, including Colorado and Arizona, and into Washington D.C. Their skilled technicians keep facilities running at peak performance to lower energy costs and keep life comfortable. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• What does a day in the life of a sales representative look like?
• What led both Sue and Crystal into their roles working for a trades-based company like Tolin?
• What are the biggest misconceptions people have about HVAC representatives?
• What are the coolest projects they have ever worked on?
• What technological advances are happening in the industry?
• What would they want people to know about the diversity of work available in the trades?

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

For more information about Tolin Mechanical, please visit their website.

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

What Is the Path for a 5th Year HVAC Apprentice? featuring Jake Schainost

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Jake Schainost, a 5th year apprentice who works for American Mechanical Services (AMS), whose mission is to provide quality workmanship for a fair price. Their intent is to honor all of their commitments and to strive for 100% customer satisfaction. AMS is a privately owned family of companies providing primarily commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) service and construction work in various locations across the country. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on the show:

• How did Jake find his way to the trades, and why wasn't he interested in ultimately pursuing traditional college?
• What is the best part of the apprenticeship in his opinion?
• What is something he'd change about the apprenticeship?
• What would Jake tell young people about pursuing a career in the trades?
• What should a first year apprentice expect when he or she gets started? 
• What is his #1 tip for first year apprentices when they're on job sites?
• What types of equipment does Jake work on?
• How does climate control make modern life possible?

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

For more information about American Mechanical Services, please visit their website.

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

What’s Life Like as a 4th Year Apprentice? featuring Travis James

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Travis James, a 4th year apprentice at UA Local 192 in Cheyenne, WY. Travis, interviewed from the hospital shortly after the birth of his second child, shares with us his journey from traveling rockstar (seriously!) to plumbing apprentice. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• Why did Travis choose plumbing over pipefitting, and how similar were the two?
• How does an apprentice get assigned work?
• How important is an apprentice's reputation in earning work? What types of things contribute to reputation?
• Why do the attendees of Western States College of Construction have an advantage in work?
• What ultimately led Travis to leave his career as a musician and pursue one in the trades?
• What are the challenges of working and taking classes simultaneously?

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

For more information about UA Local 192, please visit their website.

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

What’s the Path for a 3rd Year Plumbing Apprentice? featuring Moise Kombo

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Moise Kombo a 3rd year apprentice at Plumbers Local Union 3. Plumbers Local #3 has a company to fit your needs. Whether it is an old garbage disposal to be replaced or a new state-of-the-art hospital being built, we are the companies of choice. All of Local 3's companies are registered with the state of Colorado which ensures that they are compliant with state and federal laws.

Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• Why did Moise join the trades at such a young age?
• What makes apprenticeship unique?
• How does Moise feel about Plumbers Local Union 3? What sets it apart?
• What it Moise most looking forward to about turning out?
• What are his favorite and least favorite classes as part of the program?
• What was Moise's most exciting project?
• What would Moise tell someone considering pursuing the trades?

Moise also discusses his upbringing as a refugee and tells us about his next steps.

For more information about Plumbers Local Union 3, please visit their website.

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

How Do You Become a Project Manager in Plumbing? featuring Nate Nicodemus

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Nate Nicodemus, Project Manager at Falcon Plumbing Heating and Mechanical in Grand Junction. Nate has worked for Falcon Plumbing Heating and Mechanical for 22 years and has a remarkable breadth of experience that spans his career.

Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• What was Nate's career path to becoming a project manager?
• What are the key differences between working as a foreman and as a project manager?
• How often does he visit each job site and what is he looking for when he visits?
• What have been the impacts of supply chain challenges on his projects?
• What is the Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC), and how does it help young professionals?
• What do plumbers work on that average people have little understanding of?

For more information about Falcon Plumbing Heating and Mechanical, please visit their website.

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

What Can We Expect from the 2022 Colorado Legislative Session? featuring Speaker of the House Alec Garnett

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Colorado Speaker of the House, Representative Alec Garnett. Speaker Garnett represents Colorado House District 2, and is term-limited this year. He joins the show for a lively discussion about the current legislative term.

Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• What was Speaker Garnett's path to becoming an elected official and what is his view of his role?
• What does a day in the life of the Speaker of the House look like?
• What are the top priorities for the legislature this year?
• What are elected officials considering to improve our environment and air quality?
• How do we keep Colorado competitive, growing, and thriving?
• What strategies are being considered to embolden and optimize Colorado's workforce?
• Now that he's term limited, what's next for Speaker Garnett?

To keep up with Speaker Garnett, please visit his Twitter page.

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

Who Is SMACNA Colorado? featuring Nathan Cooper

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Nathan Cooper, Executive Director of The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) Colorado Chapter. SMACNA Colorado represents over 50 Contractor Members and 25 Associate Members who manufacture and supply our Contractors with equipment and materials. Nathan began as SMACNA Colorado’s Executive Director in January of 2018 and leads the association’s efforts in labor relations, education, advocacy and management of multiemployer health, retirement and training benefit funds.

Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• What do the members of SMACNA fabricate?
• How does one eventually become the leader of a trade association?
• What role do trade associations play in helping to shape the careers of young people?
• What is the most challenging aspect of leading a trade association?
• What is the MEP Alliance?
• What, in Nathan's view, is the most important aspect of designing a building, particularly with regard to the pandemic?
• How did the COVID-19 pandemic shift this industry, and what does Nathan see ahead?

For more information about SMACNA Colorado, please visit their website.

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

What is the Career Path for a Plumbing Apprentice? featuring Niki Anema

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Niki Anema, a 4th Year Apprentice with United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 145. Local #145 is extremely proud to be a productive member of Western Colorado and the Grand Junction business community. Their jurisdiction is the entire Western Slope from the middle of the Rocky Mountains at Vail to the Utah border proudly serving all areas

Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• What led to Niki leaving traditional four-year college to pursue a career in the trades?
• What are the best parts of an apprenticeship?
• What types of projects does Niki work on, and what are some of her favorites?
• Why should women choose a career in the trades?
• What opportunities to travel exist in the trades, and will Niki pursue them?
• What opportunities to acquire new skills exist for Niki?

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

For more information about Local #145, please visit their website.

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

From Electrician to CEO - What Is It Like To Be an Electrician? featuring Gina Cullen

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Gina Cullen, President & CEO of Dynalectric Colorado. Gina joined Dynalectric Colorado in 1992. She is active in the local industry organizations including the Colorado State Electrical Board, Denver Metro Economic Development Corporation Board of Governors, and various International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and National Electrical Contractors Association committees. She holds a Colorado Master Electrician License and a Bachelor of Science in organizational management – project management from Colorado Christian University.

Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• How did an earthquake inspire Gina's career choice?
• Why is the challenging architecture of the Denver Art Museum one of her most satisfying projects to work on?
• How can the work of electricians literally change people lives for the better?
• What is the best part of her job? What is the most challenging?
• How is the work of electricians largely invisible?
• What does a day in the life of an electrician look like?
• How is electrical work like artwork?

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

For more information about Dynalectric Colorado, please visit their website.

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

What Is It Like To Be an Apprentice? featuring Training Director Beto Herrera

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Beto Herrera, Training Director at UA Local 58. Beto has more than 9 years of hands-on experience. He has been a member of UA Local 58 since 2008. He achieved his plumbing journeyman licensure in 2011. His noteworthy projects include power utility infrastructure for Vestas, new construction and expansion for multiple healthcare facilities of Parkview Medical Center, and original construction of Black Hills Power Plant serving all of Pueblo County.

Beto also has two years as a Training Coordinator of the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, overseeing 15 instructors and 80 apprentices concurrently, and 4 years as an Instructor of Plumbing and Medical Gas curriculum. He holds Instructor Certification through the International Pipe Trades Association. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• What is Beto's favorite part of being in the trade and why did he join?
• What is Beto's favorite part of being a Training Coordinator?
• How can work in the trades give back to the community?
• What is a day in the life of a Training Coordinator like?
• What is a day in the life of an apprentice like?
• What advice does Beto have for new apprentices, and what makes them successful?
• What is the coolest project Beto has ever worked on?
• Why should one pursue a career in the skilled trades?

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

For more information about UA Local 58, please visit their website.

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