On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Heather Sherwood, President of the Western States College of Construction, which is committed to supporting our industry by providing quality educational and training opportunities at our eight education centers. WSCC’s affiliated apprenticeship programs provide the opportunity to build an exceptional and fulfilling professional career in our industry. Our students earn excellent salaries while learning and practicing construction or service under the leadership of highly motivated construction professionals and mentors. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• How did Heather's professional journey lead her to become President of the Western States College of Construction?
• How does Heather hope to change the perception of the skilled trades in Colorado?
• How can a degree from WSCC confer credibility onto skilled trades professionals?
• What excites Heather most about the future of the skilled trades? What keeps her up at night?
• What would Heather tell someone considering entering the skilled trades about the opportunity that awaits them?

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

For more information about Western States College of Construction, please visit their website.

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

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Rex Buchanan, National Trade Association Manager for DEWALT. From their website: "When we put the DEWALT® name on something, it’s a commitment to get the job done right. It’s the mark we’ve left over 100 years of helping world-builders build the modern world." Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• What differentiates DEWALT from its competitors?
• What does a National Trade Association Manager do?
• How does DEWALT work to recruit people to work in the skilled trades?
• What challenges does Rex see for people attempting to work in the trades?
• What kinds of technological advances has DEWALT made in its products?
• How does Rex view the future of the construction industry?

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

For more information about DEWALT, please visit their website.

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

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Kelly Dunkin, President & CEO of Colorado Gives Foundation. Kelly joined Colorado Gives Foundation as President and CEO in February 2019. Previously she worked for a variety of nonprofit, business and social impact organizations. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• What is Colorado Gives Day and how does it work?
• How can companies and individuals maximize their contributions to nonprofits?
• What are some examples of innovative ways companies and nonprofits have utilized Colorado Gives?
• How can small businesses utilize this platform?
• How did Kelly come to be a part of this organization and how does she see her role within it?

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

For more information about Colorado Gives Foundation, please visit their website.

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

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Kelly Mace, Director of Lodging & Property Management at Winter Park Resort. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• What are the unique challenges of managing a mountain resort?
• What plumbing, HVAC-R and skilled trades challenges exist in this milieu?
• How does one deal with wanting snow in one part of the resort and removing snow in another?
• What new projects has Winter Park Resort undertaken during Kelly's tenure?
• What sustainability measures has Winter Park Resort enacted that involve the skilled trades?
• What is the future for Winter Park, winter recreation and mountain tourism?

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

For more information about Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, please visit their website.

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

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Danny Nichols, Executive Director of Engineering and Sustainability for Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. He oversees operations at Ball Arena, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the Paramount Theatre and four office buildings near Ball Arena. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• How did Danny get his start at Ball Arena and what was his career path there?
• What are the unique challenges of HVAC and other skilled trades particularly when it comes to managing a venue that hosts professional ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and a variety of concerts and other events?
• What is it like working under pressure in such a high profile gig?
• What is the future of sustainability for venues such as these?
• What would Danny say to anyone considering a career in the skilled trades?
• Just how do they switch the floor from ice to hardwood and back? How quickly can they do it? What are the unique skilled trades challenges associated with this process?

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

For more information about Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, please visit their website.

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

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Tad Bowman, Venue Director for Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Denver Coliseum for the City and County of Denver's Division of Arts & Venues. Arts & Venues is the city agency that oversees cultural programs and Denver's owned entertainment venues such as Red Rocks, the Denver Coliseum, McNichols Civic Center Building and the theatres at the Denver Performing Arts Complex (Buell Theatre, Ellie Caulkins Opera House and Boettcher Concert Hall). Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• How did Tad get his start working in an organization like Division of Arts & Venues?
• What are the unique challenges of managing an iconic venue like Red Rocks?
• How are Red Rocks and the Denver Coliseum complementary in terms of their seasons and how does that influence maintenance and construction?
• How are the two venues unique and how are they different?
• Something you may not know: How is water uniquely handled at Red Rocks?
• How important is having skilled trades partners for an organization such as this?

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

For more information about City and County of Denver's Division of Arts & Venues, please visit their website.

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

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Glen Lucero, Vice President of Venue Operations for the Denver Center for Performing Arts (DCPA). With more than 25 years of experience in operations, strategic planning, and facilities management, he oversees all DCPA properties including two buildings, six theatres and a ballroom within the Denver Performing Arts Complex. His team encompasses Engineering, Custodial, Security, Environmental Health & Safety and Patron Experience. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this show:

• How many different spaces and different types of spaces does Glen manage?
• What are the unique challenges in operating performance spaces from an HVAC, plumbing and skilled trades perspective?
• Glen expresses a passion for "establishing standards in public spaces." What does that mean, and how does it influence his approach to his work?
• How did COVID fundamentally change aspects of, in particular, the HVAC systems at the DCPA?
• How will policy influence the way venues are managed in the future?
• How important is having skilled trades partners for an organization such as this?

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

For more information about Denver Center for Performing Arts, please visit their website.

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

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we revisit our conversation Gina Cullen, President & CEO of Dynalectric Colorado. As talk of moving to further electrify our power grid continues in Colorado and across the world, one certainty is that demand for skilled electricians will only increase. We have a special kinship with our brother and sister electricians, and that's why we thought it pertinent to revisit this conversation with Gina who talks at length about her journey from electrician to CEO and the many fascinating projects she's worked on along the way. 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.

Gina Cullen 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.