Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain MCA Podcast Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association

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.

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Ale Spray, CEO and president of the Hispanic Contractors of Colorado (HCC). Their mission is to build opportunities to strengthen and sustain our members’ knowledge, connections and voice with in the public/private sector in the Colorado construction industry. Prior to this role, Ale was the community empowerment manager for Mortenson, where she was responsible for successfully overseeing community participation plans to maximize opportunities for small, women, minority and other diverse groups and workers on Mortenson’s projects. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:



Who is the HCC and what do they do? 
What does "diversity, equity and inclusion," or DEI, mean to Ale?
Why have DEI initiatives come under fire in some corners of the world, and how does Ale respond?
What is unique about HCC in their outreach to their communities to recruit talent to our industry?
What obstacles still exist for women as they look to advance into leadership positions in their companies?
What do she and HCC have their eye on in this year's legislative session?
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
For more information about Hispanic Contractors of Colorado, 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 Jean Eddy, President & CEO of American Student Assistance (ASA), an organization that aspires to help students know themselves, know their options, and make informed decisions about their education and career goals early in life. Our overall objective is to build a generation of successful individuals who are confident, competent, and ready to realize the future they envision. A national non-profit, ASA has been pioneering solutions to help students for more than 60 years. 
Jean is also the author of a book titled Crisis-Proofing Today’s Learners: Reimagining Career Education to Prepare Kids for Tomorrow’s World. The book is an informative guide – for parents, educators, policy makers, and business leaders – of the best way to prepare youth for post high school education and career success. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:



Who is the ASA, and what kind of work do they do? 
Why is there a stigma around trade schools, community colleges and other forms of secondary educational opportunities?
How early should we be exposing kids to different career options?
Plumbers in Massachusetts make HOW MUCH?
How do we continue to evolve the perception of what jobs in the skilled trades actually look like?
What would an ideal high school experience look like to equip kids to better approach adulthood and their career?
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
For more information about American Student Assistance, please visit their website. Jean's book can be found here.
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 Vic Lombardi, Altitude TV Reporter and Host. Vic has more than 25 years of experience in the sports industry and is a 32-time Emmy award winner, 16 for Best Sports Anchor and voted 2018 Colorado Sportscaster of the year. He is also the co-host of the Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 morning show. Lombardi is one of the most respected sports personalities in the country, which the number of awards attest. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:



How do the skilled trades contribute to the live sports experience?
In a mixed use arena that houses both basketball and hockey, where does the ice go during basketball games?
Why is television the true competitor of the live sports experience?
What are some of Vic's favorite arenas and stadiums and why? 
How has the world of arenas and stadiums changed in Vic's time working in the industry?
Do the Denver Nuggets or Colorado Avalanche bring home another championship trophy this year?
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
To follow Vic Lombardi on social media, please visit his X profile. 
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, at the insistence of his partners at Catalyst Public Affairs and his producer Jon Ekstrom, Dave Davia sits down for an exit interview as he prepares to depart Rocky Mountain MCA after 17 years of service. Jon asks Dave for his origin story at Rocky Mountain MCA, asks him to name his proudest accomplishments (which Dave expertly and humbly deflects, as is his way), inquires what his advice would be for his successor, and closes by finding out what Dave wanted to be when he grew up. 
The conversation is a fitting cap to Dave's impressive career advocating on behalf of the skilled trades and the many partnerships, friendships, and achievements along the way. We are grateful for Dave's service to the organization, and we wish him nothing but continued success and prosperity in his new venture. Please enjoy the capstone episode of this chapter of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast. 



This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
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 Elyse Blazevich, President & CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association. an organization that creates co-opportunity for the Colorado life sciences community. CBSA champions a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocates for a supportive business climate. From concept to commercialization, member companies and organizations drive global health innovations, products and services that improve and save lives. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode:



Who is the Colorado BioScience Association and what kind of work do they do?
What challenges and opportunities face your membership?
What is the state of the workforce pipeline in this industry?
How do the skilled trades and life sciences relate?
What does the Colorado BioScience Association have its eye on from a policy perspective?
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe.
For more information about Colorado BioScience Association, please visit their website. 
For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website.