Mike Rowe, a longtime friend of SkillsUSA, provided the keynote address during the Opening Session on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at the National Leadership Skills Conference. Best known for his work on Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs, Mike is an Emmy Award-winning host, bestselling author, and a leader who has turned storytelling into a platform for purpose—sharing the journeys of everyday people who’ve built meaningful careers through skill, determination, and good old-fashioned work ethic.