How do you grow a company in one of America's toughest industries while keeping 60-70% of your workforce for more than seven years?

In this episode of One Pour Problems, Jessica Golle of Charles IT sits down with Cheryl Spraberry, Owner of AIT Marine, to discuss her journey from joining the company on day one to leading one of Virginia's respected Navy ship repair contractors.

They discuss:

• Building trust in a male-dominated industry
• Why company culture starts with leadership
• The workforce shortage facing skilled trades
• Creating new business divisions to fuel growth
• The importance of promoting from within
• Preparing for CMMC Level 2 compliance
• Leadership lessons on humility, preparation, and resilience

Whether you're a business owner, defense contractor, manufacturing leader, or aspiring executive, Cheryl shares practical lessons on leading people, building relationships, and growing through challenges.

Topics: Leadership, Women in Business, Defense Contracting, Ship Repair, Navy, Government Contracts, CMMC, Skilled Trades, Company Culture, Employee Retention, Entrepreneurship

Sal is joined by Ellen Feldman Ornato and Jenny Drescher, founders of The Bolder Company and co-hosts of The Manufacturing Shake-Up, for an insightful conversation on leadership, emotional intelligence, and driving meaningful change in manufacturing. Filmed on location at Torrison Stone & Garden in Durham, CT, Ellen and Jenny share how their unlikely start in improv comedy helped shape their approach to workplace development and communication. They reflect on their experiences as women in traditionally male-dominated industries, the challenges they’ve faced, and how the culture in manufacturing is evolving to better support diverse leadership. From turning training into real, lasting behavior change to helping organizations move beyond surface-level development, they explain what it takes to build stronger, more adaptable teams. They also explore the growing importance of emotional intelligence, offering practical ways leaders can recognize cultural barriers and create more connected, effective workplaces. Drawing on their journey as co-founders, Ellen and Jenny share how their partnership came together and why they believe the next big shift in manufacturing leadership will come from embracing bold, human-centered approaches.

Sal is joined by Marietta Lee, President and CEO of The Lee Company, for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, workforce strategy, and why putting people first is essential to the future of manufacturing. Marietta shares her unconventional path from investigative journalism into her family’s business and how starting at the ground level shaped her approach to earning trust and building credibility. She reflects on the company’s long-standing commitment to strong employee benefits and how that mindset has become a true competitive advantage, while also offering insight into today’s workforce challenges and what younger employees value most. From competing for talent in a tight labor market to investing in internal training and developing talent from within, Marietta explains how focusing on long-term growth over short-term gains strengthens both people and business. Drawing on her experience as a leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry, she also shares her perspective on how manufacturing has evolved and why she’s optimistic about the next generation entering the field.

Sal is joined by Bill Hazard, President of Novo Partners, for a conversation about the power of steady, disciplined improvement and how it can transform a manufacturer into a true growth engine. Bill shares his path from engineer to business builder, and why operations—and the challenge of making things better week after week—became the through‑line of his career. He reflects on buying Novo in 2014 and seeing not just a stable shop but the potential for exponential growth, driven by small, relentless improvements that don’t look exciting but compound over time. Sal and Bill discuss how that mindset helped revenues triple in five years and grow fivefold in ten, supported by smart expansions, a strategic acquisition that doubled sales, and a culture that encourages “productive struggle” and pairs young talent with seasoned leaders. Bill also previews the launch of Novo Lean Solutions and why creating repeatable systems matters so much for manufacturers, offering a reminder that growth comes from structure, not heroics.

Sal is joined by Michael Auletta, SVP of Sales, Marketing & Services at Bauer Inc., for a conversation about building relationships that go beyond borders. Michael shares his unconventional path from broadcast journalism at ESPN to joining his family’s exporting business, reflecting on the early challenges that tested his resolve and how his communication background became a powerful asset in global sales. He and Sal explore why relationships are the true currency of business—from leading teams with empathy and accountability to cultivating trust with international partners—and how living abroad in Singapore shaped Michael’s approach to cross-cultural communication and growth. They also discuss leading intentionally while traveling 70% of the time, developing talent as the company expands, and what set Bauer apart in earning U.S. Small Business National Exporter of the Year. This episode is a reminder that lasting global success is built not just on products, but on people.

Sal sits down with Ron Angelo, President & CEO of the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), for a thoughtful conversation about agility, relevance, and what it takes to thrive in an era of nonstop technological change. Ron shares what’s fueling CCAT’s rapid growth and why adaptability now matters more than rigid long-term planning as the U.S. industrial base evolves. Drawing on his own journey across four careers, he explains what staying relevant really looks like in real time—and how challenging assumptions, embracing risk, and learning from failure can keep both individuals and organizations ahead of disruption. He also discusses how CCAT brings together PhDs and recent high school graduates to collaborate on breakthrough solutions, and why a culture that welcomes experimentation is essential for innovation. In a deeply personal moment, Ron reflects on how his son’s cancer journey reshaped his perspective on leadership, mindfulness, and presence. For anyone navigating career uncertainty in the age of AI, this episode is a powerful reminder that relevance isn’t something you achieve once, it’s something you practice every day.

In this episode, Sal sits down with Ed Gilchrest, President and Owner of Gyre9 & President of G9EV, and Frank von Holzhausen, Chief Research and Design Officer of Gyre9 & Chairman of G9EV, for a deep dive into the delicate balance between courage and caution in business. From their distinct yet complementary paths, they explore the challenges of being “guns for hire” versus creating and selling their own products. Ed and Frank reflect on how luck and timing have shaped their journey, sharing key moments where taking bold risks—or playing it safe—made all the difference. The conversation dives into the process of designing for innovation, the struggle to push clients beyond familiar solutions, and the complex relationship between market research and gut instinct. Ed, who once doubted the value of research, opens up about how his perspective shifted and how bias can sometimes override the data. They also discuss the realities of running a business in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment, comparing it to putting out multiple fires on the same street. As they share personal insights on managing the feast-or-famine cycle, they offer hard-won advice for entrepreneurs on staying resilient while keeping the lights on and pushing boundaries. Packed with stories of risk-taking, creative courage, and the realities of entrepreneurship, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complex landscape of business, design, and innovation.

Sal is joined by Mario D’Aquila, Chief Operating Officer of Assisted Living Home Care Services, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, communication, and the evolution of a family business built on compassion and purpose. Mario shares his journey helping grow a small Meriden-based operation into one of Connecticut’s leading home care providers, now serving thousands across three major locations with more than 700 caregivers. He opens up about aligning employees with a company’s mission and values, creating true “buy-in,” and meeting people’s deeper needs for connection, growth, and contribution. Sal and Mario discuss how tools like the DiSC assessment and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) enhance communication, ensure the right people are in the right roles, and use data to drive accountability and performance. Mario also reflects on leading within a multi-generational family business and how a people-first culture drives long-term success.

Sal is joined by Drew DiSilvestro, President of AmeriTech Contracting, for a high-impact conversation on persistence, leadership, and scaling with intention. Drawing from his military background, Drew unpacks how trust, accountability, and a strong team dynamic are essential to execution. Sal and Drew explore the shift from being mentored to mentoring others, navigating the complexities of government contracts, and why patience and mindset matter as much as talent. For leaders building teams and chasing growth, this episode is a powerful reminder that resilience, clarity, and culture are key to long-term success.

Sal is joined by Cathy Awwad, President & CEO of the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB), to explore what it takes to build a future-ready workforce across 41 diverse communities. From addressing critical skills gaps in sectors like IT, manufacturing, and healthcare to partnering with local businesses to align training with real-world demands, Cathy shares how NRWIB goes beyond job placement to support long-term career growth. They dive into the importance of soft skills, leadership development, and creating career pathways, even in industries without clear ladders, while also tackling mindset shifts that help individuals grow into meaningful roles. With personal stories, practical strategies, and a few fun moments along the way, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone working to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity.