Power Chats

As Memorial Day approaches, many of us anticipate a long weekend of barbecues, time with family, and the unofficial start of summer. But for countless others, this day carries a much deeper significance—a solemn remembrance of loved ones who gave everything in service to our country.

In this heartfelt episode, we are honored to be joined by three guests who illuminate the true meaning of Memorial Day. Carolyn McGahane, a proud Gold Star Mother, shares the story of her son’s service and ultimate sacrifice. In addition to her role as a military mom, Carolyn brings a legacy of commitment and resilience, having retired a couple of years ago from Mitsubishi Power after 20 years of dedicated service. Katie Burris, a devoted Blue Star Spouse, joins the conversation alongside her husband, Steve Burris, Senior Vice President of Risk and Project Management for NGS and a military veteran. Together, Katie and Steve reflect on the challenges, strength, and enduring sense of community that define life in a military family.

Together, Carolyn and Katie open up about what it means to live with the legacy of service—through loss, through love, and through ongoing remembrance. They discuss the support systems that carried them, how Memorial Day has changed in meaning over time, and the importance of honoring not just those who served, but also the families who continue to carry that sacrifice every day.

🎧 Join us for this moving discussion and remember: Memorial Day is not just a date on the calendar—it’s a promise to honor and remember, every single day.

In Episode 23 of the Power Chats podcast, host Christine Martindale, Internal Communications Manager at Mitsubishi Power, kicks off a special episode celebrating both Internship Awareness Month and the start of Fiscal Year 2025. Talia Bougayou-Campos, Manager of Talent Development, and Arturo Perez, Talent Program Analyst, joined her in the studio as her guests. What better way to launch the new fiscal year than by spotlighting something that plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our workforce—the IGNITE Internship Program.

This episode dives into the value of internship programs, not just as learning opportunities for students, but as strategic pathways to developing future talent through real-world experience, skills development, and lasting career connections. It also includes helpful tips for employees interested in bringing an intern onto their team or enhancing how they work with current interns.

With our next cohort of interns starting in August, now is the time to act. If you’re interested in hosting an intern, be sure to connect with your HR Business Partner and submit your request by the June 2nd deadline.

Join us for Episode #22 of the Power Chats Podcast, featuring special guests Liz Leatherwood, NGS Business Excellence Manager, and John Hiles, Global Commodity Manager, as we dive into the Employee Recognition Program.

This episode is the perfect way to close out the year as we enter the holiday season. We shared insights into the impact of the Employee Recognition Program and discussed how recognizing others strengthens our teams and fosters a positive workplace culture. By celebrating each other's contributions, we create an environment where appreciation thrives, and connections are deepened, ultimately uniting and motivating our teams for the future. One Team. One Future.

You can learn more about the Employee Recognition Program by visiting the Employee Recognition page HERE. The page includes several resources, including a short video that walks you through the program and its benefits.  To learn more about Thnks, click HERE. For technical assistance using the Thnks program, contact their support team: [email protected].

In honor of Veterans Day, we had the privilege of engaging in an inspiring conversation with two remarkable individuals: Dave Carey, an acclaimed motivational speaker, author, and former POW, and Steve Burris, Senior Vice President of Risk & Project Management at Mitsubishi Power, who proudly served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years.

In Episode #21 of the Power Chats Podcast, Dave and Steve share their journeys, valuable life lessons from their military service, and the profound impact of Veterans Day. They reflect on how their experiences shaped their lives and in leadership, highlighting the strength of the human spirit and the power of choice in overcoming challenges.

Additionally, the Veterans ERG hosted Dave last week where he shared valuable lessons that resonate with our lives today, emphasizing the importance of fostering strong relationships and open communication as keys to greater collaboration, innovation, and success. To learn more, click HERE.

Join us for Episode #20 of the Power Chats Podcast featuring Skylar Huggett, a welder at Savannah Machinery Works (SMW). In this episode, we celebrate National Manufacturing Day by discussing Skylar's typical day as a welder, how technological advancements have transformed her responsibilities, and the advice she has for those considering a welding career. Skylar shares valuable strategies for success and highlights key safety practices she prioritizes on the job. We also explore some interesting experiences she’s had outside of her work at Mitsubishi Power.

National Manufacturing Day is celebrated on the first Friday of October, which falls on October 4 this year. Organized by the National Association of Manufacturers, this day aims to raise awareness among students, parents, educators, and the public about modern manufacturing and the rewarding careers it offers.

Check out Episode #19 of the Power Chats Podcast featuring two guests Aryn Bordelon, Senior Content Strategist, and Dave Garrett, Director PGS Operational Excellence about the Brand Ambassador Program at Mitsubishi Power.

In this episode, Aryn explores the Brand Ambassador Program, covering its purpose, significance, and activities from its first year. Dave shares his personal experience as a first-year participant, highlighting his most enjoyable and memorable moments, and offers valuable advice for those interested in becoming a Brand Ambassador.

We hope this episode inspires those considering the role to take the leap and get involved!

Check out Episode #18 of the Power Chats Podcast featuring guest Mike Schuster as we discuss Carbon Capture.

In this episode, Mike provides an overview of Carbon Capture, explaining its importance and integration into the energy mix. He shares insights into how Mitsubishi Power and MHIA collaborate to reduce CO2 emissions through Carbon Capture. We also delve into the key incentives and initiatives that promote the deployment of these technologies, crucial for combating climate change. Additionally, we explore which states have made strides in adopting Carbon Capture, the challenges hindering others from doing so and more!

Check out Episode #17 of the Power Chats Podcast featuring Larry Orrel, Vice President of Information Technology (IT). 

In this episode, we delve into Larry’s role at Mitsubishi Power, his team's mission, and IT's contributions to our business growth. 

We also explore the hot topic of AI (artificial intelligence), its potential to drive operational efficiency, and the associated risks, along with strategies to address them.

Check out Episode #16 of the Power Chats podcast featuring guests Cal Quesenbury and Max Brogli on the topic of outage season!  Cal serves as the Field Outage Resources Director, while Max is the Director of the Project Management Office for PGS.

It's a rich conversation as we explore the distinctions between planned and unplanned outages, the intricate details involved in planning and executing both types, and more! 

The episode also includes a touching tribute to the field and PMO teams working during outage season, recognizing the challenges of being away from family for extended periods.

Join us for Episode #15 of the Power Chats Podcast where we sit down with Mark Peak, Principal Environmental Engineer, and Julie Pelletier, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, to discuss some of the environmental initiatives we have going on at our company, a materiality assessment status update, Earth Day 2024- Planet vs Plastics, and more!