Soft As Steel

It's a real pleasure to welcome to the softest steel podcast, a young man. Yes, I said young boy I've had the pleasure of knowing for several years. Nick Carrillo is the vice president of the Western Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association. In his own words, his job is to serve the contractor members and serve as a liaison between labor and management and meet the needs of the contractor and labor community in the finishing trades.

Do you remember where you were on April 20 1999? Frankly, I can't. But I know that my guest today does. He was at a high school in Colorado, Columbine High School. I am not only pleased but honored and humbled to welcome to the Soft As Steel podcast, Frank DeAngelis. On that day, and for three years before and 15 years after, Frank was the principal of Columbine High School. His entire career to Columbine spanned 35 years. Since retiring, he continues to serve society as an education consultant, and author of a vitally important book entitled, ‘They call me Mr. D, The Story of Columbine’s Heart, Resilience, and Recovery.

I'm joined today by a good friend, John Bercow. John is the director of academic education and the Chief Administrative Officer for the finishing trades Institute in the Upper Midwest in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He began his career as a union member commercial industrial painter. He stepped into the career path with the International Union and painters and Allied Trades that led him to his current position in 1997. John describes himself as an accomplished results oriented leader with wide ranging skills and experiences having spent 20 plus years developing and implementing organizational programs and strategic initiatives throughout the US and Canadian construction industry.

I'm really glad to welcome coach Jim Johnson to the softer steel podcast. Jim has over 30 years of experience in developing winning high school basketball teams, including 428 career victories.

Tim Dumas is a person you want to know. In his own words then, Tim magnanimously coaches leaders to love unconditionally, dream audaciously, serve generously, and grow purposefully.

My guest today is Matt Graves. Matt has been in the construction industry since his graduation from Texas A&M University in 2010. Matt is a Millennial construction project manager by trade and has a vision of helping as many developing construction professionals as he can accelerate their career.

My guest today is Glodean Champion. Glodean is a speaker, author, and leadership coach diversity and inclusion facilitator. She helps organizations empower their people by teaching them how to raise their awareness, own their belonging and collaborate in a way that creates innovative, influential teams in a culture that people love.

It's a pleasure to welcome my good friend Albert Carrillo. Albert is the CEO of the Western Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association. He has been in the construction industry for over 40 years, beginning his career working for a plastering contractor, learning on the job, first as what is referred to as a mixer. But before beginning his career in the construction industry, he spent about four years studying to become a lawyer while managing an auto parts store.

My guest for this episode is Rebecca Jones. Rebecca has over 30 years of experience in management leadership. Her diverse and broad experience includes business administration and development, as well as construction and project management, including resource planning, staffing, finance, and safety.

My special guest today is Bob Swanson. Retired in 2015 after working in the construction industry for a mere 45 years. President of Swanson Youngdale Incorporated the last 25 years of his career. Swanson and Youngdale is a national painting and decorating contractor; one of the most highly regarded in the Upper Midwest.