In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, host Zachary Hill sits down with Benjamin Goulding, Manager of Group Sales for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, to explore what a career in professional sports can look like when you’re working beyond the action on the ice.

Benjamin takes listeners behind the scenes of the sports business world, sharing what goes into creating memorable experiences for schools, businesses, youth sports organizations, and other groups attending Firebirds games. From developing group ticket strategies to connecting with fans and coordinating special game-day experiences, his role offers a look at the business side of sports that many students may not realize exists.

His path into the industry wasn’t built around one big break. Benjamin shares how studying sport management, working with his college athletic department, taking part-time game-day jobs, supporting major tennis tournaments, and completing an inside sales program all helped him gradually find where he fit. Those experiences eventually brought him to California and helped turn a lifelong interest in sports into a career in ticket sales and fan engagement.

The conversation also explores what it actually takes to build a career in sports. Benjamin discusses the value of trying different roles, building relationships early, seeking mentorship, and being willing to take opportunities that may not perfectly match the career you originally imagined. He also reflects on connections he began making as early as high school and how some of those relationships have continued throughout his professional career.

Working in sports also comes with realities fans may never see. Benjamin explains why flexibility is important during a busy season, how working behind the scenes changes the way you experience a game, and why succeeding in the industry means learning to separate being a fan from being a professional. At the same time, he shares what makes the work rewarding, including the teamwork and camaraderie that come from an entire organization working toward a common goal.

The episode also looks at the changing workplace, including how AI is beginning to support sports sales teams with planning, organization, and strategy. For Benjamin, technology can make certain parts of the job easier, but it does not replace the human relationships at the center of sales and the fan experience.

For students who dream about working in sports but aren’t sure where to begin, Benjamin’s message is simple: stay open-minded, take risks, explore different opportunities, and enjoy the process of figuring out where you belong. A career in sports may look very different from what you first imagined — and that can be part of what makes the journey worthwhile.

About Benjamin Goulding:

Benjamin Goulding is the Manager of Group Sales for the Coachella Valley Firebirds. After earning his degree in sport management from St. John’s University, Benjamin built experience across collegiate athletics, game-day operations, professional sporting events, and ticket sales. His career has given him experience on both the operational and fan-facing sides of the sports industry, ultimately leading him to his current role helping create memorable experiences for Firebirds fans and community groups.

Connect Today!

Tomorrow’s Talent: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Coachella Valley Firebirds:https://cvfirebirds.com/

Benjamin Goulding: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-goulding-a38937163

Zachary Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219

Tomorrow’s Talent Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, host Zachary Hill (Chief of Staff at Tomorrow’s Talent) welcomes Darron Poulsen, General Manager of the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority, for a conversation about an essential industry that often operates behind the scenes—and the career opportunities waiting for the next generation.

Darron breaks down what it really takes to operate a modern wastewater treatment facility, from plant operators, mechanics, and electricians to IT, finance, and administrative professionals. He also shares how Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority is using innovation to turn waste into a valuable resource, including producing renewable natural gas from biosolids and food waste. The result is a closer look at how sustainability, technology, and public service come together to support communities across the High Desert.

The conversation also traces Darron’s nearly four-decade career in the water and wastewater industry. After initially pursuing engineering, an unexpected change in plans brought him back home and ultimately introduced him to a career path he had not fully considered. Through continued education, industry certifications, mentorship, and a willingness to take on new opportunities, Darron quickly advanced through the field and built a career centered on both leadership and service.

A major theme of the episode is the importance of exposing young people to careers they may never encounter in a traditional classroom. Darron reflects on Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority’s internship program, which introduced high school students to wastewater operations, mechanics, electrical work, IT, and finance. He shares how the experience not only gave students hands-on exposure to meaningful careers, but also reenergized employees who had the opportunity to mentor, teach, and pass their knowledge on to the next generation.

Finally, Darron discusses one of the biggest workforce challenges facing the water industry: a large number of experienced professionals approaching retirement while many potential workers remain unaware of the opportunities available. He offers practical advice for emerging professionals, including pursuing industry certifications, seeking out mentors, exploring local utilities, and taking advantage of training opportunities before applying for a position. He also looks ahead at how AI, automation, and advanced technology may help water and wastewater professionals work more efficiently while continuing to create demand for skilled people behind those systems.

Bio:

Darron Poulsen is the General Manager of the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority and has spent nearly four decades working in the water and wastewater industry. A High Desert native and graduate of Apple Valley High School, Darron initially pursued engineering before beginning his career in water and wastewater and working his way through the industry through continued education, professional certifications, and mentorship. Today, he is passionate about developing the next generation of water professionals, expanding awareness of career opportunities within the industry, and supporting innovative approaches to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Connect Today!

LinkedIn:    / tomorrowstalent  

Darron Poulson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darron-poulsen-1b620311

Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority: https://www.vvwraca.gov/ 

Zachary Hill:    / zachary-hill-0a5628219  

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, host Zachary Hill (Chief of Staff at Tomorrow’s Talent) welcomes Steve Hargis, the IT Director for the City of Moreno Valley, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to keep a modern city running—and how tomorrow’s workforce can prepare to join that mission.

Steve breaks down the scope of city IT work, from telecommunications and network operations to GIS and enterprise applications. But the biggest takeaway isn’t just the tech: he emphasizes that the real differentiator is change management—helping people understand, adopt, and benefit from new tools. As he explains it, you can’t succeed by focusing only on software and hardware; you have to support the human side of technology, too.

The conversation also traces Steve’s unusual career path—from initially pursuing law, to discovering a passion for computers, to roles in private industry (including IBM and startups), and ultimately finding long-term purpose in public service. He contrasts the private sector’s profit-driven structure with the public sector’s more cooperative culture, where cities frequently share resources and solutions to serve their communities better.

A major theme of the episode is the value of internships and apprenticeships. Steve shares how Moreno Valley integrates apprentices into real work—building customer service skills, providing help desk and technical experience, exposing them to cybersecurity and networking, and encouraging them to bring fresh ideas. He notes that the program has become so successful that the city has hired former apprentices, strengthening local talent pipelines and boosting the community’s economic vitality.

Finally, Steve offers practical advice to emerging professionals: do the homework before an interview, tailor your approach to the organization, and show genuine interest. He also speaks to the growing role of AI in the workplace—encouraging new talent to learn how to use AI tools effectively (not to “fake” competency), and to pair technical growth with strong communication and customer service skills.

Bio:
Steve Hargis is the IT Director for the City of Moreno Valley, overseeing the systems and infrastructure that support safe, reliable access to city services. His work spans telecommunications, network and cloud operations, GIS, and enterprise applications, with a strong focus on helping departments navigate technology change successfully. With experience across private industry and public-sector leadership, Steve is a committed advocate for apprenticeship pathways that build both technical competency and the people-first skills essential to long-term success.

Connect Today!

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent/

Steve Hargis:https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-hargis-35a52328/ 

City of Moreno Valley: https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-moreno-valley/posts/?feedView=all 

Zachary Hill:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219/

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

Show Notes:

In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, Chief of Staff Zachary Hill speaks with Tomorrow’s Talent President and CEO Ginger Ontiveros and Founder Dr. Dale Marsden about the growing disconnect between education and the real world of work. They share how Tomorrow’s Talent is building the bridge between schools and employers and why this work is essential for preparing students for meaningful careers.

Ginger and Dale explain why today’s workforce challenges require a new approach, how an intermediary helps educators and employers collaborate more effectively, and why early exposure to real work experiences is one of the strongest drivers of student engagement and confidence.

They also discuss their personal motivations for this mission, the risks of student disengagement, and the practical steps that educators, employers, and students can take right now to close the gap.

You will learn:

 • Why no system takes full responsibility for student outcomes after graduation and why that needs to change

 • How Tomorrow’s Talent connects education, employers, and students in a coordinated way

 • How early internships and real world experiences help students discover interests and build clarity

 • What educators can do today to help students prepare for in demand careers

 • What students can do to explore pathways, ask better questions, and gain real experience

 • Why solving this gap is critical for the future workforce and the overall health of our communities

A meaningful and energizing conversation about the future of career pathways, real world learning, and creating opportunity for the next generation.

Connect with Tomorrow’s Talent:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent/

Dale Marsden:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-marsden-05287756/

Ginger Ontiveros:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gkontiveros/

Zachary Hill:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219/

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

🎁 Grab your Free Churn Calculator: HERE 

Show Notes:

In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow's Talent, host Zach Hill sits down with Cayley Vos, CEO of NetPaths Conversion Optimization, to explore how the digital landscape has evolved since the dawn of Google and what today’s emerging professionals need to know to thrive in a rapidly changing workforce.

Cayley shares his journey from geology major to building one of the early web-development and online marketing firms in 1999. He reflects on the early days of search engines, the rise of AI-powered search, and how businesses can stay visible and competitive in a world where platforms like ChatGPT are reshaping discovery.

The conversation dives into timeless career lessons for students and new professionals, including the importance of writing well, reading deeply, building foundational skills, and developing the grit to learn independently. Cayley also offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, from identifying real-world pain points to overcoming fear and taking action before life adds responsibilities that limit risk.

Listeners will walk away with insights on navigating modern work, leveraging AI without losing fundamental skills, and finding opportunities for growth and mentorship in today's workforce.

• The evolution of online search from pre-Google days to AI-powered engines
  
  
• How companies can stay relevant amid shifting search behaviors
  
  
• Why content needs full, conversational answers instead of keyword stuffing
  
  
• Cayley’s unconventional career journey into tech and entrepreneurship
  
  
• The role of grit, curiosity, and self-learning in professional success
  
  
• Foundational skills every young professional still must master
  
  
• Identifying business pain points and turning them into opportunities
  
  
• Entrepreneurship fears, taking risks early, and learning through failure
  
  
• How mentorship shape careers and why founders love helping driven youth
  
  
• The future of work and why core human skills still matter

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cayleyv/

X:  http://x.com/cvos

Website:  http://netpaths.net

Connect with Tomorrow’s Talent:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent/

Dale Marsden:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-marsden-05287756/

Zachary Hill:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219/

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

🎁 Grab your Free Churn Calculator: HERE

Show Notes:

In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, host Dale Marsden sits down with Eric Schmidt, President and Co-Founder of Exquadrum, to explore what it truly takes to prepare emerging talent for the rapidly changing world of work.

Eric shares insights from more than two decades in aerospace and engineering leadership, highlighting the widening gap between education and workforce needs, and what industry, educators, and communities must do to close it.

Bio:

Eric is the President and Co-founder of Exquadrum, a minority owned, defense and aerospace contractor which specializes in rocket-based technologies for the Department of Defense, NASA, and the commercial space industry. Exquadrum is headquartered in Victorville, CA and has 83 employees. In his role as President of Exquadrum, Eric guides and supervises the day-to-day business management of the company while providing the corporate and technical vision to its staff. He oversees Exquadrum’s industrial security, safety, and quality programs; operations; test and evaluation; engineering; and technical services. Eric graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with an aerospace engineering degree where he was also inducted into their Engineering Hall of Fame in 2019. A native of the Mojave River Valley since 1982, he married his high school sweetheart, Cindie Schmidt, who is a teacher in the Hesperia Unified School District. He has three children, Dwight, 38, Cameron, 36, and Summer, 24.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/in/ericeschmidt

Website:  www.exquadrum.com

Connect with Tomorrow’s Talent:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent/

Dale Marsden:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-marsden-05287756/

Zachary Hill:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219/

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

🎁 Grab your Free Churn Calculator: HERE

Show Notes:

In this episode of Bridge to Tomorrow's Talent, host Zachary Hill speaks with Claudio Romero Alvarez, Enablement Manager at GroWrk. The conversation explores remote workforce logistics, automation, AI adoption, and what the next generation of talent needs to know before entering the workforce.

GroWrk is a global technology logistics and SaaS company that helps organizations manage workstations, track equipment, and streamline processes for distributed teams. Claudio shares how automation and AI are transforming internal workflows, reducing manual work, and improving cross departmental collaboration.

Claudio also breaks down his own journey into sales, marketing, customer success, and technology operations. He highlights the importance of mentors, continuous learning, and embracing new tools like AI to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving job market.

Listeners will gain insight into how entry level talent can confidently pursue roles in tech enabled environments, even without traditional experience. Claudio emphasizes taking risks, applying even when you feel underqualified, and building experience through school projects, internships, and hands on practice with emerging technologies.

The episode closes with guidance for companies and universities on supporting internships, creating strong industry bridges, and helping young professionals integrate into workplace culture. Claudio offers practical advice for new hires to build relationships, seek out help, and make the most of their early career experiences in both in person and remote jobs.

Bio:

Senior Revenue Operations Enablement Manager at GroWrk, I shape the business strategy and operations through technology. I lead the Enablement team for Revenue Operations: Sales, Customer Success, and Marketing, and report directly to the VP of Revenue Operations. I have over 10 years of experience in CRM, marketing automation, and sales operations, with a deep knowledge of the NOAM and LATAM markets.

My main role is to be a bridge between the company's departments, managing to dialogue and negotiate processes to connect the areas. I configured and enabled Hubspot from scratch to start managing the operations of the Marketing, Sales, and Customer Success departments. I also developed the escalation and request ticketing process to optimize the workflows and communication. I enjoy optimizing and implementing the best solutions, whether it is through a tool, an automation, a business process, a marketing idea, a customer relationship channel, or a training session.

Expert in CRM, digital marketing and marketing automation with more than 10 years of experience leading, developing and managing lifecycle strategies that extend customer lifetime value in B2C and B2B environments.

I have combined experience in setting up CRM operations and customer journeys, developing integrated solutions in Customer Success, Sales, Customer Experience, Sales Operations, Email Marketing and UX design. 

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudio-romero/?originalSubdomain=mx

Website:  https://growrk.com/

Connect with Tomorrow’s Talent:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent/

Dale Marsden:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-marsden-05287756/

Zachary Hill:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219/

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

Show Notes:

In this episode, host Zachary Hill, Chief of Staff at Tomorrow’s Talent, talks with Unmesh Srivastava, CEO of Incuvio Health, about how the healthcare and tech industries are rapidly changing and what the next generation of workers needs to succeed.

Unmesh explains how Incuvio Health supports payers, providers, and risk-bearing organizations by helping them scale through strategy, execution, AI-enabled solutions, and business process outsourcing. With a global team of more than 100 experts, Incuvio becomes deeply embedded within client organizations to drive meaningful operational transformation.

As a first-generation immigrant, Unmesh shares how he discovered his passion for U.S. healthcare tech during the 2008 recession and how key mentors shaped his people-first leadership style. He also breaks down the skills new graduates are missing, why teamwork and communication matter as much as academics, and how AI is reshaping engineering, development, and healthcare workflows.

Additional insights include the challenges early-career professionals face in a remote work environment, how companies can better support young talent, the role of leaders in bridging education and the workforce, and why internships and mentorship strengthen culture and long-term retention. He also explains what helps a candidate stand out when applying to Incuvio.

Unmesh closes with practical guidance for students and early-career professionals on choosing the right career path, finding mentors, doing real research, and navigating a workforce that is accelerating quickly due to AI and global connectivity.

This conversation offers valuable takeaways for educators, employers, and anyone preparing to enter or influence the future of tech-driven healthcare.

Bio:

Unmesh Srivastava is the CEO and Managing Partner of Incuvio Health, where he leads with a vision to transform healthcare by fostering innovation, scaling disruptive ideas, and enabling meaningful outcomes across the healthcare ecosystem. With over 20 years of leadership experience across health plans, provider organizations, technology firms, and consulting environments, Unmesh is known for building high-performing teams, driving digital transformation, and delivering complex enterprise solutions.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/unmeshsrivastava/

Website:  https://incuvio.com

Connect with Tomorrow’s Talent:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent/

Dale Marsden:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-marsden-05287756/

Zachary Hill:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219/

Website:  https://tomorrowstalent.org/

Show Notes:

In this episode of Bridge to Tomorrow's Talent, host Zachary Hill sits down with Dave Moore, Co-Founder of Pragmint, to explore what it really takes to build a modern software and data engineering organization. Dave shares his journey into software, the highs and lows of early career struggles, and how mentorship and apprenticeship programs transformed not only his career but also his approach to developing high performing engineering teams.

Dave explains how Pragmint partners with engineering leaders such as VPs of Engineering, CTOs, and Directors to introduce new tools, improve processes, and upskill teams. He also talks about the widespread issue of "learned helplessness" inside dysfunctional systems and how incremental improvement can reshape the culture and performance of engineering organizations.

The conversation dives into Dave's early passion for software, why an apprenticeship saved his career, and why hands-on learning beats endless consumption of books and tutorials. He breaks down the biggest stumbling blocks for new software developers, including analysis paralysis and fear of starting. Dave also offers advice for early-career talent navigating a shifting job market shaped by AI, changing expectations, and evolving entry-level roles.

Listeners will learn how practical experience, strong self-awareness, and consistent skill stacking can accelerate a young developer's growth. Dave outlines what companies can gain from investing in apprenticeships and why hiring for potential can sometimes outperform hiring for seniority.

If you are a student, career transitioner, or leader responsible for developing technical talent, this episode delivers practical and inspiring insights into building a long-term career in software development.

Bio:

Software developer since 2001. Started a company and failed. Became a professional paintball player. Apprenticed under an industry thought leader. Grew professionally through leadership ranks onto the board of directors. Left to start my own company again. Finding success more and more each year.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/cuvuligio/

Website:  https://pragmint.com

Connect with Tomorrow’s Talent:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent/

Dale Marsden:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-marsden-05287756/

Zachary Hill:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219/

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

Show Notes:

In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, host Dale Marsden talks with Kerrie Bryan, Director of Administrative Services at East Valley Water District, about the growing need to bridge the gap between education and the workforce.

Kerry shares how East Valley Water District faced the challenges of an aging workforce and used innovation, and partnership, to turn those challenges into opportunities for young people. From launching remote internships during COVID to building career pathways for local students, the District has become a model for how employers can proactively invest in the next generation.

Together, Dale and Kerry explore the real impact of paid internships, not only on students like David Rojas, whose experience opened the door to a full-time career, but also on the organization itself - boosting engagement, culture, and purpose across the entire team.

This conversation continues the mission of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent: changing the narrative from “preparing students for work” to creating real-world opportunities where talent, education, and industry come together to shape the future of the workforce.

Bio:

East Valley Water District (EVWD) Director of Administrative Services, Kerrie Bryan, embraces changes in the ever-evolving workforce to recruit and retain world-class employees by developing programs that build a culture of public service, foster professional development across all position levels, and promote employee engagement. 

Having established the EVWD’s Human Resources Department over a decade ago, Ms. Bryan took notice of generational shifts in the work force, like the Silver Tsunami, and responded by developing and spearheading an initiative that builds a future talent pool. 

Over the past four years, she has worked with local school districts and colleges to develop a career readiness pathway program to help prepare the next generation of water and wastewater industry professionals within the community. The program focuses on educating students about water industry careers, provides hands-on training, and internship opportunities at EVWD. 

Ms. Bryan’s passion for cultivating leadership and creating a purpose-driven organization has contributed to East Valley Water District’s recognition as an Inland Empire Top Workplace for ten consecutive years. 

Kerrie Bryan is a human resources expert with 20 years of experience in the public and private sector. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management with a minor in Human Resources Management from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/eastvalleywater/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/eastvalleywater

Website:  http://eastvalleywater.gov/

Connect with Tomorrow’s Talent:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent/

Dale Marsden:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-marsden-05287756/

Zachary Hill:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219/

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/