We're celebrating MASSolutions’ 12th Anniversary this year. I made the leap full time with my own marketing firm on Tax Day 2004. Leaving the security of a C-suite corporate gig has been exciting, humbling, gratifying, stressful, fun, crazy, amazing, nerve wracking and rewarding.

In the spirit of Anniversary #12, I’m highlighting lessons learned from Famous #12’s.

Joe Namath

Pat Riley

Vlade Divac

Kenny Stabler

Terry Bradshaw

Our guest today is MASSolutions' first employee, Mike Gatti. We talk through the development of technology in the short 12 years, market intel, brand audits, cohesive messaging campaigns and MASSolutions successful process.

Part Two of the conversation goes live Thursday, May 12th.

It's part 2 of our conversation with Jamie Protin, principal with The PROTINGroup. Jamie is a proven leader, community builder, writer and philosopher living his WHY every day. Jamie’s work within the mid-Monongahela Valley as president of the Chamber of Commerce and beyond is actively turning this community around. In today’s interview, he talks about the start of his career at PennDot, branching into engineering and his leap into his own business.In today's conversation we delve into the importance of keeping it positive as a leader - keeping those around you motivated. Jamie also draws a lot of energy through his talks within high schools. It's just one of the many ways Jamie gives back.His most exciting new project is the development of a group work space in the mid-Monongahela Valley that will also act as an entrepreneur incubator. Details are to follow.In today's Sights and Sounds, we focus on The Mon Valley and all of the amazing things it has to offer. The Douglas Education Center Monongahela Valley Hospital California University Off the Wall Arts in Charleroi Fifth Street Escape Room Vintage and Vine Lucchesi's Restaurant in Monessen The Back Porch Speers Street Grille The River House And the Magic City Open on May 19th (approved shameless plug!)To learn more about Jamie Protin and the great things happening in the Mon Valley, contact him at [email protected]

It's part 2 of our conversation with Jamie Protin, principal with The PROTINGroup. Jamie is a proven leader, community builder, writer and philosopher living his WHY every day. Jamie’s work within the mid-Monongahela Valley as president of the Chamber of Commerce and beyond is actively turning this community around. In today’s interview, he talks about the start of his career at PennDot, branching into engineering and his leap into his own business.

In today's conversation we delve into the importance of keeping it positive as a leader - keeping those around you motivated. Jamie also draws a lot of energy through his talks within high schools. It's just one of the many ways Jamie gives back.

His most exciting new project is the development of a group work space in the mid-Monongahela Valley that will also act as an entrepreneur incubator. Details are to follow.

In today's Sights and Sounds, we focus on The Mon Valley and all of the amazing things it has to offer.

The Douglas Education Center

Monongahela Valley Hospital

California University

Off the Wall Arts in Charleroi

Fifth Street Escape Room

Vintage and Vine

Lucchesi's Restaurant in Monessen

The Back Porch

Speers Street Grille

The River House

And the Magic City Open on May 19th (approved shameless plug!)

To learn more about Jamie Protin and the great things happening in the Mon Valley, contact him at [email protected]

Wanna learn the do's and don't's of business email? Dave tells it like it is with a rant about email etiquette.Then, meet Jamie Protin, principal with The PROTINGroup. Jamie is a proven leader, community builder, writer and philosopher living his WHY every day. Jamie's work within the mid-Monongahela Valley as president of the Chamber of Commerce and beyond is actively turning this community around. In today's interview, he talks about the start of his career at PennDot, branching into engineering and his leap into his own business.His realization of self employment came in the form of being in an environment where the culture didn't support people. He saw too many people go home broken - and decided to make a change."The ideal client for me is one that allows me the opportunity to give back. I measure success by the impact I make with people."  - Jamie ProtinPart Two of our conversation with Jamie will go live Thursday, May 5.

Wanna learn the do's and don't's of business email? Dave tells it like it is with a rant about email etiquette.

Then, meet Jamie Protin, principal with The PROTINGroup. Jamie is a proven leader, community builder, writer and philosopher living his WHY every day. Jamie's work within the mid-Monongahela Valley as president of the Chamber of Commerce and beyond is actively turning this community around. In today's interview, he talks about the start of his career at PennDot, branching into engineering and his leap into his own business.

His realization of self employment came in the form of being in an environment where the culture didn't support people. He saw too many people go home broken - and decided to make a change.

"The ideal client for me is one that allows me the opportunity to give back. I measure success by the impact I make with people."  - Jamie Protin

Part Two of our conversation with Jamie will go live Thursday, May 5.

We're back with Part Two of our conversation with Steve Tanzilli, Chair of the Department of Management Program at Point Park University. In this episode we touch on Steve's love of teaching through real life experience. His emphasis on a 20-hour professional shadowing immerses students in the day-to-day work within sports, arts and entertainment management.Real life advice: "You are going to get hurt...have financial hardship. Get the skills you need to know to protect yourself. Embrace where you are in life. Stop chasing what you think you need to have."

We're back with Part Two of our conversation with Steve Tanzilli, Chair of the Department of Management Program at Point Park University. In this episode we touch on Steve's love of teaching through real life experience. His emphasis on a 20-hour professional shadowing immerses students in the day-to-day work within sports, arts and entertainment management.

Real life advice: "You are going to get hurt...have financial hardship. Get the skills you need to know to protect yourself. Embrace where you are in life. Stop chasing what you think you need to have."

Today Dave kicks off the show with a rant about the podcast genre - a radio on demand concept that is taking the world by storm. With more than 1 billion listeners in 2015 - 75 million of those unique listeners, podcasts entertain, educate, inform, inspire and connect.Our guest is Steve Tanzilli, Chair of the Department of Management Program at Point Park University. This Boston-born sports enthusiast found his way to Pittsburgh through a running scholarship to Duquesne University. His love of sports led to an internship with The Pittsburgh Pirates, and then the Johnstown Steel. His career started in law and then centered on sports/entertainment marketing.Steve tells us about his background helping to bring the Bassmaster Classic to Pittsburgh, as well as helping to launch the 84 Lumber Classic. Most recently, Steve can be found leading the charge of Point Park University's Department of Management Program, a hands-on, practical experience-based program that entrenches students in sports, arts and entertainment management.Part Two of this conversation goes live Thursday, April 28th.

Today Dave kicks off the show with a rant about the podcast genre - a radio on demand concept that is taking the world by storm. With more than 1 billion listeners in 2015 - 75 million of those unique listeners, podcasts entertain, educate, inform, inspire and connect.

Our guest is Steve Tanzilli, Chair of the Department of Management Program at Point Park University. This Boston-born sports enthusiast found his way to Pittsburgh through a running scholarship to Duquesne University. His love of sports led to an internship with The Pittsburgh Pirates, and then the Johnstown Steel. His career started in law and then centered on sports/entertainment marketing.

Steve tells us about his background helping to bring the Bassmaster Classic to Pittsburgh, as well as helping to launch the 84 Lumber Classic. Most recently, Steve can be found leading the charge of Point Park University's Department of Management Program, a hands-on, practical experience-based program that entrenches students in sports, arts and entertainment management.

Part Two of this conversation goes live Thursday, April 28th.

It's Part 2 of our conversation with author and humorist Chris Rodell. His latest book, The Last Baby Boomer: The Story of The Ultimate Ghoul Pool, is a satirical  story of what happens when greed tempts the entire world to sign on for a reality show where no one wins until death does.Dave and Chris discuss overcoming difficulty and the importance of living life colorfully and soulfully. His mantra a cheerful persistence has helped to drive his career as a creative writer."Enjoy being human and enjoy human beings." - Chris RodellCheck out Chris Rodell's blog Eight Days to Amish.