Mission CTRL

What happens when the very programs meant to fight poverty are on the brink of disappearing? For Michelle James, Executive Director of the Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut (CAAWC), that question isn’t hypothetical - it’s her daily reality. This week on Mission CTRL , Ramon and Jorge sit down with Michelle to unpack the vital role of Community Action in our nation’s social safety net....

What do family, friends, and a missed putt have in common? For Dr. Al B. Quarles Jr., they’re the foundation of Bucka Fogey Sports - a lifestyle brand born from friendship, golf, and a desire to look good while doing what you love. This week on Mission CTRL , Ramon and Jorge sit down with Dr. Quarles, Founder and CEO of Bucka Fogey, to explore how a single moment on the green turned into a growing...

 What do seven years of setbacks, a calling rooted in faith, and the story of Ruth from the Bible have in common? They’re all part of the journey behind Ruth’s House, founded by Jeanne Korman to provide loving homes for single moms and their children. This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Jeanne to explore how her own experience as a single mom of five - and the hardships, lonel...

What do Upward Bound Saturdays, a grandmother’s wisdom, and a suitcase full of robotics kits have in common? They’re all part of the story behind ACCESS Educational Services, founded by Gwen Brantley to expose underrepresented students to meaningful STEM opportunities. This week on Mission CTRL , Ramon sits down with Gwen to explore how her journey from HR professional to nonprofit founder has emp...

What do Puerto Rican roots, a suitcase full of t-shirts, and a fearless approach to rejection have in common? They’re all woven into the brand story of Taino Golf, co-founded by entrepreneur, teacher, and golf pro Ricky Collado and his son Emil. This week on Mission CTRL , Ramon sits down with Ricky to unpack how cultural pride and family entrepreneurship came together to launch a Latino-owned gol...

What do hibiscus tea, organic flour, and allergy-friendly meals have in common? They’re all part of the legacy of Claire’s Corner Copia, a beloved New Haven institution founded nearly 50 years ago by nurse-turned-restaurateur Claire Criscuolo. This week on Mission CTRL , Ramon sits down with Claire to uncover the secret behind her half-century of success in a world dominated by national chains. Fr...

What do a hand, a white golf glove, and Puerto Rican hospitality have in common? They’re all woven into the brand story of Buena Gente Golf, founded by empathy-driven creator and longtime UX/product designer Jon Madera. This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon sits down with Jon to explore how a simple logo - traced from a photo of his own hand - sparked an unexpected wave of excitement online and launche...

What do cloud backups, two-factor authentication, and “turn it off and back on again” have in common? They’re all part of the world Jose Velazquez navigates every day as co-owner of Carriage Trade Solutions, a Bridgeport-based managed services provider helping small and medium-sized businesses master the technology they need to thrive. This week on MissionCTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Jose t...

What do a perfectly packed lunch, a label maker, and a whole lot of hustle have in common? They’re all part of Rocio Lozada’s inspiring journey from cleaning homes to organizing lives - and launching one of Connecticut’s most recognizable Latina-owned businesses. This week on MissionCTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down en español with Rocio Lozada, founder of Rocio Organizer LLC, for a conversation that...

What do hacking attempts, dark web threats, and AI trickery have in common? They’re all part of the modern digital battlefield - and Darwin Lara is on the front lines. As the founder of EVO Corp, a premier cybersecurity and managed IT services firm, Darwin brings a unique blend of tech expertise, entrepreneurial grit, and sales savvy to his mission of protecting businesses from today’s digital thr...

What happens when two longtime leaders are suddenly asked to steer a statewide organization through a global crisis? For Kelly Juleson, Co-President of The Governor’s Prevention Partnership (GPP), the answer was: lead with clarity, compassion, and connection. This week on MissionCTRL , Ramon and Jorge sit down with Kelly to explore how she and her co-president Roland Harmon stepped into co-leaders...

What do commercial banking and community development have in common? According to Nick Sentementes, it’s all about relationships . After a 30-year career in commercial banking, Nick made a bold shift - from helping businesses grow capital to helping people grow stronger communities. Now serving as the Director of Development at Hall Neighborhood House in Bridgeport, Nick brings the same authentici...

What does it really mean to be an entrepreneur in today’s world - and how do you monetize not just your skills, but your mindset? According to Flory Hiatrides, it’s not just about what you do , it’s about how you think . This week on MissionCTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with returning guest Flory Hiatrides - entrepreneur, retreat host, and mindset coach - for a deep dive into the evolving landsca...

What happens when a global pandemic disrupts your life plans and shuts down the company you’ve worked at for 16 years? If you’re Ann Casarella, you turn the pause into purpose—and open your own esthetics academy. This week on MissionCTRL , Ramon, Jorge, and Maggie sit down with Ann Casarella, Founder of Glow And Grow Esthetics Academy in Danbury, CT. Ann shares how losing her corporate job and hav...

 What does it mean to really lead with positivity? This week on MissionCTRL , Ramon and Jorge chopped it up with Tom Matthews, Managing Partner at M.C. Fence, to unpack how intentional optimism and emotional intelligence are reshaping the workplace. Tom doesn’t just talk about leadership—he lives it. From fist bumps and thank-you notes to sharing tough truths with grace, he’s mastered the balance...

What does it take to turn a “no” into a movement? This week on MissionCTRL , Ramon and Kevin sit down with Lucas Pimentel, founder of Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity (LEAD), to unpack how one man’s fight for educational equity sparked a statewide transformation. Lucas was just a teacher when he decided to help a group of parents bring a charter school to Danbury, Connecticut—a city...

What role do utilities play in strengthening small businesses and the economy? This week on MissionCTRL , Ramon and Kevin sit down with Frank Reynolds, President and CEO of United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), and Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG), to explore the critical connection between energy, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. Frank shares insights into the Energize CT Small...

What if giving back could be as seamless as online shopping? This week on MissionCTRL , Ramon and Kevin are diving into the intersection of philanthropy, technology, and entrepreneurship with Christina and Buddy Prete, the visionaries behind Shopping Anyway. When her father passed away in 2022, Christina found herself continuing his decade-long legacy of charitable giving—handling donations to org...

What if you could build something greater by forging the right relationships? If that idea excites you, you’ll love this week’s episode of MissionCTRL. Join Ramon and the PD Flight Crew as they dive into the power of strategic partnerships and entrepreneurship with Secundino "Sec" Paulino, Founder of Sector 3. Born in the Dominican Republic as the youngest of 14, Sec’s journey is one of...

What if you could design your life with intention rather than living by default? If that idea speaks to you, you’ll love this week’s episode of MissionCTRL. Join Ramon and the PD Flight Crew as they explore the power of manifestation and personal growth with Flory Hiatrides, Founder of A Wakened Events (AWE). After experiencing profound loss at 40—losing her father, her company, and suffering a mi...

What if you could scale your business or non-profit with strategic solutions tailored just for you? If that idea excites you, you’ll love next week’s episode of MissionCTRL. Join Ramon and the PD Flight Crew as they dive into the world of business consulting with Kevin Patrick, CEO of Intelistra Financial Group.  With a rich background in corporate development, private equity investing, and financ...

What if your favorite pair of sneakers could be a canvas for your creativity, blending art, culture, and personal style? If that idea excites you, you’ll love this week’s episode of MissionCTRL. We’re stepping into the world of custom sneaker design with Matthew Smith, founder and owner of Kicksmith Studio, where he’s reimagining the traditional paint-and-sip concept—this time, for sneaker enthusi...

In today’s digital age, protecting personal information is more important than ever. But what happens to your data after you trade in or dispose of an old device? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of secure data destruction with National E-Waste Services founders, Joe Perun and Rishi Patel, leaders in the field of electronic device sanitization. Discover how this innovative compa...

Are great leaders made or born? If you are passionate about leadership and personal development then this episode is for you!  Join host Ramon and the PD Flight Crew as they sit down with Christine A. Daniels, a transformational executive coach and leadership consultant with over 30 years of corporate experience, including executive roles on Wall Street and in private equity startups. Growing up o...

In this week’s episode of MissionCTRL, Ramon and the PD Flight crew are joined by the inspiring Vicar Centeno, founder of Viccen (pronounced Vixen as in “Fox”) Bookkeeping. Vicar’s journey into bookkeeping began in high school, where an early internship sparked her passion for managing finances. With the support of her father—a well-known pastor and community leader—she gained experience working f...