Let's Talk Shop

Jake Olsen, CEO of SMACNA Silver Associate Member Stratus, joins Angie for the latest episode of Let's Talk Shop. We talk to Jake about his industry journey, talk about how Stratus helps SMACNA members reach their goals, and how Stratus (and the construction space as a whole) is working to adapt to attract the next generation of workers.

Seth Lennon hosts a special episode of Let's Talk Shop featuring a discussion between Angie Simon, Past SMACNA President and Co-Founder, and President of Heavy Metal Summer Experience, and William Chaney, the CEO of SMACNA Silver Associate Member ServiceTrade. The panel discusses the challenges and opportunities in building a workforce, highlighting how private firms and organizations like He...

In the latest episode of Let's Talk Shop, Angie sits down with Ron Palmerick, Vice President of AABCO Sheet Metal Company. Angie and Ron discuss Ron's years in the industry, detailing his journey from the beginning to becoming an essential member of the SMACNA community. Ron takes a moment to share his years of experience in the industry, including his work in National Leadership (such a...

SMACNA President Tom Martin joins Angie Simon for the latest Let's Talk Shop episode! Angie and Tom talk about his upbringing and listen to his story about how he came through the industry and his inspiration to serve SMACNA. They also take a moment to talk about his priorities for the presidency and early observations about his term. 

Angie Simon is joined by Kevin Gill, Sr. and Kevin Gill Jr. from Boston-based McCusker-Gill. The panel talks about the history of the company, it's family-based approach and how the firm has evolved. The upcoming 2025 Fab Forum is also discussed as the Kevins talk about how excited they are to participate in this event and what SMACNA contractors should be excited about. 

Angie sits down with Jason Galoozis, Safety Director with Premistar. Angie and Jason talk about his rise through the industry as a safety professional and outline some of the best practices that companies can employ to ensure that everyone gets home safely. 

In this episode of Let's Talk Shop, Angie Simon chats with Chris Hronek of Tweet/Garot Mechanical and SMACNA's 2024 Innovator of the Year. Angie and Chris talk about his expierience with pushing the envelope with technological integration in a shop setting, and reflect on Chris' career path and how he got to where he is today. 

In the latest episode of Lets Talk Shop, Angie sits down with Steve Zahm, President and Chief Culture Officer with SMACNA Premier Partner Procore. During their converation, Angie and Steve talk about the origins of Procore and the work they are doing within the industry, along with outlining how to build a strong company culture that encourages innovation through collaboration. 

In the latest Let's Talk Shop installment, Angie Simon sits down with Robert Beck, the CEO of the John W. Danforth Company and the National President of MCAA. During their conversation, Angie and Robert talk about his rise through the ranks of John W. Danforth, his priorities for his term as MCAA's National President, and how he seeks to collaborate with SMACNA and NECA on initiatives su...

Angie Simon is joined by Chris Walker, Executive Vice President of CAL SMACNA. Angie and Chris discuss how he started with SMACNA, outline some of his legislative work on behalf of the industry in California, and talk about his ongoing initative to improve awareness about the need for enhanced indoor air quality. 

In the latest episode of Let's Talk Shop, Angie Simon sits down with Steve Richman, Group President with SMACNA Premier Partner Milwaukee Tool. During their discussion, Angie and Steve talk about his career with Milwaukee Tool, the company's long history of innovation within the industry, and the value of their SMACNA Premier Partnership. 

For the latest installment of Let's Talk Shop, Angie Simon is joined by Michael Coleman, the newly installed General President of SMART. Angie and Mike talk about Mike's rise through the trades, his priorities in his new position, the relationship between SMACNA and SMART, and the legacy of his predecessor, Joseph Sellers. 

Angie Simon sits down with Linda Jennings, SMACNA's new Executive Director of Market Sectors and Construction Technology. Angie and Linda talk about how Linda grew up in the industry, some of her expieriences as she rose up through the trades and SMACNA as a chapter executive, and what her goals are for her new role at SMACNA headquarters. 

For this episode, Angie Simon is joined by SMACNA CEO Aaron Hilger. Angie and Aaron reflect on his first year as SMACNA's CEO and also delve into SMACNA's new strategic plan and what it means for the organization and the industry as a whole. 

For the latest episode of Let's Talk Shop, Angie Simon is joined by Aldo Zambetti, Administrator of the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) and Justin Crandol, Director of Safety at SMACNA. During their discussion, Angie, Aldo, and Justin talk about some of the work that SMOHIT is doing to promote safety in the workplace. They also go into detail about one of the topics t...

In the latest episode of Let's Talk Shop, Angie Simon is joined by Dr. Anirban Basu, CEO of the Sage Policy Group and SMACNA's Chief Economist. During their discussion, Angie and Dr. Basu talk about a variety of topics, including the overall economic picture and how it will impact the industry, along with examining what specific market sectors will present the most potent growth opportun...

In the latest edition of Let's Talk Shop, Angie Simon sits down with Nate Oland, Senior National Account Executive with SMACNA Premier Partner Federated Insurance. During their discussion, Angie and Nate talk about all of the ways that SMACNA collaborates with Federated in terms of products and services, as well as some of the issues that contractors need to be aware of, such as cyber securit...

For the latest episode of Let's Talk Shop, Angie Simon is joined by Joseph Sellers, Jr., the General President of The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART). Angie and Joe talk about the collaboration between SMACNA and SMART on issues such as diversity in the workplace and workforce development. They also delve into some other topics, includin...

Angie Simon is joined by Rick Blazier, COO of Southland Industries. Angie and Rick talk about Southland's recent acquisition of the Brandt Companies and its impact on the company. They also take a moment to talk about workforce development and some general trends going on in the industry.

Angie Simon sits down with Bill Zahner, CEO/Chairman of A. Zahner Co. Angie and Bill talk about some of the incredible and diverse projects his company has been working on and some of the trends that are starting to develop within the industry. The two also talk about how Bill's passion for working with different metals began at a young age and continues to grow to this very day.

Angie Simon sits down with SMACNA CEO Aaron Hilger to talk about his first 100 days in the role, his background and prior experience, and outline some of his goals for the organization.

In Episode 17 of Let’s Talk Shop, host Angie Simon, CEO, Western Allied Mechanical, chats with ASHRAE President Chuck Gulledge about his tenure as president in the times of COVID and the opportunities he capitalized on to meet more members than he might have otherwise.

In Episode 16 of Let’s Talk Shop, host Angie Simon, CEO, Western Allied Mechanical, chats with Leah Rambo, Training Director and Fund Administrator at Sheet Metal Workers Local 28, about the diversity requirements required in the building trades in NYC and how they ensure opportunities in the trade remain equitable and competitive.

Let's Talk Shop, Episode 15: Indoor Air Quality and the Reopening of Buildings by SMACNA

Episode 14 celebrates Women in Construction Week. Host Angie Simon, SMACNA president and CEO of Western Allied Mechanical, talks with Carmen Koo, partner at Applied Air Conditioning in California and Sandra Mennino, president of Cambridgeport Air Systems in Massachusetts, about how they started in the construction industry, some of the challenges they have faced as women in the trades, and what op...