Trades and Triumphs

In this episode, we sit down with Tyler VanAuken of Mills Marine to explore a modern skilled-trades career path that goes far beyond welding. Tyler shares how an early interest in art and fabrication led him into the maritime industry, starting as a shop helper and evolving into his current role as Weld Program Manager and Level III NDT Lead —all by age 31. The conversation dives into fabrication,...

In this episode, we sit down with Whitney Lester of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council for a behind-the-scenes look at how the region is tackling one of its biggest challenges: building a sustainable skilled-trades pipeline for the maritime industry. Whitney explains how the Council—one of Virginia’s 14 workforce boards and now the largest after a regional merger—moved beyond traditional workforc...

The podcast highlights a large-scale maritime career and workforce event hosted at Nauticus by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and its partners. Leaders from workforce development, industry, education, and the U.S. Coast Guard emphasize the critical role maritime plays in the regional economy, national security, and future job growth, with more than 30,000 positions projected to be needed in t...

For this episode, we talked with Sean Avery, who's president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. Listen closely as Sean talks about the challenges, the opportunities, and the progress that's being made in the region. Visit www.maritimejobsva.com to discover what career and training opportunities are right for you in the Hampton Roads maritime industry.  The Regional Maritime...

We sat down with Tracy Nails of EM Ship Repair, she's half of a husband and wife team that own a company that is working in the Hampton Roads maritime industry. Father and husband are maritime workers, Tracy went to college, got her MBA Visit www.maritimejobsva.com to discover what career and training opportunities are right for you in the Hampton Roads maritime industry.  The Regional Mariti...

We just finished talking with Zack Cartwright at Fairlead in Portsmouth, Virginia. The arc of this conversation went from ambulances to instruments, from music to jeeps. If it doesn't sound like that makes sense, watch this interview to the end and I promise you it all comes together. Visit www.maritimejobsva.com to discover what career and training opportunities are right for you in the Hamp...

Katie Jones brings pride and artistry to her work as a welder. Her story is a great example that where you are now or where you're from does not limit where you can go or what you can do in this industry. Visit www.maritimejobsva.com to discover what career and training opportunities are right for you in the Hampton Roads maritime industry.  The Regional Maritime Training System (RMTS) was es...

Garth Van Syckle's story is exactly what the local maritime industry has in mind when they think about who and how they want to recruit into this industry. He came up through a local high school training program that prepared him to go to work the day after graduation and that's exactly what happened. Visit www.maritimejobsva.com to discover what career and training opportunities are rig...

Our next several interviews are with people that have been working in the industry for a relatively short amount of time. We sat down to talk with Joe Kotapish who grew up a few hours away from here and spent his summers down here as a kid and then came back for the opportunity to work as a marine electrician. Visit www.maritimejobsva.com to discover what career and training opportunities are righ...

You're gonna love this conversation with Dion Glover, chief operating officer of Norfolk By Boat , because we had a lot of fun with it. Dion's got a great perspective and a great story that I think you're gonna want to hear. Listen to Dion's fantastic story about his personal experience in the industry and being parent of two twin sons that have taken a different paths in life...

We sat down to talk with Dr. Shonda Windham, and she is an amazing educator. She talks every day with high school students that are trying to decide what are they going to do with their lives after high school. She helps them make those decisions about college or going into the workforce. She knows how to talk to students about those critical decisions. She talks with their parents, and she knows...

What if I don't go to college? That's the question that we've been trying to answer. Reese Fullerton is going to tell us about his journey in the industry, how he took something that he cared about, a skill that he's good at, and turn that into a passion. Let's hear what he's got to say. Reese Fullerton from Canyon Marine Solutions. The Regional Maritime Training Syst...

Our conversation with Carlos Young is almost indescribable. Although we sat down with him one -on -one on camera, the energy that you're going to feel from him comes from his family. This is a family business. The family was literally in the room, but you can't not be inspired by the energy and the enthusiasm that this family brings to their business. Pay attention to when Carlos says, e...

We sat down for a conversation with Dana Truxell and heard a really unique perspective on the maritime industry in Hampton Roads. Her position in this industry is delivering fuel to the vessels and the trucks that move the materials to the tradesmen that work in this industry. You're going to hear her talk about making million-dollar deals with a handshake. How we got to be who we are today i...

Brandon was a fantastic guest. We hope you'll enjoy this. Brandon discusses the story about how Wilson Pipe and Fabrication came to be. Listen to how Brandon's company is successful because he 100% loves what he does in the trades, being able to take his hands and build something.  The Regional Maritime Training System, RMTS, was established using a $11 million (41%) Good Jobs Challenge...

Our interview with Camille Crofton occurred just days after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge just outside of Baltimore. It's one of those incidents that makes us aware of how important the skilled trades are in our daily life. It's also a great story about a multi -generational family -owned business.  The Regional Maritime Training System, RMTS, was established using a $11 m...

Our interview with Donnie Mills can't be easily summarized. He's had a long and successful career in the maritime industry. He's had challenges but sees nothing but opportunities. He has struggled and has had many successes. He's at a point now where he just wants his business to give back to his community and to his employees. This was a powerful interview and we think you&apo...

The interview with Jeremy Jeffreys is the first one that we recorded for this podcast. We had this interview in an enormous workshop where parts and pieces of aircraft carriers and submarines are being put together. It was like sitting in a giant steel Lego factory. Jeremy's been in this business for years. He's got tremendous enthusiasm and expertise. He's really proud of what he d...