WC Podcast

Hector Fernandez, chief executive officer of IGT, returns to the Workforce Connections Podcast to share the remarkable journey of leading one of the gaming industry's most iconic companies. In this episode, Hector reveals how betting on yourself, embracing innovation, and building a culture of excellence are helping shape the future of IGT and the gaming industry, while also sharing his passi...

Dr. Bobbi Damrow, chief executive officer of the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, shares the remarkable journey that brought her from the manufacturing floor to the role of leading Southern Nevada’s most transformative workforce training organization. In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, she reveals how hands-on training, industry partnerships, and life-changing career opportunities...

Victor Wakefield, Nevada State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Nevada Department of Education, shares the inspiring journey that took him from teaching middle school students to leading Nevada’s education system. In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, he reflects on the power of education to change lives and the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy. From wo...

Leo Bletnitsky, president of Healthy Technology Solutions and longtime Workforce Connections board member, shares an incredible journey from immigrating to the United States from Ukraine to building a successful technology company in Las Vegas. From an unexpected career in IT and a near-miss with the FBI to the rise of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the future of work, Leo offers a fa...

Mitch Cloward, region president of Intermountain Health, shares a powerful story of leadership, compassion, and purpose in this inspiring episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast. From starting his healthcare journey as a hospital housekeeper to leading one of the region’s largest healthcare systems and helping bring Nevada’s first standalone children’s hospital to Las Vegas, Mitch reveals how...

 Scott Muelrath, president and CEO of the Henderson Chamber, shares the story behind Henderson’s explosive growth and the vision helping shape Southern Nevada’s future in this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast. From the arrival of Haas Automation and major development projects to workforce challenges, small business growth, and the rapid transformation of Henderson, Scott gives an insid...

From transforming office spaces into inspiring experiences to surviving stage four colon cancer, Karey Spransy, Vice President of Sales at Felt Right, shares a powerful story of resilience, creativity, and purpose in this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast. Through her work with Felt Right, Karey reveals how design, sustainability, and human connection can transform the way people feel i...

It starts in motion with airports, early mornings, and a relentless pursuit of purpose as Doug Cotter shares in this episode how his journey from the U.S. Army to leading a national workforce organization became a mission to change lives at scale. He reminds us that success comes down to belief, consistent action, and the power of helping people find dignity through work. Equus Workforce Solutions...

From combat zones to the heart of Nevada’s future, Caleb Cage shares a story shaped by service, leadership, and relentless purpose. In this episode, he opens up about his journey from West Point and Iraq to leading statewide initiatives and building Arc Dome Strategies, while helping drive Nevada’s lithium loop and economic transformation. It’s a powerful reminder that meaningful work, humility, a...

Two paths, one mission, and a system quietly transforming lives across Nevada. In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, Nevada Labor Commissioner Brett Harris and Apprenticeship Council Director Toni Giddens reveal how registered apprenticeships are opening doors to high-paying careers without debt. It’s a powerful look at how earning while learning is reshaping the future of work.  A...

Dr. Amber Lopez Lasater, interim president of Nevada State University, leads a powerful story shaped by service, education, and a defining moment for Nevada’s future. In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, she shares how her journey through public service, labor, and higher education led her to one of Southern Nevada’s fastest-growing institutions. She highlights efforts to expand a...

A cowboy detour, a career built from the ground up, and a leader behind one of Southern Nevada’s growing environmental consulting firms. In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, Kirk Stowers of Broadbent & Associates shares how an unexpected path led him to a 30-year career helping clean up and protect the environment while growing a company from a small team to more than 170 empl...

 A Las Vegas upbringing, a historic first, and a leader shaping the future of the NFL.  In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, Sandra Douglass Morgan, president of the Las Vegas Raiders, shares how growing up on the east side of Las Vegas, a deep commitment to education, and the courage to bet on herself led to one of the most influential roles in professional sports. From public se...

A bold leap, a coffee shop competition, and a diner built on heart. In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, Mallory Gott, co-owner and CEO of Winnie & Ethel’s Downtown Diner, shares how an unexpected career turn and a leap of faith with her chef husband led to one of downtown Las Vegas’ most beloved scratch kitchens. From winning the Great Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway to buildi...

Las Vegas Aces President Nikki Fargas shares the powerful journey that took her from a small town in Tennessee to the helm of one of the most successful franchises in women’s professional sports. In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, she reflects on leadership, resilience, and the championship culture helping shape the future of sports in Las Vegas. Her message is simple and powerf...

From a Reno native with a business degree to Director of Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR), Christopher Sewell shares the real story behind Nevada’s workforce transformation. In this dynamic episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, he unpacks how partnership, innovation, and bold leadership transformed a once-fractured system into a nationally recognized m...

From Queens to the Strip, Marc Badain, President of the Las Vegas Athletics, shares a cinematic journey through sports leadership, analytics, and the vision behind Las Vegas’ next iconic ballpark. In this compelling episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, Marc reveals how legacy, innovation, and community power are shaping the future of Major League Baseball in Southern Nevada. It’s a powerf...

Tyler Merritt returns home for a raw, powerful conversation about identity, resilience, and survival. In the electrifying first episode of Season 6 of the Workforce Connections podcast, the bestselling author and Las Vegas native reflects on his viral video Before You Call the Cops , surviving cancer, and the power of storytelling. It’s a fast-moving, unforgettable episode about owning your story...

 In this inspiring episode, Dr. Stacy Klippenstein, the new president of the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), takes us on a powerful journey from his Montana roots to the helm of one of the region’s most impactful institutions. As he shares his vision for CSN, the future of workforce development, and the growing alignment across Southern Nevada’s education and economic partners, the episode unfol...

In the final episode ever recorded in the original WC studio, host Jaime Cruz sits down with entrepreneur Jason Briggs, who went from a garage in Chino to building and selling multimillion-dollar companies. Their conversation unfolds like a real-life comeback story as Jason reveals how raw talent, relentless drive, and a deep shift in purpose carried him from a young technician to a leader shaping...

Superintendent Jhone Ebert has led education systems from Nevada to New York and now oversees 300,000 students in the nation’s fifth-largest school district. She joins the WC Podcast to share the journey that shaped her and the vision she is driving at the Clark County School District. This episode uncovers the moments, challenges, and decisions behind one of the most influential roles in public e...

 In this episode of the Workforce Connections podcast, Mark and Samantha Steele are the powerhouse siblings behind The Blooming Bistro and the Restaurant Hospitality Institute. Their mission is to transform lives in Las Vegas through hospitality, hope, and opportunity for at-risk youth and adults.  The Blooming Bistro https://www.thebloomingbistro.com/ Restaurant Hospitality Institute https://rhin...

In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) President Dr. Chris Heavey shares his inspiring journey from Chicago to Las Vegas and how he’s leading the charge to align higher education with Southern Nevada’s workforce needs. From groundbreaking programs in cybersecurity and healthcare to innovations that turn desert air into water, Dr. Heavey highlig...

A new era is rising in Southern Nevada. When Danielle Casey, President and CEO of LVGEA, takes the mic, she reveals what it really takes to transform a region. From her climb through Arizona, California, and New Mexico to leading the charge in Las Vegas, Casey shares insider stories on power, progress, and the people building the economy of tomorrow. Get ready for strategy, vision, and a front-row...

In this special episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, host Jaime Cruz sits down with Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, a former sheriff, soldier, and lifelong public servant, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, accountability, and workforce transformation. From his early life in Japan to championing education reform and second-chance programs like Hope for Prisoners, Lombardo share...