WC Podcast

Bryant Thornton, Market Vice President for Republic Services as well as a board member for the Vegas Chamber and the LVGEA, joins the show today to talk about his upbringing in Orlando, Florida, and the start of his career in waste management as a driver and now, 26 years later, a Vice President. Bryant discusses working with CCSD and Workforce Connection to create the pipeline of Commercial Drive...

Special guest host Councilman Scott Black of North Las Vegas welcomes Ryann Juden, City Manager for North Las Vegas, to the show to talk about his upbringing on a farm in Mississippi, his experience working on “the Hill” after college, and how he juggles working for five different bosses. He highlights the natural partnership with Workforce Connections that provides workforce opportunities to the...

Ryan Woodward, CEO of National Technical Institute (NTI) and Trustee of the Vegas Chamber, joins the show today to talk about growing up in Utah and his career in banking which landed him with Chase Bank and brought him to Las Vegas. He discusses the uniqueness of NTI and the advisory board of contractors created to provide what skills are necessary and needed in the industry to produce successful...

Special guest host Councilman Scott Black of North Las Vegas welcomes North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown to talk about her upbringing in North Las Vegas and becoming the first black mayor in Nevada. She discusses her family’s legacy and her perseverance to provide employment opportunities for the community by partnering with Workforce Connection through EmployNV Career and Youth Hubs. She g...

M.J. Maynard, Chief Executive Officer for the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada and newest Workforce Connections Board Member, joins the show today to talk about growing up in California, her journey to Las Vegas starting her career in the hotel industry and being recruited to the RTC.  She discusses why mobility is key to workforce development by ensuring the community g...

Justin Jones, Clark County Commissioner, joins the show today to talk about the love story that brought him to Las Vegas, where he worked in construction while in college and as a lawyer for 20 years, to his current role as a community leader. He discusses his focus on affordable housing and behavioral health for the Clark County community. He highlights his passion for workforce development and w...

Gina Bongiovi, founder and managing partner of Bongiovi Law, joins the show to discuss growing up and staying in Las Vegas, where she has built a successful law practice. She talks about the “boutique” law firm she founded that helps small businesses connect the resources available in Nevada. She highlights what a consigliere is,  what it means to be one to business owners, and shares her advice f...

Kara Jenkins, Administrator for the Nevada Equal Rights Commission (NERC), joins the show to discuss growing up in California and her career trajectory that brought her to Nevada and NERC. She talks about her passion for diversity and the no-cost training NERC provides to prevent workplace harassment. She shares her advice to young women not to be afraid to ask questions, create boundaries, and ta...

Nada  Nasserdeen, founder and CEO of Rise Up for You, talks about her career as a performer to her current role as CEO of Rise Up for You, a professional and personal growth coaching program. She discusses what every individual needs to reach their full potential and her passion for emotional intelligence in the workplace. She highlights the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the imp...

Tamara Atkinson, President and CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, joins the show to talk about her upbringing in North Texas and what lead her to a fulfilling career in workforce development for the last 20 years. She discusses the benefits of having childcare assistance funds in the American Job Centers supporting the community in getting back to work. She highlights her new role as preside...

Kevin Schiller, Clark County Manager, joins the show to talk about his journey to his current role as the County Manager. He discusses his passion for serving people and the innovation and evolution of workforce development. He highlights the myriad of job opportunities in various occupations available to the community in Clark County.  Clark County: Employment (clarkcountynv.gov)

Kerry Bubolz, President of the Golden Knights, joins the show today to discuss his career journey to Las Vegas in sports. He talks about the growth of professional sports in Las Vegas and how they are the “golden thread” that unites our community.  Las Vegas Golden Knights: Official Vegas Golden Knights Website | NHL.com  

John Cannito, President at The PENTA Building Group, joins the show today to share his journey in construction from Buffalo, New York, to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he calls home. He talks about his contributions to various organizations as a board member and how the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) is working to mitigate the labor shortages in the construction industry in the Las Vegas Va...

Mike Barton, Chief College, Career, and Equity Officer at Clark County School District, joins the show to discuss his journey from teacher to his current role.  Mr. Barton discusses his passions: spending time with family and friends, enjoying live music, and hunting for treasures at antique and second-hand stores.  He shares how the partnership and creative collaboration with Workforce Connection...

Mike Olson, President, of Olson Precast Company, and Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) Board member, joins the show to talk about the impact his father made with his business and bringing it to Las Vegas. He highlights his 24-year coaching passion for youth football and the impact he wants for the future of the Las Vegas Valley as a member of the LVGEA.   Olson Precast Company: Olson Prec...

Special guest host Ricardo Villalobos, Ph. D., Chief Program Officer at Workforce Connections, welcomes Manny Lamarre, Senior Advisor for the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Division. Mr. Lamarre talks about how his current role focuses on the resources surrounding registered apprenticeships at the national level. He also discusses how equity, job quality, partnerships, and awareness...

Special guest host Irene Bustamante Adams, Deputy Director at Workforce Connections,  welcomes Amelia Gulling, founder of GSD Consulting Pros LLC. She talks about her work with workforce development and environmental sustainability. She discusses the challenges women face in STEM and the intricacies of robotic competition.   Battle for Las Vegas Robotic Competition: www.b4lv.com  Solar Rollers: ht...

Angela Castro, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), joins the show to talk about her career journey in Las Vegas that has led her to the mentors she has had the privilege to work with who have influenced her management style. She talks about the new campaign with Workforce Connection that focuses on youth ages 16-24 who are out of scho...

Tom Burns, Director of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), and Clark Wood, Chair of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA), join the show to talk about their roots in Nevada, the lifelong friendships they built while attending the University of Nevada, Reno, and how their careers have grown in Nevada. They discuss the newly formed Industry Sector Partnerships that...

Walter Simmons, President, and Chief Executive Officer at Employ Prince George’s, joins the show to discuss the three P’s, Practice Proven Principals. He also talks about the impact of being an Economic Equity Officer to ensure jobseekers obtain a livable wage careers and businesses thrive in a global market and utilizing untraditional space to meet the people where they are to increase their acce...

Commissioner Jim Gibson, former mayor of Henderson and County Commission Chair, highlights his journey in politics in Southern Nevada. He talks about the new EmployNV Career Hub at the Whitney Center which will provide workforce development opportunities and resources to the Clark County community. He also discusses the new podcast that Clark County has released in Spanish and the big new events t...

Jack Bennings shares his life in retirement. He also talks about his previous position as a Director of Workforce Development with Career Source Broward, to support the economic development activities with the Great Fort Lauderdale Economic Alliance in South Florida. His position inspired two similar positions in the Southern Nevada region located at the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA)...

Special Guest Host Celia Rouse from Workforce Connections welcomes Chad Gregorius, Counselor Specialist with the Clark County School District, and Eboni Hodge, High School Counselor at Legacy High School. They share their experience participating in the first Workforce Fellows Program and what they've learned leading into the start of the third Workforce Fellows program. Clark County School D...

Brooke Malone, Vice President of Investor Relations with Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA), shares how she started her career as a fundraiser at 19, which has led to her current role. She talks about the importance of workforce development, its impact on successful economic growth, and the exciting events LVGEA will host in 2023.   Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA): LVGEA - Las V...

Special guest host Ceia Rouse from Workforce Connections welcomes guests Hannah Tester, Lead Case Manager for Eagle Quest, and Carlos Vides, Juvenile Probation Officer with the Nevada Juvenile Justice Services. They talk about their experience in the inaugural cohort of the Promise Fellows and discuss the importance of providing youth with workforce development resources. Eagle Quest: Eagle Quest...