pipefitter

Brian Cohen is a business strategist for SF&P Advisors in South Florida specializing in the acquisition and purchasing of service companies with a portfolio in excess of $3 billion. He details what successful business owners have in common, and the patterns he sees in multiple plumbing, electrical, and HVAC companies with valuations in the millions.

Philip Richmond worked at TD Mechanical many years before becoming the Lead Piping Superintendent for Wade Mechanical. Learning on jobsites from his father and other mentors, Philip learned in his early 20s how to be a solid leader. He's worked on several notable projects, including Cardinal Stadium in Glendale, AZ and Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.

John Trammell is the Director of Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) Technologies for Brandt. Starting out as an apprentice plumber and pipefitter, John has climbed the ranks and worked on some of the nation's largest commercial projects. VDC is a fabrication database akin to a virtual hardware store.

Known as "The Fixer" across social media, Matt's path to becoming a content creator seemed carved in stone. While studying his passion of Audio/Video in school, Matt was introduced to construction where he found stable and fulfilling work. But it would be ten years and many, many jobsites later before he took the leap to combine the two. Now, as a full-time content creator, Matt "The Fixer's" mission is to equip homeowners with the necessary tools to tackle their own maintenance and repairs.

Tyler Sasse is a welder, entrepreneur, and the successful content creator and founder of Western Welding Academy which is responsible for churning out the world's top welders through a rigorous six-month curriculum. As a Top Hand award winner, Tyler discusses why this should be the bar (not the exception), his vision for the future, commraderie in the trades, and why the one million job deficit in the skilled trades is one of our nation's greatest security threats.

Known on social media as Wally the Welder or The Weld Professor, Wally got into the trades to stay out of trouble. Through hard work and grit, he earned the opportunity to apprentice for the nation's top welders where he found not only a career, but a passion which enabled him to climb the ranks and provide a comfortble living for his family.

Passed over for promotions time and time again, Brent Gentling (@BYOTools) risked it all when he left the security and stability of his construction job at the height of COVID to pursue content creation. He now operates the successful, burgeoning brand of Bring Your Own Tools across multiple social media platforms.

Apprenticeships are an integral part of how trade unions recruit, train, and retain skilled workers. Andy Roberts, Business Director for the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33, joins the show to talk about training and employment opportunities available in high-demand careers. Find out what exactly a “steamfitter” is and how the Local 33 is working to encourage women and underrepresented populations consider an apprenticeship in the trades.

Jimmy Rachal, a Superintendent and Project Manager at Western States Fire Protection, reflects on his 22 years in the life safety industry. Jimmy shares with listeners some of his most memorable projects and his overall experience in the field. He talks about being resilient in the face of adversity, raising children, and prioritizing mental health in both his work life and home life. Finally, Jimmy opens up about his own practices that allow him to be a life-long learner and some of the leadership lessons he has learned throughout career. 

Tim Daly, the Executive Vice President at Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors sits down with Laura to talk about his journey to APi group and the transition into the APi family. He shares insights on changing leadership at a company, the growth at MMC and introduces their new residential service offerings.