Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain MCA Podcast

Hosted by Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association

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Nov 2026

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About the show

Tradeswork is the official podcast of the Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, and airs on the 1st and 15th of each month. We highlight the good work of mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC/R contractors across Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota, share our recent research and studies, and unpack advocacy issues important to our members. We also discuss in depth the career path, earning potential and continuing education requirements of skilled trade jobs. You can learn more about us at: https://rmmca.org/

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60 recent

November 2, 2026Episode 8527 min

Service Contractors 101 featuring Mike Clement and Dave Richardson

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Mike Clement of Tolin Mechanical and Dave Richardson of American Mechanical Services of Denver where we'll discuss what a service contractor does, why preventive maintenance is so important, and a lot more. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode: What is a typical day in the life of a service contractor, or does a "typical" day even exist? What is preventive maintenance and how does it prevent bigger problems down the road? How has technology changed the nature of the job? Beyond the obvious technical skills for success in a job like this, which softer skills are important? What types of people would be successful in a job like this? This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe. For more information about Tolin Mechanical, please visit their website . For more information about American Mechanical Services of Denver, pleas visit their website . For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website .

October 15, 2026Episode 8425 min

The Cherry Creek Innovation Campus featuring Steve Day

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Steve Day, Principal of the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC) , a stand-alone college and career preparedness facility accessible for high school students in the Cherry Creek Schools. With curriculum rooted in real-world skills and trade certifications ranging from the computer sciences to aviation to health sciences, this facility offers students a new kind of bridge to college and viable, successful careers. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode: What is the story of how CCIC came to be, and how did Steve land his role there? What makes CCIC different from a traditional high school career and technical education program? How many career pathways exist on this campus? How does Steve view the skilled labor shortage, and how is CCIC making a difference in fixing the problem? How can contractors and companies get involved in CCIC? This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe. For more information about Cherry Creek Innovation Campus, please visit their website . For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website .

September 14, 2026Episode 8332 min

Beyond the Jobsite: Mental Health & Suicide Prevention in the Trades

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and on this episode of TradesWork: The RMMCA Podcast, we’re talking about an issue that affects our industry, our workplaces and our people: mental health. Host Jon Ekstrom is joined by Sarah Blanka of Optum Health, a licensed counselor and suicide prevention specialist, and John Marlow of US Engineering, who advocates for mental health awareness within the mechanical contracting industry. Together, they discuss why construction and the skilled trades experience disproportionately high rates of suicide and substance-related deaths, the stigma that can make it difficult to ask for help, and how contractors and employees can create healthier, more supportive workplace cultures. In this episode, we discuss: Why mental health is such an important issue in the skilled trades Breaking the stigma around asking for help Warning signs that a coworker, friend or family member may be struggling Creating a workplace culture where mental health is part of the conversation Resources available to RMMCA members and their employees What to do if you or someone you know needs help This conversation is about more than statistics. It's about looking out for your crew, breaking down barriers to asking for help, and making sure people know they don't have to face challenges alone. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

September 1, 2026Episode 8232 min

Power Ahead Colorado featuring Clay McCombe and Mac Prather

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Clay McCombe and Mac Prather from the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) and founding team members of Power Ahead Colorado, which provides home and building owners with a trusted path to healthier, safer comfort, through right-sized heat pumps, expert advising, vetted installers and rebate support. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode: How did Power Ahead Colorado come into existence and how does it work? How are contractors and the skilled trades involved in the program? What is the Colorado Contractor Hub? How do the program's decarbonization goals conflict or coincide with increased energy demands on the overall grid? How does Power Ahead Colorado interact with the overall skilled labor shortage? If this program is ultimately successful, what will have happened? What does success look like? This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe. For more information about Power Ahead Colorado, please visit their website . For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website .

May 15, 2026Episode 8022 min

Entrepreneurship and Public Office featuring Marissa Harmon

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Marissa Harmon, Mayor of City of Lone Tree and Owner of Roots & Mane, a luxury hair salon in her very own fair city. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode: What inspired Marissa to open her own salon? How did entrepreneurship and the trade of hair stylist uniquely prepare her for elected office? Where do the two overlap and intersect? How vital are the skilled trades to a hair salon? How vital are they to ensure the smooth running of a municipality? In her opinion, how can governments support both small businesses and skilled trades professionals? What does Marissa have in mind for her future? This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe. For more information about Roots & Mane, please visit their website . For more information about City of Lone Tree, please visit their website . For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website .

May 1, 2026Episode 8150 min

A Deep Dive on Energy Issues featuring Gary Arnold and Randy Drennen

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Gary Arnold, Director of Energy and Infrastructure for the United Association and Randy Drennen, our very Executive Director of RMMCA. The topic at hand is related to energy, decarbonization, building standards, and data centers. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode: What is the Climate Action Plan, and what factors are inhibiting its adoption? What would result in this project being more successful and/or workable? What is Regulation 28; what is Energize Denver; and how do they impact Building Performance Standards? What is the current dialog around data centers in Denver and Colorado? What are the myths and facts about data centers? This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe. For more information about the United Association, please visit their website . For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website .

March 1, 2026Episode 7929 min

A Conversation with Women about Women in the Skilled Trades

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Lindsay Williams who leads Service for U.S. Engineering across the Rocky Mountain region, Ashley Ekstrom, Project Manager for Trautman & Shreve , and Sarah Harkssen an officer of the women's committee with other women from UA Local 3 and UA Local 208 and Plumbing Campus Lead at Western States College of Construction . Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode: What drew these women to the trades and what keeps them enthused about the job? How do they handle mentorship of young women in the trades? What mentors and role models did they have? What challenges have they had to overcome in a male-dominated industry? How did they approach those challenges? What projects really stand out in their work histories? What would younger versions of themselves have liked to hear as they were beginning their careers? This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe. For more information about Trautman & Shreve, please visit their website . For more information about U.S. Engineering, please visit their website . For more information about UA Local 3, please visit their website . And for UA Local 208, please visit their website . For more information about the Western States College of Construction, please visit their website . For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website .

February 15, 2026Episode 7818 min

Inside Denver Botanic Gardens with Suzi Latona

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Suzi Latona, Director of Operations at Denver Botanic Gardens whose mission is to connect people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode: How much does the Director of Operations cover at an organization like this? We pay a quick tribute to Brian Vogt and discuss his impact on Denver Botanic Gardens. The Chatfield location has new projects coming online. What are they and what went into them? What are the incredibly varied and unique HVAC and plumbing needs for housing this many different types of plants? What goes into an event like Blossoms of Light? And when do they start planning for it? What is something people may not know about the Botanic Gardens that they should? This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe. For more information about Denver Botanic Gardens, please visit their website . For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website .

February 1, 2026Episode 7728 min

The Agricultural Innovation of FarmBox Foods featuring Jason Brown

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome Jason Brown, Vice President of Operations for FarmBox Foods which provides the tools and knowledge to sustainably grow locally sourced food year-round in any climate, anywhere in the world. They handle all of the transportation logistics and shipping, and their deployment team will help you get up and running once the farm arrives at your site. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode: What was the origin for FarmBox Foods? How do you set up a farm inside a shipping container? How much food can grow in one of these units and what types of foods are grown? Who has been purchasing these types of units and what does it take to get them up and running? What are the company's biggest accomplishments so far? What are the biggest misconceptions people have about farming and agriculture? This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe. For more information about FarmBox Foods, please visit their website . For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website .

January 15, 2026Episode 7629 min

New RMMCA Board President Lana Marsh

On this episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast, we welcome our Executive Director Randy Drennen and Lana Marsh, Executive at Olson Plumbing & Heating , a company committed to providing reliable plumbing services across Colorado. With decades of experience, their company prides itself on delivering exceptional service to home and business owners. Whether addressing a leaking pipe or a clogged drain or providing emergency plumbing services, their skilled team ensures prompt service day and night, resolving plumbing issues with professionalism and dedication to customer satisfaction. Here are some of the questions you can expect to be answered on this episode: Olson Plumbing & Heating started in 1917. What can we attribute their success and longevity to? What does the path to Board Presidency entail? How long is it? What does she hope to accomplish in her tenure as President? What issues are top of mind as we approach 2026? What projects stand out most for Lana in her career? Check out the original motorcycle of Mr. Olson in the picture below: And here's the recent re-creation of it: This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere. Please rate, review and subscribe. For more information about Olson Plumbing & Heating, please visit their website . For more information about Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, please visit our website .