Most skilled trades don’t have a hiring problem.

They have a Gen Z access and trust problem.

Retirements are accelerating, job ads are ignored, and traditional recruiting isn’t reaching the audiences where career decisions are actually made.

I work upstream - giving skilled trades organizations credible access to Gen Z attention and career interest, and turning that attention into real workforce momentum.

Before founding Trades Media, I spent 20+ years building and leading a national tool and equipment company serving tradespeople across the U.S. That gave me a front-row seat to how broken most workforce pipelines actually are.

Trades Media partners with manufacturers, contractors, trade associations, and workforce organizations to turn in-the-field storytelling into measurable hiring momentum not just impressions.

This is not recruiting placement.
We don’t sell resumes or charge per hire.

We work upstream influencing perception, interest, and intent so companies stop fighting over the same shrinking talent pool and start growing their own.

What I lead:
• Gen Z workforce pipeline campaigns tied to real career pathways
• On-site hiring activations at plants, job sites, and major industry events
• Strategic partnerships with schools, associations, and workforce groups that convert attention into applicants

As host of The Lost Art of the Skilled Trades, I produce on-location shows inside plants, shops, training centers, and job sites turning real work into real interest from the next generation.

The long-term goal is simple: help skilled trades organizations replace retiring talent by making careers in the trades visible, credible, and desirable to the next generation.

Andrew Brown

ALUTIIQ PACIFIC, LLC

⦁ Assists the PM in the management of project operations and activities to ensure corporate goals/objectives, and contract obligations are met.
⦁ In conjunction/synchronization with the PM, develops and maintains good working relationships with Contracting Office personnel, Alutiiq employees, and contract customers.
⦁ Assists the PM in identifying requirements, assigning priorities, coordinating task execution, and assessing contract performance.
⦁ Assists the PM in interpreting, initiating, and implementing corporate policies and procedures.
⦁ In conjunction with the PM, responsible for conducting employee performance evaluations; planning, assigning, and directing work; disciplining employees; addressing employee complaints.
⦁ Works with the PM in developing recovery plans for activities not meeting contract requirements.
⦁ Actively demonstrates safety management leadership and commitment by developing, implementing, monitoring, and improving initiatives focused on safety performance.
⦁ Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work in a manner that enhances the safety of the work environment.

Deputy Program Manager

Crozet Volunteer Fire Department

Responsible for all training needs of the department including new members, junior members, updates, re-certifications, advanced training, testing and monitoring performance.  In addition, develop table top exercises and drills to test skills and readiness.

Training Officer

UVA Inn at Darden

Responsible for physical property, including: planning, implementing, coordinating and managing all mechanical operations, maintenance, repair, design, specifications and modifications.

Site inspections; guest rooms, public space, parking lots, sidewalks, etc. 

Oversee department budget controls.

Manages capital budget, as needed, and projects.

Oversees all building systems including fire/life safety, plumbing, HVAC and electrical issues.

Negotiates contracts for property operations, including life safety. 

Manages contractor/vendor work.

Controls utility consumption including moving to more energy efficient facility.

Develop safety policies, procedures, and programs for the property. Also, Regional Safety Champion for Flik Hospitality.

Director of Facilities

Albemarle County Fire Rescue

Instructor for Firefighter I and II, Basic Pump Ops and EVOC

Instructor

FIREFIGHTER 1
Provide instruction for Firefighter 1 classes
Manage class of 24 students
Conduct practical exercises for required skills
Plan and conduct evolutions to develop skill competency 
Provide practical testing and grade students on competency

PUMP OPERATIONS
Provide instruction for Pump Operations Classes
Worked with class of 12 students
Setup stations for hands on training
Assist with testing student’s competency 

EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS
Assist with instruction
Assist with driving course setup
Grade students on their ability to navigate course

Part Time Instructor

Shentel

Duties and Responsibilities:

Territory: Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky

Facilities:
  - 80 Corporate Buildings
  - Includes switch rooms, data center, retail stores, and warehouses

Duties:
Building Maintenance: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and service requirements

Janitorial: Supplies, cleaning all sites, and waste management

Grounds Maintenance: Manage Building and Grounds contracts for all sites and limited tower locations.

Office Services: Conference room usage, manager drink and snack vendors, and special projects

Budget: Manage and maintain the budget and forecasting future budget needs.

Renovations: Assist with renovation projects. 

Demonstrates and holds employees accountable for stewardship of the brand to include embodiment of the Shentel Way by ensuring appropriate use of the brand (name, logo, company, appearance, and attitude) within their respective team and organization.

Building and Grounds Supervisor

nTelos Wireless

Maintain Facilities: 300,000+ square feet of offices, switch room, and retail facilities in VA and WV;

Emergency Management Coordinator - Respond to emergencies as the Incident Command person and work with the Crisis Management Team to quickly handle the incident.

Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) – Manage the Access Control section of our SOX compliance requirements. 

Business Continuity – Conduct the Risk Analysis and Business Impact Analysis, develop contingency plans, test and update plans using emergency scenarios and table top exercises; 

Safety Committee Chairman – Lead the safety efforts for all corporate offices, retail facilities, field work and vehicles; 

Contracts - Negotiate and manage contracts for HVAC, janitorial, energy management, fire & life safety, grounds & landscaping, snow removal and security systems;
 
Investigations – Maintain an active investigation program for all incidents and accidents. Report directly to the General Council and the Insurance Liaison.  

Mail Room - Overall responsibility for Administrative Services operation, including supervision of Administrative Services Assistant;

Janitorial - Supervise building attendants in all corporate facilities and inspect quality of janitorial in all retail facilities;

Project Management – Develop and manage projects based on needs and requests for all corporate facilities;

Ergonomics – Conduct ergonomic assessments of individual workspaces.  Redesign workspaces to improve efficiency, enhance collaboration, and create a healthier environment.

Facilities Supervisor

The Boar's Head

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
― Project Manager for $7.5 million dollar renovation, $70,000 under budget at completion
― Negotiate contracts for liability insurance. 
― Reduced cost of employee accident claims $6,000 in the first year.
― Designed Emergency Preparedness Plans and Managed Disaster Recovery. 
― Provided training for central laundry employees and reduced injuries by 60%. 
― Installed energy efficient lighting - 56% reduction in power needs
― Installed Ozone in the laundry; 50% reduction in chemicals & 60 deg. reduction in water temp.
― Installed 150 geothermal units – 40% reduction in BTU.
― Negotiated recycling waste contracts


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Director of Facilities
The Boar’s Head 
May 1978 – May 2011
Charlottesville, Virginia 

Facility Operations & Administration
― Oversee day-to-day facility maintenance operations
― Manage, troubleshoot and program Nortel Phone Switch with 1,000 extensions and voice mail.

Management and Personnel
― Manage a staff of 30 full time employees 
― Schedule maintenance, repair and preventive maintenance.
― Train staff to help them develop and grow.

Electricity, Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Systems
― Responsible for the maintenance of HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems through resort. 
― Managed, troubleshoot and program Building Automation Systems
― Maintain a chilled water plant to provide cooling in 4 separate buildings.

Energy Conservation Initiatives 
― Utilize energy conservation throughout the property to reduce the carbon footprint.
― Assisted in developing the chilled water plant for cooling in four separate buildings

Emergency Response Management
― Develop emergency action plans, procedures and evacuation plans for the resort.
― Developed Manager-on-Duty policies, procedures and reports

Firefighter - Fight fires, extinguish brush fires, motor vehicle accidents, Hazmat – Operations, pubic education, and help with new members.

Junior Member Advisor (1995-2003) - Develop Junior Member by-laws, train junior members, helped junior members develop by providing guidance and leadership.  75% of the junior members have become career firefighters.

Driver-Pump-Operator (2000 – current) – operate fire apparatus under emergency conditions. I am qualified to operate engines, tankers, brush trucks and aerial apparatus. 

Captain (2001-2005) – Role model, manage crews, scene management, discipline, use incident command system, protect crews, inspect equipment or apparatus, and lead the fire department.

Training Officer (2001-2010) – Coordinate training for all company meetings, create training programs, participate in Albemarle County Training Committee, keep records of member training and conduct live fire training events.

Battalion Chief (2005-2010) – Help guide the fire department direction, manage crews, incident commander for emergency incidents, ensure apparatus is in-service when returning from an emergency call, and provide support to the line officers and firefighters.

Firefighter (Battalion Chief)

My career is devoted to all facets of Facilities Management.  I cannot image a more enjoyable profession. Focusing maintenance teams to efficiently resolve client needs while providing great customer service makes the team successful.  Preventive maintenance and emergency preparedness go hand in hand and support continuity of operations. Operating facilities efficiently and safely reduces emergency repairs, increases energy efficiency, and improves owner profits.  It is enjoyable to work with architects and engineers from project development to its completion.  Establishing plans to improve safety and prepare for emergencies reduces stress during actual incident.  

Strengths
• Maximizing Efficiency in Maintenance and Operations
• Project Management
• Budgeting
• Servant Leadership 
• Training, Coaching, and Mentoring 
• Collaboration with people and departments  
• Emergency Preparedness 
• Emergency Management 
• Business Continuity 

Career Highlights
• Safety Programs I developed have been recognized by insurance companies and used as model 
    programs. 
• Business Continuity Discussion Panelist – IFMA Richmond Chapter
• Authored a white paper – Safety and Ergonomics for Hotel Housekeeping
• Developed Active Shooter plan 
• Published Business Continuity article in the IFMA Richmond Newsletter 

My leadership style is Servant Leadership and I enjoy helping others achieve their personal goals.

taplio

The Battle

Andrew Brown

Michael Walton

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