skilled trades Archives - Business RadioX ®

American Made Solutions

August 20, 2026 by Garrett Ervin

BRX National

American Made Solutions

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Frank Thomas | American Made Solutions

American Made Solutions was founded by Max Thomas, who entered skilled-trades recruiting in 2016 and quickly became a top producer by building disciplined, repeatable systems. After scaling a manufacturing-workforce startup past $4M in annual recurring revenue, he launched AMS to bring that proven playbook to owner-operators nationwide.

Operating from its Cumming, Georgia prototype, AMS reached profitability within three months and now franchises a lean, relationship-driven model purpose-built to replicate — turning a proven local operation into an ownable system.

Roswell Mayor Mary Robichaux: Growth, Preservation, and Jobs

March 26, 2026 by John Ray

Mayor Mary Robichaux on Roswell’s Next Chapter: Growth, Workforce Development, and Protecting What Makes Roswell Unique (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 113) with host Kali Boatright

North Fulton Studio

Roswell Mayor Mary Robichaux: Growth, Preservation, and Jobs

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Mayor Mary Robichaux on Roswell’s Next Chapter: Growth, Workforce Development, and Protecting What Makes Roswell Unique (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 113)

Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, sits down with Roswell Mayor Mary Robichaux for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, growth, and what it takes to guide a city that is both historic and fast-changing.

Mayor Robichaux shares her background in healthcare leadership and her time representing House District 48 in the Georgia General Assembly, then walks through what the first 90 days as mayor have required, from meeting teams across a large city organization to getting grounded in budgets, priorities, and economic development momentum.

They dig into the real tension Roswell has to manage: preserving natural assets and historic character while still planning for smart redevelopment, infrastructure, and business growth. The conversation also gets practical about workforce, including apprenticeship models and why trade pathways are a serious economic development strategy, not an afterthought. It closes with how regional collaboration across North Fulton strengthens the whole area, and where residents and visitors can keep up with what’s happening in Roswell.

The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

The first 90 days of a new mayor’s term are less about speeches and more about meeting people, learning systems, and getting clear on priorities.
Roswell’s identity, natural assets, historic character, and quality of place provide a unique advantage that requires protection as the city grows.
The city’s landlocked status dictates the growth strategy. The focus becomes redevelopment and smart planning, not expansion.
Infrastructure decisions, including roads and connectivity, are inseparable from business growth and quality of life.
Workforce development becomes real when cities and employers treat apprenticeships and skilled trades as legitimate career pipelines.
North Fulton cities carry more influence when they collaborate, even while they compete for talent and business investment.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Show opens and introduction of Mayor Mary Robichaux
01:00 Swearing-in timing, background, and why she ran for mayor
02:00 Healthcare leadership career and service in the Georgia House
03:00 First 90 days: staff, budgets, and setting priorities
05:00 What success looks like in 4 to 6 years for Roswell
07:00 Roswell’s identity: history, quality of place, and preservation
09:00 Balancing development with preservation, plus infrastructure realities
12:00 Comprehensive 2045 planning and what landlocked growth requires
15:00 Workforce development and apprenticeship pathways
19:00 Why regional collaboration across North Fulton matters
22:00 The hardest decisions in city leadership and how she approaches them
30:00 Where to find Roswell information and events
32:00 Closing remarks and wrap

Roswell Mayor Mary Robichaux

Mary Robichaux began her term as the Mayor of Roswell, Georgia, in January 2026. She previously represented House District 48 in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023, where she served in caucus leadership and focused on issues affecting families, local communities, and economic development.

A longtime Roswell resident, Robichaux has spent more than three decades in healthcare improvement and consulting, with a career focused on strengthening quality of care, patient outcomes, and cost effectiveness. She has worked with major health systems and mission-driven organizations, including roles connected to the American Heart Association, Emory Healthcare, and Johns Hopkins Hospital. She earned degrees from the University of New Orleans and Louisiana State University Medical Center.

Website

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider podcast

Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) — **Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce**

The GNFCC 400 Insider is sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), and the host of the show is Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC.

The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1,400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth, and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.

As a five-star accredited chamber, GNFCC’s vision is to be the premier organization driving member and community success across the region, and they are dedicated to pursuing this vision based on the guiding principles of advocacy, inclusivity, and operational excellence.

GNFCC promotes the interests of its members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play, and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision-makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.

For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events, follow this link.

Josh Umar with American Subcontractors Association of Arizona E12

August 10, 2022 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Josh Umar with American Subcontractors Association of Arizona E12

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Josh Umar with American Subcontractors Association of Arizona E12

Josh Umar, Executive Director, of American Subcontractors Association of Arizona joined us for an informative session about ASA and the benefits they offer for members and non-members alike. Josh is all about engagement and ASA embodies his leadership. Stick around to the end and listen to the cool experiences of falconry (one of Josh’s main hobbies).

ASA of Arizona is a nonprofit association with more than 210 members. The vast majority are trades companies of every specialty and size. Their mission is to to enhance the ability of businesses from every sector of the subcontracting community to thrive via advocacy, collaboration, education, and networking.

Their vision is an Arizona in which the subcontracting community is the most respected and influential stakeholder in the construction industry.

Josh Umar is the Executive Director of ASA of Arizona, where he started in June of 2020. With over 210 members, ASA is a leading voice for the interests of trades companies statewide regardless of specialty or size.

He came to ASA-AZ by way of the award-winning Build Your Future Arizona (BYFAZ) campaign. Based out of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, BYFAZ is a three year, $3M industry-led career awareness effort aimed at inspiring the next generation of skilled tradespeople to take action and enter construction.

Before that, Josh was the Executive Director of the Highland County Chamber of Commerce in Virginia. His portfolio included government relations and member services, and he was responsible for organizing the county’s annual Maple Festival (50,000 attendees).

He has a strong background in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and advocacy.

Connect with Josh on Linkedin.

About Your Hosts

Meet JJ Levenske

JJ Levenske is a seasoned construction executive with over 30 years of experience in the commercial and industrial sectors. From pre-construction services to complex quality controls and close-outs, he brings a commitment to delivering the highest levels of professionalism and customer service.

JJ’s dedication to construction has allowed him to become an industry expert which he aims to share with customers and investors alike. JJ does not believe in mediocrity and strives to see the “end at the beginning” for each project, effectuating a higher return on investment for the entire team.

Early on in his career, JJ worked as a cost engineer conducting feasibility estimates, strategic capital estimates, cost planning, and analysis of value engineering for the technology, petrochemical, and food industries. He went on to develop and implement a variety of systems for estimating, scheduling, resource management, and cost tracking while holding Project Manager and Senior Management Positions.

During his tenure, JJ has been involved in $1 billion worth of construction services. A strong entrepreneurial acumen allows him to be the perfect advocate for your facility based business solutions.

Meet Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson is a knowledgeable construction professional with over 40 years of experience. His experience ranges from residential to the commercial and industrial sectors.

Robert began working in the trades immediately out of high school and quickly advanced to Journeyman status. Robert went on to estimating, operations, senior level management and then business development.

Robert is consistently building relationships and networking with those associated with all aspects of development and construction. Robert has become a respected source for prefabricated construction solutions.

Robert enjoys spending time with Pam, his wife of 42 years, their 3 children, and 10 grandchildren.

About Our Sponsors

Bleuwave is a Phoenix-based general contractor with a specialty in land development & site improvement, pre-construction, design build, remodel and renovations, construction management, and post construction.

Bleuwave is passionate about what they do and takes pride in their partner’s success.

When you need it done right the first time, call Bleuwave.

Follow Bleuwave on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Tori Contracting’s smaller, cohesive structure results in superior workmanship and economical solutions.

The Tori Contracting team has construction experience acquired by performing highly successful work for hotels and casinos, restaurants, retail stores, healthcare facilities and a wide range of commercial and themed projects.

We provide design assist capabilities from start to finish…from schematic design and development through construction documents with the aid of our full-time AUTOCAD staff.