In our last episode of Season 1 on the Future of Food & Beverage, the podcast team sits down with Dan Fucich & Kelsey Abernathy, co-founders of AlgenAir. As the 21st Century food and beverage disruption are underway, we look at how there are other use cases for plants and microbes outside of food consumption. With the use of algae, AlgenAir’s Aeriu…

Although not commonly thought of, technological advancements in farming have led to the most dramatic socio-economic shifts. From the plow to the combine, efficiency in farming has increased productivity and produced greater yields. These seemingly minor technological inventions led to mass urban migrations and population booms as people searched f…

The agriculture industry has come a long way from manned equipment fertilizing and harvesting fields of crops to robots analyzing the needs and delivering precise amounts of nutrients in a controlled environment. On today’s episode, we sit down with Andrew Blume, Strategic Sales Manager at Iron Ox, to discuss controlled environment agriculture and …

Have you ever wondered how your food gets from the farm to table…..we have! To better understand the supply chain and logistics process, the podcast team sits down with Mike Beveridge, who is a Senior Associate Merchant of Meat & Poultry at FreshDirect. Located in the Bronx, New York, FreshDirect has been perfecting their online grocery delivery bu…

It may seem like something out of Jimmy Neutron or some sci-fi movie, but the cell-based protein market is starting to plant some serious roots….or should I say propagate cells. The podcast team sits down with Aryé Elfenbein, who is the Co-founder of Wildtype, which is one of the emerging cell-based protein alternative manufacturers. Tune in to lea…

5 years ago, most vegetarians wouldn’t touch a plant-based alternative if they saw it on the menu or in the store. Now, the proliferation of high-quality plant-based alternatives can be seen in almost 50% of households. What changed and why is the plant-based alternative space here to stay?? The podcast team sits down with Paul Shapiro, who is the …

Technology and innovation is rapidly being adopted in all facets our lives….but how is it being adopted in the food and beverage space? How is STEM enabling us to feed the ever growing world population? As we kick off the podcast’s new season, Ryan sits down with NextGen Ag’s Managing Director Kim Lovan & Process Engineer Bailey Stults to learn mor…

Have you ever wondered how infrastructure tunnels are constructed or if they are being constructed underneath you as we speak? Us co-hosts have. Listen in as we sit down with Black & Veatch’s, Clint Wilson. Tune in to hear: How are large tunnels constructed and how much do they cost? What do you have to consider when excavating a tunnel in an urban…

Cryptocurrency, NFTs…..digital assets have become a huge trend in the financial world the past couple of years and the GenSTEM squad has been wondering….how do they work? What’s the science behind it? How are these encrypted assets made? Enter BLOCKCHAIN. On this episode, Ryan and Kevin chat with a leading entrepreneur in the blockchain space, Shek…

The new administration has made it clear that offshore wind energy is going to be a focus for their renewable growth and goal to decarbonize our power supply. Class is in session as we sit down with Black & Veatch’s Vice President of Power, Jim Juras. Tune in to hear: How does offshore wind differ from onshore wind? What are the technological diffe…

Our world has become more and more digital, and with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has kicked the world's transition to a completely digital world into hyperdrive. It got the squad thinking, how is the infrastructure changing to support our data driven and digitized lifestyles? Here's a clue: DATA CENTERS. Enter our guest for this week, Drew Thompson, …

On this episode, Ryan takes us into a solo interview with our special guest in light of the recent Suez Canal blockage incident, where a cargo ship ended up sideways blocking the canal and disrupting global supply chain. He sits down with Joseph Schwarzstein - Maritime Consultant, First Class Pilot and Commander in the US Navy Reserve to discuss th…

Becca, Kevin and Ryan are ringing in their 5+6 year anniversaries of having adult STEM jobs. On this week's episode of GenSTEM, the squad gets together to talk about their career experiences so far. Tune in to hear: What Becca, Kevin, and Ryan's career path has been like thus far in the STEM industry How their upbringing and college experiences aff…

One of the biggest cold weather events in history hit Texas in February, that caused 4.5 million Texans without power for days. On this week's episode, Becca and Kevin interview one of their fellow Black & Veatcher and Managing Director of our Global Distributed Energy business, Rob Wilhite where he breaks down what really happened in Texas that ca…

Bring the beat back! On this week's episode, Ryan and Kevin chat with producer, writer, rapper, and sustainable energy advocate AY Young! Tune in to hear: AY's music career His views on electricity access and sustainability How he uses music and dance as a way to bring people together with is mission for energy sustainability AY's Battery Tour and …

We're back this week with another episode of GenSTEM and we're delivering to your ear holes one of our BIGGEST. INTERVIEWS. YET. We got together with (the now) CEO of Virgin Hyperloop, Josh Giegel. Yeah, you read that right. CEO of Virgin Hyperloop is on the pod. Tune in to hear: What is Virgin Hyperloop? How did Josh get involved with the company?…

If you've tuned in to our recent episodes, you've heard the GenSTEM squad buzz about something big coming to the utility sector: HYDROGEN. Kevin, Becca, and Ryan had the opportunity to sit down with fellow Black & Veatch'er and Hydrogen subject matter specialist Jonathan Cristiani to talk about how hydrogen could change the future. Tune in to hear:…

New year, new episode!!! On this episode, the clairvoyant GenSTEM squad looks into their crystal balls to make the their predictions on the biggest STEM trends in 2021. Tune in to hear Kevin, Ryan, and Becca: -announce the winners based on YOUR votes for the semi-STEMy awards (followed but a lot of trash talking by Becca) -dive in to their biggest …

We are back with a new episode with some BIG 2021 energy. On this episode, Kevin, Becca & Ryan interview Steph Stoppenhagen of Black & Veatch's Connected Communities + Telecom business to learn all about a new luxury entertainment smart city development in Las Vegas called Bleutech Park. Tune in to hear: -What the heck is Bleutech Park? -How Bleute…

It's the GenSTEM squad back at it again!!!! We're excited to bring back an annual tradition REVAMPED.....The SEMI STEMy AWARDS: a year in review of the biggest and most innovative news in STEM in 2020. Tune in to hear Kevin, Ryan and Becca each give their SEMI STEMy nominees for ___ STEM award categories: Transportation Space Energy Health Consumer…

We're back with another stellar episode of Generation STEM Podcast! On this episode, Becca, Ryan and Kevin, had the opportunity to interview Jagmeet Khangura and Jason Haney of Black & Veatch's Growth Accelerator to talk about a wild new trend in real estate and infrastructure: FLOATING HOUSING. Tune in to learn: -what even is floating infrastuctur…

The GenSTEM is here with a new ~~~~fire flame~~~ episode this week! On this episode, Becca, Ryan and Becca, in the wake of wild land fires burning across the western half of the US, sit down with down with pyrogeographer, SDSU PhD candidate, and self proclaimed "Fire Nerd" to discuss everything wild fire and how she's leveraging technology to preve…

The GenSTEM team is on fire with back to back weeks of episodes! On this episode, Kevin and Ryan had the opportunity to chat with the Executive Director of the National Society of Black Engineers, Karl Reid. Tune in to hear: -Karl's personal experience as a black man in the STEM world -his personal experiences that drove him to become involved with…

After a ~~~little~~~ break, the GenSTEM team is back and ready to discuss the season.....the Career Fair Season!! We're revisiting one of the first topics we ever discussed on the OG podcasts: navigating the career fair and job hunt process. Tune in to hear: -Becca, Kevin, and Ryan's most embarrassing career fair and job hunt moments -How to create…

Sports are back and the GenSTEM squad is here for it!!!!!!! Don't know about you guys, but both sports and social media are an integral part of our lives. So on this week's episode, our interview focuses on how the two worlds collide! Ryan, Kevin, and Becca have a stellar interview with Karen Ramming, Senior Social Media Manager for the Golden Stat…

Guys.....get ready for one of our favorite episodes we've EVER recorded. This week, Kevin, Ryan, and Becca interview REAL LIFE ASTRONAUT, TEDx Talk Alum, and STEM Boss Lady, Joan Higginbotham. Tune in to hear us discuss with the third female African American in space: -how she got the nickname ~~Space Beyonce~~~~ -her career journey to becoming an …

Hello again listeners, we're here with another episode of the GenSTEM podcast. On this episode, Kevin, Ryan and Becca had the opportunity to chat with Jimmy Kim, the Business Operations Lead of the construction tech start up, Built Robotics. Tune in to this episode to hear: -the concept, mission, and technology behind Built Robotics -how will this …

We are back with another *fire flame emoji* episode of the GenSTEM podcast. On this episode, Kevin, Ryan and Becca bring you a HUGE interview with none other than KCMO Mayor himself, Quinton Lucas. The squad sat down with Mayor Q in ~~~the mayor's office~~~ (pre-COVID) to discuss: -how KC is implementing cutting edge Smart City technology -the hurd…

It's that time again! Time for you to tune in to the newest episode of GenSTEM podcast. Ryan, Kevin, and Becca hopped on a call with David Tze, CEO of a cleantech start up company called NovoNutrients. Tune in to the episode to hear: -The squad describe what NovoNutrients is, and how they have created a process that takes CO2 from greenhouse gas em…

Guess who's back back back.....back again Welcome to another episode of the GenSTEM podcast. The squad is back together to discuss something that's gathered a ton of buzz in the world of STEM the past couple of weeks: the Demo-2 SpaceX Launch. Tune in to hear Becca, Kevin, and Ryan discuss: -the details of the most recent SpaceX launch -who the ast…

Hello GenSTEM listeners hey hi how ya do'ern *Lil Wayne voice* Welcome to another episode of the GenSTEM podcast. We're back this week on our regular bi-weekly scheduled programming. There's been a lot of talk about the COVID-19 vaccine, so it got Becca thinking, what does it actually take to make a vaccine? Join Ryan and Kevin in Becca's classroom…

ANOTHA ONE!!!!!! The GenSTEM squad is back this week with another stellar episode. With everything going on in light of COVID-19, it got us thinking, how has the world of healthcare evolved? What does the future of healthcare look like? Enter our guest for this week's episode. Kevin and Becca run the show this week with an interview featuring Morga…

We're back again this week home-dwellers *air horn*! Not sure about you guys, but the Generation STEM squad has been seeing a lot of stuff on the internet talking about tips and tricks of working from home due to the current social climate. Being the engineers we are, Kevin, Becca and Ryan decided to investigate....what is the scientific backing be…

We're starting a new chapter here on the podcast.......welcome to Generation STEM! On this episode of the Generation STEM podcast, it's a new brand but the same old squad. As we currently are in a time of humanitarian and economic difficulty in the wake of COVID-19, it got us thinking....what companies have been created and thrived during previous …

Social distancing and stay-at-home orders won't stop us from recording!!! On this episode of Close of Business Podcast, the COB squad discusses: The shortage on hand sanitizer, how businesses are changing their operations to support the COVID-19 effort, and big news on a mobile carrier merger Our Can't Wins and Must Loses of the affects of Coronavi…

By Kevin Flaker, Becca Schmidt, & Ryan Karlin - Powered by Black & Veatch

By Kevin Flaker, Becca Schmidt, & Ryan Karlin - Powered by Black & Veatch

By Kevin Flaker, Becca Schmidt, & Ryan Karlin - Powered by Black & Veatch

Happy holidays Closers! We’re here with a present that hits everything on your holiday wish list. On this episode, Kevin, Ryan and Becca sit down for an interview with the co-founders of a start-up called ecoSPEARS, who uses sustainable and cost-effective technology to remediate ground contaminants. What the heck are ground contaminants??? And why …

Hey Closers, we’re here with some entertainment for your Turkey Day weekend! On this episode, Kevin and Becca sit down and chat with the Executive Vice President of Uncommon Partners Lab and co-founder of Uncommon Partners, in an uber charismatic conversation about experiential learning and behavioral sciences. Kyle talks to us about his background…

Hey Closers, us again! This episode features an interview with Bruce Betts, the Chief Scientist at the Planetary Society; a nonprofit space research and technology foundation led by CEO Bill Nye (the science guy). Kevin and Becca sat down with Bruce at the Singularity University Global Summit to discuss the Planetary Society’s recent successful mis…

Hey Closers, we’re back! This episode features a HUGE interview, with none other than Erik Anderson, Executive Chairman of Topgolf, CEO of WestRiver Group, and Executive Chairman of Singularity University (20:45). We sat down to chat with Erik about how he founded WestRiver Group, how he ended up being involved with Topgolf, the lessons he’s learne…

Hey Closers, did you miss us? We’ve been busy producing content for you guys in San Francisco at the Singularity University Global Summit (check out a video preview of what we experienced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okOZLgbB3Cg). While Ryan was away on vacation in Spain (we missed you!), Kevin and Becca tag-teamed at the Silicon Valley co…

Hey Closers, it's us again. On this episode, Kevin, Ryan and Becca sit down to for an interview with Dave Hallowell, Senior VP of Telecom at B&V, to discuss the ins and outs of 5G technology (22:00). Have no idea how data is transmitted over your carrier’s network, or how a cell phone even works? No worries, Dave fills us in on the basics. Tune in …

Whaddup Closers, it’s us again, and we’ve got an awesome interview lined up for your listening pleasure. Kevin, Ryan and Becca sit down to chat with Brad Hardin, the President of Diode Ventures, a start-up company that operates as an asset developer for their clients in the commercial, industrial and technology space. Are you a commercial company w…

Hey it's us again Closers, with our final interview from PowerGen International 2018! After Ryan and Becca give life-long Blues fan Kevin a moment to reflect on St. Louis’ history-making Stanley Cup win, the gang introduces the discussion with Tom Friend; Business Agility Consultant and founder of Ash Elements LLC, a company that utilizes the conce…

Time for another episode, Closers, where the gang introduces an interview from PowerGen International 2018 focusing on the subject of Machine Learning and Digital Twin. Ryan and Kevin sat down with Patrick Bangert, founder and CEO of Algorithmica Technologies, a company that uses mathematics to model power plants to help prevent equipment failures,…

It’s our first episode recitation here on Close of Business Podcast, and Ryan, Kevin, and Becca kick it together to have a review on Episode 26’s topic of drones. Kevin starts it off by giving us detailed intel on drone technology. In the market for your own drone? Ryan gives us the low down of what commercial and industrial drones are out there, a…

Hey Closers, we’re coming back at you after a bit of a break to give you an episode all about DRONES. This episode features another stellar interview by Ryan and Kevin from the 2018 PowerGen International conference with Duke Energy’s Manager of Unmanned Aerial Systems, Jacob Velky. Jacob talks about his role, the advantages of utilizing drones in …

We’re back Closers, with Episode 25 of CoB Podcast for another awesome interview by Ryan and Kevin from the 2018 PowerGen International Conference. This episode’s interview features special guest Bethany Schunn, the first female plant manager at Cardinal Power Plant in Brilliant, Ohio. The guys had the opportunity to candidly talk to Bethany about …