iBuild America Podcast

Mario Gonzalez didn't apply for his job at the Home Builders Institute. He isn't entirely sure how his resume even got there. After 21 years in the Army and a plan for civilian life that "didn't really go to plan," Mario found himself working an entry-level job at a tire plant, wondering what was next — until a leaflet fell out of his military transition paperwork. On it, in his own handwriting, were five things he wanted in ...

Michael D. Smith started his career at 12 years old, running the coat room at his local Boys & Girls Club for two dollars an hour. Today, he's the President and CEO of Eckerd Connects — a nearly 60-year-old organization serving communities across 20 states and operating 12 Job Corps campuses nationwide.

In this episode, host Lorraine Lane sits down with Michael to talk about the journey from an underserved community in Wes...

Everyone's got an opinion about Gen Z. Liza Ochsendorf has receipts instead — and she's using them to build one of the most creative workforce development programs in New York.

As Director of Workforce Development for Warren County, Liza has turned the traditional school job fair into something teenagers actually want to attend — DJ included, businesses competing for votes, and prizes on the line. In this episode, she ta...

Success isn't built overnight—it starts with someone willing to listen.

In this inspiring episode of the iBuild America Podcast, host Lorraine Lane sits down with Diane Roberts, Director of Youth Services at Employ Prince George's, to discuss what it really takes to prepare today's young adults for successful careers.

From her own journey that began as a 14-year-old in a summer jobs program to leading workforce initiatives that...

What does it take to go from the streets to the front office? For Corey Davis, Center Director at the Gadsden Job Corps Center in Gadsden, Alabama, the answer is equal parts hustle, humility, and an unshakeable belief that every young person deserves a shot.

Corey didn’t grow up on a clear path. He was a former gang member, made mistakes, stayed in trouble — his words, not ours. But a praying mama, a chance encounter wit...

Ever heard someone say, “The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately?” That’s not a quote from a motivational poster — that’s the lived philosophy of Walter L. Simmons, the Secretary of the newly-created Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility (DOSM) — the first cabinet-level agency in America dedicated to social equity and economic mobility.Walter didn’t start in a boa...

What happens when two women who've spent careers in the trenches of workforce development sit down and just… tell the truth?

Host Lorraine Lane is joined by Meghan Burke, Director of School Employment Programs for Metro South/West Workforce Board, and Apryl Simmons, Consultant for Workforce Development, Healthy Homes Repair Manager, Sussex County Habitat for Humanity.

What starts as a conversation about WIOA and apprenticeshi...

What happens when someone believes in you before you believe in yourself?

What started as a role helping students at Job Corps became a lifelong mission. Korey Adams reflects on his journey from Job Corps counselor to CEO of Distinction, LLC—and the purpose that guided him every step of the way.

But this conversation goes deeper than business.

It’s about risk. Resilience. Purpose. And the power of truly seeing people&mdash...

What if the life you want is waiting—just outside of what you’ve always known?At the Talking Leaves Job Corps Center, located in the heart of the Cherokee Nation, that’s exactly what’s happening.

In this episode, Jill Zimmer shares how this unique center is helping young people—many from rural and tribal communities—step into new opportunities while staying connected to their culture, identity, an...

Sometimes, all it takes is one person to see something in you.

Lorraine Lane sits down with Rodney Butler, Executive Director at Adams and Associates, to talk about a 25-year journey shaped by leadership, growth, and opportunity through Job Corps.

Rodney didn’t start where you might expect—from bowling alleys to finance, and eventually into leadership—his path is proof that careers aren’t always linear…...

Job Corps has always been about opportunity—and its future is full of even greater potential.

In this episode of the iBuild America podcast, Dr. Francis Cole is joined by Korey Adams (CEO, Distinction LLC), Ramon Serrato (CEO, Serrato Corporation), and Brian Fox (CEO, Education & Training Resources) for a powerful panel discussion on what’s next for one of the nation’s most impactful workforce development progr...

What does it take to dedicate over 30 years to changing lives?

In this episode of the iBuild America podcast, Lorraine Lane sits down with Roxanne Chin, Vice President at Bizzell Corporation, a global organization committed to transformation and impact.

Roxanne’s journey started with a simple newspaper ad in 1992:

“An exciting job to change lives.”

She answered—and never looked back.

This conversation is about mo...

What started as a $17,000-a-year counseling job turned into a 30+ year mission to change lives.

In this episode of the iBuild America podcast, Lorraine Lane sits down with Jeff Barton, Senior Vice President at Management Training Corporation (MTC)—one of the most influential leaders in Job Corps.

Jeff shares how he stumbled into the program straight out of college… and never left.

But this isn’t just a career story&...

Workforce development is more than training programs and job placements — it’s about creating real opportunities for people to transform their lives.

In this episode, we hear from Quasandria “Q” Curry, Director of Westside Works in Atlanta, whose work focuses on helping individuals gain the skills, support, and confidence they need to enter meaningful careers.

Raised on Atlanta’s west side, Q understands...

What happens when someone spends more than three decades helping young people rewrite their futures?

In this episode, we sit down with Peni Webster-Lewis, a respected workforce development leader who recently concluded an extraordinary career with the Job Corps program. From her beginnings as an orientation specialist to serving as Acting Deputy Administrator for the national program, Peni’s work helped shape opportunities for...

Some people cook meals. Others build movements.

Chef Simone Byron is doing both.

In this powerful episode, we explore how one woman turned her culinary legacy into a national workforce initiative that’s changing the trajectory of hundreds of young lives each year.

Inspired by her great-grandfather — the Bronx’s first African American caterer and head chef for Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line — Chef Simone ...

What does it look like when talent meets opportunity—and focus meets purpose?

In this powerful episode of the iBuild America Podcast, host Lorraine Lane sits down with Chef Cameron Shaw, a young culinary talent whose journey is rooted in legacy, resilience, and vision. From working the dish pit to earning international recognition, Cameron shares how discipline, integrity, and mentorship shaped his path in the culinary world.

R...

In this episode of the I Build America Podcast, host Byron V. Garrett sits down with Tremaine Davis, visionary tech entrepreneur, educator, and social impact leader with more than 26 years of experience building companies and communities from the ground up.

A seven-time founder who launched his first tech company in 2000, Tremaine now leads two venture-backed global AI firms transforming industries across the U.S., Europe, and the M...

On this episode of the iBuild America Podcast, host Byron V. Garrett sits down with insurance professional, entrepreneur, mentor, musician, and family man Yonni Castillo—a multi-talented leader whose story proves that purpose, passion, and perseverance truly can coexist.

Yonni opens up about his unconventional path—from growing up in Michigan, to a 20-year career with State Farm, to relocating across the country with his...