The Nuclear Power Institute "The Path of Most Persistence" Podcast
By Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station - Nuclear Power Institute
The Nuclear Power Institute "The Path of Most Persistence" PodcastMay 04, 2023
“You have to have facts, information, and the knowledge to backup what you’re doing.” -June Deadrick
June Deadrick, Director of State & Federal Relations (Government Affairs) for CenterPoint Energy, joined us on "The Path of Most Persistence” podcast on April 14, 2023. June discussed what she learned growing up in small-town Palacios, Texas, education, and entering the workforce at the Capitol. She knows and lives her values: faith, family, education, service, and taking time to enjoy life. Thank you, June, for shining your light of positivity and reminding us to always have courage.
"We need more women leaders and more women city managers." - Helen Ramirez
Helen Ramirez, City Manager for Brownsville, joined us on "The Path of Most Persistence" Podcast on March 30, 2023. Helen shared her knowledge and passion for economic development. She knows the importance of innovation and the impact it has on communities.
"A key attribute to leadership is to empower your team and believe in them." - Laura Brieden
Laura Brieden, Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant, and station expert for South Texas Project (STP) Nuclear Operating Company, joined the NPI’s “The Path of Most Persistence” podcast on February 17, 2023. Laura discussed leadership traits, adversity, and accomplishing goals. She also shared her passion for helping others grow and learn.
"They invent, they build, and they problem solve." Dr. David Se Sousa
Dr. David Se Sousa, the Associate Director for the Engineering Academies at Texas A&M University, joined us for our first April episode of our podcast series "The Path of Most Persistence."
“They see that this is their future and they are starting to take some ownership of it.”
Celina Garcia, the Program Coordinator for the National Science Foundation CREST Center for Geospatial and Environmental Informatics, Modeling and Simulation located at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, joined us for our second episode of our podcast series "The Path of Most Persistence."
"Don't stifle your creativity." Dawn James
Dawn James, the Managing Director of Sustainability Strategy & Transformation at Deloitte Consulting LLP, joined us for our first March episode of our podcast series "The Path of Most Persistence."
"Whatever we do, I want it to be effective because it's a big world the students are stepping into."
Charley Ayres, the Director of Industry/Education Partnerships for the Central Texas Workforce Board, joined us on the second February 2023 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
"Always look for a way to grow." - Ambassador Ana Teresa Dengo
Ambassador Ana Teresa Dengo, a former Diplomat in Washington DC, New York, and Europe, an author, and retired Ambassador to Austria, Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovakia, and the United Nations in Vienna, joined us on the first February 2023 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
"I'm always inspired by these incredible young people." - Colonel David Hammons
David Hammons, Retired Colonel and Organizational Learning Manager in the Chevron Technical Center in Houston, Texas, joined us on the second January 2023 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
"If you train the teacher it has such a large effect." - Dr. Cindy Lawley
Dr. Cindy Lawley, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic and Outreach Programs, Associate Agency Director for Workforce Development and Regional Divisions at Texas A&M University, joined us on the first January 2023 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
“Our job is to connect job seekers to employers.” - Kimberly Bradford Brown
Kimberly Bradford Brown, Deputy Chief of Staff for Texas Workforce Commissioner Aaron Demerson and a children's book author, joined us on the second November 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
"You have to take these years to grow." - Alejandro Perez
Alejandro Perez, a 2022 Summer Intern for Texas Workforce Commission Public Policy and Communications, joined us on the first November 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
“It’s never too late to start.” - Tiffany Obeng
Tiffany Obeng, the Children's Book Author & Owner of Sugar Cookie Books, joined us on the second October 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence." To learn more about Tiffany, please visit her website: https://www.sugarcookiebooks.com/.
"Don’t put obstacles in your way, find solutions for them." - Judge Migdalia Lopez
"Once you decide that you want to become whatever it is…. all of you can do it, you just have to decide that’s what you want to do, and then you have to set the course." "Nothing comes easy…if something comes easy, you better look out; there’s a catch somewhere if it comes easy. So you have to work for it, and if you work hard, you’ll make it." Judge Migdalia Lopez joins NPI in the July episode of "The Path of Most Persistence" podcast.
“You need to respect others." - Dr. Oscar Acuna
Dr. Oscar Acuna, the Lead for Outreach and International Activities at Texas A&M National Center for Electron Beam Research, Department of Food Science & Technology, joined us on the first October 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
We still all have a need for balance and to find our way in this world we live in -Bishop Gary Janak
"The basic understanding and commonality I find in people is balance in life, body, and mind, and also humility." Bishop Gary Janak joins NPI in the May Mental Health Awareness episode of "The Path of Most Persistence" podcast.
"They'll figure out what they really do like, and they'll succeed" - Keagan & Leslie Gerberman
"They [young students] might find a lot of things they don't like, but that one opportunity will come by, that one person, that one experience, and they'll figure out what they really do like, and they'll succeed." Keagan and Leslie Gerberman join NPI in the May episode of "The Path of Most Persistence" podcast. Keagan was invited by the Texas A&M College of Engineering to participate in a marketing video for International Women's Day (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=149124263729515). Keagan already has aspirations to pursue Biological Engineering with a noteworthy goal of "curing cancer".
“For us, it was about fighting, I wanted to honor Allie." - Jamie White
Jamie White, the Founder & Executive Director of Allie’s Way, joined us on the second September 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
"Be fearless, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself" - Aleshia Duncan
"The power of knowing who you are is within, and you can take that and translate that regardless of where you go, and regardless of what you have experienced in the past." Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Nuclear Energy Policy and Cooperation in the Office of Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, Aleshia Duncan, joins NPI in the June episode of "The Path of Most Persistence" podcast.
“You have something valuable to give to someone else.” - Tierashia Adair
Tierashia Adair, the creator of T. Adair Enterprises, author, mother, and founder and CEO of AMOL: A Message of Love, Inc., joined us on the first September 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
“I teach many one-to-ones; for me, it is about that individual interaction every single time.”
Dr. Tracy Hammond, the Director of the Institute for Engineering and Education & Innovation, a Professor of Computer Science & Engineering, and the Director of the Sketch Recognition Lab, joined us on the last August 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
“I knew in my heart that I was doing what I was supposed to do.” - Colonel Mark Johnson
Colonel Mark Johnson, retired colonel for the US Army, Director of the College of Engineering Professors of Practice Program, and Associate Professor of Practice of Industrial Distribution for Texas A&M University, joined us on the second August 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
“The only way I was going to be successful was through the power of teamwork." - Rob Gorham
Rob Gorham, the Executive Director of Manufacturing Initiatives College Station and one of our enthusiastic "Clean SMARTS Master Class" experts, joined us on the first August 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
"I think the best thing we can do for newer students and the younger students is to give them information on the different opportunities that are available to them." - Dr. Valentini Pappa
Dr. Valentini Pappa, the Manager of the Graduate office at Texas A&M University at Qatar, joined us on the second July 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
"It is a difficult world, so just be open and understand each other." - Dr. Marini
Dr. Francesca Marini, the Associate Professor of Programming and Outreach Librarian at the Texas A&M University's Cushing Memorial Library & Archives, joined us on the first July 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
“It didn’t feel so much like failure, it just felt like a very slow progression.” - Yesenia Salazar
Yesenia Salazar, a recent Texas A&M graduate, joined NPI in the last June 2022 episode of the "Path of Most Persistence" Podcast."
“If we see a problem we want to get out there and we want to try to help.” - Michael Smith
Michael Smith, the Vice-President of Development for the Texas State Technical College, joined NPI in the first June 2022 episode of the "Path of Most Persistence" Podcast."
“I think that it’s important for us to set goals for ourselves and have a vision." -Ed Halpin
Ed Halpin, the creator of Halpin Leadership Industries, joined NPI in the last May 2022 episode of the "Path of Most Persistence" Podcast."
"Public service was a way I could really touch people's lives."-Lindsey Stover
Lindsey Davis Stover, ta founder and partner at Edwards, David Stover and Associates, LLC, joined NPI in the fourth May 2022 episode of the "Path of Most Persistence" Podcast."
“Look to your mentors, learn from people, ask questions, be open-minded.” - Nicole Pottberg
Nicole Pottberg, the Executive Director for Texas A&M’s Engineering Human Resources and Payroll joined NPI in the second May 2022 episode of the "Path of Most Persistence" Podcast."
“If you are willing to continue to learn, I think that that’s special and important.”- Krista Smith
Krista Smith, the Director for Facilities Program Integration, Strategic and Capital Acquisition Investment Planning at Sandia National Laboratories, joined NPI in the third May 2022 episode of the "Path of Most Persistence" Podcast."
“Everyone has doubts, everyone has self doubt.”- Chrisma Jackson
Chrisma Jackson, a Senior Manager leading the Nuclear Deterrence Special Projects and Use Control Group in the Advanced Systems and Transformation Center at Sandia National Laboratories, joined us on our first May 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
“I believe every person has a story, and everybody has a message”- Ritika Bhattacharjee
Ritika Bhattacharjee, a podcast student-host, founder and president of an all-engineering choir, lead jazz vocalist, blogger, and an all-around inspirational woman, joined us today on our last April 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
“I am where I am today because I asked questions”- Paul Dickman
Paul Dickman, a Senior Policy Fellow with Argonne National Laboratory joined us on our third April 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
“Find what works for you. Find what you're passionate about."- Ande Burks
Ande Burks, an Executive Assistant for the Texas A&M University Office for Diversity, joined us today on our second April 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
"Surround yourself with people that keep you grounded."- Abigail Palacios
Abigail Palacios, a clinical fellow speech-language pathologist, joined us today on our first April 2022 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
"The growth is in the challenge."- Mollie Huber
Mollie Huber, the Lead Counselor for Troy High School and one of our NPI Regional Coordinators, joined us on our final March 2022 podcast episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
"We all have a story, and we all have adversity that we are facing every day."- Joe Sharron
Peer Mentor, Podcast Producer and Host, and Executive Coach Joe Sharron joined NPI in our second March 2022 podcast episode of "The Path of Most Persistence."
To learn more about Joe Sharron, please view his:
Website: www.joesharronchallenge.com
Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/0M0uy6kFYAwd6s8uXyLND2
“Give of yourself every day, you will have no regrets.”- Dr. Pulikkathara
Dr. Merlyn Pulikkathara, a Physics Professor at Prairie View A&M and scientist with 10+ years of experience, joined NPI in the first March 2022 episode of Path of Most Persistence.
But in order to learn things like that, how to persevere, you have to have obstacles -Sabrina Garcia
University of Texas graduate and Project Manager at Chevron, Sabrina Garcia, joined NPI in the last February 2022 episode of the "Path of Most Persistence" podcast.
"You're never going to figure out if you like something or not until you try" - Chris Page
NPI Regional Coordinator and Palacios High School Ag Science Teacher Chris Page joined NPI in the second February 2022 episode of the "Path of Most Persistence" Podcast.
"You have to put yourself out there or you're never going to be seen and you're never going to be heard" - Patricia Castanon
In 2020, the Nuclear Power Institute interviewed then-rising senior at Palacios High School, Patricia Castanon. Patricia submitted the winning title of the new NPI Newsletter, "The Catalyst".
"Be open-minded to what could be in your future" - Shayden Spradley
Shayden Spradley, a graduating senior from Troy High School, talks about her experiences and views on perseverance and the impacts it can have.
"Address your feelings…life can be even more beautiful" - Regina Pena - The Path of Most Persistence
"When you can address your feelings with the help of others…and you can be honest with yourself, and forgive yourself, and forgive others, life can be even more beautiful on the other side of those things."
Philly Seafood Founder, Regina Pena, and Social Media Coordinator, Ava Pena, join NPI in the January 2021 Path of Most Persistence Podcast.
"You just have to keep trying" - Stephanie Rodgers
"You just have to keep trying" South Texas Project (STP) Emergency Response Supervisor, Stephanie Rodgers, joins NPI for our April 2021 episode of "The Path of Most Persistence Podcast".
"Enjoy the fundamentals of the game, if you don't you're in the wrong business" - Dr. John Junkins
"Make your tenacity be associated with having some realistic expectations for progress and try to achieve, or exceed, those. So you work on your game and you enjoy the fundamentals of the game, and if you don’t you’re in the wrong business, you need to go into something that you love."
Texas A&M Interim President, Dr. John Junkins, joins NPI for our March episode of "The Path of Most Persistence Podcast".
"We're all about getting it done" -Commissioner Aaron Demerson- The Path of Most Persistence Podcast
"We're all about getting it done."
Texas Workforce Commissioner, Aaron Demerson, joins NPI in an interview for February 2021 The Path of Most Persistence podcast.
“There’s no way but forward” - Brian Salge - Path of Most Persistence Podcast Interview
“If there’s something worth doing, it’s worth doing well” NPI Regional Coordinator, Brian Salge, joins us in our December edition of the Path of Most Persistence Podcast to share his thoughts on persistence.
“Be Cautious of Good Advice” - Dr. Steven Winston "The Path of Most Persistence" Podcast Interview
“If you’re trying to make the world better, you have to be willing to take on things or challenges and accept accountability and responsibility.”
Former Vice President of Lockheed Martin, Chemical & Nuclear Engineer, and now-Independent Senior Technical Advisor, Dr. Steven Winston shares his thoughts on persistence as well as some of his life story in the November edition of the NPI "The Path of Most Persistence" Podcast.
"Be Strong and Courageous" - Suzanne Jaworowski "The Path of Most Persistence" Podcast Interview
Then- Senior Advisor in Policy & Communications for the U.S. Department of Energy, Suzanne Jaworowski, talks with NPI on her experiences and thoughts on persistence and perseverance.