The Rebuild SoCal Zone

The Rebuild SoCal Zone

Rebuild SoCal Partnership consists of more than 2,700 contractors throughout Southern California that represent more than 90,000 union workers in all 12 Southern California counties. The Partnership is dedicated to working with elected officials and educating the public on the continued need for essential infrastructure funding, including airports, bridges, ports, rail, roads, and water. Located in Anaheim, CA. The podcast will discuss up-and-coming construction trends and projects in Southern California that will affect your community and your life.

Episodes

March 11, 2024 24 mins

The High Cost of Underinvestment: Assessing the State of Infrastructure in Southern California

In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Matt Newman, the Principal and Co-Founder of Blue Sky Consulting Group, about a new report titled “The High Cost of Underinvestment: Assessing the State of Infrastructure in Southern California,” Rebuild SoCal Partnership launched in January of this year. We discuss key findings from the repo...

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In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Adán Ortega, the Chair of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). Ortega took office as chair on January 1st of this year. We discussed the effects of the rain and storms in Southern California earlier this year, the challenges with building new water infrastructure, the future of water delivery in Southern California, and more!


Please note this episode was ...

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Women in Construction - President and CEO of Cooper Engineering Inc. Denise Cooper joins host Jon Switalski for an inspiring conversation about being a successful woman and business owner in the construction industry. Cooper talks about how young women should want to join the construction industry and not feel scared to do so, her journey into the industry, and the key to having a successful small business. 


Please note: This ...

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In this episode of The Rebuild SoCal Zone, host Jon Switalski spoke with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman, Nora Vargas. Chairwoman Vargas was sworn in on January 4, 2021, to represent San Diego County’s 1st Supervisorial District. A first-generation immigrant, Supervisor Vargas is the first Latina, binational, and woman of color to serve as County Supervisor in the nearly 200-year history of the County of San Di...

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This time around on our women in construction series, host Jon Switalski spoke with Teresa Stevenson. Stevenson is currently a Public License Works Inspector for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12. Stevenson joined the Operating Engineers when she was 52 and now, at 58, talks to us about her experience as a woman in such a male-dominated field. She also talks to us about the current project at the San Diego Int...

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In this episode of The Rebuild SoCal Zone, host Jon Switalski spoke with Charles Fair, who is a member of the Laborers Union Local 89 in San Diego. Fair has been a member of Local 89 since 2008. We discuss the growth of San Diego, projects Charles has been a part of, mental health in the construction industry, and more!

Please note: This episode was recorded on February 9th, 2023

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"We can't conserve our way out of the problems we have in California. We have to invest in infrastructure."

In this episode of The Rebuild SoCal Zone, host Jon Switalski spoke with San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman. Supervisor Hagman proudly serves the residents of the 4th district. We discuss various transportation projects happening in San Bernardino County, such as the Ontario Airport improvements, the importance...

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"We should learn to respect the amount of water we have."

In this episode of The Rebuild SoCal Zone, host Jon Switalski spoke with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. Supervisor Barger proudly serves the residents of the 5th district, which is Los Angeles County's largest. We discuss the impact of Measure W projects, the role local transportation agencies play in addressing affordable housing, the implementation of Measur...

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In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Dr. Ray Wolfe. He is currently the Executive Director of San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). Dr. Wolfe joined SBCTA in April 2012 after spending more than 20 years with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). We discuss current infrastructure needs in San Bernardino County, road and highway needs related to the goods movement and what that means for ...

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In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Senator Bob Hertzberg. He is currently running for Los Angeles County Supervisor in District 3, which covers much of the San Fernando Valley and the Westside of LA. Hertzberg has been a part of state government for years and returned in 2014 when he was elected again to represent nearly 1 million people in the San Fernando Valley in the California State Senate. We discuss the roll...

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In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath. She is currently running for Los Angeles County Supervisor in District 3, which covers much of the San Fernando Valley and the Westside of LA. Horvath is presently on the West Hollywood city council and was first elected in March 2015. We discuss Horvath's transportation plan for SD3, the roll-out of Measure W projects, the implementation of Measure M proj...

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We're back with another episode focused on the California High-Speed Rail Project. The final state budget negotiations had excellent news for the project since we last touched base in May. In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with LaDonna DiCamillo, the Southern California Regional Director for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. We discuss how the project is progressing in Southern California, what is next for high-spee...

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"I would encourage students to understand this industry is in high demand."

In this episode of The Rebuild SoCal Zone, we spoke with Colin Brooks, the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant Coordinator (CTEIG Coordinator) at the Los Angeles Unified School District. Host Marci Stanage talks with Mr. Brooks about LAUSD's Building and Construction Trades Virtual Speaker Series, the value of a career in construction, and more.

Clic...

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In the second part of our mini-series focused on California's water crisis, we spoke with Deven Upadhyay, the Chief Operating Officer and Assistant General Manager at the Metropolitan Water District. Host Marci Stanage talks with Mr. Upadhyay about water reuse, the many benefits of recycled water, and conservation efforts.

To learn more about MWD's Pure Water Southern California click here.

Note: This episode was recorded on J...

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"We are not going to conserve our way out of this drought."

In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with the Director of the California Department of Water Resources, Karla Nemeth. We discuss how California found itself in the midst of one of the longest and worst droughts in the last 1200 years. Nemeth also speaks about water recycling, the role climate change has in the drought, and the new emergency water regulations put ...

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In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Brian Kelly who is the Chief Executive Officer for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. We discuss everything from the project history, status, and the ultimate goals of the project.

NOTE: This episode was recorded on April 22nd, 2022.  On April 28th, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) Board of Directors certified the Final (EIR/EIS) and unanimously approved...

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Talking Planning and Sustainability for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Host Jon Switalski sat down with Michelle Schwartz, Chief External Affairs Officer for LA 28 to discuss the upcoming 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We talk about where LA 28 is in the planning process, the sustainability factor, and utilizing what LA already has to offer. 

Learn more at https://la28.org/

This episode was recorded on Mar...

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This time around on our women in construction series, host Jon Switalski spoke with Amber Wood. Wood is a Heavy Equipment Operator for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12. Wood has over 20 years in the industry and talks to us about her experience as a woman in such a male-dominated field. She also talks to us about what it is like to balance being a mother and having a successful career.

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New Podcast Episode Explores Drought, Metropolitan Water District’s (MWD) One Water Plan, and The Future of Water in Southern California

In this episode, host Jon Switalski sits down with the General Manager and CEO of Metropolitan Water District (MWD), Adel Hagekhalil. We discuss the "forever" drought in Southern California, the Regional Recycled Water Project in Carson, water conservation, and lots more on water infrastructure!&n...

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New Podcast Episode Explores Richardson's Accomplishments, The Importance of Infrastructure, and What's Next

This time around we sat down with the Vice Mayor of Long Beach, Rex Richardson. Host Jon Switalski talks to Mr. Richardson about his career journey, his involvement with the port of Long Beach, his decision in running for the Mayor of Long Beach, and more! 

This episode was recorded on February 16th, 2022.

Please send i...

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