This week on MissionCTRL, Ramon and the PD Flight Crew are joined by Joshua “Josh” Paiz, a fellow artist, auto enthusiast and founder of JPaiz Studios, for a riveting conversation about cars and his own personal evolution as a muralist. Paiz discovered his interest in art when his mother, a domestic worker, would bring home discarded scrap paper, which he used to create and entertain himself. As he immersed himself in the creative process, a passion started burning within him. Paiz faced the sam...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr
What makes the difference between someone who succeeds and someone who continues to struggle? How do you define success? What’s the differentiating factor? What separates leaders from followers? In this episode of MissionCTRL, Ramon and the PD Flight Crew host Jessica Rivera, Executive Business Coach and Mindset Master, who together, set out to answer these questions. Believe it or not, a lot has to do with the stories we’ve been told and continue to tell ourselves — in a word, mindset. Rivera h...
Jul 31, 2024•48 min
Our next guest on MissionCTRL has a name that bears a striking resemblance to the call letters of a radio station, which is ironic because Lidj Lewis started his career at WWRL as an intern with Sonny Taylor. Lewis was born in Harlem and grew up in Brooklyn. He holds a BA in English/Communications from The City College of New York, an MBA from Pace University, and an MA in Secondary Inclusive Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Lidj is the Founder of The Trip Foundation, a 501(...
Jul 24, 2024•43 min
Today's MissionCTRL show is special because it’s not every day that Ramon and the PD Flight Crew host a power business lunch, book launch, and record an episode with the same client/guest, Chris Jarvis. Jarvis is more than a client and guest; he’s Ramon’s high school buddy. Chris joined Ramon and the PD Flight Crew in the MissionCTRL studios to share his story and promote his latest book: *Be The Giraffe: 14 Paths to Reach Higher in Business and Life*. Chris Jarvis is a corporate coach, financia...
Jul 17, 2024•50 min
This week on MissionCTRL, Sarah Taylor joins Ramon and the PD Flight Crew to share her unintentional entrepreneurial journey. After nearly a decade working within NYC Foster Care and Child Protective Services, Taylor suffered extreme burnout. Faced with the exorbitant housing costs associated with living in NYC and wanting to continue doing good in the world, Taylor decided to move back to Connecticut. Sarah found healing and light at the end of the tunnel through beeswax candles. With a bachelo...
Jul 10, 2024•33 min
Pitch & Pixel, also known as Maggie, PD’s Marketing Associate and George, PD veteran staffer and interactive designer, join Ramon and the PD Flight Crew this week in the MissionCTRL studio for a special Tiny Desk performance. Maggie is PD’s resident triple-threat entertainer, and George is a semi-professional musician with over 40 years of experience as a guitarist. As the PD Flight Crew prepares for the next iteration of MissionCTRL on YouTube, they encounter a musical snafu that gave birth...
Jul 03, 2024•29 min•Ep. 140
Up next on MissionCTRL with Ramon and the PD Flight Crew is Dr. Marlon Gray, a young, energetic, and passionate social entrepreneur. Dr. Gray is not the kind of doctor you’d call in an emergency to perform an operation, but rather a PhD, one that is serving families and communities within the behavioral healthcare world. Marlon built a successful startup and then sold the business after growing it for 10 years. Dr. Gray is a first-generation Guyanese-American whose family settled in “Homicide” H...
Jun 26, 2024•51 min•Ep. 139
This week on MissionCTRL, Ramon and the PD Flight Crew are joined by Nelson Merchan from the Connecticut Small Business Development Center, where he serves as a Business Advisor. Born in Bogota, Colombia, Merchan, like many, migrated to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream. Nelson holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Universidad del Rosario and an MBA in Marketing from Georgia State University. Merchan shares a bit of his entrepreneurial journey that landed him...
Jun 19, 2024•56 min•Ep. 138
Guy A. Fortt joins Ramon and the PD Flight Crew in the MissionCTRL Studio to share his adventurous journey into entrepreneurship. After witnessing a traumatic murder at 18 years old, Fortt made a vow to dedicate his life to serving others. This decision led to a 28-year career as a Firefighter/EMT. Fortt holds a Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership from the University of Bridgeport and a Master's in Sports Management from Columbia University. You may recognize him from his unique acting style...
Jun 12, 2024•34 min
This week on MissionCTRL, Sean Rabinowitz, President of Procyon Partners, joins Ramon and the PD Flight Crew in the studio to share his servant leadership journey. Rabinowitz is no stranger to being on air; he started his first broadcasting adventure with "In a Pinch Call Pete Finch." However, broadcasting was not in the cards for Sean. Rabinowitz grew up in Trumbull, CT, and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Health/Health Care Administration/Management and Insurance. He is passiona...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Martha Alejandro-Bird (the original “Marty Bird”) joins Ramon and the PD Flight Crew on this episode of MissionCTRL to share her journey from the inner-city pitfalls to becoming a Naval Officer. Alejandro-Bird is now an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Martha began following her gut instincts as a student at Bridgeport’s Bassick High School. The "brain in her gut" led her to connect with mentors who were instrumental in changing the trajectory of her life. When her gut prompted...
May 29, 2024•46 min•Ep. 135
This week on MissionCTRL, Lorraine Gibbons joins Ramon and the PD Flight Crew in the studio to share her story. Gibbons is the Executive Director at the Cardinal Shehan Center & McGivney Community Center in Bridgeport. At 14, Lorraine migrated from Jamaica to the United States, like many immigrants, in pursuit of the American Dream. Lorraine is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in both the nonprofit and for-profit industries. From an early age, Gibbons realized ...
May 22, 2024•42 min
Mark Lazarus joins Ramon and the PD Flight Crew this week in the MissionCTRL studios to share his 20-year journey in IT and discuss how IT programs are transforming lives. Lazarus serves as the Program Manager of Information Technology at The Workplace’s Tech Ready Career Training Program . In high school, Mark was an avid athlete, participating in basketball, track, and martial arts. After an injury, his guidance counselor recommended pursuing a career in IT. Following this advice, Lazarus earn...
May 15, 2024•41 min
This week on MissionCTRL, Ramon and the PD Flight crew sat down with the CEO and founder of Latin Financial, Sonia Alvelo. After graduating high school in Puerto Rico, Alvelo dreamed of living in the United States, a dream her aunt helped turn into reality. Alvelo landed in Bristol, Connecticut, and seized every opportunity afforded to her by attending ESL classes and practicing English through watching TV. Tune in to hear how Alvelo transitioned from working at Burger King to dominating the ban...
May 08, 2024•46 min
This week on MissionCTRL, Ramon and the PD Flight Crew sit down with Jermaine Brookshire Jr., Esq., an attorney at Wiggin and Dana LLP. Wiggin and Dana is a full-service law firm renowned for its highly talented, creative, and experienced lawyers who are dedicated to exceeding their clients' expectations daily. With offices in Connecticut, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Palm Beach, they represent clients across the United States and globally in a wide range of sophisticated and co...
May 01, 2024•45 min•Ep. 131
Ep. 130 Lessons in Living and Selling with Doug Rawady This week on MissionCTRL, Doug Rawady, a lifelong veteran sales professional, joined Ramon and the PD Fight Crew to share his personal development journey. Doug started his career in Westchester, New York, working in the family business. At an early age, Rawady learned he had a knack for using his charismatic personality to increase the size of his tips. Realizing that talent alone wouldn’t be enough, Rawady invested in his personal and prof...
Apr 24, 2024•48 min
This week on MissionCTRL, Ramon and the PD Flight Crew present an electrifying episode with Paul Brunson, accompanied by plenty of pre-wired electrical puns. Brunson, a licensed electrical contractor in the State of Connecticut, boasts over nine years in the construction industry. Paul’s interest in becoming an electrician was sparked during a part-time gig, marking a non-traditional entry into the industry. Although Brunson didn’t grow up wiring circuit boards, his exposure to the field was a p...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 13 min
On this episode of MissionCTRL, Ramon and the PD Flight Crew sit down with Thaddeus “Tad” Stewart, the managing principal at Integrated Design and Construction. Stewart was born and raised in Bridgeport, CT, and later relocated to Huntington, CT. As a young man, Thaddeus was athletic, playing three sports; this competitive prowess proved valuable when he transitioned into business. Thaddeus was influenced by his father, a masonry contractor. He spent time with his dad on job sites, where he was ...
Apr 10, 2024•47 min
Ramon and the PD Flight Crew sat down with Oliver Antigua, President of Pinnacle Basketball Group to talk all things sports and leadership in this episode of MissionCTRL. Antigua immigrated from the Dominican Republic to the Bronx with his mother, aunt, and two brothers. Sports played an integral part in Oliver’s childhood development and can be credited with keeping him on the straight and narrow in the rough and tumble Bronx neighborhood he grew up in. Tune in to learn how a kid from Fordham R...
Apr 03, 2024•42 min•Ep. 127
Ramon and the PD Flight Crew welcome strategic partner, colleague and former mentee Mercy Quaye back to MissionCTRL. Quaye has built a storied career spanning over a decade in journalism, communications, and public relations, both in New Haven and statewide. A New Haven native, Mercy holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and a master's degree in Public Relations, Social Media, and Applied Communications, both from Quinnipiac University. After working in both the profit and nonprofit sector...
Mar 27, 2024•47 min•Ep. 126
Put your earbuds in and buckle up as Ramon and the PD Flight Crew take you on a “fast & furious” journey through MissionCTRL with special guest, professional race car driver and instructor, Elivan Goulart. Shift gears right into the world of high-speed racing, entrepreneurial ventures, and personal achievements with a real-life racing legend. Originally from Brazil and now a proud dual citizen, Elivan embarked on his auto racing career in the United States at just 12 years old, starting with...
Mar 20, 2024•41 min
This week on MissionCTRL, Dr. Chaka Felder-McEntire joined Ramon and the PD Flight Crew to share what she’s been up to at Higher Heights since making the leap to being its full time Executive Director.. On Saturday, March 23, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am, Higher Heights will host an Educational Summit at the Canal Dock Boathouse in New Haven. In 2003, Dr. Felder-McEntire started Higher Heights as a social side hustle while working as a school counselor. The mission of Higher Heights Youth Empower...
Mar 13, 2024•53 min•Ep. 124
This heartwarming episode of Mission CTRL Ramon and the PD Flight crew sit down with half of the dynamic duo of Dusty Dudes Woodworks and The Bristol Bazaar, Care Verikas. Care met the love of her life on Match.com, and after a 10-hour marathon first date she discovered Eric also had a furry friend named after food, and she thought to herself, “This must be fate!” Eric, a skilled craftsman and Care, a marketing professional, became a power-couple even though their professions appear to be worlds...
Mar 06, 2024•39 min•Ep. 123
In this episode of Mission CTRL, Jahkeeva Morgan, Director of Programming at The Lab at ConnCorp joins Ramon and the PD Flight Crew to share her career journey of self discovery. The Lab at ConnCORP serves as a learning and knowledge center for new ideas, a community small business hub, and a place to exchange ideas about business ownership and entrepreneurship. Morgan, a dedicated professional, focuses on addressing inequalities and achieving equity in underserved communities. She has over a de...
Feb 28, 2024•39 min•Ep. 122
During the episode of Mission CTRL Ramon and the PD Flight Crew sit down with engineer and educator Kia Huggan, the young, visionary founder behind Webquity. Webquity is an innovative saas company dedicated to empowering neurodiverse learners with innovative accessibility tools. Their first product, 'Digital Glasses,' allows users to tailor their online experience to their unique needs. Webquity’s mission is to ensure equitable access to online education for neurodiverse learners through the dev...
Feb 21, 2024•37 min
On this special edition of Mission CTRL Ramon and the PD Flight Crew are joined by a self-proclaimed member of the Swiftie Camp, PD’s Marketing Assistant, Maggie Kruse, to recap Super Bowl LVIII and this year’s Best and Worst Commercials. The PD crew discusses how Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to victory in overtime, handing the 49ers the “almost” M&M’s ring which MARS, Inc. featured in this year’s iconic Super Bowl commercial. Kruse is set to star in Oklahoma this month and you...
Feb 14, 2024•34 min•Ep. 120
In this episode of Mission CTRL, join Ramon and the PD Flight Crew as they share the joys and pains of inner city life, community service, and believing in yourself with Dr. Monette Ferguson, the CEO and Executive Director at Alliance for Community Empowerment (formerly ABCD) in Bridgeport, CT. Born in poverty to a single mom, Dr. Ferguson has dedicated her life to empowering others and serving the underserved. Dr. Ferguson benefited from the same social services that she now helps provide for o...
Feb 07, 2024•43 min
In this episode of Mission CTRL, join Ramon and the PD Flight Crew as they engage with Christopher Price, the CEO/Founder of Red Fox Multi-family. With over two decades of experience in business operations within the life sciences sector, Price has made significant contributions in the pharmaceutical industry, notably in facilitating access to life-saving medications. Price spent his formative years in Danbury CT., by way of Greensboro NC., where his dad was a chemistry professor at North Caroli...
Jan 31, 2024•43 min
This week on Mission CTRL Ramon and PD Flight Crew welcomed Fran Pastore, the Founder and CEO of the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC). Back in 1997, Pastore, standing at a crossroads of necessity and fervor, had a vision for the Women's Business Development Council (WBDC). Tune in to hear how Pastore divorced, with two small children, very little work experience and few prospects on the horizon, created a thriving organization that serves women across Connecticut, with offices in Stam...
Jan 31, 2024•29 min
In Larry Janesky’s second segment of Mission CTRL, Ramon and the PD Flight Crew dive deeper into branding, team building, leadership, journaling, productivity tips and the origin behind Larry’s famous "all things basementy” branding. Other topics Larry covers in this episode include: The Top 3 Brand Strategies to help your business, revenue and reputation flourish; journaling tips for manifesting your best life, the four levels of delegation, and your role as the “Team Builder in Chief .” Janesk...
Jan 17, 2024•50 min
