Breaking New Ground in Kern County: Shaping Careers and Community with Chris Kelley President of Hard Rock Casino Tejon Episode 161
Release Date: 02/17/2026
TRANSCRIPT-How To Develop Soft Skills for Future Tech-Driven Jobs with Tara Chklovski, founder/CEO of Technovation Episode 166
The Future Of Work
Tara Chklovski [00:00:00]: I would recommend to everyone, firstly, learn how to code, play along, and actually build technology. Don't just do the chatbot like prompt engineering, but actually build something with code so that you build your own confidence. Honestly, number two, I would say read more about all of this stuff of what is happening, because the more you know, the less you're afraid of what's coming, because you have time to process it. And trying to look ahead takes so much energy, but that's a very important thing to be doing right now. Christina Barsi [00:00:33]: The...
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How To Develop Soft Skills for Future Tech-Driven Jobs with Tara Chklovski, founder/CEO of Technovation Episode 166
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What if the biggest barrier to success in tech isn’t access, but mindset? In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo talks with Tara Chklovski, founder and CEO of Technovation, about what it truly takes to thrive in an AI-driven world. Tara unpacks why resilience and adaptability are just as vital as technical skills, how simulation-based learning can reshape education, and why women are most at risk of being left behind. Together, they explore how community colleges, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving can unlock opportunity for all. The future of work isn’t just about...
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TRANSCRIPT -How Women-Owned Businesses Lead Pasadena’s Post-Fire Economic Rebuild with Lizzy Okoro Davidson, Director at Pasadena Women's Business Center Episode 165
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Lizzy Okoro Davidson [00:00:00]: There's a higher success rate with women owned small businesses. There's a greater economic output in terms of, you know, having a woman lead the household and having her be economically sound means that it's a greater impact on the overall family and overall communities. And so I'm really passionate about it because it's not just a fun, warm, fuzzy feeling that you get talking about women owned small businesses. There's true economic impact. Dr. Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:29]: Hi, I'm Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development...
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How Women-Owned Businesses Lead Pasadena’s Post-Fire Economic Rebuild with Lizzy Okoro Davidson, Director at Pasadena Women's Business Center Episode 165
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A year after the devastating Los Angeles fires in January 2025, Lizzy Okoro Davidson returns to the podcast to share how the Pasadena Women’s Business Center has become a key leader in rebuilding efforts—championing strategies rooted in equity, tactical support, and economic opportunity for women entrepreneurs. Together, our host, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of the Economic and Workforce Development Department at Pasadena City College explores how we continue to rebuild a year later and the realities of what those efforts require ongoingly. Lizzy shares how programs at the...
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TRANSCRIPT - Sustaining the Rebuild: PCC’s Continuing Commitment to Community Recovery Episode 164
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Leslie Thompson [00:00:00]: PCC is committed to maintaining its role as a resource hub. Having people having gone through these pathways that are going to be ready to get in there and do the actual work that needs to be done. And it's not just swinging hammers. There's a lot of work to be done in different capacities. Dr. Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:17]: Hi, I'm Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and host of this podcast. And we are starting the conversation about the future of work. We'll explore topics like how education can...
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Sustaining the Rebuild: PCC’s Continuing Commitment to Community Recovery Episode 164
The Future Of Work
What does it actually take to create a sustainable and equitable recovery plan after a disaster? In this episode, host Dr. Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and co-host, Leslie Thompson, Director of Operations at Economic and Workforce Development at PCC, dive into the real, hands-on ways Pasadena City College is leading the region’s recovery and preparing the workforce for what’s next. In their conversation, they pull back the curtain on how PCC rapidly launched solutions after the Altadena fires—organizing immediate...
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TRANSCRIPT - The Nation’s First Goods Movement Training Campus at Port of Los Angeles with Gene Seroka, Executive Director of Port of L.A Episode 163
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Gene Seroka [00:00:00]: We also have an MOU, a Memorandum of Understanding, which is an agreement to work together between the California Community Colleges and the Port of Los Angeles to help build curriculum, to help guide education for certification and training. Those who can build syllabus and classwork as a profession can bring that here to the port so we can work on these various training modules and career progressions for our workforce. Dr. Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:31]: Hi, I'm Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and host of...
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The Nation’s First Goods Movement Training Campus at Port of Los Angeles with Gene Seroka, Executive Director of Port of L.A Episode 163
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We are diving into the evolving landscape of the Goods Movement with Gene Seroka, Director of the Port of Los Angeles. Our host, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo and Gene Seroka have a candid conversation about the challenges and innovations shaping the goods movement sector and how turbulent changes in trade policy, tariffs, and technology are impacting supply chain management. They also discuss the importance of steady leadership and long-term investment in careers and future-forward problem solving. Gene Seroka shares insights on launching the Port Optimizer—a groundbreaking digital platform that’s...
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Transcript -Breaking Barriers: Reimagining Career Pathways for the Next Generation with Jesse Diaz Director of Market Development Los Angeles at Propel America Episode 162
The Future Of Work
Jesse Diaz [00:00:00]: I believe these pathways are vital because they can collapse right the distance between learning and earning, allowing people to start working toward a career and income at the same time, which is crucial in this current economic climate. Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:14]: Hi, I'm Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and host of this podcast. And we are starting the conversation about the Future of Work. We'll explore topics like how education can partner with industry, how to be more equitable, and how to...
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Breaking Barriers: Reimagining Career Pathways for the Next Generation with Jesse Diaz Director of Market Development Los Angeles at Propel America Episode 162
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For many students, alternative career pathways are the key to unlocking systemic barriers and breaking through rigid environments that keep economic mobility out of reach. Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Jesse Diaz, the Director of Market Development Los Angeles at Propel America to unpack how to build more equitable career opportunities. As a first-generation Latino college graduate and lifelong educator, Jesse brings a powerful personal journey—growing up in Boyle Heights and navigating nontraditional pathways from athletics to nonprofit leadership. Together, they dive into the challenges...
info_outlineWhat does it take to introduce a brand new industry to a community? That is the challenge Chris Kelley, President of Hard Rock Casino Tejon, is tackling in opening the Hard Rock Casino Tejon in Kern County. With more than 20 years of experience in gaming and hospitality, Chris shares inspiring insights on Hard Rock’s partnership with the Tejon tribe, the creation of thousands of jobs, and the impact of introducing an entirely new industry to a region traditionally dominated by agriculture and energy. From discussing amplified guest service and meaningful community relationships, to revealing the grassroots approach to workforce development, Chris unpacks how Hard Rock balances its global brand identity while authentically rooting itself in Kern County’s culture and history. Tune in to discover the impact of breaking new ground and building an industry from the ground up.
You’ll learn:
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The impact of introducing thousands of jobs to a region previously dominated by agriculture and energy, helping to diversify and strengthen the local economy.
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How the hospitality sector is a powerful career engine, allowing workers to start at any level and progress in their careers, fostering growth and upward mobility for long-term success.
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How building strong relationships—with the Tejon Tribe, local businesses, and especially the community college network—has been critical to the Hard Rock Casino project’s progress.
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The ways in which rapid technological changes—especially in AI—are reshaping hospitality to augment jobs and create efficiencies rather than replacing roles outright.
About the Guest:
Chris Kelley, President of Hard Rock Casino Tejon, is a strategic leader with extensive experience in the hospitality and entertainment industry with a career spanning more than two decades. Prior to joining Hard Rock, Chris served as President & COO of MGM Resorts International Northeast Group, where he oversaw operations at MGM Springfield in Springfield, MA and Empire City in Yonkers, NY. Prior to this role, Chris served as President & COO of MGM Northfield Park, where he opened the property with the highest gross gaming revenues in the state. Additionally, as CFO of MGM Detroit, Chris led all finance operations for one of the largest regional properties in the country. He holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Economics and Political Science from Connecticut College and a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Website: https://casino.hardrock.com/tejon
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Find the transcript of this episode here
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