Innovation Unplugged

Strong workforce systems are built when education, industry, and leadership move together.In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Houston Blackwood and Matt Heaton welcome Andy Chamness for a discussion on career technical education, workforce partnerships, and the future of craft training in Alabama. As both an education leader and pastor, Andy shares how faith, mentorship, and service have shaped his leadership philosophy and commitment to helping students succeed.The conversation highlights the opportunities ahead for skilled trades, the importance of apprenticeship-style learning, and why meaningful impact starts with investing in people and communities.

What does it take to grow a business while also investing in people and communities?In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Devoski Boyd joins Houston Blackwood and Matt Heaton for a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, workforce development, and long-term vision. As the leader of Boyd Walton Construction, Devoski discusses how field experience, operational discipline, and workforce training shaped his approach to leadership and business growth.The discussion also highlights the importance of Skills for Success training, the opportunities emerging across Alabama, and why sustainable development must be connected to workforce readiness and community impact.

What happens when decades of experience in classrooms, career tech education, and workforce leadership all converge in one mission?In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Houston Blackwood and Matt Heaton sit down with Dr. Chris Kennedy to discuss his transition from K-12 leadership into workforce development at Wallace Community College. From agriculture classrooms to statewide leadership roles, Dr. Kennedy reflects on the lessons learned serving students, supporting teachers, and building career pathways that create real opportunity.The conversation explores the future of workforce development in the Wiregrass region, the importance of partnerships between education and industry, and why helping students discover purpose still drives the work today.

Strong workforce systems aren’t built in isolation—they’re built through trust and collaboration. In Episode 101, Micheal Breland shares how Wiregrass Construction Company partners with Alabama’s community colleges to create meaningful training and hiring pathways. Houston and Matt explore the relationships, the shared ownership, and the real-world benefits that come from aligning industry needs with education delivery—offering a clear model for what effective workforce development should look like.

Episode 100 isn’t about looking back—it’s about understanding what it takes to build something that lasts. Chancellor Baker joins Innovation Unplugged to break down the problem the Innovation Center was designed to solve, the impact it’s already making across colleges and industries, and the shifts happening at a system level. This episode pulls back the curtain on how alignment, speed, and industry partnership are changing the game—and what leaders should be preparing for next.