https://simplecast.com North State Rocks Discover the hidden gems and extraordinary people of California’s North State region. Join Perry Thompson, CEO of Hat Creek Construction & Materials, as he explores the vibrant communities and interesting neighbors that make our region a great place to live, work, and play. Each episode brings you face-to-face with local heroes, hard-working entrepreneurs, and passionate community leaders who are writing the next chapter of the North State's legacy. More than a podcast, it celebrates our shared history and future. We'll tackle the challenges facing our region, spotlight opportunities for growth, and showcase the resilience that defines us. Whether you're a lifelong resident or just passing through, North State Rocks offers a fresh perspective on the place we proudly call home. Tune in, be inspired, and rediscover the North State with us. This is your community. This is your story. Learn more at www.northstaterocks.com. en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:56:58 +0000 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:57:09 +0000 https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp North State Rocks https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/cd046267-7dda-4313-8c18-a8b0b8227d83/1c52aae3-d0b6-4ced-9e4c-c0fd08d3ece1/3000x3000/logo-color-on-white-jpg.jpeg?aid=rss_feed https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp Discover the hidden gems and extraordinary people of California’s North State region. Join Perry Thompson, CEO of Hat Creek Construction & Materials, as he explores the vibrant communities and interesting neighbors that make our region a great place to live, work, and play. Each episode brings you face-to-face with local heroes, hard-working entrepreneurs, and passionate community leaders who are writing the next chapter of the North State's legacy. More than a podcast, it celebrates our shared history and future. We'll tackle the challenges facing our region, spotlight opportunities for growth, and showcase the resilience that defines us. Whether you're a lifelong resident or just passing through, North State Rocks offers a fresh perspective on the place we proudly call home. Tune in, be inspired, and rediscover the North State with us. This is your community. This is your story. Learn more at www.northstaterocks.com. Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. false https://feeds.simplecast.com/UbdgXS0g burney, lassen, northern california, california, redding, north state, susanville, shasta, lassen county, shasta county Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. laura@mktng.co 30200 6357a5e7-ed64-4907-a1fb-7ce7cd245106 North State Rocks with West BioFuels & Momentum on the Hat Creek Bioenergy Project Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:56:58 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp North State Rocks with West BioFuels & Momentum on the Hat Creek Bioenergy Project Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 00:53:01 On this episode of North State Rocks, Perry Thompson hosts leaders from West Biofuels and Momentum to discuss the Hat Creek Bioenergy Project: California's first 100% forest-fuel-powered community-scale bioenergy plant, now operational and generating real impact. The plant consumes approximately 30,000 bone-dry tons of biomass annually, receiving 5-6 truckloads of wood chips daily from forest thinning and wildfire mitigation operations. But the breakthrough is what happens on the other end: the plant produces biochar, a soil amendment with superior water- and nutrient-holding properties that sequesters carbon for 100+ years, creating an additional revenue stream for the operation. The conversation explores why this matters beyond power generation. With several projects in the pipeline, West Biofuels is proving that community-scale bioenergy can scale. Perry and the team also discuss the role of private investors in taking on risk when institutional capital wouldn't, the EU-sourced technology that eliminates water use and wastewater, and how forest management actually becomes economically viable when there's a market for the cleared material. This is a working proof of concept, and it's expanding. LEARN MORE: northstaterocks.com, westbiofuels.com, and buildmomentum.io. On this episode of North State Rocks, Perry Thompson hosts leaders from West Biofuels and Momentum to discuss the Hat Creek Bioenergy Project: California's first 100% forest-fuel-powered community-scale bioenergy plant, now operational and generating real impact. The plant consumes approximately 30,000 bone-dry tons of biomass annually, receiving 5-6 truckloads of wood chips daily from forest thinning and wildfire mitigation operations. But the breakthrough is what happens on the other end: the plant produces biochar, a soil amendment with superior water- and nutrient-holding properties that sequesters carbon for 100+ years, creating an additional revenue stream for the operation. The conversation explores why this matters beyond power generation. With several projects in the pipeline, West Biofuels is proving that community-scale bioenergy can scale. Perry and the team also discuss the role of private investors in taking on risk when institutional capital wouldn't, the EU-sourced technology that eliminates water use and wastewater, and how forest management actually becomes economically viable when there's a market for the cleared material. This is a working proof of concept, and it's expanding. LEARN MORE: northstaterocks.com, westbiofuels.com, and buildmomentum.io. false full 15 2c01c085-b7d3-4f2e-9890-5c40f81fe993 North State Rocks with Weston Hutchings, Hat Creek Construction On this episode of North State Rocks, Perry Thompson sits down with his cousin and co-owner, Weston Hutchings, to tell the remarkable story of Hat Creek Construction: from survival mode during the 2008 recession to becoming a regional powerhouse in construction and materials. 

Weston shares his journey from working at Granite Construction and Sierra Nevada Construction in Reno to joining Hat Creek in February 2009 with one goal: to raise his family where he grew up. The conversation explores the company's near-death experiences, including their worst year financially ($22M revenue in 2007 that left them near bankruptcy), their pivot into the paving business (losing $100K in three days on their first job), and the aggressive risks they took to survive and eventually thrive. Weston reveals how acquiring Jim Miller's asphalt plant, building the Susanville operation, and establishing plants in Lookout and Eagle Peak helped transform Hat Creek into a $100M operation. 

But the heart of this episode is about more than business success. Weston and Perry discuss the partnership model that keeps them grounded: how having a trusted co-owner makes the lonely weight of leadership manageable. They explore the role supportive spouses played in enabling them to pursue big dreams, the importance of core values in hiring and culture, and why attracting and retaining elite operational talent has been their greatest competitive advantage. This is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, resilience, and what it means to build something meaningful in the North State. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. 

Listen to the podcast at northstaterocks.com or on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, IHeartRadio, and Pandora.

]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:45:06 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp On this episode of North State Rocks, Perry Thompson sits down with his cousin and co-owner, Weston Hutchings, to tell the remarkable story of Hat Creek Construction: from survival mode during the 2008 recession to becoming a regional powerhouse in construction and materials. 

Weston shares his journey from working at Granite Construction and Sierra Nevada Construction in Reno to joining Hat Creek in February 2009 with one goal: to raise his family where he grew up. The conversation explores the company's near-death experiences, including their worst year financially ($22M revenue in 2007 that left them near bankruptcy), their pivot into the paving business (losing $100K in three days on their first job), and the aggressive risks they took to survive and eventually thrive. Weston reveals how acquiring Jim Miller's asphalt plant, building the Susanville operation, and establishing plants in Lookout and Eagle Peak helped transform Hat Creek into a $100M operation. 

But the heart of this episode is about more than business success. Weston and Perry discuss the partnership model that keeps them grounded: how having a trusted co-owner makes the lonely weight of leadership manageable. They explore the role supportive spouses played in enabling them to pursue big dreams, the importance of core values in hiring and culture, and why attracting and retaining elite operational talent has been their greatest competitive advantage. This is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, resilience, and what it means to build something meaningful in the North State. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. 

Listen to the podcast at northstaterocks.com or on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, IHeartRadio, and Pandora.

]]> North State Rocks with Weston Hutchings, Hat Creek Construction Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 01:33:36 On this episode of North State Rocks, Perry Thompson sits down with his cousin and co-owner, Weston Hutchings, to tell the remarkable story of Hat Creek Construction: from survival mode during the 2008 recession to becoming a regional powerhouse in construction and materials. On this episode of North State Rocks, Perry Thompson sits down with his cousin and co-owner, Weston Hutchings, to tell the remarkable story of Hat Creek Construction: from survival mode during the 2008 recession to becoming a regional powerhouse in construction and materials. false full 14 30a1f3f9-722d-413d-9c76-34a63fd6f033 North State Rocks with Bailey Small, PRCA Professional Saddle Bronc Rider Sat, 7 Mar 2026 16:04:27 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp North State Rocks with Bailey Small, PRCA Professional Saddle Bronc Rider Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 00:42:06 From Fall River to the PRCA: How Bailey Small Turned Small-Town Roots into a Pro Rodeo Career In this episode of North State Rocks, host Perry Thompson sits down with Bailey Small, a Fall River High School graduate and second-year PRCA professional saddle bronc rider. Bailey traces his path from juggling six sports in high school to earning a 4.0 GPA in his master's program at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas… and ultimately competing on the national rodeo circuit. Bailey opens up about the moment he nearly quit his freshman year of college, the friendship that pulled him back on course, and the goal-setting habit that has guided every step of his career. He also details his return from a serious knee injury sustained in Pueblo, Colorado, and shares the visualization routine he uses before every single ride. Listeners will hear what it actually takes to build a pro rodeo career from the North State, why small-town coaches and community support matter more than most people realize, and what it means to compete at 100 rodeos a year with the National Finals Rodeo in your sights. Follow Bailey on Facebook and catch his rides on the Cowboy Channel. Listen at northstaterocks.com or on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, IHeartRadio, and Pandora. From Fall River to the PRCA: How Bailey Small Turned Small-Town Roots into a Pro Rodeo Career In this episode of North State Rocks, host Perry Thompson sits down with Bailey Small, a Fall River High School graduate and second-year PRCA professional saddle bronc rider. Bailey traces his path from juggling six sports in high school to earning a 4.0 GPA in his master's program at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas… and ultimately competing on the national rodeo circuit. Bailey opens up about the moment he nearly quit his freshman year of college, the friendship that pulled him back on course, and the goal-setting habit that has guided every step of his career. He also details his return from a serious knee injury sustained in Pueblo, Colorado, and shares the visualization routine he uses before every single ride. Listeners will hear what it actually takes to build a pro rodeo career from the North State, why small-town coaches and community support matter more than most people realize, and what it means to compete at 100 rodeos a year with the National Finals Rodeo in your sights. Follow Bailey on Facebook and catch his rides on the Cowboy Channel. Listen at northstaterocks.com or on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, IHeartRadio, and Pandora. false full 13 88e46c19-2040-4761-a655-4fc573712ea1 North State Rocks: Panel on Wolves and Ranchers On this episode of North State Rocks, host Perry Thompson brings together three distinct perspectives on the wolf crisis devastating Lassen County: Wyatt Hanson (rancher at Willow Creek Ranch, facing 10 confirmed wolf kills), Richard Egan (rancher and former Lassen County Administrator), and John McGarva (current Lassen County Sheriff).

The conversation exposes a critical gap in law enforcement. While sheriffs can issue public safety directives for mountain lions and bears, wolves are "double protected" by state and federal law, leaving communities vulnerable as wolves become increasingly habituated to human presence and exhibit aggressive behavior that runs counter to official wildlife narratives.

Listeners will gain insight into the policy handcuffs strangling law enforcement and ranchers alike, discover why misinformation about wolves persists, and hear urgent calls for lethal control tools and delisted zones as necessary management strategies. This episode represents a turning point in the North State wolf conversation, raising voices that official channels have been designed to silence. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. 

]]> Mon, 22 Dec 2025 23:59:17 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp On this episode of North State Rocks, host Perry Thompson brings together three distinct perspectives on the wolf crisis devastating Lassen County: Wyatt Hanson (rancher at Willow Creek Ranch, facing 10 confirmed wolf kills), Richard Egan (rancher and former Lassen County Administrator), and John McGarva (current Lassen County Sheriff).

The conversation exposes a critical gap in law enforcement. While sheriffs can issue public safety directives for mountain lions and bears, wolves are "double protected" by state and federal law, leaving communities vulnerable as wolves become increasingly habituated to human presence and exhibit aggressive behavior that runs counter to official wildlife narratives.

Listeners will gain insight into the policy handcuffs strangling law enforcement and ranchers alike, discover why misinformation about wolves persists, and hear urgent calls for lethal control tools and delisted zones as necessary management strategies. This episode represents a turning point in the North State wolf conversation, raising voices that official channels have been designed to silence. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. 

]]> North State Rocks: Panel on Wolves and Ranchers Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 01:26:51 On this episode of North State Rocks, host Perry Thompson brings together three distinct perspectives on the wolf crisis devastating Lassen County: Wyatt Hanson (rancher at Willow Creek Ranch, facing 10 confirmed wolf kills), Richard Egan (rancher and former Lassen County Administrator), and John McGarva (current Lassen County Sheriff). The conversation exposes a critical gap in law enforcement. While sheriffs can issue public safety directives for mountain lions and bears, wolves are "double protected" by state and federal law, leaving communities vulnerable as wolves become increasingly habituated to human presence and exhibit aggressive behavior that runs counter to official wildlife narratives. Listeners will gain insight into the policy handcuffs strangling law enforcement and ranchers alike, discover why misinformation about wolves persists, and hear urgent calls for lethal control tools and delisted zones as necessary management strategies. This episode represents a turning point in the North State wolf conversation, raising voices that official channels have been designed to silence. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. On this episode of North State Rocks, host Perry Thompson brings together three distinct perspectives on the wolf crisis devastating Lassen County: Wyatt Hanson (rancher at Willow Creek Ranch, facing 10 confirmed wolf kills), Richard Egan (rancher and former Lassen County Administrator), and John McGarva (current Lassen County Sheriff). The conversation exposes a critical gap in law enforcement. While sheriffs can issue public safety directives for mountain lions and bears, wolves are "double protected" by state and federal law, leaving communities vulnerable as wolves become increasingly habituated to human presence and exhibit aggressive behavior that runs counter to official wildlife narratives. Listeners will gain insight into the policy handcuffs strangling law enforcement and ranchers alike, discover why misinformation about wolves persists, and hear urgent calls for lethal control tools and delisted zones as necessary management strategies. This episode represents a turning point in the North State wolf conversation, raising voices that official channels have been designed to silence. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. ranching, northern california, wolves, redding, susanville, lassen, california, ranchers, north state, shasta, wolf, ranch life false full 12 aaccc9a4-65d5-4a29-886f-a24fd12305f6 North State Rocks with Jessica Vigil, Elwood Ranch On this episode of North State Rocks, we sit down with Jessica Vigil, a North State native who grew up on Dixie Valley Ranch and now works for Elwood Ranch, to discuss the devastating impact of wolves on northeastern California ranchers. Jessica shares firsthand accounts of livestock predation, the emotional and financial toll on ranching families, and the stark policy differences between California and neighboring states like Oregon and Washington. Jessica reveals the challenges federal trappers face in confirming kills, the wolves' increasing habituation to human presence, and why these packs pose a different threat than California's original wolf population. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. 

]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:19:51 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp On this episode of North State Rocks, we sit down with Jessica Vigil, a North State native who grew up on Dixie Valley Ranch and now works for Elwood Ranch, to discuss the devastating impact of wolves on northeastern California ranchers. Jessica shares firsthand accounts of livestock predation, the emotional and financial toll on ranching families, and the stark policy differences between California and neighboring states like Oregon and Washington. Jessica reveals the challenges federal trappers face in confirming kills, the wolves' increasing habituation to human presence, and why these packs pose a different threat than California's original wolf population. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. 

]]> North State Rocks with Jessica Vigil, Elwood Ranch Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 01:03:27 On this episode of North State Rocks, we sit down with Jessica Vigil, a North State native who grew up on Dixie Valley Ranch and now works for Elwood Ranch, to discuss the devastating impact of wolves on northeastern California ranchers. Jessica shares firsthand accounts of livestock predation, the emotional and financial toll on ranching families, and the stark policy differences between California and neighboring states like Oregon and Washington. Jessica reveals the challenges federal trappers face in confirming kills, the wolves' increasing habituation to human presence, and why these packs pose a different threat than California's original wolf population. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. On this episode of North State Rocks, we sit down with Jessica Vigil, a North State native who grew up on Dixie Valley Ranch and now works for Elwood Ranch, to discuss the devastating impact of wolves on northeastern California ranchers. Jessica shares firsthand accounts of livestock predation, the emotional and financial toll on ranching families, and the stark policy differences between California and neighboring states like Oregon and Washington. Jessica reveals the challenges federal trappers face in confirming kills, the wolves' increasing habituation to human presence, and why these packs pose a different threat than California's original wolf population. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. ranching, northern california, agriculture, wildlife conservation, wolves, livestock, california, ranchers, north state, wolf, ranch life false full 11 58e9d2aa-1108-4100-9419-cbcc83a65a0e North State Rocks with Lassen Family Services On this episode of the North State Rocks podcast, we sit down with Angela Reed, Executive Director, and Brett Lindsey, Housing Coordinator of Lassen Family Services, the region’s leading nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and other traumas across rural Northern California. The conversation dives into the organization’s 45-year history: from its grassroots beginnings in 1977 to its current role as a comprehensive crisis response and community resource hub.

Angela and Brett share how Lassen Family Services provides 24/7 crisis intervention, safe housing, legal advocacy, and wraparound support that helps survivors rebuild their lives. The discussion highlights the unique challenges of serving rural communities, the importance of trauma-informed care, and the organization’s leadership in local coalitions such as the NorCal Continuum of Care and Youth Action Board.

Listeners will hear inspiring stories of resilience, learn about the power of community collaboration, and discover how local businesses are stepping up to support Domestic Violence Awareness Month through creative fundraising campaigns.

This episode offers valuable insights into how Lassen Family Services empowers survivors, fosters hope, and strengthens the social fabric of the North State…proving that even in the most rural corners of California, compassion and collaboration can change lives.

LEARN MORE: NorthStateRocks.com

]]> Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:07:00 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp On this episode of the North State Rocks podcast, we sit down with Angela Reed, Executive Director, and Brett Lindsey, Housing Coordinator of Lassen Family Services, the region’s leading nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and other traumas across rural Northern California. The conversation dives into the organization’s 45-year history: from its grassroots beginnings in 1977 to its current role as a comprehensive crisis response and community resource hub.

Angela and Brett share how Lassen Family Services provides 24/7 crisis intervention, safe housing, legal advocacy, and wraparound support that helps survivors rebuild their lives. The discussion highlights the unique challenges of serving rural communities, the importance of trauma-informed care, and the organization’s leadership in local coalitions such as the NorCal Continuum of Care and Youth Action Board.

Listeners will hear inspiring stories of resilience, learn about the power of community collaboration, and discover how local businesses are stepping up to support Domestic Violence Awareness Month through creative fundraising campaigns.

This episode offers valuable insights into how Lassen Family Services empowers survivors, fosters hope, and strengthens the social fabric of the North State…proving that even in the most rural corners of California, compassion and collaboration can change lives.

LEARN MORE: NorthStateRocks.com

]]> North State Rocks with Lassen Family Services Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 00:53:10 On this episode of the North State Rocks podcast, we sit down with Angela Reed, Executive Director, and Brett Lindsey, Housing Coordinator of Lassen Family Services, the region’s leading nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and other traumas across rural Northern California. The conversation dives into the organization’s 45-year history: from its grassroots beginnings in 1977 to its current role as a comprehensive crisis response and community resource hub. Angela and Brett share how Lassen Family Services provides 24/7 crisis intervention, safe housing, legal advocacy, and wraparound support that helps survivors rebuild their lives. The discussion highlights the unique challenges of serving rural communities, the importance of trauma-informed care, and the organization’s leadership in local coalitions such as the NorCal Continuum of Care and Youth Action Board. Listeners will hear inspiring stories of resilience, learn about the power of community collaboration, and discover how local businesses are stepping up to support Domestic Violence Awareness Month through creative fundraising campaigns. This episode offers valuable insights into how Lassen Family Services empowers survivors, fosters hope, and strengthens the social fabric of the North State…proving that even in the most rural corners of California, compassion and collaboration can change lives. LEARN MORE: NorthStateRocks.com On this episode of the North State Rocks podcast, we sit down with Angela Reed, Executive Director, and Brett Lindsey, Housing Coordinator of Lassen Family Services, the region’s leading nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and other traumas across rural Northern California. The conversation dives into the organization’s 45-year history: from its grassroots beginnings in 1977 to its current role as a comprehensive crisis response and community resource hub. Angela and Brett share how Lassen Family Services provides 24/7 crisis intervention, safe housing, legal advocacy, and wraparound support that helps survivors rebuild their lives. The discussion highlights the unique challenges of serving rural communities, the importance of trauma-informed care, and the organization’s leadership in local coalitions such as the NorCal Continuum of Care and Youth Action Board. Listeners will hear inspiring stories of resilience, learn about the power of community collaboration, and discover how local businesses are stepping up to support Domestic Violence Awareness Month through creative fundraising campaigns. This episode offers valuable insights into how Lassen Family Services empowers survivors, fosters hope, and strengthens the social fabric of the North State…proving that even in the most rural corners of California, compassion and collaboration can change lives. LEARN MORE: NorthStateRocks.com lassen county, northern california, lassen, california, north state false full 10 87ed534e-0939-4f40-b3f0-9cda0a467201 North State Rocks with Paul Reuter, Pace Engineering In this North State Rocks episode, host Perry Thompson, President/CEO of Hat Creek Construction, connected with Paul Reuter, President of Pace Engineering, to explore impactful leadership and community resilience. Paul shared how Pace navigated economic challenges since 2008, thriving as a 100% employee-owned firm through a “teamwork-oriented culture” and shared success. Listeners will gain insight into the profound value of work-life balance and family, a philosophy Paul champions. The discussion also covered the bold decision to build a new office during the pandemic, reflecting faith over fear. Paul, a North State native, beautifully highlighted the region's diverse offerings and the deep connection people have to their home. 

]]> Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:14:00 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp In this North State Rocks episode, host Perry Thompson, President/CEO of Hat Creek Construction, connected with Paul Reuter, President of Pace Engineering, to explore impactful leadership and community resilience. Paul shared how Pace navigated economic challenges since 2008, thriving as a 100% employee-owned firm through a “teamwork-oriented culture” and shared success. Listeners will gain insight into the profound value of work-life balance and family, a philosophy Paul champions. The discussion also covered the bold decision to build a new office during the pandemic, reflecting faith over fear. Paul, a North State native, beautifully highlighted the region's diverse offerings and the deep connection people have to their home. 

]]> North State Rocks with Paul Reuter, Pace Engineering Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 01:05:21 In this North State Rocks episode, host Perry Thompson, President/CEO of Hat Creek Construction, connected with Paul Reuter, President of Pace Engineering, to explore impactful leadership and community resilience. Paul shared how Pace navigated economic challenges since 2008, thriving as a 100% employee-owned firm through a “teamwork-oriented culture” and shared success. Listeners will gain insight into the profound value of work-life balance and family, a philosophy Paul champions. The discussion also covered the bold decision to build a new office during the pandemic, reflecting faith over fear. Paul, a North State native, beautifully highlighted the region's diverse offerings and the deep connection people have to their home. In this North State Rocks episode, host Perry Thompson, President/CEO of Hat Creek Construction, connected with Paul Reuter, President of Pace Engineering, to explore impactful leadership and community resilience. Paul shared how Pace navigated economic challenges since 2008, thriving as a 100% employee-owned firm through a “teamwork-oriented culture” and shared success. Listeners will gain insight into the profound value of work-life balance and family, a philosophy Paul champions. The discussion also covered the bold decision to build a new office during the pandemic, reflecting faith over fear. Paul, a North State native, beautifully highlighted the region's diverse offerings and the deep connection people have to their home. false full 9 6dc98ec9-a198-4f0b-a226-c71823b311a2 North State Rocks with Bruce Dean, Black Bear Diner In this episode of North State Rocks, listeners will discover how Bruce Dean and his partner transformed a $40,000 investment into Black Bear Diner's 166-location restaurant empire spanning 14 states. Dean shares the unvarnished truth about entrepreneurship, including the company's near-collapse in 1998 when rapid expansion nearly led to bankruptcy, his hard-learned lessons about cutting losses despite sunk costs, and why 75% of restaurants fail within five years. The conversation explores Dean's contrarian investment strategy during the 2008 recession, his philosophy of promoting managers from within rather than hiring externally, and how private equity partnership enabled explosive growth from 75 to 166 locations. Dean reveals why investing in employee culture and training drives customer satisfaction, how North State values translate nationally, and provides candid insights into cash flow management, franchise operations, and the brutal realities of scaling a restaurant business in today's economy.

]]> Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:09:30 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp In this episode of North State Rocks, listeners will discover how Bruce Dean and his partner transformed a $40,000 investment into Black Bear Diner's 166-location restaurant empire spanning 14 states. Dean shares the unvarnished truth about entrepreneurship, including the company's near-collapse in 1998 when rapid expansion nearly led to bankruptcy, his hard-learned lessons about cutting losses despite sunk costs, and why 75% of restaurants fail within five years. The conversation explores Dean's contrarian investment strategy during the 2008 recession, his philosophy of promoting managers from within rather than hiring externally, and how private equity partnership enabled explosive growth from 75 to 166 locations. Dean reveals why investing in employee culture and training drives customer satisfaction, how North State values translate nationally, and provides candid insights into cash flow management, franchise operations, and the brutal realities of scaling a restaurant business in today's economy.

]]> North State Rocks with Bruce Dean, Black Bear Diner Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 01:14:21 In this episode of North State Rocks, listeners will discover how Bruce Dean and his partner transformed a $40,000 investment into Black Bear Diner's 166-location restaurant empire spanning 14 states. Dean shares the unvarnished truth about entrepreneurship, including the company's near-collapse in 1998 when rapid expansion nearly led to bankruptcy, his hard-learned lessons about cutting losses despite sunk costs, and why 75% of restaurants fail within five years. The conversation explores Dean's contrarian investment strategy during the 2008 recession, his philosophy of promoting managers from within rather than hiring externally, and how private equity partnership enabled explosive growth from 75 to 166 locations. Dean reveals why investing in employee culture and training drives customer satisfaction, how North State values translate nationally, and provides candid insights into cash flow management, franchise operations, and the brutal realities of scaling a restaurant business in today's economy. In this episode of North State Rocks, listeners will discover how Bruce Dean and his partner transformed a $40,000 investment into Black Bear Diner's 166-location restaurant empire spanning 14 states. Dean shares the unvarnished truth about entrepreneurship, including the company's near-collapse in 1998 when rapid expansion nearly led to bankruptcy, his hard-learned lessons about cutting losses despite sunk costs, and why 75% of restaurants fail within five years. The conversation explores Dean's contrarian investment strategy during the 2008 recession, his philosophy of promoting managers from within rather than hiring externally, and how private equity partnership enabled explosive growth from 75 to 166 locations. Dean reveals why investing in employee culture and training drives customer satisfaction, how North State values translate nationally, and provides candid insights into cash flow management, franchise operations, and the brutal realities of scaling a restaurant business in today's economy. false full 8 f0de8b9a-4ae2-47aa-adfb-0b20b023ce62 North State Rocks with Liz Ammon, California Agriculture Educator of the Year In this episode of North State Rocks, listeners will discover how Elizabeth Ammon has built one of California's premier Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs at Lassen High School, achieving record participation with 60 students at the recent fair and over $430,000 in auction proceeds. Liz shares her journey from a Sacramento-area teenager who didn't know what "ag" meant to becoming California's 2021-22 Agriculture Educator of the Year, discussing how COVID unexpectedly sparked increased student participation and the program's remarkable competitive success, including five state championships and a national title. The conversation explores how FFA develops exceptional future employees through comprehensive leadership opportunities, supports all students regardless of background, and emphasizes community service while giving back to the North State region.

 

]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2025 21:01:02 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp In this episode of North State Rocks, listeners will discover how Elizabeth Ammon has built one of California's premier Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs at Lassen High School, achieving record participation with 60 students at the recent fair and over $430,000 in auction proceeds. Liz shares her journey from a Sacramento-area teenager who didn't know what "ag" meant to becoming California's 2021-22 Agriculture Educator of the Year, discussing how COVID unexpectedly sparked increased student participation and the program's remarkable competitive success, including five state championships and a national title. The conversation explores how FFA develops exceptional future employees through comprehensive leadership opportunities, supports all students regardless of background, and emphasizes community service while giving back to the North State region.

 

]]> North State Rocks with Liz Ammon, California Agriculture Educator of the Year Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 00:54:29 In this episode of North State Rocks, listeners will discover how Elizabeth Ammon has built one of California's premier Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs at Lassen High School, achieving record participation with 60 students at the recent fair and over $430,000 in auction proceeds. Liz shares her journey from a Sacramento-area teenager who didn't know what "ag" meant to becoming California's 2021-22 Agriculture Educator of the Year, discussing how COVID unexpectedly sparked increased student participation and the program's remarkable competitive success, including five state championships and a national title. The conversation explores how FFA develops exceptional future employees through comprehensive leadership opportunities, supports all students regardless of background, and emphasizes community service while giving back to the North State region. In this episode of North State Rocks, listeners will discover how Elizabeth Ammon has built one of California's premier Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs at Lassen High School, achieving record participation with 60 students at the recent fair and over $430,000 in auction proceeds. Liz shares her journey from a Sacramento-area teenager who didn't know what "ag" meant to becoming California's 2021-22 Agriculture Educator of the Year, discussing how COVID unexpectedly sparked increased student participation and the program's remarkable competitive success, including five state championships and a national title. The conversation explores how FFA develops exceptional future employees through comprehensive leadership opportunities, supports all students regardless of background, and emphasizes community service while giving back to the North State region. false full 7 3674e39f-0bc9-4f2d-a1ee-6dcdb5bbe9f1 North State Rocks with Dawn Eagan, Lassen County High On this episode of North State Rocks, Dawn Egan shares her remarkable journey from owning a successful computer store in Fallon, Nevada, to becoming the leader of Lassen High School's technology and business education program over the last three decades. She discusses how a chance encounter led to writing the school's first major technology grant, transforming it from having virtually no computers to a state-of-the-art facility. Egan details her award-winning FBLA program that has become one of California's largest, preparing students through hands-on experiences like business plan competitions and interview workshops. The conversation covers her daughters' success stories, the importance of two-year college pathways, and how she's incorporating artificial intelligence tools into modern education while maintaining focus on practical skills that prepare students for real-world success. 

]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp On this episode of North State Rocks, Dawn Egan shares her remarkable journey from owning a successful computer store in Fallon, Nevada, to becoming the leader of Lassen High School's technology and business education program over the last three decades. She discusses how a chance encounter led to writing the school's first major technology grant, transforming it from having virtually no computers to a state-of-the-art facility. Egan details her award-winning FBLA program that has become one of California's largest, preparing students through hands-on experiences like business plan competitions and interview workshops. The conversation covers her daughters' success stories, the importance of two-year college pathways, and how she's incorporating artificial intelligence tools into modern education while maintaining focus on practical skills that prepare students for real-world success. 

]]> North State Rocks with Dawn Eagan, Lassen County High Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 00:59:10 On this episode of North State Rocks, Dawn Egan shares her remarkable journey from owning a successful computer store in Fallon, Nevada, to becoming the leader of Lassen High School's technology and business education program over the last three decades. She discusses how a chance encounter led to writing the school's first major technology grant, transforming it from having virtually no computers to a state-of-the-art facility. Egan details her award-winning FBLA program that has become one of California's largest, preparing students through hands-on experiences like business plan competitions and interview workshops. The conversation covers her daughters' success stories, the importance of two-year college pathways, and how she's incorporating artificial intelligence tools into modern education while maintaining focus on practical skills that prepare students for real-world success. On this episode of North State Rocks, Dawn Egan shares her remarkable journey from owning a successful computer store in Fallon, Nevada, to becoming the leader of Lassen High School's technology and business education program over the last three decades. She discusses how a chance encounter led to writing the school's first major technology grant, transforming it from having virtually no computers to a state-of-the-art facility. Egan details her award-winning FBLA program that has become one of California's largest, preparing students through hands-on experiences like business plan competitions and interview workshops. The conversation covers her daughters' success stories, the importance of two-year college pathways, and how she's incorporating artificial intelligence tools into modern education while maintaining focus on practical skills that prepare students for real-world success. false full 6 f2cddcd5-d357-4dc1-b2fb-4d21dda83834 North State Rocks with BJ Hubbard, Susanville Aviation In this episode of North State Rocks, discover BJ Hubbard's journey to becoming a flight instructor at Susanville Aviation. BJ shares how his childhood fascination with aviation at age 14 led to a mid-career pivot, selling his home to finance his flight training before returning to serve northeastern California as an instructor. The conversation explores the unique advantages of learning to fly in Susanville (including cost savings and immediate runway access), what makes the North State region one of America's most beautiful flying environments, and the practical aspects of obtaining a pilot's license. The episode reflects on what makes the North State community exceptional—accessible outdoor recreation without crowds, genuine connections with neighbors, and advice for young people interested in aviation.

 

]]> Sat, 21 Jun 2025 00:12:08 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp In this episode of North State Rocks, discover BJ Hubbard's journey to becoming a flight instructor at Susanville Aviation. BJ shares how his childhood fascination with aviation at age 14 led to a mid-career pivot, selling his home to finance his flight training before returning to serve northeastern California as an instructor. The conversation explores the unique advantages of learning to fly in Susanville (including cost savings and immediate runway access), what makes the North State region one of America's most beautiful flying environments, and the practical aspects of obtaining a pilot's license. The episode reflects on what makes the North State community exceptional—accessible outdoor recreation without crowds, genuine connections with neighbors, and advice for young people interested in aviation.

 

]]> North State Rocks with BJ Hubbard, Susanville Aviation Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 01:09:08 In this episode of North State Rocks, discover BJ Hubbard's journey to becoming a flight instructor at Susanville Aviation. BJ shares how his childhood fascination with aviation at age 14 led to a mid-career pivot, selling his home to finance his flight training before returning to serve northeastern California as an instructor. The conversation explores the unique advantages of learning to fly in Susanville (including cost savings and immediate runway access), what makes the North State region one of America's most beautiful flying environments, and the practical aspects of obtaining a pilot's license. The episode reflects on what makes the North State community exceptional—accessible outdoor recreation without crowds, genuine connections with neighbors, and advice for young people interested in aviation. In this episode of North State Rocks, discover BJ Hubbard's journey to becoming a flight instructor at Susanville Aviation. BJ shares how his childhood fascination with aviation at age 14 led to a mid-career pivot, selling his home to finance his flight training before returning to serve northeastern California as an instructor. The conversation explores the unique advantages of learning to fly in Susanville (including cost savings and immediate runway access), what makes the North State region one of America's most beautiful flying environments, and the practical aspects of obtaining a pilot's license. The episode reflects on what makes the North State community exceptional—accessible outdoor recreation without crowds, genuine connections with neighbors, and advice for young people interested in aviation. false full 5 335557ea-0ff5-4746-81ed-26345ec23c43 North State Rocks with Richard Egan, Rancher and Public Servant On this episode of the North State Rocks podcast, local rancher and public servant Richard Egan shares his family's agricultural roots, details of his diverse 30-year career in county government (from Development Specialist to County Executive Officer), and insights into modern cattle operations across Northern California. The conversation explores how Richard's practical ranching background informed his pragmatic approach to government, rural life's unique challenges and rewards, the complex business of managing cattle across multiple counties, and his perspective on succession planning for family businesses.

]]> Wed, 28 May 2025 22:34:20 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp On this episode of the North State Rocks podcast, local rancher and public servant Richard Egan shares his family's agricultural roots, details of his diverse 30-year career in county government (from Development Specialist to County Executive Officer), and insights into modern cattle operations across Northern California. The conversation explores how Richard's practical ranching background informed his pragmatic approach to government, rural life's unique challenges and rewards, the complex business of managing cattle across multiple counties, and his perspective on succession planning for family businesses.

]]> North State Rocks with Richard Egan, Rancher and Public Servant Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 01:17:21 On this episode of the North State Rocks podcast, local rancher and public servant Richard Egan shares his family's agricultural roots, details of his diverse 30-year career in county government (from Development Specialist to County Executive Officer), and insights into modern cattle operations across Northern California. The conversation explores how Richard's practical ranching background informed his pragmatic approach to government, rural life's unique challenges and rewards, the complex business of managing cattle across multiple counties, and his perspective on succession planning for family businesses. On this episode of the North State Rocks podcast, local rancher and public servant Richard Egan shares his family's agricultural roots, details of his diverse 30-year career in county government (from Development Specialist to County Executive Officer), and insights into modern cattle operations across Northern California. The conversation explores how Richard's practical ranching background informed his pragmatic approach to government, rural life's unique challenges and rewards, the complex business of managing cattle across multiple counties, and his perspective on succession planning for family businesses. false full 4 7e6da5fe-2281-4fd3-b7b0-13c062f656ab North State Rocks with Michael Kirack, Kirack Construction This episode of North State Rocks features Michael Kirack, founder of Kirack Construction, discussing his 30-year journey from being California's youngest licensed contractor to building a successful diversified construction business in Susanville. Through economic ups and downs, Kirack shares insights about business sustainability, family involvement, community engagement, and the unique advantages of building a life and business in the North State.

]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:12:57 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp This episode of North State Rocks features Michael Kirack, founder of Kirack Construction, discussing his 30-year journey from being California's youngest licensed contractor to building a successful diversified construction business in Susanville. Through economic ups and downs, Kirack shares insights about business sustainability, family involvement, community engagement, and the unique advantages of building a life and business in the North State.

]]> North State Rocks with Michael Kirack, Kirack Construction Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 00:54:49 This episode of North State Rocks features Michael Kirack, founder of Kirack Construction, discussing his 30-year journey from being California's youngest licensed contractor to building a successful diversified construction business in Susanville. Through economic ups and downs, Kirack shares insights about business sustainability, family involvement, community engagement, and the unique advantages of building a life and business in the North State. This episode of North State Rocks features Michael Kirack, founder of Kirack Construction, discussing his 30-year journey from being California's youngest licensed contractor to building a successful diversified construction business in Susanville. Through economic ups and downs, Kirack shares insights about business sustainability, family involvement, community engagement, and the unique advantages of building a life and business in the North State. false full 3 08402a26-20fb-4e99-9d98-5280cd935203 North State Rocks with Travis Corder, Corder Farms This episode of North State Rocks features Travis Corder, a fourth-generation farmer (Corder Farms) who manages over 7,000 acres across Shasta and Lassen counties – and Perry’s best friend since high school. From succession planning to water rights, and from vertical integration to community values, this episode explores the unique challenges and rewards of running a multi-generational family business in California's agricultural sector.

]]> Thu, 30 Jan 2025 19:34:41 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp This episode of North State Rocks features Travis Corder, a fourth-generation farmer (Corder Farms) who manages over 7,000 acres across Shasta and Lassen counties – and Perry’s best friend since high school. From succession planning to water rights, and from vertical integration to community values, this episode explores the unique challenges and rewards of running a multi-generational family business in California's agricultural sector.

]]> North State Rocks with Travis Corder, Corder Farms Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 01:03:49 This episode of North State Rocks features Travis Corder, a fourth-generation farmer (Corder Farms) who manages over 7,000 acres across Shasta and Lassen counties – and Perry’s best friend since high school. From succession planning to water rights, and from vertical integration to community values, this episode explores the unique challenges and rewards of running a multi-generational family business in California's agricultural sector. This episode of North State Rocks features Travis Corder, a fourth-generation farmer (Corder Farms) who manages over 7,000 acres across Shasta and Lassen counties – and Perry’s best friend since high school. From succession planning to water rights, and from vertical integration to community values, this episode explores the unique challenges and rewards of running a multi-generational family business in California's agricultural sector. false full 2 a5be564e-8f71-4cd5-bbbd-0be9dd86c20f North State Rocks with Carie Camacho, Lassen Community College This episode of North State Rocks features a candid conversation with Carie Camacho, Superintendent and President of Lassen Community College, exploring the institution's role in workforce development, new programs, student success stories, and the value of community college education in creating career pathways without substantial student debt.

]]> Thu, 30 Jan 2025 19:30:19 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp This episode of North State Rocks features a candid conversation with Carie Camacho, Superintendent and President of Lassen Community College, exploring the institution's role in workforce development, new programs, student success stories, and the value of community college education in creating career pathways without substantial student debt.

]]> North State Rocks with Carie Camacho, Lassen Community College Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 00:45:12 This episode of North State Rocks features a candid conversation with Carie Camacho, Superintendent and President of Lassen Community College, exploring the institution's role in workforce development, new programs, student success stories, and the value of community college education in creating career pathways without substantial student debt. This episode of North State Rocks features a candid conversation with Carie Camacho, Superintendent and President of Lassen Community College, exploring the institution's role in workforce development, new programs, student success stories, and the value of community college education in creating career pathways without substantial student debt. false full 1 2efdf174-ae39-41b2-822b-2d076e06e1a9 Introduction to the North State Rocks Podcast Discover the hidden gems and extraordinary people of California’s North State region. Join Perry Thompson, CEO of Hat Creek Construction & Materials, as he explores the vibrant communities and interesting neighbors that make our region a great place to live, work, and play.

Each episode brings you face-to-face with local heroes, hard-working entrepreneurs, and passionate community leaders who are writing the next chapter of the North State's legacy. More than a podcast, it celebrates our shared history and future.

We'll tackle the challenges facing our region, spotlight opportunities for growth, and showcase the resilience that defines us. Whether you're a lifelong resident or just passing through, North State Rocks offers a fresh perspective on the place we proudly call home.

Tune in, be inspired, and rediscover the North State with us. This is your community. This is your story. Learn more at northstaterocks.com.

]]> Mon, 2 Dec 2024 19:16:17 +0000 laura@mktng.co (Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc.) https://podcastle.ai/show/north-state-rocks-sdWRWCOp Discover the hidden gems and extraordinary people of California’s North State region. Join Perry Thompson, CEO of Hat Creek Construction & Materials, as he explores the vibrant communities and interesting neighbors that make our region a great place to live, work, and play.

Each episode brings you face-to-face with local heroes, hard-working entrepreneurs, and passionate community leaders who are writing the next chapter of the North State's legacy. More than a podcast, it celebrates our shared history and future.

We'll tackle the challenges facing our region, spotlight opportunities for growth, and showcase the resilience that defines us. Whether you're a lifelong resident or just passing through, North State Rocks offers a fresh perspective on the place we proudly call home.

Tune in, be inspired, and rediscover the North State with us. This is your community. This is your story. Learn more at northstaterocks.com.

]]> Introduction to the North State Rocks Podcast Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. 00:01:02 Discover the hidden gems and extraordinary people of California’s North State region. Join Perry Thompson, CEO of Hat Creek Construction & Materials, as he explores the vibrant communities and interesting neighbors that make our region a great place to live, work, and play. Each episode brings you face-to-face with local heroes, hard-working entrepreneurs, and passionate community leaders who are writing the next chapter of the North State's legacy. More than a podcast, it celebrates our shared history and future. We'll tackle the challenges facing our region, spotlight opportunities for growth, and showcase the resilience that defines us. Whether you're a lifelong resident or just passing through, North State Rocks offers a fresh perspective on the place we proudly call home. Tune in, be inspired, and rediscover the North State with us. This is your community. This is your story. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. Discover the hidden gems and extraordinary people of California’s North State region. Join Perry Thompson, CEO of Hat Creek Construction & Materials, as he explores the vibrant communities and interesting neighbors that make our region a great place to live, work, and play. Each episode brings you face-to-face with local heroes, hard-working entrepreneurs, and passionate community leaders who are writing the next chapter of the North State's legacy. More than a podcast, it celebrates our shared history and future. We'll tackle the challenges facing our region, spotlight opportunities for growth, and showcase the resilience that defines us. Whether you're a lifelong resident or just passing through, North State Rocks offers a fresh perspective on the place we proudly call home. Tune in, be inspired, and rediscover the North State with us. This is your community. This is your story. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. false trailer