In this episode, Dirk sits down with Jim VanderGiessen, CEO of Pro Refrigeration, to explore how industrial cooling systems power modern dairy farms, breweries, wineries, and food production facilities where reliability is critical.

Jim shares how customer partnerships, hands-on engineering, and decades of learning shaped Pro Refrigeration into a trusted player across food and beverage manufacturing. They discuss the future of industrial refrigeration, including CO₂ systems, regulatory pressure, and the emerging role of AI in engineering and diagnostics.

Key takeaways include:

• Why CO₂ refrigeration is becoming the standard in industrial cooling

• How customer collaboration drives innovation in safety-critical environments

• What leadership looks like inside engineering-driven manufacturing companies

• Where AI adds real value in product development and operations

This episode is for leaders, engineers, and operators in manufacturing and food & beverage looking to understand how technical excellence, long-term thinking, and disciplined leadership create sustainable growth. Listen for practical insights you can apply in complex industrial environments.

Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/30min-tpatc-brief

Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinningbalance

Stay connected with us here:

Connect with Dirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkhorn/

Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchandthecatch?igsh=aGw2M3hqeThndHVr&utm_sourc

Today, Dirk sits down with William Bourdeau, a Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and California farmer operating at the center of the state’s water and food-security challenges.

William shares how water supply decisions shape the future of farming, why domestic food security is a leadership issue, and how discipline, community, and long-term thinking guide his work across agriculture, policy, and business.

In this episode, they explore:

• Why water infrastructure is as much a leadership challenge as a political one

• How farming, community stability, and national resilience are deeply connected

• The role of discipline and systems thinking in high-risk, long-cycle businesses

• Why innovation, from data to irrigation, matters in traditional industries

• And why pistachios may be one of the most underrated superfoods

This is a conversation about leadership under constraint, resilience in complex systems, and what it really takes to build something that lasts when short-term thinking dominates the system around you.

Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/30min-tpatc-brief

Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinningbalance

Stay connected with us here:

Connect with Dirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkhorn/

Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchandthecatch?igsh=aGw2M3hqeThndHVr&utm_sourc

In this week’s episode of The Pitch and The Catch Podcast, host Dirk Horn explores the intersection of science, innovation, and leadership with Michael Anthonavage, VP of Innovation at Vitaquest and a biochemist who has spent more than 30 years turning complex ideas into practical breakthroughs. They discuss what real empowerment looks like, why innovation begins with recognizing opportunity, and how to navigate a world overflowing with information.

Michael breaks down biohacking, truth in a shifting landscape, and the art of listening with intent. A conversation about clarity, curiosity, and making smarter decisions in a world that rewards noise.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is about empowering others to take on leadership roles themselves, fostering a culture of growth and development.

• Recognizing opportunities is a fundamental aspect of innovation, driving progress and transformation in various fields.

• Biohacking is revolutionizing personal health management by allowing individuals to tailor their health strategies based on personal data.

• Managing information overload requires a strategic focus, enabling individuals to navigate the vast sea of available data effectively.

• Empowerment goes beyond mere permission; it involves creating the right conditions for individuals to succeed and thrive.

New episode every Thursday.

Interested in joining the conversation? Talk to us: https://calendly.com/horn-mab-partners/30min-tpatc-brief

Check out The Winning Balance: https://www.mab-partners.com/thewinningbalance

Stay connected with us here:

Connect with Dirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkhorn/

Website: https://www.mab-partners.com/tpatc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchandthecatch?igsh=aGw2M3hqeThndHVr&utm_sourc