Marcus Davenport Managing Editor

The evening opened with welcoming remarks from CEO Michael Latham, who emphasized the strategic significance of Del Mar Energy’s new technological platform in the field of synthetic fuels. Attendees were the first to view a documentary that detailed the launch and scale-up of ADF-X1 production across two advanced refining facilities in Alaska, the unique properties of the fuel, and its environmental advantages.

The film offered a deep dive into the production process — from raw material acquisition to high-temperature molecular synthesis that entirely eliminates petroleum derivatives. Viewers were shown laboratories, engineering hubs, engine testing sequences, and preparations for deliveries under a government contract with leading defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

Special focus was given to the environmental aspects of ADF-X1: zero sulfur content, no heavy metals, and a minimal carbon footprint. ADF-X1 is positioned as a next-generation aviation fuel that meets the dual challenges of global energy transition and enhanced operational performance for advanced aerial platforms. 

Del Mar Energy Inc. is not just a new fuel, but a step forward in technological progress for the aviation industry. In the face of global environmental and energy challenges, when dependence on hydrocarbons is becoming increasingly risky from both an environmental and economic perspective, ADF-X1 represents a breakthrough that could change the future of aviation. This fuel opens new horizons for a cleaner, more energy-efficient, and independent aviation sector capable of successfully meeting the challenges of the 21st century. Del Mar Energy’s new ADF X-1 fuel has the potential to become the best-selling fuel of the 21st century.

Following the screening, a panel discussion was held with the company’s technical leadership and logistics team. Investors posed questions about project scale, timeline to peak output, and the mechanics of investment returns under Del Mar Energy’s current funding program. 

The event marked an important step in the company’s broader communication strategy aimed at increasing transparency and strengthening trust among both current and prospective investors. According to the organizers, similar screenings are scheduled in other major U.S. cities throughout the summer.

If you’re the CEO of a construction firm, manufacturing plant, energy company, or any business where people work with their hands and take real-world risks, you already know what’s on the line. The problem isn’t that safety isn’t on your radar—it’s that it’s often treated like a line item instead of a leadership value. In 2025, that mindset isn’t just outdated. It’s dangerous.

Safety has always been a numbers game—injury rates, fines, insurance premiums. But what’s changing now is the understanding that safety is also deeply connected to culture, morale, and even long-term profitability. CEOs who ignore that are falling behind, not just ethically but competitively. The companies winning in tough, hands-on industries aren’t just doing the job well—they’re doing it without putting their people in the hospital.

A CEO’s Blind Spot: Safety Isn’t Just Compliance—It’s Strategy

A lot of top executives still treat safety like it lives in some separate department down the hall from where the real business decisions are made. They’ll fund it when asked, sign off on the reports, maybe walk the floor once a quarter and slap on a hard hat. But they’re not asking how safety fits into innovation, how it shows up in recruitment, or how it quietly drains resources when it’s neglected.

Think about how long it takes to replace an injured welder, or how a single forklift incident can stall an entire shipment. When you’re staring at quarterly reports and trying to figure out why your labor costs are climbing, it’s not always because wages are up—it might be because turnover is too high due to unsafe working conditions. That’s why mastering risk management isn’t just the job of your safety officer. It belongs at the C-suite table, next to your financials and your growth strategy. Because when something goes wrong, it’s not just the worker who suffers. It’s your whole operation.

Safety Culture Is Business Culture (And It’s Showing Up On Your P&L)

You can tell a lot about a company by how people act when no one’s watching. Do workers shortcut safety because the job feels rushed? Do supervisors turn a blind eye to protocols to hit a deadline? Are middle managers terrified to report an issue because they think it’ll come back on them? That’s not a safety problem. That’s a leadership problem. And it starts at the top.

If you’re serious about building a company that lasts, you have to make sure the people keeping your machines running, climbing your towers, fixing your pipelines, or assembling your parts don’t feel disposable. That means leading by example, talking about safety not like a legal obligation but like a core value. One that’s baked into daily operations, onboarding, and incentives—not tacked on during “Safety Week.”

This shift isn’t just about being a better person. It’s about being a better CEO. Because workers who feel safe speak up. They stay longer. They produce more. And they’re not watching the clock wondering when they’ll get hurt—or how fast they can leave for a place that actually protects them.

Don’t Just Talk About Safety—Train For It (Yes, Even Now)

Here’s the truth a lot of CEOs quietly admit behind closed doors: they don’t always know what safety actually looks like on the ground. You may know your OSHA recordables or sign off on your annual EHS report, but you’re not out there in the field. You’re not hearing the near misses or seeing the makeshift fixes workers resort to when the official protocols don’t make sense in real life.

So what can you do? For one, make sure your people are trained—and that the training is up to date and realistic. In 2025, there’s no excuse not to. You can get OSHA 30 training online now, and it’s become one of the smartest investments companies are making for both new hires and seasoned workers. The flexibility means no lost hours on the job, and the ROI is almost immediate. Fewer incidents. Lower insurance premiums. And, most importantly, a team that knows how to protect itself without waiting for permission.

When your workforce is trained, empowered, and respected, they perform better. Period. And that performance is what moves the needle more than any aggressive expansion plan ever will.

Leading Through Safety Means Getting Uncomfortable

The hard truth is this: it’s easy to lead when things are going well. It’s easy to talk about culture when profits are up and nobody’s gotten hurt in a while. But the minute someone’s in a harness 30 feet above ground or trying to make sense of a confusing lockout/tagout policy, leadership becomes real.

If you want to be the kind of CEO who gets remembered not just for growing the company but for protecting the people who built it, you’re going to have to wade into some uncomfortable waters. That might mean sitting down with frontline teams and asking where the cracks are. It might mean admitting that your company’s procedures don’t always make sense in practice. It might mean confronting the idea that some of your cost-saving measures are costing more than you think.

But CEOs who do this are earning loyalty that money can’t buy. They’re building companies that don’t just survive compliance audits—they survive downturns, staff shortages, lawsuits, and competition. Because when people feel safe, they show up. And when they show up fully, business grows in a way spreadsheets can’t capture.

The CEOs Who Win In 2025 Will Lead From The Ground Up

The future of leadership in high-risk industries isn’t about pulling levers from a distance or checking in from the corner office. It’s about getting closer to what’s actually happening on your worksites, in your warehouses, along your supply chain. Not because you’re micromanaging—but because you care enough to understand.

Safety isn’t a soft issue. It’s a growth strategy. And the CEOs who understand that are already pulling ahead. Because they’re not waiting for an accident to change their thinking. They’re changing their thinking so the accident never happens in the first place.

In luxury retail, presentation isn’t optional—it’s everything. Every spotlight, display, and subtle detail depends on a reliable, adaptable electrical system working behind the scenes. As brands compete to create immersive, high-end environments, rigid infrastructure can limit creativity and slow down the ability to refresh store layouts.

Moveable busway tracks offer a smarter, more flexible solution. These systems allow retailers to adjust power layouts quickly, supporting changing displays without disrupting the shopping experience. Instead of costly rewiring or lengthy updates, store teams can adapt to new trends, seasonal campaigns, and changing customer expectations—all while keeping the space visually pristine.

Adapting Store Power Layouts with Busway Power System Flexibility

Flexible power distribution can transform how luxury retail spaces operate. With a bus way power system in place, brands can easily reposition electrical feeds to match updated store layouts. Shifting a lighting fixture from a seasonal display to a permanent shelf takes only minutes, eliminating the need for complex renovations. This flexibility makes it easier to refresh merchandising strategies, highlight new products, and respond to trends without major disruptions.

These systems blend seamlessly into showroom ceilings, preserving the clean, sophisticated look luxury retailers demand. Slim busway tracks stay discreet, allowing lighting and display elements to shift without disrupting the store’s visual harmony. Their low-profile design keeps focus on the products and curated environment, not the infrastructure.

Enabling Fixture Mobility for Rotating Displays and Pop-Up Zones

Moveable busway drops simplify the process of rearranging tables, shelves, and displays without causing disruption. Store teams can update layouts in minutes, keeping pace with new campaigns, product launches, or seasonal promotions. Quick adjustments help maintain a fresh, engaging atmosphere while supporting the store’s marketing goals—without the expense or delays of large-scale renovations.

These flexible solutions also make temporary brand features easy to set up, allowing for fast changes that don’t interrupt customer flow. Stores can react to real-time data, creating an engaging shopping experience. Regularly reviewing customer traffic and shopping trends can help decide where to place displays and when to launch pop-up events.

Reducing Rewiring and Contractor Dependency Across Store Networks

Store teams at luxury retail chains gain valuable flexibility with moveable busway tracks. These systems allow staff to adjust power configurations without relying on outside electricians. An employee can reposition a power drop to support a new display in less than an hour, keeping updates fast and simple. This level of control helps store operations run smoothly without interrupting the shopping experience.

Relying less on outside contractors also avoids delays, permit requirements, after-hours labor, and other added costs. With some basic training, store personnel can handle power adjustments themselves, simplifying changeovers across multiple locations and supporting more agile store layouts.

Supporting Technology-Rich Showrooms with Clean Overhead Power

Luxury retail isn’t just about products—it’s about the experience woven around them. High-end tech features like smart mirrors, interactive displays, and custom lighting shape that experience and deserve an invisible, reliable power source behind the scenes. Busway systems provide stable electricity, keeping every digital and lighting element running smoothly without distraction. 

Their discreet design preserves the elegance of showroom ceilings while making display updates effortless. This hidden flexibility helps brands deliver an environment where technology feels seamless and sophisticated, allowing the spotlight to stay on the product—and the elevated experience customers expect.

Aligning Electrical Infrastructure with Lease Transition and Store Handover Plans

One big advantage of busway tracks is how easy they are to move or remove. When a store’s lease ends, the electrical setup can be taken out without damaging the ceiling. For example, track removal can be completed using only a ladder and basic hand tools, without ceiling patching. This helps avoid repair costs and keeps the space looking good, which is a plus for future tenants.

Being able to move electrical systems also cuts down on costs when handing over a store. It makes it easier and faster to get new locations up and running. Checking in regularly on store layouts and lease dates helps plan better for any needed changes.

Luxury retailers thrive when their spaces remain dynamic, polished, and effortless. Moveable busway systems give store teams the flexibility to adjust lighting, displays, and fixtures without waiting on contractors or facing long delays. Power layouts shift easily to match new campaigns, seasonal changes, or changing customer expectations. Clean ceiling lines and seamless electrical access support both visual appeal and high-tech features without clutter. When it’s time to hand over a location, these systems can be removed quickly without damage. Giving staff this level of control helps brands stay agile, reduce costs, and maintain a consistently refined shopping environment.