BUILD America

In this episode, Kerry Smith sits down with Adam Stark, a Special Forces veteran and host of "The Veterans Who Build Show" - a podcast dedicated to sharing stories of veterans transitioning from military service to the construction industry. The conversation explores the natural synergies between military experience and construction careers, highlighting how the team-based environment, physical de...

In this compelling episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck interviews PJ Jenkins, President & CEO of MIG Construction, about resilience in both business and life. PJ shares the remarkable story of his fourth-generation construction company in Detroit, discussing their evolution from a multi-sector contractor to specialists in healthcare, gaming, and hospitality construction. PJ offers...

In this episode, Kerry Smith Buck interviews Patrick McKeehan from O'Fallon, Missouri about effective city marketing. Director of Economic Development McKeehan shares his city's successful strategy of early stakeholder engagement and discusses three core principles: certainty, simplicity and speed. The conversation covers how manufacturing projects prioritize workforce availability, while retail d...

In this episode of BUILD America, Kerry Smith Buck sits down with cybersecurity experts Wayne Shaw and Jered Bare to discuss crucial Department of Defense (DOD) cybersecurity requirements for contractors and subcontractors. The conversation covers essential topics including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Federal Contract Information (FCI), and the implementation of Cybersecurity Maturi...

In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck welcomes Dr. Suhash Harwani, Senior Director of Science for Workforce Health Solutions at Quest Diagnostics. Together, they explore a revealing survey on drug testing tampering and rising positivity rates in sectors such as construction. Dr. Harwani shares insights from the extensive drug testing index, which includes over 8 million tests, hi...

In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck explores the practical application of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the construction industry with Kiara Fortson, DEI Project Implementation Director at ArchKey Solutions. Kiara shares her journey into DEI, her challenges and strategies for fostering an inclusive environment, and the importance of community engagement and mentorsh...

In this podcast episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck welcomes Byron Conley, a project engineer, and Taylor Moon, a senior VDC manager from Russell, to explore adaptive reuse projects. From transforming a century-old YMCA into a modern hotel and museum to discussing the role of VDC in preserving historical elements while integrating modern amenities, Conley and Moon shed light on the int...

In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck discusses the pervasive issue of tax fraud in the construction industry with guest Mark Dalton, Assistant Political Director for the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council. They explore how tax fraud and wage theft affect workers, communities, and the economy, highlighting red flags and enforcement efforts. With insights into the regional sc...

In this episode of BUILD America, hosted by Kerry Smith Buck, attorney Quinn Murphy of Sandberg Phoenix explores the essential do's and don'ts of construction collection. Discussing the significance of having a structured system, understanding contractual and legal rights, and securing retainage through liens, Murphy provides valuable insights for contractors facing payment challenges. Kerry and M...

In this episode of BUILD America, Kerry Smith Buck owner of Construction News and Review (CNR) Magazine, explores the world of indoor agriculture with guests Ron Jones and Ron Mitchell from Clayco. Ron Jones, the vice president of Clayco's industrial group, discusses groundbreaking methodologies for delivering capital projects in the indoor grow and greenhouse space. Ron Mitchell, a master grower...

In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck delves into the dynamics of workforce retention, honing in on the "Big Stay" movement within the construction industry. Jennifer Nguyen and Dana Borchert from CMA Global join the conversation, shedding light on the aftermath of the Great Resignation and the shift towards a more people-centric approach to attract and retain talent. The discuss...

In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck interviews Tim Gunn, Vice President Construction at Alberici Constructors Inc., about the topic of prefabrication design and engineering. They discuss the challenges faced by the industry, such as supply chain issues and workforce availability, and how prefabrication can help address these challenges. Tim highlights the benefits of offsite co...

  In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck interviews Kurt Bangert, President and CEO of Bangert Inc., and Reid Bangert, COO and Integrator of the company. They discuss the role of Bangert Inc. and Sage Intacct Construction in making life easier for the construction industry by automating processes and providing innovative technology solutions. Kurt Bangert emphasizes the company's...

In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck interviews Chris Martin, a marketing guru and president of Atlas Marketing. They discuss the art of storytelling in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry and how to effectively communicate the stories of AEC firms. Chris emphasizes the importance of simplifying complex processes and issues to make them understandable...

In this episode of Build America, host Kerry Smith interviews Kyle Kammer, Director of Quality for Concrete Strategies. They discuss the impact of cement and concrete production on carbon dioxide emissions and the efforts being made in the concrete industry to reduce its carbon footprint. Kyle explains that while concrete is a major producer of CO2, it is also the most used building material in th...

In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck discusses the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) with Alex Etchen, Senior Director for Infrastructure Management at the Associated General Contractors of America. The IIJA is a 1.2 trillion dollar investment in US transportation infrastructure over five years, with a focus on roads, bridges, mass transit, airports, and broadband de...

In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck discusses the topic of school security with Patrick Aylesworth, Director of Operations at S. M. Wilson Company. S. M. Wilson is a construction management and general contracting firm that focuses on designing and building secure educational facilities. They emphasize the importance of creating spaces that balance safety and a welcoming enviro...

In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck interviews Travis Kassebaum, a Principal and Geotechnical Department Manager at Terracon. They discuss the importance of firm foundations for safe buildings and bridges. Travis shares insights into the Leaning Tower of Pisa and its foundation issues. He also explains the role of geotechnical engineering in ensuring the stability and longevity...

In this episode of BUILD America, the podcast explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on design and engineering in healthcare spaces. The guests are Kevin Token and Ryan King from BSA LifeStructures, an architecture and engineering firm specializing in healing, learning, and discovery. They discuss the challenges faced during the pandemic, such as the need to modify existing systems to ensure...

In this episode of BUILD America, Kerry Smith Buck interviews Erol Ahmed, the Director of communications at Built Robotics. They discuss the role of robotics in the construction industry and how Built Robotics is developing software to make construction equipment autonomous. Erol explains that their focus is on automating earth-moving energy projects such as solar and they have started with small...