Building PA Podcast

Join us as Justin shares his journey from starting as a union masonry contractor to acquiring multiple companies, including roofing, insurance, and residential remodeling. He discusses the challenges and rewards of managing various trades, the importance of hiring the right talent, and the evolving landscape of the construction industry. Key topics include: The acquisition process and its impact o...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome Robert Torres from Tec Centro, a bilingual workforce development center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Robert shares insights about the center's mission to provide adult education and training in skilled trades, including facilities maintenance, plumbing, and HVAC. He discusses the importance of addre...

Electric construction equipment is already hitting jobsites across Pennsylvania. In this episode, we explore how contractors are testing electric and alternative-fuel equipment, what it means for fleet operations, and why the future of construction may be closer than you think. Plus, learn about available funding, real-world pilot projects, and practical steps for getting started.

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin delve into a critical and timely topic: mental health in the construction industry. Joined by two esteemed guests from Minnesota, Tim Worke from AGC Minnesota and Cheri Quinn from Mercury Creative Group, the discussion centers around the innovative Minnesota Construction Mental Health Alliance. We kick off the e...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin dive into an inspiring conversation with Marcus Vega, the 2026 KCA Labor Champion and recipient of the Thomas George Memorial Community Service Award. Recorded live from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the episode highlights Marcus's remarkable journey in the construction industry, spanning nearly 35 years. We ki...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien welcome Ben Connors, the president of the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA), to discuss the current trends and challenges in the construction industry, particularly in the Philadelphia market. We kick off the episode with a warm introduction, highlighting the exciting atmosphere in Philadelphia as...

We’re back with another one—and this time, we’re talking all things building the next generation of the construction workforce. In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, Jon and Chris sit down with Amanda McIsaac from Slippery Rock University to dig into SRU’s brand-new Construction Management program. But first… a little catch-up (yes, Chris finally took a vacation, and yes, we had to give him...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin dive into the world of metal construction with special guest Lee Ann Slattery, the first female board president of the Metal Construction Association (MCA) and a leader at ATAS International. Lee Ann shares her journey within the MCA, highlighting the importance of metal as a sustainable building material and it...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome back Michael Metz-Topodas, a familiar voice from the early days of the podcast. As they celebrate six years and nearly 300 episodes, the trio dives into significant updates regarding OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and its evolving role in the construction industry. Michael begins by...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin delve into the critical topic of crisis communications within the construction industry. As they navigate the often tumultuous landscape of construction-related incidents, they emphasize the importance of preparedness and effective communication strategies when faced with emergencies. The episode opens with a so...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome Jessica Warren, the Environmental Health and Safety Training Manager at Pennoni. Jessica shares her insights on the critical connection between psychological safety and physical safety in the workplace. The conversation delves into the importance of fostering open communication and building relationships...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien take a heartfelt dive into a topic that resonates deeply within the construction industry: mental health and suicide prevention. We focus on the upcoming second annual Pennsylvania Construction Hike for Hope, organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Chris opens the episode by introducing the...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome Monique Lewis, the founder and CEO of Next2Native Inc. Monique specializes in language learning and risk mitigation in the construction industry. The discussion focuses on the importance of effective communication on job sites, especially in light of the growing number of Spanish-speaking workers. Moniqu...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome back Michael Kline, a seasoned marketing expert and AI enthusiast, to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on various industries, including construction. We kick off the episode with some light-hearted banter about Chris's decision to stay with the podcast for its sixth...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, we sit down with Tina Wolff, the Director of Strategic Development for Kokosing Industrial. Tina shares her extensive experience in the construction industry, focusing on the critical differences between procurement and contract methods. We explore various approaches, such as design-build and progressive design-build, and discuss how these methods can im...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome Lauren Maggi, a third-year architectural engineering student at Penn State University, who is currently interning on the exciting Beaver Stadium renovation project. Lauren shares her journey into the field of construction management, highlighting her unique minor in engineering leadership development, wh...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien dive into the important topic of risk management in the construction industry. They are joined by experts Joe Poliafico and Skip Parry, who share their insights on how effective risk management can significantly impact a company's bottom line. The conversation kicks off with a light-hearted discussion about...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin dive into an engaging discussion about safety education in the construction industry with special guest Tracey Cekada, the chair of the Safety Sciences and Environmental Engineering Department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). We kick off the episode with a light-hearted introduction, where Chris and...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome Kara McCaffrey, a construction industry rock star and chief wellness officer at Houck Group. Kara shares her journey from healthcare IT back to construction, driven by her passion for mental health and suicide prevention, especially after losing her brother to suicide. The conversation delves into the im...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin dive into the critical topic of connected construction workflows with our guest, Joe Hassan from Empower Business Solutions. As the construction industry continues to evolve, the importance of integrating technology into everyday operations cannot be overstated. We kick off the episode with a light-hearted intro...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin celebrate five years of podcasting while diving into a critical topic: opioid awareness and pain management in the context of surgery. They are joined by Brand Newland, the CEO and co-founder of Goldfinch Health, who brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective on how to navigate the challenges associate...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin dive into a significant legal case that has captured the attention of the construction industry in Pennsylvania, the Clearfield County Jail case. Joined by legal expert Mike Pascoe from Ice Miller, the discussion centers around the implications of a legal doctrine known as "nullum tempus" and its poten...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin dive into an often-overlooked aspect of the construction industry: physical health. Joined by nurse practitioner and founder of Construction Care Solutions , Linde Collingwood, the conversation explores the unique health challenges faced by blue-collar workers, particularly in the construction sector. Linde shar...

In this exciting episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome Brent Darnell, a renowned keynote speaker in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. As we celebrate the unique appearance of a Lego R2-D2 in the background, we dive into a thought-provoking discussion about the importance of emotional intelligence and people skills in th...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien delve into a significant topic affecting the construction industry in Pennsylvania: the Separations Act. With a history spanning over a century, the Separations Act mandates that public construction projects at the state and local levels must hire at least four separate prime contractors—specifically for general...