Construct-ive Conversations

In this episode of Constructive Conversations, host Eddie Thompson sits down with Brian Fielkow—author, speaker, and safety consultant with a 30-year executive career spanning recycling, waste management, and logistics/trucking—to talk about why safety should be treated as a growth strategy, not just a cost of doing business. Brian shares his unconventional path from corporate lawyer to trucking c...

In this episode of Constructive Conversations, host Eddie Thompson steps outside the world of construction finance to talk about something universal: how to live better. His guest is Ryan Campbell, the Australian-born, Nashville-based keynote speaker who made history at 19 as the youngest pilot — and first teenager — to fly solo around the world. Ryan shares the full arc of his story: the two year...

In this episode of Constructive Conversations, I continue my engaging dialogue with Ed Stelter of Faulconer Construction, diving deeper into the critical themes of data integrity, artificial intelligence, and leadership within the construction industry. Ed shares his insights on the challenges of maintaining accurate data and how it impacts decision-making processes. He emphasizes the vital role o...

In this episode of Construct-ive Conversations, I sit down with Ed Stelter, Vice President of Business Development at Faulconer Construction. Ed shares his fascinating journey in the construction industry, which began over 40 years ago in his father's woodshop. From laboring on construction sites to becoming a leader in business development, Ed's insights are invaluable. We discuss the importance...

In this episode of Construct-ive Conversations, I sit down with Alex Shaw from Scott Insurance to discuss a crucial yet often misunderstood aspect of the construction industry: safety as a byproduct rather than a standalone strategy. With over a decade of experience advising contractors, Alex shares insights into how fostering a genuine culture of safety can enhance risk performance and employee w...

In this episode of Construct-ive Conversations, I'm joined by Wally Adamchik, a renowned leadership coach in the construction industry. We delve into the essential qualities that make effective leaders and discuss the importance of developing people on purpose. Wally shares his insights on the four core beliefs he advocates, emphasizing that every day can be an opportunity for improvement and that...

In this episode of Constructive Conversations, host Eddie Thompson of Brown Edwards Company sits down with Aaron Witt — founder of BuildWitt, host of the Dirt Talk podcast, and self-proclaimed Chief Dirt Nerd. Aaron shares the unlikely origin story of his career in heavy civil construction, from cold-calling a contractor after high school to building one of the industry's most recognized media and...

Host Eddie Thompson talks with Rob Jones, a retired Marine Corps veteran, Paralympian, and leadership instructor with Echelon Front. After losing both legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2010, Rob went on to run 31 marathons in 31 days, bike across the country, and medal at the London Paralympic Games. In this episode, Rob shares how he became an instructor with Echelon Front and discusses...

In part 1 of this inspiring episode of Constructive Conversations, host Eddie Thompson interviews Rob Jones, a Marine Corps veteran, Paralympian, and leadership instructor with Echelon Front. After losing both legs in Afghanistan, Rob transformed his adversity into extraordinary achievement—cycling across America and running 31 marathons in 31 days to raise money for veteran charities. As the auth...

In this episode of Construct-ive Conversations, I sit down with Deb Harris from Jobs and Hope West Virginia to discuss the transformative impact of workforce development in the state. Deb shares her journey from education to leading a program designed to help individuals overcome barriers to employment, particularly those in recovery or with justice involvement. We explore the evolution of Jobs an...

In this exciting continuation of Construct-ive Conversations, I sit down with legendary gold miner Dave Turin for part two of our discussion. We dive deep into his journey as an entrepreneur and father, exploring how he instills a spirit of business ownership in his children and grandchildren. Dave shares inspiring stories of reclamation in mining, highlighting stunning transformations of former m...

In this episode of Construct-ive Conversations, I sit down with the renowned Dave Turin, also known as "Dozer Dave." With a rich background in civil engineering and a successful career in mining, Dave's journey from managing his family's rock quarry in Oregon to becoming a household name on the Discovery Channel is nothing short of inspiring. We explore his experiences on Gold Rush and its spinoff...

Join Eddie Thompson from Brown Edwards and Company as he sits down with Josh Luebker, founder of The Construction CFO, to discuss fractional CFO services in the construction industry. Josh shares his journey from managing billions in construction projects to helping small and mid-sized contractors implement sophisticated financial systems without hiring a full-time CFO. The conversation covers the...

Tune in to Construct-ive Conversation's 10-part mini-series, where we’re discussing how you can avoid the top ten pitfalls in construction accounting. In each episode, we dive into a pitfall and discuss ways a CCIFP can help implement solutions. This episode of Construct-ive Conversations examines the financial and strategic impact of overlooked areas in construction accounting, offering practical...

Join host Eddie Thompson, CPA CCIFP, as he welcomes back Jason Pizatella, Chief Executive Officer of the Contractors Association of West Virginia (CAWV), for the second season premiere of Constructive Conversations. In this wide-ranging discussion, Eddie and Jason explore the current state of West Virginia's construction industry, including the impact of tariffs and commodity pricing on project pl...

Tune in to Construct-ive Conversation's 10-part mini-series, where we’re discussing how you can avoid the top ten pitfalls in construction accounting. In each episode, we dive into a pitfall and discuss ways a CCIFP can help implement solutions. Join us as we explore how leveraging professional advisors can transform your construction business. Discover why treating advisor fees as investments rat...

Tune in to Construct-ive Conversation's 10-part mini-series, where we’re discussing how you can avoid the top ten pitfalls in construction accounting. In each episode, we dive into a pitfall and discuss ways a CCIFP can help implement solutions. In this episode of Construct-ive Conversations, we explore the critical balance between growth and profitability in the construction industry. Discover wh...

In this episode of Constructive Conversations, host Eddie Thompson sits down with Brown Edwards tax directors and construction industry experts Carla Brown and Corbin Rice to break down the complex implications of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" and recent tariff policies on the construction sector.  A Business Advisor for the Construction Industry Our team of Certified Construction Industry Fin...

Tune in to Construct-ive Conversation's 10-part mini-series, where we’re discussing how you can avoid the top ten pitfalls in construction accounting. In each episode, we dive into a pitfall and discuss ways a CCIFP can help implement solutions. Explore how cultivating a positive company culture transforms construction businesses from the inside out. This episode of Construct-ive Conversations exa...

Join host Eddie Thompson of Brown Edwards & Company as he sits down with fellow CPA and construction specialist Craig Daniels for an engaging shop talk about the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) and the construction industry. Craig, a director at Brown Edwards with 13 years of public accounting experience and a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP),...

Tune in to Construct-ive Conversation's 10-part mini-series, where we’re discussing how you can avoid the top ten pitfalls in construction accounting. In each episode, we dive into a pitfall and discuss ways a CCIFP can help implement solutions. Explore the critical role of integrity in construction accounting in this insightful episode. Discover how ethical practices impact stakeholder relationsh...

Tune in to Construct-ive Conversation's 10-part mini-series, where we’re discussing how you can avoid the top ten pitfalls in construction accounting. In each episode, we dive into a pitfall and discuss ways a CCIFP can help implement solutions. This episode explores the delicate balance between capability and cost in construction equipment investments. We examine key strategies for maintaining a...

In this episode of Construct-ive Conversations, host Eddie Thompson from Brown Edwards welcomes Tina McPhail, Executive Vice President and CFO of Pray Construction. Together, they dive into the limitations of the traditional "low bid" model for public construction projects in West Virginia and explore alternative delivery methods that could provide better value and results. Tina shares her passion...

Tune in to Construct-ive Conversation's 10-part mini-series, where we’re discussing how you can avoid the top ten pitfalls in construction accounting. In each episode, we dive into a pitfall and discuss ways a CCIFP can help implement solutions. In this episode, we explore how a lack of accountability acts as a "silent profit killer and examine how accountability impacts every level of operations,...

In this episode of Construct-ive Conversations, host Eddie Thompson sits down with Will Clark, a tax director and succession planning expert from the firm's Kingsport, Tennessee office. They discuss the critical aspects of business succession planning, including different exit strategies, tax implications, and the importance of early planning. The conversation offers practical guidance for constru...