Beyond the Skyline

In this episode, Trever Bullen, the dean of Dunwoody College of Technology’s School of Design, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Bullen discusses his early interest in architecture, his role at Dunwoody, and diversity and inclusion efforts at the school.

In this episode Kyle Palzer, one of AIA Minnesota's 2022 Young Architects award winners, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Palzer discusses how he became interested in architecture, his career journey, his work in community-focused design, and the upcoming 2130 Summit.

In this episode, Metropolitan Council Member John Pacheco Jr. talks to F&C reporter J.D. Duggan about equity, transportation, economic development and his emphasis on public service.

In this episode, Eric Pasi, business development director at Impact Power Solutions, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson about what the Inflation Reduction Act will mean for local building developers and owners with an interest in solar power and the future of solar power in Minnesota.

In this episode, St. Paul Port Authority President Todd Hurley talks to F&C reporter J.D. Duggan about his longtime relationship with the economic development agency and his plans for leading the organization.

In this episode, Christine Beckwith, the project manager of Metro Transit’s Blue Line Light Rail Extension, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Beckwith discusses how she got into engineering, her passion for transportation projects, and the next steps for the Blue Line Extension.

In this episode, St. Louis Park Community Development Director Karen Barton talks to F&C reporter J.D. Duggan. With an incoming light rail train, St. Louis Park is expecting a massive influx of development — and city leaders are aiming to stay ahead of it. The city has prioritized sustainability, inclusion and accessibility with its approvals — utilizing tax increment financing to make sure the ri...

In this episode, Knutson Construction CEO John Curry talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Curry discusses his journey with Knutson, how the company fared during the height of pandemic, his days as a professional hockey goalie, and the outlook for the industry during a time of high inflation and supply chain backlogs.

Prelude Homes and Services COO Deb Rose talks to F&C reporter J.D. Duggan about the booming senior housing market and Prelude’s approach to creating homes that accommodate various lifestyles of aging people.

Housing First Minnesota’s new executive director, James Vagle, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Housing First Minnesota tapped Vagle as its executive director in late June. In that role, he leads an organization that represents nearly 1,000 builders, remodelers, developers and industry suppliers.

In this week’s episode, Marshall Nguyen, senior vice president with Caspian Group, talks to F&C reporter J.D. Duggan. Nguyen, who specializes in retail investments and brokerage services, was the broker on a deal for an Asian mall concept in Eden Prairie, and is also leading the project, which he expects to open around the end of summer.

In this episode, Ben Johnson, senior director of real estate for the Neighborhood Development Center, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Ben Johnson plays a key role in helping up-and-coming businesses find the space and resources they need to survive and thrive, and energize the neighborhoods they serve.

Interview: Ryan Weyandt, CEO, LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance by Finance & Commerce

In this episode, LHB Chief Financial Officer Lori Thompson talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Thompson was promoted to CFO of the architecture and engineering firm in March. She’s an advocate for women’s education, and is active with groups such as the Philanthropic Education Organization, a provider of scholarship support to female college students.

In this episode, Jennifer Christiaansen, the managing director of Perkins&Will in Minneapolis, talks to F&C reporter J.D. Duggan. Christiaansen talks about how people use space, sustainability in building design and how the shifting nature of work is impacting design decisions.

In this episode, Bush Foundation Fellow Abdiaziz Ibrahim, the founder of Immigrant Housing Solutions, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Ibrahim wants to expand affordable housing through outreach to landlords and property managers and provide a holistic combination of tenant education and financial literacy training.

In this episode, Scott Peterson, United Properties’ vice president of hospitality and office development, talks to F&C reporter J.D. Duggan. Peterson talks about what he sees as the future for office and hospitality and how the new RBC Gateway tower in downtown Minneapolis is bucking local occupancy trends.

In this episode, Keia Isaacson, the 2022 Finance & Commerce Top Women in Construction winner and owner and president of Lakeside Floor Coverings, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. An advocate for women in construction, Isaacson is an active member and past president of the Association of Women Contractors. In this interview, she talks about her construction journey, her advocacy work and the im...

In this week’s episode Jared Anderson, safety manager at Adolfson & Peterson, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson about safety trends in the construction industry, the impact of COVID on jobsite safety, the latest safety equipment and more.

In this week’s episode, Lee Blons, executive director of Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, talks to F&C reporter J.D. Duggan about the need for deeply affordable housing and the growing focus on the issue.

In this week’s episode, F&C reporter Brian Johnson talks to Ramona Wilson, the director of equity and inclusion at Knutson Construction. Wilson talks about her role with Knutson and gives her take on the state of diversity and inclusion in the broader construction industry.

This week F&C reporter J.D. Duggan talks to Christian Lawrence, founder and CEO of Rise Modular, which builds and co-develops modular multifamily housing and hospitality projects. Rise is the first modular housing manufacturer in Minnesota. Lawrence started the company in 2018 and has seen demand continue to increase for modular housing.

This week, F&C reporter Brian Johnson talks to Al Gerhardt, who was recently named executive vice president of Kraus-Anderson Cos. In that role, he will collaborate with KA Realty and Development, among other duties. He remains president of Kraus-Anderson Construction. During his career, Gerhardt has held leadership positions with the Construction Industry Round Table, the Associated General Contr...

In this week’s episode, F&C reporter J.D. Duggan talks to Dean Dovolis, founder and owner of DJR Architecture. Dovolis started DJR in the mid-1980s and has since been involved in many community-oriented and affordable-housing developments. In this interview, Dovolis talks about the rapid changes coming in real estate development related to affordable housing and community ownership.

In this week’s episode, F&C reporter Brian Johnson talks to longtime St. Paul Building Owners and Managers Association president Joe Spartz, who will soon retire from his leadership role at the organization to pursue new adventures. During his nine-year run as president, Spartz oversaw a downtown security study, and helped building owners and managers navigate the choppy waters of the pandemic.