Building Conversations

What is Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA), and why is it becoming a gamechanger for mass timber construction? In this episode of Ask the Expert, Pete Kobelt, Director of Mass Timber Solutions at STO Building Group, answers questions about how DFMA is transforming project planning, manufacturing, and delivery.

In this episode of the STO Building Group’s Innovation Expo Series, host Rob Leon sits down with Ellen Giuntini, Founder and CEO of Otto Tech Systems, to discuss how the Otto Smart Ladder System is helping improve jobsite safety—from real-time alerts and digital inspections to data-driven insights.

What drives operational excellence on a construction project? Recorded live at the Superintendent Convention this panel discussion explores what drives operational excellence on a construction project—from managing complex projects to supporting mental health in the field, the conversation is packed with real-world experiences and practical insights on building strong teams and delivering successf...

In this episode of Building Conversations, Lisa Dunmeyer, Tech Ops Project Manager at BCCI, is joined by Neil Ascione, President of RC Andersen; Josh Anger, Senior Superintendent at BCCI; and Franco Giaquinto, Founder and CEO of Outbuild, to discuss how Outbuild is transforming construction scheduling through real-time collaboration between office and field teams. The conversation explores how mod...

What happens when stress and distractions become hidden safety risks on the jobsite? In this episode of Building Conversations, host Greg Dunkle—STO Building Group’s Chief Operating Officer—is joined by Robert Labbe, Vice President of Risk Engineering Services at American Global, and Jeff Matthews, Safety Director of Structure Tone Philadelphia, to discuss why mental health and suicide prevention...

When it comes to construction costs, it’s easy to focus on what’s right in front of you—but what happens after the project is complete? In our latest Ask the Expert series, STOBG’s Vice President of Sustainability, Jennifer Taranto, dives into the balance between capital costs and long-term operational savings—and why thinking beyond the upfront investment can make all the difference.

In this episode of Building Conversations, STO Building Group's Vice President and Life Sciences Sector Leader, Jennie Taveras, and Nick Oddy, Strategy Director at Structure Tone London, explore the rapid growth of the life sciences sector and why London is emerging as a global hub for investment, innovation, and development.

What does it take to lead with authenticity, build trust, and create lasting impact in construction? In this special Women’s History Month episode of Building Conversations, host Christie Mullen—Director of Business Development at Structure Tone New Jersey—sits down with Wendy Castro, Director, Design & Construction at Rockefeller Group, and Christine Bunner, Project Manager at RC Andersen for...

What does it truly take to advance women in construction—not just recruit them, but retain, support, and elevate them into leadership? In this episode of Building Conversations, Claudia Healy—STO Building Group’s Chief Human Resources Officer—sits down with NAWIC CEO Sheronda Carr and Northeast Regional Director Jillian Penkin to unpack the real retention challenges—bias, culture, and the differen...

In this Building Conversations Ask the Expert episode, David Hamilton, Senior Vice President of Construction Procurement Solutions, answers listener questions about construction procurement and the evolving strategies reshaping how projects are delivered. From industry fragmentation and supply chain complexity to direct manufacturer partnerships and technology-driven visibility, Dave explains how...

In this episode, Greg Dunkle, Chief Operating Officer at STO Building Group, sits down with three pre-construction leaders—James Mezzadri, Estimating Manager at Structure Tone New York, Troy Addis, Senior Vice President at LF Driscoll, and Kurt Thomas, Vice President of Business Development at Layton Construction—to discuss how pre-construction sets the tone for project success. They explore how e...

In this Building Conversations Ask the Expert episode, Greg Dunkle—Chief Operating Officer at STO Building Group—answers listener questions on one of the industry’s toughest challenges: the national labor shortage. From the 500,000-worker gap to rising wages and shifting demographics, Greg breaks down how today’s workforce trends impact project cost, schedule, quality, and safety—and what clients...

In this episode of Ask the Expert on the Building Conversations podcast, Leah Ramos, Senior Vice President of Ethics, Compliance, and Audit at STO Building Group, breaks down the biggest myths around compliance and explains its true role in protecting integrity, reputation, and trust. From managing integrity-related risk and guiding teams through new markets, to vetting subcontractors, navigating...

In this episode of STO Building Group’s Innovation Expo Series, host Rob Leon sits down with Jessica Herrala, Regional Vice President of Buildots, to explore how Buildots is transforming progress through AI and computer vision.    

From fostering collaboration to sharing best practices, this episode goes inside the STO Building Group Superintendent Roundtable. Join Greg Dunkle, STOBG’s Chief Operating Officer, as he sits down with two Roundtable members—Ernie Tessein, General Superintendent at Structure Tone Philadelphia; Brian Bernhoft, Construction Manager at Abbott Construction—along with Superintendents Academy participa...

In this episode of STO Building Group’s Innovation Expo Series, host Rob Leon sits down with Alex Rothman, co-founder and CEO of Day 2+ and Michael Sci, STOBG’s Senior Vice President of Facilities Construction Services to explore how this next wave of construction technology is reshaping scheduling, material tracking, field communication, site-scanning robotics, and more.     

Ever wondered how modern construction delivery methods are reshaping the industry? Join Chris McGinnis, Senior Project Manager at LF Driscoll, Mike Dikon, Vice President at LF Driscoll, and Steve Greulich, Associate VP of Capital Projects for Penn Medicine, as they explore how Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is transforming collaboration, boosting efficiency, and redefining success on projects.

How is artificial intelligence transforming the way we build? In this episode of Ask the Expert, host Rob Leon, Chief Innovation Officer at STO Building Group, explores how AI is reshaping the construction industry—from streamlining project workflows to turning massive amounts of data into smarter, faster decisions. 

In this episode of STO Building Group’s Innovation Expo Series, host Rob Leon sits down with Franco Giaquinto, founder and CEO of Outbuild, to explore how the company is transforming construction project management through collaborative, integrated scheduling tools. From outdated processes like whiteboards and Excel sheets to AI-powered insights, Outbuild is helping owners, general contractors, an...

How can the construction industry shift from a “take, make, waste” cycle to a circular economy? In celebration of Zero Waste Week, host Jennifer Taranto, VP of Sustainability at STO Building Group is joined by Tim Conway, VP of Sustainability at Shaw Industries, and Avery McKitrick Sustainability Coordinator to explore how takeback programs and supplier partnerships are transforming waste manageme...

In celebration of Zero Waste Week, join Jennifer Taranto, VP of Sustainability at STO Building Group, Michael Orbank, Sustainability Manager, Northeast Region at STO Building Group, and Andrea Love, Principal and Director of Building Science at Payette, as they explore how Boston teams are turning demolition into deconstruction—leveraging partnerships across owners, designers, contractors, and ven...

In honor of Zero Waste Week, join Jennifer Taranto, VP of Sustainability at STO Building Group, Ryan Hughes, Sustainability Manager at Structure Tone New York, and Tiffany Williams, Sustainability Manager at Rudin, as they explore how selective deconstruction, material recovery, and take-back programs are transforming NYC construction.

In the latest episode of Ask the Expert, Michael Signorile, Exterior Envelope Supervisor at Pavarini McGovern, dives into the world of building façades. From design considerations and constructability reviews to cutting-edge technologies like BIPV and electrochromic glass, Signorile shares strategies for delivering high-performance, energy-efficient, and visually striking façades on complex projec...

What does it really take to build high-performance cold storage facilities in today’s market? Join Layton Construction’s National Building Group as Executive Vice President Eric Nay hosts a dynamic conversation with Thomas Gubbins, Director of Client Relations and Pre-Construction, Christopher Webb, Design Manager, Sean Doherty, Project Manager, and Mike George, Vice President of Operations on the...

In the latest episode of the Ask the Expert, series, Michael Walsh, Vice President of Elevator Construction Consultants at STO Building Group, shares key insights into elevator system planning, coordination, and innovation. From design-phase red flags to the rise of AI-powered elevators, Walsh breaks down strategies that keep projects on schedule and performing at their best.