Building PA Podcast

Join your Building PA Podcast co-hosts, Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien as they speak with attorney Matthew Jameson, co-chair of Burns White construction law practice as we discuss the impact the COVID-19 pandemic may present to construction contracts.  In the conversation, Jameson shares insight for owners and contractors related to the topic. "The more problematic question for contracts a...

Dale Glacken, from OSHA, joins Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin in the Building PA Podcast studios to discuss the increasing summer heat and the impact it has on construction jobsites throughout the Commonwealth.  Listen in as Glacken shares tips for remaining cool, hydrated and protected when following OSHA's Water, Rest, Shade guidance. The key, according to Glacken is to "understand...

In support of the ongoing re-opening challenges facing our industry, the Keystone Contractors Association asked several leading construction law experts to meet virtually and share their insight into the very fluid COVID-19 situation. Join Matt Jameson of Burns White, Tom Williams of Reager Adler, David White of Babst Calland and Michael Metz-Topodas of Cohen Seglias as they share insight and guid...

According to Stephen Ford, MorganStanley Wealth Management, "forward thinking contractors who focus on the management of employees, have the ability to apply technology and make structural changes to their organization will succeed," as the pandemic evolves. Listen to Ford and Chad Houser, both of MorganStanley Wealth Management as they share financial insight to those contractors who ar...

Tim Jones of Massaro Corporation joins Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin to discuss a unique shared space topic currently being reviewed and discussed across construction sites throughout Pennsylvania.  Listen as Jones discusses the benefits of co-location on multiple prime projects.  The idea, according to Jones, is to co-locate all prime contractors in the same shared space to maximize communica...

Chuck Parker, of Stantec joins our co-hosts, Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin in the studio to talk of the impact the COVID-19 virus will have on the design industry.  Parker shares his insight based on his 45-year career focusing on designs for the healthcare industry and commented that the COVID-19 pandemic will impact the design industry just as 9/11 impacted the airline industry. Listen as Pa...

As our industry re-opens amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Katie Spear and Jeff Graves, of i+iconUSA come by the studio to talk about their company’s implementation of technology to ensure the safety of their job sites and offices.  Join us as the duo shares their organizational values and how a quickly developed app has helped ensure data is shared among their sites and offices to reduce redundant te...

The industry re-opened on May 1 and as GCs and subcontractors adjust to various requirements, the Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) conducted a virtual meeting to review and discuss the current CDC guidelines and protocols.  During this episode join the KCA Safety Panel to learn more.  Our experts include Dale Glacken , OSHA, Tom Scott , McClure Company, Darren Rech , Alexander Building and D...

Cybersecurity is typically not the first thought for contractors, but maybe it should be.  Protecting your company from a variety of perspectives only improves your bottom line.  Join Mike Brodzinski, of Lockton Companies as he discusses cybersecurity risk reduction. Mike has spent the past 15 years serving the construction industry as a risk management advisor in national roles at global professi...

Howard Bernstein of Penn Installation shares his thoughts and recommendations for safely returning to the job site.  Bernstein shares several stories of best practices along with the impact of personal decisions for safely returning home from job sites across the Commonwealth. "It takes my breath away thinking about the sacrifices the men and women (of the construction industry) have made sin...

How has Rocky Bleier, owner of Rocky Bleier Construction Group built a safety culture at his firm?  Listen in to hear the Steelers legend talk about how the military and his football career impacted his leadership style as he developed a winning safety culture.   As an award-winning contractor, Bleier is proud of the relationships he and his team have developed along with a track record of quality...

Jennifer Landau, Landau Building talks with Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien on the Building PA Podcast about the value of continuing education among the Pennsylvania construction industry.

Patricia Robinson of Evolve Training shares the details of her company and how it impacts the School District of Harrisburg with Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien on the Building PA Podcast.  Her company's workforce training skills benefit the construction industry through hard and soft skills along with various methods of self-improvement.

Dave Plutt, Apprenticeship Coordinator with the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters discusses the requirements and outcomes of the building trades union's apprenticeship program with Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien on the Building PA Podcast.

Ron Stefaniak, Apprenticeship Program Director for the Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons International Association (OPCMIA), Cement Masons Local 526 shares his insight on becoming a union cement mason and the impact this decision has had on his life with Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien on the Building PA Podcast.

Michael Metz-Topodas, of Cohen Seglias details information pertaining to the CASPA (Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act) law that impacts the Pennsylvania construction industry.  Metz-Topodas shares his insight with Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien  on the Building PA Podcast.

Allison Hanna, RLA of Snyder, Secary & Associates, LLC shares her story relating to the ACE Mentoring program.  Hanna provides a unique experience from her perspective of graduating from the program as well as her current role as leader of the Central Pennsylvania chapter of the ACE Mentor program.  She shares her experiences and insight with Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien of the Building P...

Bill Sproule, Executive Secretary, Treasurer (EST) of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters introduces himself to the Commonwealth and discusses his vision for the building trades union organization.  Sproule talks with Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien of the Building PA Podcast.

Rachael Cooper, Senior Program Manager and Subject Matter Expert - Substance Use Harm Prevention at National Safety Council, joins Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien of the Building PA Podcast to shed light on the ongoing impact of opioids to the Pennsylvania construction industry. 

Irwin Aronson, Partner at Willig, Williams and Davidson shares with Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien of the Building PA Podcast, the many benefits of becoming a member of one of the 16 regional and 15 International building trades organizations throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Sandra Palone of Sandra Palone & Associates shares her experiences as a small business owner with Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien of the Building PA Podcast.

Clayton Leibold of Leibold, Inc. joins Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien on the Building PA Podcast to discuss safety and its impact on the industry, his business and his employees.

Darren Rech of Alexander Building and Construction discusses safety from his company's perspective.  He joins Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien of the Building PA Podcast to address one of the industry's ongoing challenges and how Alexander successfully manages their safety program.

Joshua Moore of the Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 12 and what it takes to become a sheet metal worker in the western Pennsylvania region.  Moore joins Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien of the Building PA Podcast to enlighten listeners and those interested in becoming a member of the sheet metal workers union.

Jon O'Brien, Executive Director of the Keystone Contractor Association recaps efforts made amongst various industry organizations and building trades groups to navigate the current COVID-19 situation.  O'Brien also shares details regarding the safety plan which was developed by various industry leaders to return the commercial construction industry to pre-pandemic status.