Building PA Podcast

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Will Foret, co-host of the Building Scale podcast, renowned in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Will emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity, making it relevant and accessible to all. He breaks down the costs of cyber threats, stresses the need for proactive mea...

The latest Building PA Podcast episode featured guest Jimmy Christianson, VP of Government Relations for AGC, who shared crucial legislative updates. They emphasized the urgent need for workforce development and immigration reform to address labor shortages in the construction industry. Additionally, innovative approaches like partnerships with community colleges and targeted digital recruiting ca...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien sit down with Justin Neagle from the Building Scale podcast, exploring the keys to scaling businesses and fostering a strong organizational culture.  Neagle emphasizes the importance of people, processes, and technology as the pillars of business growth. Drawing from his extensive interviews with industry...

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Larissa Llewellyn from Pioneer Construction about trenching and excavation. Larissa shares insights into the importance of background checks before digging and discusses the challenges and safety measures involved in the industry. They delve into the evolving training and safety protocols over the ye...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien sit down with Rich Barcaskey from the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania to discuss work zone safety awareness.  The conversation touches on the implementation of automated work zone speed enforcement programs, highlighting effectiveness in reducing speeding and accidents in construction zone...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Frank Baxter from Construction Risk Partners, about taking safety programs to the next level. Baxter emphasizes the importance of top management's commitment to safety, highlighting the need for leaders to lead by example, engage in the process, and develop essential soft skills. He discusse...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien engage in an insightful conversation with Christopher Smith from NFP brokerage insurance. They delve into the significance of project-based insurance coverage in commercial construction, particularly in Pennsylvania. Smith, drawing on over three decades of experience, elucidates how project-specific insura...

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien sit down with Haggai Dror of Shikun & Binui to discuss the intricacies of fleet electrification. Dror explains that fleet electrification involves converting traditional internal combustion engine vehicles into electric vehicles, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach beyond just purchasing new...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin share a recording from their field trip to Sicklerville, New Jersey, to explore the training initiatives in the carpentry industry.  Chris and Jon are joined by Phil Diaz, the training director for the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters located in New Jersey. Diaz shares insights into the leadership's foresigh...

In today’s installment of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin continue their fascinating field trip to the Eastern Atlantic State's Regional Council of Carpenters Dive School in Sicklerville, New Jersey. Positioned on a serene lake, the hosts are joined by Dave Iannucci, the Special Projects Coordinator for the EAS Carpenters. They delve into the school's...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien take a field trip to Novinger's in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They are joined by Steve Powers, the Vice President of Sales at Novinger's, who is hailed as the cleanup hitter and the go-to person for all things related to panel construction and exterior panels. Steve shares insights into the evolution of...

In this podcast episode, Brian Skripac, the Director for Virtual Design and Construction with the Design Build Institute of America, shares insights into the evolving landscape of construction technology.   Having transitioned from architecture to the realm of BIM leadership, Skripac discusses the excitement of leveraging new technologies to enhance productivity and efficiency in construction. He...

Dive into the depths of underwater construction with the latest Building PA Podcast episode in our field trip series featuring guest Don Gibbons, a Commercial Dive Instructor at the EAS Commercial Dive School.   Explore the unique skillset of commercial divers who undertake tasks like underwater inspections, and learn about the extensive training and education opportunities at the EAS Commercial D...

In the latest installment of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin conclude their field trip series with a visit to Novinger's in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Accompanied by Jim Novinger, the owner of Novinger's, the hosts delve into the company's evolution and extensive expertise in panelization dating back to the 1920s. Jim shares captivating insights in...

Join Chris and Jon as they welcome 2024 with a reflection of the past year. Our co-hosts discuss the impact Building PA Podcast has had within the PA construction community and beyond, and also touch on their favorite interviews of the year. No lookback would be complete without also looking ahead at the future, so listeners can expect to hear about plans for the upcoming year as well.    Thank yo...

In this episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin embark on a field trip to Novinger’s in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – a leading specialty contractor specializing in unitized exterior wall panels, fireproofing, structural framing, drywall installation, and ceiling work – to delve into the world of prefabrication.  A lively discussion unfolds as they explore Novinger’...

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin bring the audience to Sicklerville, New Jersey, to explore the fascinating setting of the Carpenters Dive School.  As they share insights from this unique location, including humorous moments and unexpected turns, they're joined by Ollie Olsen, the council rep for the Pile Drivers, Divers, and Dock Worker...

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien set the stage for an engaging discussion on how to strengthen sales. This week we introduce an exciting guest, Steve Heroux, Founder and CEO of The Sales Collective , offering a sneak peek into Steve's unconventional journey from a guy in Boston with a unique upbringing to becoming the number one seller o...

In this Building PA Podcast episode, Chris and Jon interview Lorenzo Tabb, owner of Tabb Construction LLC in Reading, PA.  Lorenzo shares insights from his fourth-year apprenticeship with the Carpenters Union, details his shift to commercial contracts, and discusses managing large projects like the State Police Barracks in Hershey. The episode covers Lorenzo's experiences, the importance of c...

Bridget Austin, a junior studying Civil Engineering at Penn State University shares her summer internship experience at Mascaro Construction.  Austin talks about her positive journey this summer and some of the challenges she faced that naturally come along with being a newcomer to construction. Like learning industry-specific terminology and software programs. She also highlights the importance o...

Lorenzo Tabb from Reading, PA, and owner of Tabb Construction, joins us on the podcast to discuss his journey as a fourth-year apprentice with the Carpenters Union and his transition into commercial contracting.  Tabb shared his experiences, challenges, and the certifications his company holds, such as EDWOSB (federal) and minority business certifications.  He emphasized he is currently focused on...

What makes your insurance broker invaluable? One that knows the construction safety side and the insurance risk side and uses that knowledge to find solutions for construction clients. We sat down with the Director of Construction Risk Partners, Joe Poliafico, an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience in construction risk management. Joe shares insights into his journey from the contrac...

This podcast highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues, especially in the construction industry. The conversation with Marko Kaar, director of safety operations at BBE Incorporated , emphasized the need for open communication, resources, and support. Kaar touches on the nationwide prevalence of mental health challenges in the industry and encourages people to seek help through t...

To further acknowledge Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month , we reached out to Chris Lalevee , a business agent affiliated with the Operating Engineers Local 825 . In an exclusive one-on-one interview, Chris opened up about a period in his life when he faced significant challenges, including anxiety, depression, and resorting to self-medication as a means of coping. Lalevee recognized that at t...

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month , we have a well-respected thought leader in the mental health and wellness space, Senior Director of the National Stigma Initiative at Shatterproof , Rachel Cooper. This episode its all about stigma and how it is one of the key drivers and main barriers to treatment and recovery.  The national nonprofit organization Shatterproof was founded over 10 years...