Building PA Podcast

Listen as Bob Dresser shares guidelines for improving morale through job site culture, productivity expectations, site-wide purpose, and need of a project team.  Dresser emphasizes the need to communicate the purpose for the project team to improve productivity. Learn how Dresser’s approach showcases the benefits of improved morale such as: ·       Staff retention,  ·       Quality improvements su...

Listen to George Stark and William DesRosiers of Cabot Oil and Gas talk of the trends within the oil and gas industry and the looming investments that will aid the construction industry in the coming years.  These investments include job and economic opportunities, increased diversification, and a Pennsylvania workforce that comes from within the state and not other states or regions.  The dynamic...

This episode is part of the Business Leadership Series brought to you by McQueen Building Company.  Listen as Brandon Mendoza of NAIOP Pittsburgh joins the Building PA Podcast to discuss his leadership style.  As the voice of the 400 + leaders in the commercial building community, Mendoza balances old-school approaches with young mindsets to achieve solid returns.  Among the discussion, he also di...

Joel Berg of BizNewsPA joined our co-hosts to share insight from a journalistic perspective to grow the industry.  During the discussion, Berg talked about the benefits of interacting with the media, how contractors can use perceived bad situations as opportunities, and the impact the media can play on community interaction and company success.

In this episode, we go on location to the Steamfitters Technology Center in Harmony, PA, where we meet Steamfitters Local No. 449 Business Manager Ken Broadbent. During our visit, Ken discusses training, expanded certifications, and his vision for the future of the trade. He specifically shares his personal approach to success, which lies in self-determination and motivation to accomplish goals. T...

Gordon Denlinger of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) stops by to discuss the various resources available to the countless small businesses within our industry.  During the discussion, Denlinger shares the biggest challenges facing small business owners including state and federal budget issues, regulatory relief, and taxes.  More importantly, he provides tips on how the NFI...

Occupop is an HR platform that has been designed for in-house HR managers specifically for the construction industry.  The Dublin, Ireland-based company is planning to enter the US market and has created a platform that accesses candidates while helping managers oversee the application process more efficiently.  Listen as Ted Campbell shares more detail of the technology and the company’s plans to...

Join us as Desmone Architects President Eric Booth joins co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O’Brien to discuss the growing trend of WELL design. Booth tells our co-hosts that the goal of WELL design is to design buildings and spaces that positively impact our health. As the world returns to some post-pandemic normalcy, WELL design has tremendous interest and impacts on the education, health and multi-f...

Case Technologies’ own Mark Deitrich joins the podcast to talk about how BIM represents a digital repository of project information that extends the life cycle of the project and ultimately the building.  He shares his thoughts regarding planning and integration of the technology on various construction projects as well.

Brad Kriel and Dan Obriot of SB Monitoring join co-host Chris Martin and Jon O’Brien to discuss technological operations improvements on job sites throughout Pennsylvania.  Operational improvements include security cameras that help enforce safety policies along with equipment tracing on project sites that require security or remote supervision.

Join us as we kick off the Better Project Outcomes Series sponsored by Strategic Executive Consulting (SEC).  In our inaugural series episode, listen as Bob Dresser, president of Strategic Executive Consulting discusses mobilization readiness.  In this episode we learn about project success based on preparedness as Dresser shares the SEC mobilization process, discusses the impact contracts have on...

Listen in as Casey Schlaegle talks about owning a small business in the construction industry.  Schlaegle has a diverse background within the industry and has worked as an architect, carpenter and now owns and leads his own architectural woodworking firm.  He discusses the need to find a reliable team that has the right mindset and skills to complement each other.  He also shares how vital it is t...

Odie Parkins of the Eastern Atlantic States Council of Regional Carpenters joins the podcast to talk about the Carpenters training program.  Parkins talks of the tools and technical support each apprentice receives along with the emphasis on behavior and attitude.  He also shed light on the Carpenters 300 Hitters program and how the international union utilizes its Las Vegas training center.

As president of Alexander Building Company, Seitz oversaw the growth of the general contractor’s Central Pennsylvania region.  Who better to learn from?  Listen as Seitz shares how he addresses growth for a general contractor and the importance of establishing a vision.  In our conversation, he also discusses the importance of communication, its impact on your company’s vision, and future trends a...

Listen as Jennifer Berrier, the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Labor and Industry department meets with co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O’Brien.  Berrier discusses the challenges her department overcame during the COVID pandemic, mentors she has relied on throughout her career, the impact communication has on effectively governing, and the challenges she anticipates among her team at L and I.   This...

The PA Chamber's Allen Norton visits the Quandel Studio to discuss career awareness with Jon and Chris.  Norton is leading the charge to help job seekers and students learn of opportunities throughout the state.  Via multiple websites - starttheconversationhere.com and BringingPABack.com - those interested can learn more of the multitude of opportunities available.

85% of military veterans have no experience in construction, yet the industry is a perfect fit for those who have dutifully served their country.  Dan Breslin of Helmets to Hardhats talks about the program, the impact it has on veterans and the construction industry, and how to gain entry to construction through the national program.

Don Eldridge, training coordinator for Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 520 shares his insight for becoming an apprentice plumber or pipefitter.  During the discussion with Jon and Chris, Don explains the requirements for becoming an apprentice, expectations of the program, and the ongoing future training this Building Trades union provides.

Listen as Bryan Cutler (R), Speaker of the PA House of Representatives, shares his thoughts and learnings from years in the legislation and healthcare industries. Specifically, Cutler shares the guidance his father imparted on him; the mentors who steered him; the morale building skills that shaped him; and the importance relationships are as a leader.  Most important to Cutler, as a leader, is to...

The Building PA podcast celebrates women in construction. In this episode, listen in as Roxanne Harpster, Sheet Metal Workers Local 19, and Meghan White, Plumbers Local 520, share the best aspects of their jobs, what it takes be successful, and what the future holds within the construction industry. Harpster and White, who recently worked for McClure Company on the Penn State Health Hampden Medica...

Listen as Andrew Conley, project superintendent with Alexander Building discusses the impact prefabrication has on project success. Although the trend is not new, implementing the approach created efficiencies along with improved productivity that went beyond project expectations. Conley shares the process and impact of off-site fabrication of bathroom pods on a new construction project. Positive...

To celebrate Engineers Week, Michael Cherock of AE Works joins the Building PA Podcast to talk about the professional services component of the construction industry.  AE Works is a 45-person firm with 3 offices and Cherock discusses how the company has embraced technology to review drawings and documents, the advantages of virtual work, how vital collaboration is for productivity, and the many ex...

Listen as co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O’Brien discuss construction marketing.  Martin shares his insight on why contractors and others in the construction industry need to begin adapting their marketing messages.  He shares why safe, on time, and under budget is the WRONG message and how these ‘traditional marketing pillars’ continue to cause damage to the industry and businesses.  Martin offers...

Gene Barr, president of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry joins us to discuss leading in challenging times.  Barr shares insight on addressing business challenges, balancing work and life, and ramifications that COVID will have on the business community and construction industry.   This episode is part of the Business Leadership Series brought to you by McQueen Building Company.

Tom Williams of Reager & Adler stops by to talk with us about contract resolution.  During the discussion, Williams shares the various methods of resolution along with specific negotiation provisions that construction contracts should include.