Building PA Podcast

LISTEN IN as PA Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R), PA 35th District provides welcoming comments. As Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Langerholc has great insight into the upcoming transportation construction season.  Legislative Insiders Provide Insights to the 2021/22 PA General Assembly Session  If you're wondering what may happen in Harrisburg during this upcoming l...

The Building PA Podcast is on the road today visiting the Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center job site.  Steve Lee and Dan Flickinger join us to talk about Lean Construction approaches and the benefit of co-location.  Dan provides background on the project and how the medical facility came out of the ground.  Steve shares the impact that Lean Construction principles have helped bring this pro...

Listen as Zac Wolpert of Providence Engineering shares his take on the business development aspects of the industry.  Wolpert discusses not only the importance of the role, but the differences between contractors, engineers, and architects may face when pursuing business growth opportunities.  Our conversation focuses on research and a diligent focus on the potential customers and he shares additi...

Listen to the passion and deliberate efforts Geoff McQueen applies to his company. His passion focuses on culture and how he gives trust to his employees and customers for a problem-free experience.   This episode is part of the Business Leadership Series brought to you by McQueen Building Company.

Universities are facing various challenges and design is one resource that is being relied on to meet the competitive demands.  Join Jon and Chris as they speak with Sean Sheffler of LGA Partners to learn more about the college and university's future design needs.  In this episode, Sheffler shares how architecture and design can help improve living spaces, learning environments, and the over...

DRONES!  In this episode, Seth Zora of aerdia, a veteran-owned drone service provider shares with Jon and Chris the challenges of starting a business and how aerdia has grown to meet the drone needs of the construction industry.

Listen as Becker joins Jon and Chris to share information on Remote Assist, a technology that Haller Enterprises is using to improve their customers' lives.  The technology - a direct video connection via a customers' device - creates opportunities to save time and improve safety while addressing issues created in both residential and commercial settings.

Emily Lowe of Alexander Construction Group joins the Building PA Podcast.  Our co-hosts set out on a road trip of sorts and visit the job site of the Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center in Enola, PA as guests of Alexander.  During this episode, Emily discusses how vital communications is in the Lean Construction concept; the principles behind the approach; and the impact of the process on the...

Learn more about Coatings Pro Magazine from Editor in chief Stephanie Chizik.  Chizik joins Jon and Chris to discuss how the publication aids the coatings industry, shares trends, the impact of COVID on the supply chain, and the environmental impact on those working in the industry (Silica and Berelium).  She also shares the broad impact of the coatings industry and the benefit of working in this...

State Representative Greg Rothman stopped by the Quandel Studios to discuss the future of the City of Harrisburg school district and the potential impact receivership may have on the city and the state related to workforce development and education. Listen to past episodes and more at BuildingPAPodcast.com and follow the podcast on Facebook and LinkedIn . This episode is brought to you by PJ Dick...

Listen as Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin share their favorite moments and topics from the first season of the Building PA Podcast.  Topics reviewed include: Season One successes - we don't use scripts Crisis communications Successful tips for growing your business Continuing education in construction Co-location trend across the state And so much more ...  Listen to past episodes and more...

Kate Jackson of Serrano Search, discusses with Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin the changes in the labor relations market and the professionals who work as Labor Relations Managers and Directors. Listen as Jackson shares input on trends in the labor relations market, how the industry has rebounded from COVID-19 and what companies seek when looking for a labor relations manager.   A takeaway from...

Listen as Noble ‘Bud’ Quandel shares insight into growing a construction business.  Bud shares his thoughts related to diversification and experience from his time at the helm of Quandel Construction.  Co-hosts Jon O’Brien and Chris Martin dive into what Bud looks for in employees, retention of team members and how to build a team in this industry.  To stand out in the industry, Bud says: Take a l...

Co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin speak with Kerry Zettlemoyer, business manager of the Ironworkers Local No. 404 in Harrisburg, PA.  Kerry shares insights into the 17 building trades groups throughout the Commonwealth and the structure of the Ironworkers. In this episode, Zettlemoyer talks about the changes that have been implemented to improve the apprenticeship program, how the local h...

Don Tracy of Quandel provides a safety stand down talk for construction workers. KCA encourages all construction companies to participate in an opioid stand down talk at least once a year and the 2020 Construction Opioid Awareness Week is an excellent opportunity. Held the last full week of July, this hot temperature time of year is considered the middle of the construction season and it's an...

Heading into 2020, the construction industry was making strides in the battle against the opioid epidemic, but then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived.   Major concerns became apparent and we started trending in the wrong direction. As an industry, let's all do our part to raise awareness and provide the education needed to help our people. Listen to this introduction on the 2020 Construction Opio...

Many employers want to do the right thing and get help for their workers but the system is not always set up for employers to do the right thing. Listen as one construction contractor expresses his issues when he tries to help workers. The responses from Rachael Cooper of the National Safety Council and Carl Heinlein of the American Contractors Insurance Group are helpful, but also an indication t...

Carl Heinlein of American Contractors Insurance Group shares a story about a construction worker who did everything the right way, but then found himself addicted to pain medications and illegal drugs. It's a road that unfortunately one too many from our workforce have traveled down. It's a story that we need to share so that we can help the next Chris before it's too late.  

Rachael Cooper of the National Safety Council provides a safety stand down talk that addresses stigmas associated with drug addictions. Due to labels, fears, punishment, etc. that some feel may come with an addiction, those suffering from addiction may be slow to seek help, or not seek help at all. This mindset needs to change and our workforce needs to know that they can speak up and where to get...

Join Brian Fraley of Fraley Construction Marketing as he speaks with Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien about social media use among contractors.  Topics include how to allocate marketing dollars, use of social media to grow businesses and brands and how the industry has evolved with digital platforms. As much as digital is being embraced across the industry, there are a variety of trends that rein...

Holly Lubart, Director of Government Affairs for the Pennsylvania News Media Association shares information about Pennsylvania's Right to Know laws on the Building PA Podcast.  The focus of the discussion centers on the value of right to know for contractors and how access to public information can be useful for proposals and other useful business development uses. Co-hosts Jon O'Brien a...

John Sebastian, director of Construction Management Program at the University of Pittsburgh joins co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien to discuss how students are learning.  Sebastian shared how the program has evolved.  He also shares what students at the University of Pittsburgh are learning and engaging with industry professionals. Sebastian adds, "the key is to get involved early an...

Join co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin as we discuss succession planning for the construction industry with representatives from CLA.  "It's really about what your goals are and how to design a plan to make those goals a reality," said Emily Gunther of CLA.  Her definition of what succession planning is helps those preparing for the next step in business management.  Listen...

The Building PA Podcast profiles one of the newest healthcare projects in the Central Pennsylvania region - The UPMC Pinnacle York Memorial Hospital.  Co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin speak with Greg Quandel, President and CEO of Quandel Construction and Joe Chicora, Senior Project Manager at Quandel Construction.  The two Quandel leaders share insight into the award winning healthcare p...

The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) conducted a virtual meeting to review and discuss the current state of the Separations Act.  The legislation addresses the contractual delivery method for multi prime projects throughout the Commonwealth. During this episode join KCA members as they discuss the Act and current pieces of legislation that will modernize the legislation. Listen to past episo...