Building the Groundwork: Presented by Heave

In this episode of Building the Groundwork , we sit down with Eric Woodcock, Equipment Manager at Tucker Paving, to break down what it really takes to manage a modern construction fleet. Eric shares his journey from turning wrenches as a technician to overseeing hundreds of pieces of equipment, and the mindset shift that comes with it. We dive into the realities of fleet management, from dealing w...

In this episode, Tyler Robertson and Melissa Petersmann get blunt about the technician shortage—what’s caused it, what hasn’t worked, and what actually might. From influencer-led storytelling and stigma around “blue collar” work, to technician leverage, pay, and burnout, they break down the real-world dynamics inside shops. Plus: why mobile techs are surging, why small operators struggle to run th...

On this episode of Building The Groundwork, we sit down with Jay Lucas, president at Reputable Recruiting to talk about challenges in the industry and what goes into finding the perfect candidates.

In this episode of Building the Groundwork, we sit down with Bryan Peters, founder of Advance Trac Equipment, to talk about starting a heavy equipment company from scratch during the pandemic, the early grind of rentals and logistics, and how he carved out a niche in a competitive Texas market. Bryan shares the real story—from pressure-washing machines with his kids to building a trusted brand foc...

In this episode of Building the Groundwork, Alex sits down with two longtime friends and heavy hitters in the equipment and finance world: Clem Cazalot, Founder & CEO of Machinery Partner, and John Pfister, Founder & CEO of Mazo Capital. We dive into their entrepreneurial journeys, the *why* behind their companies, and what it takes to build in the heavy equipment space—from financing chal...

In this special episode of Building the Groundwork, we sit down with Marvin Joles, owner of Wiscote and Dubuque Asphalt Maintenance, and the voice behind the Blacktop Banter podcast.  @blacktopbanter  Marvin shares his inspiring journey from starting his business in rural Wisconsin to becoming a nationally recognized speaker and thought leader in the asphalt industry. We explore:🛠️ Navigating hair...

In this episode of Building the Groundwork, Jennifer Albright, Founder of Spenright Consulting, delves deep into the challenges and opportunities dealerships face in today's competitive landscape. From handling tens of thousands of invoices to optimizing procurement and parts inventory, Jennifer shares her expertise on operational efficiency and cost-saving strategies that make a real difference....

On this episode of Building the Groundwork, I sit down with Mets Kramer, the CEO and founder of Visibility, to talk about how he’s shaking up the dealership industry with innovative tools and cutting-edge ideas. Mets didn’t just stumble into this—his background in product support and service gave him a front-row seat to the problems dealers face every day. Instead of waiting for someone else to fi...

In this episode of Building the Groundwork, we sit down with Joe Hutchinson, (instagram.com/hutchinsonconstructionllc/) founder of Hutchinson Construction, to explore his journey from serving in the Navy to leading one of the most respected civil contracting firms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Joe shares how his upbringing, military discipline, and passion for construction shaped his career—and t...

In this episode, we're joined by the incredible Melissa Petersmann, also known as the Diesel Queen, to talk about her journey in the male dominated diesel industry. From growing up around logging equipment to finding her passion at WyoTech and working at John Deere, Melissa shares the highs, challenges, and motivations that have shaped her career. 💪✨ Tune in to hear about her drive to succeed, b...

On this episode of Building the Groundwork, we sit down with Austin Conti, CEO and co-founder of Tenna, to discuss his journey from growing up in a 5th generation family construction business to revolutionizing fleet management with Tenna’s software. From cranes to trench boxes, Tenna helps contractors streamline their operations through innovative IoT integrations. Tune in to hear how Austin’s en...

We’re thrilled to welcome Luke Powers, the co-founder and CEO of Gearflow. Luke shares the story behind Gearflow’s evolution from a parts marketplace to a comprehensive parts procurement platform that's shaking up the heavy equipment industry. We discuss the initial challenges and breakthroughs in transforming parts procurement and Insights from Luke’s background in the industry and how it sha...

Get ready for an exciting new episode of the Building the Groundwork podcast featuring Jason Richmond, COO of BuildWitt! We discuss his incredible journey from fourth generation road builder to leading BuildWitt's mission of transforming the Dirt World. Hear all about the upcoming BuildWitt Dirt World Summit and how they're shaping the future of construction. 🚧

In this episode of the Building the Groundwork podcast, we sit down with Jeff Cox, founder and CEO of VeriTread, to dive into the world of heavy equipment and trucking. From starting out as a software engineer at Lockheed Martin to launching his own heavy haul trucking business, Jeff shares the ups, downs, and invaluable lessons he's learned along the way. Discover how innovation, perseverance...

In this episode of Building the Groundwork, we sit down with Dan Maitland from Ajax, one of Florida’s top road builders, to talk shop. From managing a massive fleet to experimenting with cutting edge autonomous equipment, Dan shares insights on how Ajax stays ahead of the curve in an industry often rooted in tradition. Curious about the future of road construction? Tune in to hear about the latest...

Stephanie Smith is a seasoned marketing pro who has made waves in the heavy equipment industry. Her journey is anything but typical. Starting in manufacturing, she has always been ahead of her time, pushing the boundaries of traditional marketing. She has helped companies build and elevate their marketing departments, introducing strategic, customer-focused approaches that go beyond brochures and...

Join us as we sit down with Tyler Robertson, founder and CEO of Diesel Laptops, on the latest episode of the Building the Groundwork podcast. Tyler shares his incredible journey from starting in his garage with just $1,000 to building a $100 million company that’s revolutionizing the heavy machinery service industry. Discover how Diesel Laptops is helping technicians get equipment back up and runn...

Join Alex and Kyler Allison from dakdemolition.com as they discuss how Kyler has grown his recycling and demolition business in Texas and how preparation has led them on a path of success in their business. The Demo and Recycling biz can be tough, from always changes prices on supplies and operational costs, to the ever fluctuating recycling market and what you can expect to yield from your scraps...

Join host Alex Kraft for a raw and unfiltered conversation with James, the co-host of the Dirty and Driven Podcast and a seasoned project manager/estimator at Evans & Associates. This episode dives deep into the gritty realities and unexpected rewards of heavy civil construction. Discover how James went from a kid with a dream of owning a truck to overseeing multi-million dollar road projects....

Join host Alex Kraft in a candid conversation with John Dowling, a seasoned industry veteran with decades of experience as a technician, service manager, and recruiter. John doesn't hold back as he shares his unfiltered opinions on the state of the industry, the labor shortage, and the disconnect between dealership leadership and the technicians who keep the machines running. Discover the chal...

In this episode, host Alex Kraft sits down with Scott Peper, founder of Mobilization Funding, for a deep dive into the financial challenges and solutions faced by commercial construction subcontractors. Scott shares his unique journey from a basketball background to becoming an industry expert in construction finance. Discover how he identified a critical gap in the market and created a company th...

Join host Alex Kraft as he sits down with Paul Cobo, Vice President of Operations for Turtle Infrastructure Partners, a renowned road construction company in Florida. Paul's journey is anything but ordinary, transitioning from flying Black Hawk helicopters in the military to leading operations in the "Dirt World". Discover how Paul's military experience, including a deployment to...

Join host Alex Kraft as he dives into a conversation with Benjamin Holmgren, the founder of Kestaa- a construction contractor consulting company. Discover how Benjamin's lifelong passion for construction, sparked by a chance encounter with a dump truck at age 12, led him on a diverse career journey through equipment sales, landscaping, and consulting. Hear how a life-altering event fueled his...

In this episode, host Alex Kraft chats with Marshall Sheldon, a seasoned technician with a passion for mentorship and a no-nonsense approach to the skilled trades. Dive into the gritty reality of a technician's life as Marshall shares his journey from washing trucks to becoming a master of his craft. Discover the art of troubleshooting, the evolution of technology in heavy machinery, and the c...

In this inaugural episode, Alex sits down with Aaron Witt, the self-proclaimed Chief Dirt Nerd and founder of BuildWitt as he shares his remarkable journey from a curious teenager to a leading influencer in the construction industry. Discover how Witt's passion for the "Dirt World" led him to create BuildWitt, a platform dedicated to sharing compelling stories, providing training res...