CO Pod

Barbara Durante has built a career that spans public accounting, small business ownership, and now construction finance advisory, and somehow found time to lead across six industry organizations along the way. As a Senior Manager at Grassi and Vice President of Professional Women in Construction (NY Chapter), Barbara brings more than thirty years of accounting expertise to a sector she's deeply pa...

Reggie Torbor isn't your typical construction executive. Before founding Pylon Building Group,  a Birmingham-based commercial general contractor,  he spent eight seasons in the NFL as a linebacker, culminating in a Super Bowl win with the New York Giants. In this episode, Reggie shares how the discipline, accountability, and resilience he built on the field became his greatest assets in business,...

In this episode of CO Pod, Caroline talks with Adam Stark, a special operations veteran turned construction executive and founder of Jet. Build, about the connection between military experience and success in construction. Adam shares why veterans are a natural fit for the industry, how shared situational awareness can improve project outcomes, and why stronger visibility, accountability, and comm...

In this Women in Construction Week edition of CO Pod, we’re joined by Michele Wilson, a seasoned General Contractor and passionate homeowner advocate dedicated to making residential renovations smoother, smarter, and more predictable. Through meticulous planning, budgeting, and logistics, Michele helps homeowners navigate the renovation process with confidence and clarity. Beyond her contracting w...

In this Women in Construction Week edition of CO Pod, Kristina Held, President and Founder of Held Architecture, joins us to explore what sustainability and high‑performance design really mean in today’s built environment. With more than 20 years in practice, Kristina’s career includes leadership at Insight Architects, the founding of Grün – Sustainable Architecture and Design, and now guiding Hel...

In this Women in Construction Week edition of CO Pod, Bailey Shey Morris, President and Owner of Cadmus Construction in Raleigh, shares her perspective on leadership, resilience, and raising the bar for quality in the roofing and restoration industry. Leading a firm known for its craftsmanship, sustainable building practices, and dedication to client advocacy, Bailey combines strategic vision with...

In this Women in Construction Week edition of CO Pod, Nicole Kalafut, President of PMC Commercial Interiors in Raleigh, shares her insights on the power of design, leadership, and partnership in creating exceptional commercial spaces. With more than 25 years of experience spanning sales, contract negotiation, and workplace solutions, and recognition as the 2024 CORE Awards Service Provider of the...

In this special Women in Construction Week edition of CO Pod, we sit down with Krystyna “KK” Kielbon, President of KK Interior Design Group, an international design firm with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh specializing in hospitality and commercial projects that blend modern sustainability with timeless luxury. KK shares how her team collaborates seamlessly with owners, architects, brokers, and...

In this episode of CO Pod, host Caroline Raffetto is joined by Greg Sikes, Director of Product Management focused on construction at Acumatica, for an in-depth conversation on how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping the construction industry. Greg shares insights from his extensive background in product management and reflects on major technology shifts from the early days of the internet t...

In this episode, we sit down with Allison Walters, President of Workify Staffing, to discuss her remarkable journey through the construction staffing industry and how workforce strategy, technology, and leadership are reshaping the future of construction. Allison shares her story of entering a traditionally male-dominated field, building grit on job sites, and eventually founding a modern, data-dr...

In this episode of CO Pod, we’re joined by Andrew Nielson and Chris Mahaffey of Infoworks and Jason Sain, Founder of 1 Degree Consulting. Together, they explore how data, technology, and people-first leadership are transforming the construction industry. ‍ The conversation dives into the challenges construction companies face with disconnected data, inconsistent processes, and cultural misalignmen...

In this episode, host Caroline Raffetto sits down with Kate Glantz, CEO and co-founder of Move Over Bob, a powerful media and lifestyle brand reimagining what it means to work in the trades. Kate shares her non-linear journey into construction, from global service work and Hollywood film studios to trade school and startup life. Together, they dive into the urgent workforce gap, the importance of...

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Hellitzer, Founder and CEO of SubBase, to discuss how his background in construction inspired him to create a technology platform that’s transforming material management for contractors. Eric shares his journey from field operations to founding a tech company that’s simplifying and centralizing workflows across the construction industry. We explore how SubBas...

With more than 40 years of experience in the construction industry, Brian Keller, CEO of Quest Building Corporation (QBC), shares his leadership journey from starting as a young carpenter to becoming the head of a thriving construction company. Brian discusses the importance of reshaping leadership in construction, shifting company culture, and creating opportunities for employees to grow into lea...

In this episode, we sit down with Theo Halstead, CEO of The Rollout Crew, to explore how his background in technology and the U.S. Marine Corps shaped his leadership style and passion for transforming the construction industry. Theo shares how his team bridges the gap between cutting-edge software and real-world construction workflows — helping companies adopt technology that enhances performance,...

In this episode of CO Pod, host Caroline sits down with Ethan and Joe from The Daily Reporter for a fast-paced, behind-the-scenes look at the world of construction news. From Milwaukee’s skyline-changing projects to the latest in AI, robotics, and women in construction events, they pull back the curtain on what’s really shaping the industry today. Ethan and Joe share how The Daily Reporter is adap...

In this episode of CO Pod, Kal Litt from Softengine discusses the transformative impact of ERP systems in the construction industry. He highlights the urgent need for construction firms to modernize outdated, paper-based processes to improve productivity and attract younger talent. Kal emphasizes Acumatica’s flexible platform, strong accounting capabilities, and seamless integrations as key driver...

In this episode, we delve deep into the journey of President & Fractional CFO Josh Luebker, exploring the milestones, challenges, and insights that have shaped his career. From humble beginnings to leading innovative tech ventures, Josh shares invaluable lessons on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the future of technology.

This episode of CO Pod features Misha Homara, the CEO of Tricore Panels, a second-generation family business specializing in architectural panel systems. Misha shares her inspiring journey from the beauty industry to becoming a leader in the construction world. She discusses how she transitioned into the family business after a series of car accidents, and how she found her passion for transformin...

This episode of CO Pod features an inspiring conversation with Juanita Douglas, a trailblazer in the construction industry with over 40 years of experience. Juanita shares her incredible journey from being a single mother struggling to make ends meet to becoming a pioneering figure in the trades, breaking barriers for women in construction. She discusses her early days as a carpenter, her transiti...

In this episode of CO Pod, host Caroline Raffetto sits down with Roger Yarrow, CEO and co-founder of TrueLook, a leader in construction camera solutions. Roger shares the evolution of TrueLook from its early days in media and entertainment to becoming a powerhouse in construction site documentation, offering live streaming, time-lapse photography, and security recording. Roger also dives into the...

This episode of CO Pod features an inspiring conversation with John Mullins from Net at Work, where passion for customer success meets cutting-edge construction technology. Discover how this dynamic company evolved from a small software provider to an industry powerhouse while keeping its hometown heart. John shares candid insights about transforming construction businesses through technology, bui...

Meet Brad Huebner, the construction industry's resident problem-solver and self-proclaimed tech nerd, on this episode of CO Pod! Buckle up for an inspiring journey from humble beginnings as a handyman to becoming a sought-after business coach. Brad's story is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning. In this episode, you'll not only be entertained...

This episode of CO Pod features candid conversations with Reid and Kurt Bangert of Bangert Inc, as they share their personal journeys, insights into running a successful business, leadership lessons, and the lessons  they've faced in building Bangert Inc. With decades of experience in construction technology, Reid and Kurt have built a reputation for pushing the boundaries of what's possible, crea...

In this episode, we sit down with Coralee Beatty, Founder & Fractional COO at Thrive HQ and Owner of Fire and Ice HVAC Services. As an inspiring woman business owner in the construction industry, Coralee shares her unique journey in navigating a traditionally male-dominated field. She opens up about the challenges and triumphs of building a successful construction business, offers valuable ins...