Leadership Blueprints

BJ and Mike discuss MCFA University, the firm’s approach to training and development. Books Mentioned: The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers Hardcover by Ben Horowitz https://amzn.to/2Umr6XP Fix This Next: Make the Vital Change That Will Level Up Your Business by Mike Michalowicz https://amzn.to/3jCN2ZG Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by...

In this episode, Mike Steadman, producer of this podcast, interviews BJ. Exploring BJ's history in the military, and diving into the specifics of what brought him to MCFA and the show you are listening to. He provides helpful insight into how the military defined his path, the value in taking risks, and how he is still learning to lead today. Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA....

In the following episode, BJ sits down with Philip Abramson, Founder & CEO of Topology, a real estate consulting firm providing a full range of services in planning, development, and project management. With a focus on urban areas and downtowns, clients include for-profit and nonprofit developers, municipalities, redevelopment agencies, public authorities, and business improvement district ent...

In this episode, BJ interviews fellow West Point Graduate and Army Veteran Brian Zickefoose, Founder & CEO of the Valiant Group, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small that provides general contracting and construction management services for commercial, healthcare, utility, and government clients throughout the eastern United States. Brian earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the United...

In part 2 to last week's episode of Inspiring People & Places, Producer and Marine Corps Veteran “IRON” Mike Steadman, continues his interview with MCFA President & CEO, BJ Kreamer to discuss the importance of cultivating an intentional company culture, the roadblocks of building out a trusted team, and the challenges of running a successful professional service firm in the AEC industry. R...

In this episode, Inspiring People & Places Producer and Marine Corps Veteran “IRON” Mike Steadman, interviews MCFA President & CEO, BJ Kreamer, to shed some transparency on why he decided to start a podcast, his journey from the battlefield to MCFA, and the challenges of running a successful professional service firm in the AEC industry. Resources mentioned in this episode: Dan Sullivan- W...

In this episode, BJ sits down with MCFA’s Director of Marketing, Christen Sheppard. Christen shares her journey from college and working at a juice bar, to entering the A/E/C industry, where for the last six years she’s led MCFA’s marketing and customer service efforts. Resources mentioned in this episode: “Everything in moderation, including moderation”- Cristen’s Grandfather Patrick Lencioni- Ge...

In the following episode, BJ sits down with Jilian Breeden, the Founder and President of Engage Federal LLC (Engage), a woman-owned small business (WOSB) located in the Washington DC area specializing in data-driven, results-focused facilities planning services. Jilian has two decades of planning and programming experience, primarily supporting federal government clients, including DoD, GSA, DOT,...

In the following episode, BJ sits down with MCFA’s Chief Operations Officer, Brian Pieplow. In addition to serving as the COO, Brian’s the Senior Program Manager and Principal Planner, responsible for leading a team of highly collaborative and innovative specialists in integrating resiliency in planning and design, and developing public-private ventures for aviation, transit, transportation, and m...

In the following interview, BJ sits down with Jill Jamieson, President & CEO of Illuminati Infrastructure Advisors. They discuss Jill’s amazing path to becoming an internationally recognized expert on Infrastructure Finance & Public Private Partnerships. Resources mentioned in this episode: Benjamin Hoff: “The Tao of Pooh” https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/0...

In the following interview, BJ sits down with his friend and mentor, Wes Guckert. Wes is the Founder & CEO of The Traffic Group, one of the nation's leading traffic engineering, transit, and transportation planning firms. He is an expert in traffic engineering and transportation planning – a technical adviser in traffic analysis, traffic signal design, traffic circulation, access studies, auto...

In this episode, BJ sits down with James Haggerty, SVP of VIVAMEE Hospitality. James’ career focuses on construction management, design, and architecture, primarily in the hospitality market. Notably, he served as Director, Design + Construction of Choice Hotels, and managed the design and development of their segment-redefining upscale brand properties – Cambria Hotels and the Ascend Hotel Collec...

In part two of our inaugural episode of Inspiring People & Places, we continue our conservation with Brigadier General (Ret.) Peter A. “Duke” DeLuca. If you haven't listened to part one yet, we strongly encourage you to do so. General DeLuca has 32 years of experience working in the U.S Army at all levels, from platoon to combatant command – having commanded an engineer battalion, a multi-serv...

In this inaugural episode of Inspiring People & Places, we sat down with Brigadier General (Ret.) Peter A. “Duke” DeLuca. General DeLuca has 32 years of experience working in the U.S Army at all levels, from platoon to combatant command – having commanded an engineer battalion, a multi-service engineer brigade in combat, as well as two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Divisions. General DeLuca spe...

Welcome to inspiring people and places where we interview national leaders in the A/E/C industry in an effort to educate, innovate and inspire industry professionals to disrupt the status quo, improve their project teams, and steward taxpayer investments more effectively.