Leadership Blueprints

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Mike Venuto, Chief Engineer at Delaware River Port Authority. Mike discusses what DRPA’s main focus is currently, the value of transit rails between cities, and what Mike is seeing in the engineering and construction industry that excites him.  Resources mentioned:  Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek The Infinite Game...

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Dave Foster, Founder and CEO of BDP Impact Real Estate. Dave discusses his military career, the mission of BDP, and how he is solving the issue of veteran homelessness today with actionable steps. Resources mentioned:  Hoover Institute Veteran Fellowship Program “Grant” by Ron Chernow Find more information about BDP Impact Real Estate Calls-to-action:  Inspiring P...

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with Ken Roberts, Chair of the Construction Law Group at Venable LLP. Ken breaks down how and why projects end up in mediation, how to avoid it, and how the industry can help alleviate legal problems at the inception stage.  Resources mentioned:  Learn more about Vebable LLP   Calls-to-action:  Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our websit...

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Mark Cartella, Senior Vice President of Development and Construction at Alterra Property Group. Mark breaks down his journey to Alterra, what him and the team at Alterra are focused on in property development, and where he believes the future of property development is headed.  Resources mentioned:  The Real Estate Game: The Intelligent Guide To Decisionmaking And...

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Nick Cangelosi, Vice President of Affordable Development at Michaels. Nick and BJ break down what Michaels mission is, how he is driving solutions to housing insecurity, and what the future of housing looks like.  Resources mentioned:  “Ego Is the Enemy” by Ryan Holiday “Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality” by Anthony De Mello :  Learn more about Mi...

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with Bill Lyons. Bill discusses his career in the US Army and Army Reserves, and his approach to building firms from the ground up.  Resources mentioned:  The Road Not Taken  by Robert Frost   Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening  by Robert Frost Pieces of the Game: The Human Drama of Americans Held Hostage in Iran  by Charles W. Scott  Calls-to-action:  Inspiring...

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Mike Vahle, Managing Partner at Capital Growth StoreGuard. Mike discusses his time at West Point, his career journey, and the decision-making process behind joining the team at StoreGuard. Resources mentioned:  “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins   “The Confident Mind” by Dr. Nate Zinsser “Traction” by Gino Wickman Calls-to-action:  Inspiring People and Places is bro...

On today’s solo episode, BJ reflects on his time at Super Bowl LVII, the leadership strengths a football team must be composed of in order to be successful, and how leadership lessons from the field can be brought into our everyday lives.  Resources mentioned:  “New Heights” podcast by Jason & Travis Kelce Calls-to-action:  Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our websi...

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with Dan Hauber, Vice President at Transportation Resource Associates, Inc. Dan talks about his journey to employment at TRA, how he has worked to keep our railways safe over his 25 year career, and how TRA is innovating in the future of public transport safety.  Resources mentioned: Form, Design and the City: Philadelphia Department of Records   The Black Swan: Th...

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with David Murphy, Owner & Senior Principal at Crawford Architects. David shares how he became an architect, his philosophy when designing multi use facilities such as sports stadiums, and Crawford’s mission for building the future.  Resources mentioned:  Find out more about Crawford Architects at: https://crawfordarch.com/ Calls-to-action:  Inspiring People an...

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with Joey Fay, Naval Academy Graduate, United States Marine and Founder & President of Quatrefoil Consulting. Joey and BJ break down Joey’s military career, both of their transitions from active duty into reserves, and what unique leadership lessons they learned from their military experience.  Resources mentioned:  “The Likeability Factor: How to Boost Your L-...

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Joe Benvenuto, Chief Operating Officer at LIFTbuild. Joe breaks down the philosophy of LIFTbuild, why the construction industry can be resistant to change, and how the LIFTbuild philosophy can be utilized to aid in streamlining and optimizing all aspects of taking on a new project. Resources mentioned:  LIFTbuild website: https://www.liftbuild.com/ Calls-to-action...

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with David Allen, author of “Getting Things Done”. David breaks down his career journey, what inspired him to write “Getting Things Done”, and how the GTD process has revolutionized project management.  Resources mentioned:  Find out more about “Getting Things Done” and David at: https://gettingthingsdone.com/ “Humankind” by Rutger Bregman: https://www.amazon.com/H...

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Gabe Lett, Sr. Marketing Specialist at ALLGEIER, MARTIN and ASSOCIATES, INC. and author of “The AEC Professional’s Guidebook”. Gabe discusses his journey becoming an effective marketer, and the importance of synergy between marketing and your clients' teams and projects.  Resources mentioned:  Find Gabe’s book, “The AEC Professional’s Guidebook” at: https://www.am...

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Scott Lowe, Principal at Trauner Consulting Services, Inc. Scott discusses his military career, his journey to Trauner Consulting, and how he ended up buying the company. He also details the importance of your team, how much the people matter to a consulting firm, and how falling in love with both the work, and the company, has aided his abilities as a leader. Res...

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Chris Archer, Deputy Base Civil Engineer at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Chris discusses his career as a young engineer, what makes a Joint Base unique in the services they provide, and how he organizes and executes the amazing capabilities of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Resources mentioned:   “One Second After” by William R. Forstchen: https://www....

Today’s episode is the second part of the podcast we released last week, with guests Jill Jamieson,  President of Illuminati Infrastructure Advisors, and Duke DeLuca, President of ACULED Global Consulting. Jill, Duke & BJ take an even closer look at where they predict the infrastructure industry will have to change in the new year, and what efforts they are taking as leaders to adapt.  Resourc...

On today’s episode, BJ talks with friends of the show, Jill Jamieson, President of Illuminati Infrastructure Advisors, and Duke DeLuca, President of ACULED Global Consulting. In this jam-packed free flowing conversation, Jill and Duke explore the current state of the infrastructure industry, considering new movements in the government and how organizations can best respond.  Resources mentioned:  ...

On today’s solo episode, BJ talks about goal setting, the strategy he recommends and is using, and the most effective ways to set yourself up for success in the new year Resources mentioned:   “Organize Tomorrow Today: 8 Ways to Retrain Your Mind to Optimize Performance at Work and in Life” by Jason Selk & Tom Bartow: https://www.amazon.com/Organize-Tomorrow-Today-Optimize-Performance/dp/07382...

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with Jesse Gemberling-Johnson, MCFA's Director of Talent Recruitment and Development. Jesse explores his career journey from finance to the Marines, and into the construction world. Jesse is passionate about building teams and helping people find their purpose, with a fine lens on leveraging and recruiting veteran talent into the engineering and construction indust...

On today’s episode, BJ went into uncharted waters with our first Naval Academy guest (except for our beloved producer Mike Steadman). Captain Eric Hawn gives us a sneak peek into the mission of NAVFAC, navigating the current cost/supply chain environment and some of his lessons learned in leadership.   Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www. MCFAglobal.com and...

On today’s episode, BJ chats with Darci Spiteri, Co-Owner of Women on Site. Darci discusses her transition into a trade from marketing, the experience of a woman on site, and how her and other women have built a network of support.  Resources mentioned:   Women On Site Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.on.site/ “Never ever accept ‘Because You Are A Woman’ as a reason for doing or not doin...

On today’s Veteran’s Day special episode, BJ talks with MCFA’s own, Sam Cubberley. Sam explores his time at West Point, working as the Associate Athletic Director for Facilities, his transition into the private sector, and what his time in the military taught him about project management.  Resources mentioned:   “Joshua” by Joseph F. Girzone: https://www.amazon.com/Joshua-Parable-Joseph-F-Girzone/...

On today’s episode, BJ interviewed 3 individuals in the AEC space, Jilian Breeden, Principal/Pres of Engage Federal. Stephanie Heibel, BD at RFL & April Sweet, BD at OCMI. The four discuss the most important pieces of finding, building and maintaining winning partnerships, red flags to look out for, and how collaboration is the key element to success. Resources mentioned:   https://acrobat.ado...

On this week’s Veteran’s Day special, BJ talks with Adam Straight, Vice President of Operations at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Adam discusses his career in the Coast Guard, his transition to becoming an electrical tradesman, and how his passion for service led him to becoming an executive of one of the largest entertainment facilities in the world.   Resources mentioned:     “T...