Sargent: On Track Podcast

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, Marketing & Communications Lead Sebastian Bennage visits Project Executive Kody Vining and Project Manager Trent Cullinan at the new Sargent Western Maine office to talk through their recent promotions and what the E.L. Vining & Son transition has looked like from the inside. Cody shares the Vining family legacy in Farmington, the type of civil work...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Herb Sargent, Board Chair, in the Flywheel Studio to look ahead to Sargent’s 100th anniversary. Herb shares what it was like to write the company’s 100th anniversary book, drawing from decades of family journals and company history, and why it mattered to honor the people and lessons that built Sargent, even whe...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Tasha Gardner, VP-Finance & CFO, in the Flywheel Studio to wrap up the year with a simple message: Merry Christmas! They reflect on a strong finish to 2025, including board support for the ESOP, welcoming the former E.L. Vining team as Sargent’s Western Maine region, and continued growth in people and work,...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by recent Sargent Construction Academy graduate Isabella Moore in the Flywheel Studio, with Superintendent Troy Harvey and Junior Foreman Jesse Kennedy calling in from the Encompass Health project. The crew had a timely conversation about what mentorship really looks like in the field, especially when the pace is h...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Chief Operating Officers Justin Porter (Mid-Atlantic) and Douglas Morrison (New England) in the Flywheel Studio for a year-end wrap-up of 2025. Eric, Justin, and Doug reflect on how both regions navigated a late start, tough weather, and a busy season to deliver big wins. They dig into what really drove success...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Vice President of HR Amanda Martin and HR Generalist Jennifer Snow in the Flywheel Studio for a conversation that both introduces Jen to the Sargent team and leans into what it means to have “healthy holidays.” Eric and Amanda walk through why adding Jen to the HR team is such a big win, how her background in no...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Vice President of Finance & CFO Tasha Gardner in the Flywheel Studio for our annual Thanksgiving special, packed with gratitude and good news. Eric and Tasha look back on a standout 2025, celebrating the second-largest profit-sharing bonus in company history, a strong ESOP stock price, the addition of our ne...

In this episode of the Sargent On Track Podcast, Sebastian sits down with Project Executive Nick Rosswog, Superintendent Andrew Leftridge, and Project Manager Bernard Lupini in the Project Flywheel Job Trailer Studio to talk about Sargent’s work on a 2-million-square-foot LEGO distribution center in Virginia. They dig into what makes Project Flywheel one of the largest, most complex jobs in the Mi...

Don’t miss this special edition episode of the Sargent On Track Podcast for an opportunity to win double or triple the profit-sharing bonus! Text your guess to the Sargent texting platform by Tuesday, November 18th, at midnight! If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/appl...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, Vice President of HR Amanda Martin is joined by Benefits Manager Renee Kearns-Pal and the Cross Insurance team in the Flywheel Studio to introduce Sargent’s new benefits partner and spell out how they’ll support employee-owners. They explain who Cross is and when to contact them directly. Give it a listen to learn exactly where to go with benefits questions...

In this episode of the Sargent On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by CFO Tasha Gardner, COO–North Doug Morrison, and Northern Regional Manager Tim LePage in the Flywheel Studio to unpack Sargent’s acquisition of E.L. Vining & Son of Farmington, Maine. They break down why it’s a strong cultural fit, how it adds 40 seasoned employee-owners and significant aggregate reso...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Tasha Gardner, CFO, in the Flywheel Studio to wrap up National Employee Ownership Month by zeroing in on the everyday ownership mindset that extends far beyond October. Eric and Tasha talk about what it really means to “own it,” showing up with accountability, looking out for your team, and making safe, delibera...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Chris Horn, Regional Manager of Sargent’s Piedmont Triad Region , for an in-depth check-in on how the region continues to grow and establish itself. Eric and Chris discuss what it takes to build a new region from the ground up, focusing on culture, leadership, and long-term investment in people. Chris shares how...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Safety Director Cam Haggar and Mid-Atlantic Safety Manager James Joyner in the Flywheel Studio for a discussion on the importance of slowing down and Taking 5, not just in the field, but in every part of life. Together, they explore how intentionality, communication, planning, and servant leadership form the fou...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Workforce Advancement Manager Pete Parizo and Superintendent Rob Wyatt in the Flywheel Studio to talk about what it really means to make new employee-owners feel like they belong at Sargent. Together, they explore the difference between simply welcoming someone and creating a lasting sense of belonging. Rob shar...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, we kick off ESOP Month with a conversation between Sebastian and Fortunat Mueller, co-founder & CEO of ReVision Energy, about their journey to 100% employee ownership, why “act like an owner” and curiosity lifts quality and safety, and how ESOPs strengthen culture, recruitment, and resilience through ups and downs. If you liked this week’s episode and a...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, VP of Human Resources Amanda Martin dives into the ins and outs of Sargent’s self-funded health insurance plan with expert insights from Lisa Nappi, Sargent’s Senior Account Manager from USI Insurance Services, and Benefits Manager Renee Kearns-Pal. They unpack why Community Health Options is the plan’s TPA, the importance of matching your bills to your Exp...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, the Man in the Corner, Sebastian, hits the field for National Construction Appreciation Week to talk with Sargent employee-owners about what the week means to them. From laborers and superintendents to technology managers and equipment operators, the conversations explore whether the public truly understands the skill, planning, and sacrifice that go into b...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast , Guest host Amanda Martin, Sargent’s VP of HR, has an essential discussion in honor of Construction Suicide Prevention Week. Amanda is joined in the Flywheel Studio by Safety Director Cam Haggar and Heather Washburn, a licensed clinical social worker from Healthy Life EAP, to talk openly about the mental health challenges in the construction industry—an ind...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, we shine a spotlight on Sargent’s 2025 field interns as they wrap up their summer with presentations reflecting on their experiences. Workforce Advancement’s Pete Perazzo, along with interns Lucas Towers and Charlie Vaillancourt, visit the Flywheel Studio to discuss the value of hands-on field work, lessons learned, mentorship, and the unique challenges of...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, we dive into the story of the Back Cove South CSO Storage Facility project in Portland, Maine—one of the most complex and challenging jobs in Sargent’s history. Host Eric Richie sits down with Business Development Director Glenn Adams and Superintendent Ian McCarthy to reflect on the project’s design-build process, the environmental impact of capturing mill...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast , President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by a full Flywheel Studio of guests—including newly retired Herb Sargent, CFO Tasha Gardner, and external board members Thomas Baillie and Keith Bennett—for an in-depth discussion on succession planning and leadership transition at Sargent. The group reflects on Herb’s legacy, the board’s vital role in guiding lon...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, Safety Director Cameron Hagar joins Sebastian to talk all things Safe + Sound Week . The two kick things off with a round of “Myth or Fact: Safety Edition” before diving into this year’s theme— Preparedness is Your Superpower —and how it ties into Sargent’s commitment to planning, communication, and Taking 5. Cam reflects on the importance of aligning safet...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, Eric Ritchie sits down with Chief Operating Officers Doug Morrison and Justin Porter to recap how the 2025 season is shaping up in both the Northern and Southern regions. From major projects in the Mid-Atlantic to developing new leaders on utility crews in New England, the conversation highlights the growth in both workload and workforce. The COOs reflect o...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, Sebastian sits down with newly appointed CEO Eric Ritchie to talk about his first week in the role, his leadership journey, and what excites him about guiding Sargent into its second century. Eric shares insights into his career path, from managing Sargent Materials to stepping into executive leadership roles, and reflects on the company’s unique culture, r...