The Build Zone Podcast - A Construction Podcast

Venus Williams, ABC Massachusetts Membership Director joined us to talk about the "Drive for 500" membership drive that is going on right now!  We talk about the benefits of joining and we welcome Keyla Rodriguez-Santiago to the podcast.  Allison mentions the craft championship and the Octoberfest event coming up this week.  Special thanks to our presenting sponsor SKILLED TRADES PA...

In this episode we have a chance to talk to our newest Gould Construction Institute teacher, David Frongillo.  David is taking on the challenge of teaching the NEW electrical program during the day!    Thank you to Skilled Trades Partners for for being our presenting partner! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abcgcicoffeebreak/support

In this episode we have a sit down with ABC MA staff member and Coffee Break Producer, Dan Gearin, as he departs ABC MA to take on a new challenge in his career.  We wish Dan the best in his next chapter, and hope him all the best.  Thank you to Skilled Trades Partners for for being our presenting partner!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abcgcicoff...

In this week's episode we are joined by Jim Abbott of Claro Advisors.  Jim is a long-time member of the ABC MA Board of Directors, and former Membership Director with ABC MA.  Jim talks about what his firm does to help their clients, and how he went from a professional hockey player to an active ABC member.  You don't want to miss this episode!   -  Thank you to our presen...

In this episode we are joined by Rachel James from ABC MA member firm, Northwestern Mutual.  Rachel talks about her journey from being an auto-mechanic to a thriving career with Northwestern Mutual.  She also gives advise for young people interested in the trades.  Rachel has helped to judge the Skills USA competition that ABC MA has been involved with and is a strong advocate for t...

In this episode we are joined by Cathy Tyler from NCCER who talks all about what NCCER does and how they have worked to create a standardized curriculum for construction trades training. The Gould Construction Institute uses NCCER curriculum for our education programs. You don't want to miss this episode!  -  Thank you to our presenting partner, DECCO, for supporting the podcas...

In this episode we are joined by two of the team members from Aerotek, Kara Hole and Kevin Damon.  Kara and Kevin talk about what Aeorotek does and how they can help your construction firm in a challenging time when it comes to staffing your job sites.  You don't want to miss this episode!  - Thank you to our Presenting Partner, DECCO, Inc. for supporting the show! --- Support this...

In this episode we are joined by recent GCI graduate, Don Roache, who recently completed his electrical train.  Don talks about what it was like to go through the apprenticeship process and what his plans are for the future after completing his time with the Gould Construction Institute.   You don't want to miss this episode!  - Thank you to our Presenting Partner, DECCO, Inc. for s...

We are joined by Lisa Connors of Klein Tools who talks about what Klein is doing with their products and the backstory of how Klein Tools started from over 100 years ago, to now being nation wide and American made to this day.  Lisa also talks about how she got her start in the industry, and what it was like growing up as the daughter or a contractor.   You don't want to miss this episod...

In this episode we are joined by Victor Oliveira of "The Good Boss" on social media.  Victor owns a local landscaping company, but has a massive social media following where he displays his efforts to retain his employees during this challenging time and what he is doing to better his local community.  Victor believes in taking care of his employees to build loyalty amongst his workforce...

In this episode we are joined by Barbie the Welder, social media star, who shares her story of coming up through the trades and her journey to becoming a premier welding sculpture artist.  Barbie tells us all about the challenges that she faced beginning her career in the trades, and what young women can do to get ahead in the industry.  You don't want to miss this episode!   - Than...

In this episode we kick off Tree Check Month as we are joined by Chloe Poole, Arborist with ABC member firm SavATree who talks about the unique work that they do ensuring that natural trees on a job site remain healthy and viable, while also ensuring that the trees on construction sites don't become a risk during and after the construction process.  Chloe also talks about how she got into thi...

In this episode we are joined by Derek Simpson, Senior PM / Marketing & BD Manager for ABC member firm Helical Drilling who talks about the unique work that Helical does and touches on some of the great projects they have worked on.  Derek also talks about the road he took to get into the geotechnical space, and what someone interested in doing the same can do to kickstart their career path....

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Christopher Rennix who is the Department Chair and Assistant Professor at Keene State College.  Dr. Rennix discusses how valuable it is to have qualified safety professionals within your organization to help your workforce, and the offerings that Keene State College has to help advance your employees and to ensure that your construction firm is on the lead...

In this episode we are joined by Drew Patalano who is the Manager of Safety, Fleet, and Facilities at Medford Wellington Services Company who discusses the safety initiatives that Medford Wellington is instituting to help protect their workforce, especially during the hot summer months.  Drew has been a long-time active ABC member, and sits on the GCI Board of Directors.  You don't...

In this episode we are joined by Sean Sheehan of CE Painting and Hillary Muntz from Make-A-Wish who discuss the upcoming Make-A-Wish charity golf tournament that ABC MA member, CE Painting, is putting on July 25.  Hillary and Sean share the importance of the Make-A-Wish foundation and why it's so important for ABC members to support their efforts.  You don't want to miss this episode! &n...

In this episode we come to you live from the 2022 ABC MA Annual Golf Outing at the beautiful Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, MA.  Mike interviews some of the participants and event sponsors live on the course, who talk about the outing and what you can expect when attending our annual golf event.  You don't want to miss this episode!  -   Thank you to our Presenting Partner, K...

In this episode we're joined by Joe Green, Compliance Assistance Specialist with OSHA.  As we kick off Safety Month, Joe hits on a variety of topics that they see as their top areas of safety compliance.  Joe has been with OSHA for over 20 years, and has been in the industry his entire career.  You don't want to miss this episode!  -   Thank you to our Presenting Partner,...

In this episode we're joined by Maggie Murphy and Chris Durso of Construction Executive Magazine who discuss some of the articles in the latest edition of the publication. Construction Executive Magazine is the official publication of ABC National. We hit on the importance of the CORE Values amongst other topics. You don't want to miss this episode! --- Support this podcast: https://podcaster...

I n this episode we sit down with Patrick Andrews, Senior Vice President of Hospitality at Haynes Group, who chats with us about some of the fantastic projects that Haynes has done recently including a complete hotel renovation on an 18 week schedule while the hotel was still fully operating.  We also talk about the work that they've been doing on local craft breweries.  Patrick also giv...

In this episode we sit down with Dan McCauley, GCI Teacher, who discusses what it was like coming up in a construction family and how that led him to a career as an electrician and a teacher for GCI.  Dan shares some great insight into what his career journey has been like, and talks about how fulfilling it has been to pass on his knowledge to fellow tradespeople as a teacher for GCI.  W...

In this episode we sit down with Chad Fallon, Principal of Medford Vocational Technical High School, who discusses shedding the stigma of vocational high schools being a fall back and how he went from being a vocational high school student, to becoming the Principal of one.  Chad gives a unique perspective on life as vocational school Principal, and shares how important it is to support your...

In this episode we chat with Jeff McCormack, teacher with the Gould Construction Institute and employee of ABC member firm Yankee Sprinkler.  As we kick off Military Appreciation Month, Jeff talks about what it was like making the transition from 20 years in the Army to the construction industry.  He also gives advice for companies looking to hire veterans, and also gives advice on what...

In this episode we chat with Dave Tremblay, teacher with the Gould Construction Institute, who talks about the rewarding feeling of educating the next generation of craft professionals and how his journey as an electrician has led him to working in the realm of renewable energy.  Dave has been teaching with GCI for 12 years.  You don't want to miss this week's edition! --- Support this p...

In this episode we chat with Bobby Maguire from ABC member firm and our Presenting Partner, Kastle Systems.  Bobby talks about the innovative AI and technology that Kastle uses to secure construction job sites, from cameras that can detect the difference between an intruder and a tarp blowing in the breeze to health attestation apps.  Kastle recently joined ABC MA within the past few mon...