The Builder Upper Show

Bradley King, COO of Horseshoe Construction shares about his journey from military service to leading one of the nation's top trenchless contractors. Bradley dives into Horseshoe’s evolution from pipe bursting and slip lining to water rehabilitation and design-build projects, explains key trenchless technologies, and discusses why the company exited the CIPP market. He also explores how AI is impr...

In this episode of The Builder Upper Show, host Lou Perez sits down with Scott Kimpland, Partner at FMI Corporation, to dive deep into what it really takes to achieve operational excellence in construction. Scott brings decades of experience working with some of the most high-performing contractors in the industry through FMI Corporation, a leading management consulting and investment banking firm...

In this episode of The Builder Upper Show, Craig Fulcher, president and CEO of Nashville-based DWC Construction unpacks his unconventional journey from internet sales and house flipping to leading one of the Southeast’s most established construction firms. Craig shares how DWC evolved from the region’s first drywall contractor into a powerhouse known for high-end commercial spaces, all while stayi...

In this episode of The Builder Upper Show, host Lou Perez sits down with Rob Lynch, President and CEO of Dome Construction, to talk about leadership, culture, and building a company that stands the test of time. Rob shares his journey from building tree forts as a kid to leading one of California’s premier builders specializing in highly technical, fully occupied facilities across life sciences, h...

In this episode of The Builder Upper Show, host Lou Perez interviews Jeret Whitescarver, Executive Vice President at Engineered Structures Inc. (ESI), to explore how one of the nation’s leading design-build construction firms has grown from a small Idaho contractor into a multi-state, full-service powerhouse. They discuss ESI’s culture of leadership, innovation, mentorship, and workforce developme...

In this episode of The Builder Upper Show, host Lou Perez sits down with Reggie Torbor, President of Pylon Building Group and former NFL player, to discuss his unique path into the construction industry. Reggie shares his experiences, from playing football at Auburn University and winning a Super Bowl in the NFL, to starting a successful construction company. He emphasizes the importance of mentor...

The Builder Upper Show goes in person for the very first time! Host Lou Perez sits down with Joshua Mullet of BlackLine and Legacy Services Group for a raw, honest conversation about construction, leadership, faith, and what it truly means to build something that lasts. Joshua shares how his journey in the trades started at just 10 years old, the realities of entrepreneurship when the pressure is...

Kevin Ellertson, President of Limitless Property Works, shares his incredible journey from growing up in a family of house flippers to navigating the Great Recession and a serious injury, which eventually led him to start his own construction company. Tune in to hear how Kevin transitioned from doing odd jobs and roto-tilling gardens during the COVID-19 pandemic to scaling a successful commercial...

In this episode of the Builder Upper Show, host Lou Perez welcomes John Wiley, CEO of Mangieri Electric. John shares his journey from starting in construction as a teenager to becoming a strategic advisor for private equity and a national brand ambassador for Think Realty. He dives deep into the importance of having an exit strategy for businesses, leveraging technology for scaling, and the value...

Brian Keller discusses QBC's focus on multi-family projects and their dedication to improving the employee experience in the construction industry. He talks about his personal start in construction, the story behind QBC, and their unique approach to recruit and mentor young talent through local school programs and apprenticeships. Brian also highlights the importance of leadership development, the...

Jeff Makey, founder of cLearn Training, shares his journey from construction work to becoming a leader in training and consultation. In this conversation, Jeff dives deep into the workforce challenges facing the trades, the importance of emotional engagement and mutual growth in training, and practical strategies for attracting and retaining talent in a shrinking labor pool. He also discusses how...

Salina Patel shares her journey into the construction software industry and provides expert advice on identifying the right time to invest in new ERP software. Learn about the red flags indicating outdated systems and the hidden costs they carry. Selena also discusses emerging trends like AI that are set to transform the construction industry. Don't miss her tips on what to consider when selecting...

In this She Builds Nation special episode, Coty Fournier, shares her inspiring journey from construction management student to senior executive and founder of a successful company. Listen as Coty discusses the seven qualities that propelled her career, her discovery of a passion for the construction industry, and her superpower of teaching and mentorship. Gain valuable insights on overcoming chall...

In this She Builds Nation special episode, Irene Garcia shares her unique career path from an electrical apprentice to a project manager of a 60-story high rise, and how her experiences led to her founding a successful women in construction coaching business. Irene offers invaluable insights into overcoming challenges, building relationships, and leveraging opportunities for women in construction....

In this She Builds Nation special episode, Michele Heyward, founder and CEO of PositiveHire, shares her journey from being a civil engineer to creating more inclusive workplaces for women of color in STEM. Michele discusses her experiences as the only black woman on job sites during her 12-year career in construction, highlighting the challenges she faced and the lack of diversity in the industry....

In this She Builds Nation Special episode, we talk to Andrea Janssen, a certified executive coach, founder and CEO of Ambition Theory, and host of the "Ambition Theory Women in Construction" podcast. Andrea shares her journey from career coach to construction industry leadership expert, despite having no prior construction background. She discusses the critical distinction between mentorship and s...

A multifaceted professional with a background in welding, construction, and advocacy for women in trades, Demi Knight Clark discusses her career path, the influence of her trailblazing grandmother (one of the first female Marines and Rosie the Riveter during World War Two), and the challenges and innovations in the construction industry. From founding 'She Built This City' to promoting workforce d...

In this She Builds Nation Special episode, Stefanie Couch shares her journey as a women in construction, from growing up in her family's lumberyard to becoming a dynamic leader in the construction industry. She highlights the importance of branding and marketing in the sector, emphasizing the need for companies to tell their stories effectively. Stefanie also explores the transformative potential...

In this episode, Kyle Young, President of Double L Management, discusses his incredible journey in the construction industry. Kyle takes us through his diverse experiences, from designing conveyor systems as a mechanical engineer to taking a leap of faith in purchasing a struggling company, now flourishing with an 800% growth. Kyle opens up about how he shifted from hands-on construction to focusi...

In this episode of the Builder Upper show, we speak with Josh Smyser, owner of TNT Tuckpointing & Building Restoration, LLC. Stepping into his family's business at just 12 years old, Josh's path came full circle when his father’s passing led him to leave his accounting career and rebuild TNT Tuckpointing & Building Restoration from the ground up. Josh highlights his focus on creating a str...

In this episode of the Builder Upper Show, we had an incredible conversation with Michael Essrig, founder and president of ETC Building and Design and Safe-T-Proof. Michael shares his journey from experiencing a life-changing earthquake to becoming a leader in seismic retrofitting and hospital safety compliance.

In this episode of the Builder Upper Show, we talk to Kolby Butcher, Co-owner and Chief Idea Guy of Double Jack Industries. Kolby shares his early introduction to construction through his family, the inspiration from his mother, and the drive to own a construction company despite initial challenges. He discusses the importance of cultural fit in recruitment, his new innovative waste haul venture,...

In this episode, Chris Tatge, the founder and president of DC Materials & Dynamic Construction, shares his incredible journey from starting as a 20-year-old framing contractor to becoming a leader in the construction industry. We discuss the importance of mastering the office, building strong partnerships, and embracing new technologies in construction. Chris also emphasizes the significance o...

In this episode, Henry Nutt III shares his inspirational journey into the construction industry, influenced by his father's dedication and encouragement. From initially aspiring to be a mechanical engineer to becoming a sheet metal worker, he chronicles the challenges and triumphs of his career. He discusses the lessons in work ethic and resilience passed down to him by his late father, and how th...

In this episode, Ryan Buesser, owner of Buesser Concrete, discusses the importance of mentorship, work ethic, in-house training, and leveraging new technologies. Ryan also provides valuable advice for new construction business owners on hiring smart. Learn about the challenges and successes in the concrete industry, and discover how Buesser Concrete operates across multiple states, maintaining a f...