The Construction Veteran Podcast

Send us a Message! Ever wondered about the journey from a military service member to a civilian professional? In this engaging conversation, I sit down with Tony, an accomplished veteran who transitioned from the Navy into the civilian construction industry. We explore his fascinating career trajectory from his South Carolina roots in 2002 to his deployments in Kuwait and Iraq, and his eventual de...

Send us a Message! Have you ever considered the impact of poor work-life balance on your professional and personal life? Trying to juggle responsibilities can often lead to burnout, and I found this out the hard way. After a month-long hiatus from podcasting, I return to share my experiences and insights in setting boundaries between work and home life. The struggles I faced, and how a much-needed...

Send us a Message! Discover the power of resilience and the beauty of transition in our latest conversation with Tony Alvarez, a former Marine Corps Reserves member turned construction industry veteran. As he spins a tale of grit right from his high school years in the Marine Corps Reserves to his transition into the construction industry, Tony's story is sure to inspire you. Listen to his jo...

Send us a Message! Meet Jared DeRuby, a former Marine and present CEO of a prominent talent staffing agency, as he takes us through his remarkable transition from the battlefield to the boardroom. Having served as a wireman in an artillery unit, Jared's journey saw him become a fourth-generation electrician, using the discipline and focus honed in the military to excel in the demanding world...

Send us a Message! Picture a young man with a passion for service, held back by past mistakes, and then moved to action by the devastating events of 9/11. Meet Brad Borders, an aspirational youth who beat the odds to become a respected officer in the Chaplain Corps and a beacon of hope for transitioning veterans. Brad's captivating journey encompasses the highs and lows of military service, t...

Send us a Message! Ever caught yourself belittling a co-worker, or perhaps, been at the receiving end of such treatment? It happens more than we'd like to admit, especially in our industry. In this candid conversation, we dig deep into the uncomfortable realities of how people in the building industry treat each other - and it's not always pretty. We talk about the hierarchy that seems t...

Send us a Message! We're doing something a little bit different this episode. Hop on over to the "On Grade" podcast and take a listen to Episode 16! If you're a military veteran in the construction industry, or you're in the construction industry and support our military vets, and you'd like to be a guest on the podcast you can find me at constructionvetpodcast@gmail.com , or send m...

Send us a Message! Imagine a path paved with practical insights and motivational tips, guiding you towards a successful career in the construction industry. That's what you'll find in today's episode as we demystify the significance of education and certifications in this sector. Your career aspirations will influence the type of education and certifications you need, be it project...

Send us a Message! Imagine a battlefield training and a construction site. Seem worlds apart? Not quite. In the latest episode, we welcome Ryan Brence, a West Point grad, former Army Special Operations officer, and currently, a safety crusader in the construction industry. A man with a mission, Ryan shares how his military training has honed his skills to tackle safety issues in construction, crea...

Send us a Message! Ever wondered about the intricate dance between project managers and superintendents in the construction industry? Brace yourselves as your host, Scott Friend, delves into the nitty-gritty, sharing personal anecdotes from his time as a project manager in El Paso, Texas. He unpacks the complexities of these essential roles, shedding light on the unique challenges and the crucial...

Send us a Message! Ever wondered how the discipline and structure of the Marines can create a successful career in the industrial real estate sector? Calvin, a Marine Corps veteran, walked me through his unique journey from the military to the construction industry. Fueled by the transformation of his experience in service after the 9/11 events, he reflects on how his military skillset combined wi...

Send us a Message! Listen up, folks! Ever wonder how a building site manages to deliver a quality product to a client? We're going behind the scenes of quality management in construction on the Construction Veteran Podcast. I'm your host, Scott Friend, and I'm here to guide you through the maze of what quality managers do in this challenging industry. We're busting the myth tha...

Send us a Message! Ever wonder how a naval background can shape success in the construction industry? This intriguing episode brings together two former naval officers turned tech entrepreneurs, Zach and Drew, to shed light on their innovative labor tracking platform for the construction industry. Built on their experiences in the US Navy Civil Engineer Corps and the submarine force, they've...

Send us a Message! Strap in, because we're about to take you on an exhilarating journey through the world of field management in the construction industry. From the nitty-gritty tasks of a laborer to the encompassing responsibilities of a superintendent, this episode is a goldmine of insights for every construction industry enthusiast. We delve into the importance of field management, the rol...

Send us a Message! Join us for an insightful conversation with Angie Martinez, a former Navy civil engineer corps officer who's paved her way into a successful career in the federal construction industry. From her unique military background to her transition into the business of building, Angie's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Drawing from personal experiences and her father&apos...

Send us a Message! What if I told you that the essential factor in the construction industry isn't the finished building, but the safety of the people who build it? Tune in as I, Scott Friend, passionately advocate for a reimagined perspective on safety – where it's not an obligation, but a personal commitment to make sure that everyone goes home just as they came in. This episode, recor...

Send us a Message! How much do we really know about the behind-the-scenes happenings in the construction industry? It’s time to take off our hard hats, pull up a chair, and listen to the riveting insights of our special guest, Brian Winningham. A former Army Ranger turned construction industry expert, Brian takes us on an intriguing journey of his experiences in the military, his early years in co...

Send us a Message! Ladies and gents, prepare to have your minds blown by the unprecedented advancements in construction technology. Imagine being able to 'walk' through your new building before it's even built! We're taking a deep look at the mesmerizing world of drones, 3D cameras, document management, scheduling, and much more. And let's not forget about Building Informa...

Send us a Message! What does it take to transition smoothly from military life to the civilian working world, you ask? Naz, our first non-veteran guest, draws on her extensive HR experience and her work with transitioning military personnel to shed light on this complex journey. As an HR professional who's worked with a defense contractor, Naz brings a deeply insightful perspective on the TAP...

Send us a Message! Imagine being the only degreed engineer in Kandahar, Afghanistan, shortly after the devastating events of September 11th. That's the reality our guest, Lisa Jaster, lived through, serving seven years of active duty and transitioning into a reservist role, all while building a civilian career in engineering, project management, and leadership development. Embark on Lisa&apos...

Send us a Message! Are you ready to uncover pathways into the construction industry? Here's a promise - by the end of our conversation, you'll be armed with a wealth of knowledge to jumpstart your career in building trades. We chat about everything from apprenticeships that lead to journeyman status to directly working with a firm to gain practical, hands-on experience. We put premium em...

Send us a Message! Journey with us as we sit down with Darrell Utt, Chief of Business Operations for the National Medal of Honor Museum, and retired special forces soldier. His tale unfolds from humble beginnings in small-town West Virginia to the hallowed halls of the Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas. We peel back the layers of Darrell's military experiences, the indelible mark they...

Send us a Message! Get ready for an insider's guide to the world of military engineering and a look at how these skills can be transitioned into the construction industry. As someone who's walked this path, I offer firsthand insights into the vital roles within military engineering, highlighting the Navy Construction Battalion's incredible ability to construct mini cities complete w...

Send us a Message! Ever wondered how a military veteran transitions to the civilian world, specifically the pharmaceutical construction industry? Meet Marc Blackwelder, an Army Ranger, 82nd Airborne, and Special Forces vet who's done just that. After bidding the military goodbye, Marc found himself navigating the uncharted territory of civilian life. His journey took him through hands-on cons...

Send us a Message! Do you ever feel like you're chasing a paycheck instead of a fulfilling career? If so, our conversation with Air Force veteran and Chairman of the One Tribe Foundation, Dan Lombardo, might provide a fresh perspective. We discuss Dan's extraordinary journey from experiencing a tragic accident during his service, learning to cope, and ultimately transitioning into the co...