*Note: Cal was still with Holmes Murphy & Associates when we recorded this episode. He is now working at the SAFE Project. Cal Beyer is a well-respected advocate for mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry. On top of that, he has also conducted a ton of research on drug addiction in construction, with a big focus on opioid addiction. He has won several awards and has been recognized countless times for his work. Cal is the Senior Director of SAFE Workplaces for the national nonprofit SAFE Project (SAFE stands for Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic). In ..read more

Kathy Tuccaro is a full-time heavy equipment operator at a mine in Northern Alberta, Canada. In her career, Kathy operates some of the biggest equipment in the world, including the 797F Caterpillar truck, the CAT 24M Grader, and the D11 dozer. However, Kathy's life has not been without its struggles. In this episode, Kathy shares: Her story of transformation including how she went from being a nurse to being homeless to being an equipment operator (1:00) What life is like operating heavy equipment on a mine - from the hard days to the less hard days (8:00) The scariest part about operating la ..read more

Today’s guest is Ken Simonson, the Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, the leading national construction trade association. As Chief Economist, Ken presents vital information about the economy and what it means for construction. Through media interviews, presentations, and his weekly newsletter the Data DIGest, Ken helps contractors make informed decisions in the face of challenging and changing economic times. In this episode, Ken and Kevin discuss the latest economic trends in construction. Topics include: How to manage and work around economic trends that are ..read more

Construction contracts are complex whether you've been in the industry for one year or several. However, ignoring basic construction law principles can be catastrophic to your business for a variety of reasons. In this episode, we are joined by Josh Levy who currently serves as the CEO of Document Crunch, a contract intelligence platform for the construction industry. With a strong leadership background and expertise in construction law, Josh co-founded Document Crunch to bring his extensive experience to the field. Throughout his career, he has worked for top-ranking construction firms and le ..read more

The size of the company you work for can have a direct impact on your career and learning opportunities. This was especially true for Barb who received her bachelor’s degree in Construction Management. She began her journey as a carpenter at a large general contractor, wearing her tool bags, physically building buildings and relationships, and had a successful career as a woman in construction.  She climbed ladder rungs that included Foreman, Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, Pre-Construction Manager, Project Executive, and Operations Director. Along the way, she transitioned from ..read more

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a multi-billion dollar project that will connect Detroit, Michigan with Windsor, Ontario. This project is overseen by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, with Grant Hilbers being an executive leader on the team. Grant has more than 25 years of experience in the design and construction of large infrastructure projects and complex environmental compliance programs. He has held a variety of roles in consulting, private enterprise, and government entities in both Canada and the United States. He is a Professional Engineer who holds a Masters in Environment ..read more

Today’s guest is Steve Dell’Orto, a 26-year construction industry veteran who has worked on notable projects such as Golden State Warriors Arena and Development, Salesforce Tower, and Facebook's San Francisco Park Tower. Now, Steve is the CEO of ConCntric, the construction industry’s first holistic preconstruction platform that unifies data, processes, and project stakeholders. In this conversation between Steve and Kevin, topics include: How he grew in his career from an intern to leading the regional vice president of the West Coast team Taking a new and innovative way to bidding and pitchi ..read more

As any fleet manager and equipment operator knows, having a well-oiled and lubricated machine is crucial to decrease downtime and the need for repairs. Today, we are joined by Wendy Hakken, an oil and lube specialist working for Shell who specializes in lubricants for heavy equipment and trucks. With the motto of "lube it or lose it", Wendy helps fleet and maintenance managers ensure that all of the correct fluids are being used in all of the right places. This includes educating people on how to take the guesswork out of lubrication practices, keep costs down, and keep machines running! She i ..read more

An unfortunate truth is that suicide is the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Construction workers are more likely to die by suicide than from being hit by a car in a work zone, falling to their death, and from electrocutions. Vince Hafeli is one of the leaders in the construction industry when it comes to suicide awareness and prevention. Sharing his personal journey with suicide, Vince shares a lot of great information in this episode including his own suicide attempt story, why the construction industry struggles with the issue, how to create mental health programs in you ..read more

Join us for our last episode of the season as we sit down with HGTV influencer and successful entrepreneur, Bryan Baeumler. In this conversation, Bryan shares valuable insights and lessons he has learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey. From building his first company to becoming a household name on HGTV, Bryan imparts practical wisdom and experiences that can benefit aspiring entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts alike. Tune in to gain valuable entrepreneurial lessons from one of the industry's most prominent figures. Key Moments: (0:30) Introduction to Bryan Baeumler: Discover Bryan ..read more