This week’s podcast discusses the KCA's scholarship program, highlighting its success in fostering the next generation of construction leaders in Pennsylvania. James Fretz, a scholarship recipient and construction management student at Penn College, shares his journey from a high school carpentry program to his current internship experiences. He emphasizes the valuable mentorship and hands-on learning he's received, which have prepared him well for a future in the construction industry. James al...
Jul 30, 2024•29 min
In this week’s podcast episode, Jon and Chris chat with Ryan Englin, author of “ Hire Better People Faster! ” – an Amazon best-seller that reimagines hiring philosophies. Englin has been dedicated to helping service contractors and construction companies hire better people for over a decade. His passion stems from observing his father's struggles as an owner-operator in the construction industry. Englin identified a gap in the industry: a lack of knowledge on how to hire and retain good employee...
Jul 23, 2024•34 min
In this week’s podcast episode, Jon and Chris chat about the evolution and impact of their long-running podcast, particularly their popular safety episodes. To keep the educational safety content from June’s National Safety Month going, the pair brought in Darren Rech to discuss even more safety resources. They emphasize the importance of toolbox talks and informal safety discussions covering a range of topics essential for maintaining safety awareness on job sites. Darren Rech, the Safety Direc...
Jul 16, 2024•30 min
In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Makenzie Daniel, a sophomore safety science major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Makenzie shares her journey into the construction industry, highlighting her experiences and successes, including making the Dean's list and obtaining her OSHA 30 card. She discusses her motivations for pursuing safety science, inspired by her family's involvement in the industry and a desire to ensure worker safety...
Jun 11, 2024•26 min
In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Will Foret, co-host of the Building Scale podcast, renowned in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Will emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity, making it relevant and accessible to all. He breaks down the costs of cyber threats, stresses the need for proactive measures like risk assessments and employee training, and highlights emerging trends like AI-driven attacks....
May 28, 2024•29 min
The latest Building PA Podcast episode featured guest Jimmy Christianson, VP of Government Relations for AGC, who shared crucial legislative updates. They emphasized the urgent need for workforce development and immigration reform to address labor shortages in the construction industry. Additionally, innovative approaches like partnerships with community colleges and targeted digital recruiting campaigns were highlighted as effective strategies. Despite looming political tensions, bipartisan eff...
May 14, 2024•24 min
In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien sit down with Justin Neagle from the Building Scale podcast, exploring the keys to scaling businesses and fostering a strong organizational culture. Neagle emphasizes the importance of people, processes, and technology as the pillars of business growth. Drawing from his extensive interviews with industry leaders, Neagle highlights the critical role of leadership in prioritizing employee well-being and creatin...
May 07, 2024•30 min
In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Larissa Llewellyn from Pioneer Construction about trenching and excavation. Larissa shares insights into the importance of background checks before digging and discusses the challenges and safety measures involved in the industry. They delve into the evolving training and safety protocols over the years, highlighting the need for prevention training in trenching accidents, especially in residential proj...
May 01, 2024•19 min
In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien sit down with Rich Barcaskey from the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania to discuss work zone safety awareness. The conversation touches on the implementation of automated work zone speed enforcement programs, highlighting effectiveness in reducing speeding and accidents in construction zones. Rich explains the importance of such initiatives in safeguarding both workers and the general public, e...
Apr 16, 2024•32 min
In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Frank Baxter from Construction Risk Partners, about taking safety programs to the next level. Baxter emphasizes the importance of top management's commitment to safety, highlighting the need for leaders to lead by example, engage in the process, and develop essential soft skills. He discusses the significance of culture, communication, and attention to detail, sharing anecdotes that underscore the f...
Apr 11, 2024•27 min
In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien engage in an insightful conversation with Christopher Smith from NFP brokerage insurance. They delve into the significance of project-based insurance coverage in commercial construction, particularly in Pennsylvania. Smith, drawing on over three decades of experience, elucidates how project-specific insurance offers owners greater control over coverage and extends beyond traditional policies, safeguarding aga...
Mar 26, 2024•28 min
In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien sit down with Haggai Dror of Shikun & Binui to discuss the intricacies of fleet electrification. Dror explains that fleet electrification involves converting traditional internal combustion engine vehicles into electric vehicles, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach beyond just purchasing new vehicles. They talk about the challenges and opportunities of fleet electrification, including the import...
Mar 20, 2024•28 min
In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin share a recording from their field trip to Sicklerville, New Jersey, to explore the training initiatives in the carpentry industry. Chris and Jon are joined by Phil Diaz, the training director for the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters located in New Jersey. Diaz shares insights into the leadership's foresight, the recently acquired GWO certification, and the diverse training programs available, including specialized ...
Mar 12, 2024•18 min
In today’s installment of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin continue their fascinating field trip to the Eastern Atlantic State's Regional Council of Carpenters Dive School in Sicklerville, New Jersey. Positioned on a serene lake, the hosts are joined by Dave Iannucci, the Special Projects Coordinator for the EAS Carpenters. They delve into the school's unique offerings and recent certifications, exploring its evolution from the Philadelphia Carpenters JAC and the No...
Feb 27, 2024•18 min
In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien take a field trip to Novinger's in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They are joined by Steve Powers, the Vice President of Sales at Novinger's, who is hailed as the cleanup hitter and the go-to person for all things related to panel construction and exterior panels. Steve shares insights into the evolution of prefabrication, from a curious construction method to a financial necessity driving project efficiency. The episod...
Feb 13, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 35
In this podcast episode, Brian Skripac, the Director for Virtual Design and Construction with the Design Build Institute of America, shares insights into the evolving landscape of construction technology. Having transitioned from architecture to the realm of BIM leadership, Skripac discusses the excitement of leveraging new technologies to enhance productivity and efficiency in construction. He emphasizes the need for professionals in the industry, from contractors to architects and engineers, t...
Feb 06, 2024•31 min
Dive into the depths of underwater construction with the latest Building PA Podcast episode in our field trip series featuring guest Don Gibbons, a Commercial Dive Instructor at the EAS Commercial Dive School. Explore the unique skillset of commercial divers who undertake tasks like underwater inspections, and learn about the extensive training and education opportunities at the EAS Commercial Dive School in Sicklerville, NJ. From offshore wind farm maintenance to high-risk environments, discove...
Jan 29, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 36
In the latest installment of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin conclude their field trip series with a visit to Novinger's in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Accompanied by Jim Novinger, the owner of Novinger's, the hosts delve into the company's evolution and extensive expertise in panelization dating back to the 1920s. Jim shares captivating insights into Novinger's history, emphasizing its shift to panelization in the 1970s and its unwavering commitment to quality and i...
Jan 23, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 34
Join Chris and Jon as they welcome 2024 with a reflection of the past year. Our co-hosts discuss the impact Building PA Podcast has had within the PA construction community and beyond, and also touch on their favorite interviews of the year. No lookback would be complete without also looking ahead at the future, so listeners can expect to hear about plans for the upcoming year as well. Thank you for another exciting year at Building PA Podcast and stay tuned for even more in 2024. Listen to our ...
Jan 16, 2024•24 min
In this episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin embark on a field trip to Novinger’s in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – a leading specialty contractor specializing in unitized exterior wall panels, fireproofing, structural framing, drywall installation, and ceiling work – to delve into the world of prefabrication. A lively discussion unfolds as they explore Novinger’s' shop, joined by Dan Myers, Project Manager from Alexander Building Construction Company. This episode p...
Jan 02, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 33
In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin bring the audience to Sicklerville, New Jersey, to explore the fascinating setting of the Carpenters Dive School. As they share insights from this unique location, including humorous moments and unexpected turns, they're joined by Ollie Olsen, the council rep for the Pile Drivers, Divers, and Dock Workers for the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters. The episode offers a firsthand look into the innovative initiativ...
Dec 19, 2023•23 min•Season 4Ep. 32
In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien set the stage for an engaging discussion on how to strengthen sales. This week we introduce an exciting guest, Steve Heroux, Founder and CEO of The Sales Collective , offering a sneak peek into Steve's unconventional journey from a guy in Boston with a unique upbringing to becoming the number one seller of Cutco knives in the country. Tune in for a captivating conversation about sales, the sales revolution, and t...
Dec 11, 2023•30 min•Season 4Ep. 31
In this Building PA Podcast episode, Chris and Jon interview Lorenzo Tabb, owner of Tabb Construction LLC in Reading, PA. Lorenzo shares insights from his fourth-year apprenticeship with the Carpenters Union, details his shift to commercial contracts, and discusses managing large projects like the State Police Barracks in Hershey. The episode covers Lorenzo's experiences, the importance of certifications, and the challenges of being a business owner in the evolving construction industry. Topics ...
Dec 05, 2023•18 min•Season 4Ep. 30
Bridget Austin, a junior studying Civil Engineering at Penn State University shares her summer internship experience at Mascaro Construction. Austin talks about her positive journey this summer and some of the challenges she faced that naturally come along with being a newcomer to construction. Like learning industry-specific terminology and software programs. She also highlights the importance of communication and person-to-person contact in her role. Bridget discusses her positive experiences ...
Oct 10, 2023•17 min
Lorenzo Tabb from Reading, PA, and owner of Tabb Construction, joins us on the podcast to discuss his journey as a fourth-year apprentice with the Carpenters Union and his transition into commercial contracting. Tabb shared his experiences, challenges, and the certifications his company holds, such as EDWOSB (federal) and minority business certifications. He emphasized he is currently focused on interior systems projects, including framing, drywall, doors, and hardware. Tabb also highlighted the...
Oct 03, 2023•18 min•Season 4Ep. 33
What makes your insurance broker invaluable? One that knows the construction safety side and the insurance risk side and uses that knowledge to find solutions for construction clients. We sat down with the Director of Construction Risk Partners, Joe Poliafico, an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience in construction risk management. Joe shares insights into his journey from the contractor side of the construction business to his current role at Construction Risk Partners (CRP). He pr...
Sep 27, 2023•28 min•Season 4Ep. 29
This podcast highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues, especially in the construction industry. The conversation with Marko Kaar, director of safety operations at BBE Incorporated , emphasized the need for open communication, resources, and support. Kaar touches on the nationwide prevalence of mental health challenges in the industry and encourages people to seek help through the 988 helpline . Kaar shared his personal journey of recovery from alcoholism and early exposure to...
Sep 26, 2023•18 min
To further acknowledge Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month , we reached out to Chris Lalevee , a business agent affiliated with the Operating Engineers Local 825 . In an exclusive one-on-one interview, Chris opened up about a period in his life when he faced significant challenges, including anxiety, depression, and resorting to self-medication as a means of coping. Lalevee recognized that at that time when he turned to his health plan for resources in psychiatry and for mental health nothing...
Sep 19, 2023•39 min•Season 4Ep. 32
In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month , we have a well-respected thought leader in the mental health and wellness space, Senior Director of the National Stigma Initiative at Shatterproof , Rachel Cooper. This episode its all about stigma and how it is one of the key drivers and main barriers to treatment and recovery. The national nonprofit organization Shatterproof was founded over 10 years ago. The organization is focused and is grounded on three main components: Increasing access to and ...
Sep 12, 2023•25 min
In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month , The Building PA Podcast is sharing a powerful podcast replay with one of the construction industry's most notable individuals and advocates for mental health in construction, Mandi Kime, Safety Director for AGC of Washington. This podcast replay is worth sharing not only with those in the construction industry but also anyone in a stressful job or personal situation. Share your comments to let us know what you are doing to recognize National ...
Sep 05, 2023•27 min
