Construction CEO Podcast
Construction CEO is a long-form, in-person podcast hosted by Jonathan Cor featuring candid conversations with executives leading commercial, industrial, and heavy civil construction companies. We talk leadership, lessons learned, failure, and the realities of building and running firms at scale. If you are a CEO, Founder, Executive Chairman, President, or Owner of a commercial or industrial construction company and want to be a guest on my podcast, email me at jonathan@constructionceomedia.com.
Episodes
Why Subcontractors Wait YEARS to Get Paid (And How to Stop It)
In this episode, Jonathan Cor sits down with Joe Kaiser, President of Herzog Glass, Melissa Rossi, CEO of Division 9, and Rob Scott, CEO of Scott Coatings, for the first Construction CEO roundtable.The conversation centers on getting paid as a subcontractor and the reality that subs often fund payroll, labor, materials, and other project costs long before the money reaches them. The executives sha
How This Construction Entrepreneur Built a Company From Scratch
In this episode, Jonathan Cor interviews Mike Crain, President of United Contract Flooring. Mike shares his journey from earning a construction management degree and working for general contractors to building his own company alongside his business partner, Serge.They discuss entrepreneurship in construction, recruiting the next generation of talent, company culture, leadership, competition, growt
He Never Planned to Lead a $500M Construction Company
In this episode, Jonathan Cor interviews Rory Olsen, CEO of McDonald Miller Facility Solutions. Rory shares the unexpected path that took him from mechanical engineer to leading a $500 million construction company, along with the career decisions that shaped his leadership along the way.They discuss saying yes to uncomfortable opportunities, building company culture, leadership, AI, data centers,
Why I Left a $10 Billion Construction Company
In this episode, Doug Bardin shares why he walked away from a leadership role at a $10 billion construction company to start DHC Contracting from scratch. He explains the moment he realized he'd regret never taking the chance, the challenges of building a company from the ground up, and what he's learned about leadership, client relationships, and long-term growth.We also discuss leaving s
How This Contractor Built a $53M Construction Company
In this episode, Jonathan Cor interviews Mike Dougherty, CEO of Horizon Contracting Group. Mike shares how he went from planting trees as a teenager to building a diversified construction company with more than 240 employees and over $50 million in annual revenue.They discuss working alongside family, growing a business across multiple locations, leaving a firefighting career to focus on construct
Leading a 185-Person Construction Company
In this episode, Jonathan Cor interviews Ben Faber, President of Faber Construction. Ben shares what it's like leading a 185-person construction company, the responsibility that comes with it, and how leadership changes as a business grows.They discuss family business succession, working alongside his brothers, mentorship, balancing family and work, Washington state's millionaire tax, expa
He Built a $35M Construction Company... Then Started Over
In this episode, Blaze Pattison shares how he helped build a construction company from an idea in a garage to $35 million in annual revenue, only to leave it behind and start over with Pacific Building Group. He explains what led to that decision, the lessons learned from partnerships, and why he chose to build a different kind of company the second time around.We also discuss entrepreneurship, cu
The Hardest Part of Leading a Construction Company
In this episode, Jonathan Cor interviews Jake Hatfield, President of DB General Contractors. Jake shares his journey from laborer and carpenter to leading a commercial construction company, what the industry gets wrong about growth, why relationships matter more than revenue, and how construction leaders can build teams that actually last.We also discuss mentorship in the trades, burnout in commer
This Contractor Lost Two Key Employees in One Month
In this episode, Jonathan Cor interviews Tammy Birklid, President and Owner of Merit Construction, a general contractor based in Tacoma, Washington. Tammy shares what it was like losing two key employees in the same month and how it impacted culture, leadership, and decision-making inside the company.They discuss hiring challenges, the difference between strong interviewers and strong employees, l
Why Growing Too Fast in Construction Can Hurt Your Company
In this episode, Jonathan Cor interviews Melissa Rossi, President and CEO of Division 9, a commercial flooring contractor based in Washington State. Melissa shares how the company navigated losing 40% of its revenue overnight, the decisions leaders face during uncertain markets, and why growth at all costs can create bigger problems later.They discuss subcontractor realities including chasing paym
From Apprentice to CEO of a 75-Year-Old Mechanical Company
In this episode, Jonathan Cor interviews Jeff White, President and CEO of Holmberg Mechanical, a 75-year-old mechanical contractor based in Seattle. Jeff shares his journey from apprentice to CEO and what it takes to lead a company through growth, recessions, and industry change.They discuss why the next generation should consider the trades, how strong relationships matter more than winning every
He Turned Down Equity to Run A Glazing Company
In this episode, Jonathan Cor interviews Joe Kaiser, President of Herzog Glass in Seattle, Washington, about leadership, growth, and operating as a subcontractor in commercial construction.Joe explains why he chose an opportunity with no equity over three offers that included ownership, what he learned transitioning from general contractor to subcontractor, and how growth is actually measured in t
He Left Boeing and Bought a Steel Company
In this episode, Jonathan Cor interviews Jesse Cherian, President and CEO of ST Fabrication, a former Boeing materials scientist who left the corporate world to purchase a steel fabrication company and grow it from $1.4 million to $25 million. Jesse shares what he learned transitioning from engineering to ownership, including the realities of acquiring a blue-collar business, why public works and
Hard Lessons From A Commercial Painting Contractor
In this episode of the Construction CEO Podcast, Jonathan Cor sits down with Rob Scott, President and CEO of Scott Coatings, for an honest conversation about leadership, delegation, and redefining success in construction.Rob shares how delegating critical responsibilities to the wrong leaders nearly put his company at risk, and what it took to step back in, rebuild trust, and change the direction
