Construction Leaders Podcast
An original podcast presented by the Construction Management Association of America, focused on the latest in capital management, and the issues and challenges impacting construction managers the most.
Episodes
Why Digital Transformation Fails in Construction
In this episode, CMAA's Carly Trout and Evan Hendershot welcome AJ Waters to discuss why so many digital transformation efforts in construction fall short and what organizations can do differently. Drawing on his experience leading technology initiatives for major construction projects, AJ explains why successful transformation starts with people and processes—not technology. He shares practical s
Managing Complexity: Evolving Construction Management in the Public Sector
In this episode, CMAA’s Carly Trout and Evan Hendershot are joined by Jesse Heimowitz, CCM, of Tectonic Engineering; Dana Hecht, of H&H; and Graham Briggs, PE, of PMA Consultants, for a conversation about project controls, scheduling, and the realities of delivering large public sector infrastructure projects. The guests share how they each found their way into project management and discuss t
Recognize, Respond, Respect: Building a Stronger Safety Culture
In this episode, CMAA’s Carly Trout and Evan Hendershot are joined by Joaquin Diaz, health and safety director at Gilbane Building Company and an ambassador for the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, for a conversation ahead of Construction Safety Week focused on the realities of near-miss reporting in construction. Drawing from his doctoral interpretive phenomenological study, Diaz shares i
Managing Risk and Responsibility in Construction Management
In this episode, CMAA’s Carly Trout and Evan Hendershot are joined by Michael Griffin, partner at HKA, and Shawn Farrell, partner at Cohen Seglias, to discuss the evolving roles and responsibilities of construction managers and the growing risk and liability landscape. They outline the CM’s core functions—managing, advising, documenting, and keeping owners informed with “no surprises”—and compare
Documenting Delays: What Construction Managers Need to Know
In this episode, CMAA’s Nick Soto and Evan Hendershot are joined by Brian Hanifin and Rachel Domingo of the LitCon Group to explore how construction managers can document the real story behind project delays and disruptions. Drawing on Brian’s decades of construction management and litigation support experience and Rachel’s forensic schedule and delay analysis expertise, they explain why close, re
Building the Pipeline: Career Pathways in Construction Management
In this episode, Construction Management Association of America’s Carly Trout and Evan Hendershot are joined by Jim Ostrom, a professor of Construction Management at Joliet Junior College, for a conversation about career pathways in construction management. Jim shares his personal journey from a struggling student to an industry professional and educator, and why early exposure to construction man
Beyond Sustainability: Why Resilience Matters for Construction Managers
In this episode, CMAA’s Carly Trout and Evan Hendershot sit down with members of the CMAA Sustainability Subcommittee for an in-depth look at what resilience really means in the construction industry. Guests Randy Britt, director of Climate Adaptation and Resilience at Terravanta; Joyce Dawson, CCM, assistant director of Facilities Planning and Construction at Anne Arundel Community College; and D
Evolving Disputes, Smarter Solutions: How Construction Leaders Can Stay Ahead
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout of CMAA sit down with Bryan Vanlenten and Steve Warhoe of Arcadis to unpack insights from Arcadis’ 15th Annual Construction Disputes Report. The discussion explores how dispute values are rising even as resolution times shrink, and what that means for today’s construction landscape. The guests break down the most
Avoiding Disputes and Driving Results with Better Contracts
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout of CMAA sit down with Shannon McElveen, COO of AIA Contract Documents, to explore why standardized contracts are essential to successful projects. Shannon highlights how well-crafted agreements promote efficiency, strengthen collaboration, reduce disputes, and even support sustainability goals. She also offers a b
Beyond Tradition: Why Progressive Design-Build is Gaining Ground
In this episode, hosts Nick Soto, Carly Trout, and Evan Hendershot from CMAA are joined by Daphne Bryant, executive director of the ACEC Research Institute, and Dr. Keith Molenaar, of the University of Colorado Boulder, to unpack the growing momentum behind Progressive Design-Build (PDB). Drawing from the ACEC report "Progressive Design-Build: Practice, Perceptions, and Potential," the conversatio
Constructive Conflict: Why Tough Conversations Build Better Teams
In this episode, hosts Carly Trout and Evan Hendershot with CMAA sit down with Chuck Ainsworth, Founder and Chief Coaching Officer, and Ed Palpant, Chief Construction Specialist at Epic Rivers Leadership. Together, they explore the significance of having tough conversations in the construction industry, from giving effective feedback to navigating conflict and building trust. Chuck and Ed unpack t
Foundations of Success: Building High-Performing Construction Teams
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, Carly Trout and Evan Hendershot from CMAA talk with Tim Singleton, PMCM business leader at Jacobs, and Ai Kurokawa, architect and principal at Isgenuity. Together, they explore what it takes to build high-performing teams in the construction industry. The conversation highlights the value of resilience, diversity, and psychological safety in dr
Building with Intelligence: The Role of AI in Construction Management
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Evan Hendershot from CMAA are joined by members of CMAA’s Technology Subcommittee—including Jarvis Alridge, CCM, project controls department manager at HNTB; Marty Turner, CCM, director of projects for Turner & Townsend; and Vincent Testa, PE, CCM, director of strategic growth at Procon Consulting—for a forward-looking co
Converged Security: Protecting People, Projects, and Data
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, Carly Trout and guest host Evan Hendershot from CMAA talk with Jim McConnell, a seasoned expert in corporate security and CEO of Ask McConnell. The conversation dives into the concept of converged security, integrating physical protection, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and more. Jim unpacks the critical differences between safety and securit
Leading with Resilience and Empathy in the Construction Industry
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA talk with Marcia Alvarado, a structural engineer, professional model, activist, former NCAA athlete, and founder of The Alvarado Experience. They discuss the power of authentic leadership in the construction industry. Marcia shares how her diverse experiences have shaped her leadership style, emphasizing the i
From Mentorship to Leadership: Constructing an Inclusive Future
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA chat with Andrea Janzen, CEO of Ambition Theory, and Doreen Bartoldus, PE, CCM, a member of the Construction Manager Certification Institute Board of Governors and past chair of the National Association of Women in Construction. They dive into the value of leadership training, the role of mentorship, and the i
Beyond the Blueprint: Navigating Workplace Culture and Building Trust
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA sit down with Jonathan Cinelli, host of the People First Leadership Podcast and partner of The Construction Life Podcast. Jonathan shares his journey from electrician and project manager to coach and author, emphasizing the power of human-centric leadership. The conversation explores how leaders can fost
Building the Future: Mentorship and Leadership in Construction
In the season 4 premiere of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA welcome Thomas Gannon, President of Fortitude Advisory; Emma Davies, Director at Atkins Realis; and Raoul D. Ilaw, PE, CCM, FCMAA, Vice President & Senior Program Manager at STV. Together, they explore the founding of Fortitude, the transformative impact of its mentorship initiatives, and th
Building a Sustainable Future in the Construction Industry
In our season 3 finale of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA welcome Randy Britt, Chair of CMAA's Sustainability Subcommittee, and Smitha Radhakrishnan, Executive Vice President of Planning, Development, and Maintenance at Tampa International Airport, to explore the increasing role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in construction. The conversa
Building Efficiency and Trust Through Lean Construction
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA sit down with Tammy McConaughy, Director of Education & Certification for the Lean Construction Institute; Katie Wells, Vice President of Project Delivery with Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC; Christopher Vine, Project Superintendent with Hensel Phelps; and John Zachara Integrated Facilities Solutions an
Innovation, Leadership, and Delivering Top-Tier Results in Construction Management
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA sit down with Kyle Grandell, CCM, founder and CEO of Dell Management, to discuss the company’s innovative approaches to project management and dedication to delivering top-tier results. They delve into the critical role of capital management, the impact of cutting-edge technology like augmented reality,
Overcoming Workforce Challenges in the Construction Industry
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA chat with Michael Bempah, PE, president and CEO of Pinpoint Precision Engineering, and Kevin P. Nolan, PE, CCM, senior associate at STV Incorporated. They explore the workforce challenges facing the construction industry and highlight the critical importance of resilience and continuous learning. The con
AI in Construction Management
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA sit down with members of CMAA's Technology Subcommittee, including Brian Tracy, PE, CCM, director of construction management at Ausonio; Marty Turner, CCM, director of projects for Turner & Townsend; and Vincent Testa, PE, CCM, director of strategic growth at Procon Consulting. The discussion centers
Cybersecurity and Safety in Construction Projects
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and and Carly Trout chat with Lucian Niemeye, CEO of Building Cyber Security, a non-profit organization that aims to improve physical security and safety. They discuss the importance of investing in cybersecurity to maintain building safety throughout its lifecycle, the potential of artificial intelligence and digital twins in
Psychological Safety in the Construction Workplace
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and and Carly Trout chat with Justin Ganschow with Caterpillar Safety Services. Together, they discuss psychological safety in the construction industry, focusing on the need to create an environment where workers feel safe in sharing concerns and speaking up about unsafe practices.
Construction Leaders Podcast is produced by
Climbing the Career Ladder in Construction Management
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and and Carly Trout chat with Coty Fournier, a professional talent development and growth strategist in the construction industry. Explore invaluable insights drawn from Coty's 30-year journey in construction management, including the pivotal role of mentors, effective strategies for career advancement, and navigating the transi
Exploring Switzerland's Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and and Carly Trout chat with Penny Tilghman, senior advisor of infrastructure with the Embassy of Switzerland. Join them as they they dive into the challenges, successes, and future outlook of Switzerland's ambitious infrastructure projects. Gain insights into the coordination and strategies required for managing similar large-
Exploring Quality Management in Construction
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and and Carly Trout chat with Brian Cresenzi, senior resident engineer at Gannett Fleming. Join them as they explore the intricacies of quality management in construction. The discussion covers the importance of seamless communication, managing unexpected challenges, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and the signifi
Fostering Inclusivity in the Construction Industry
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and guest host Kenzie Durrell chat with Anne Timmermans, a senior consultant from Parametrix, and Adam Walkowiak, associate vice president at Michael Baker International. Together, they explore the crucial topics of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the construction industry. Gain insights into CMAA's proactive
Strategies for Navigating Risk in Pre-Construction
On the season 3 premier of the Construction Leaders Podcast, we discuss risk management in pre-construction. Join CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they chat with Steve Dell'Orto, founder & CEO of ConCntric. They talk about specific pre-construction risks, pre-construction activities with the greatest ROI to reduce risk, balancing predictability with flexibility in the construction process,
Achieving Engineering Excellence in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
On the season 2 finale of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout chat with Kenny Simmons, chief of construction for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Mackenzie Searle, senior construction engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They talk about the future of the organization and some of the current projects they're working on.
Construction Leaders Podcast is
Creating a Diverse and Welcoming Culture
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout chat with Brynn Huneke, director of diversity and inclusion at Associated General Contractors of America, and Henry Nutt, III, preconstruction executive at Southland Industries. They talk about making a commitment to Culture of Care and being a part of a welcoming, diverse and safe environment.
This episode is sp
Advancements in Safeguarding Construction Contracts
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout chat with Josh Levy, co-founder and CEO of Document Crunch. They talk about recent advancements in the construction contract document space.
Offsite Technology for the Construction Industry
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout chat with Greg Oniskey, senior finance specialist at MODLOGIQ. They talk about offsite technology and the difference between pre-fabrication and modular construction, including complexity, pricing and procurement.
Diversifying the Construction Industry
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout chat with Barbara Reynolds CCM, PMP, senior project manager at Parsons; Carol Holland, PE, vice president at Dewberry; and Doreen Bartoldus, PE, CCM, water wastewater construction management leader at Jacobs and past president of the National Association of Women in Construction. They talk about gender barriers t
Combatting Suicide in the Construction Industry
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout chat with Stuart Binstock, the president and CEO of the Construction Financial Management Association. They talk about suicide prevention, why suicide is so prevalent in the construction industry, and suicide prevention programs the CFMA has supported within the industry.
How 360° Reality Capture Is Transforming Construction Management
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout chat with Stephen DeVito, director of technology at Procon Consulting and member of CMAA's Technology Committee. They talk about 360° Reality Capture and its effect on the construction management industry, costs of implementing such technology, and how it impacts site inspections.
The Five Levels of Commitment for Your Construction Management Business
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout chat with Rebecca Jones, FCMAA, founder of SafeworkCM. They talk about the five levels of commitment and how they relate to business and life in general.
Show notes
Five Levels of Commitment
https://www.randrmagonline.com/articles/86742-the-5-levels-of-commitment
Self Awareness (how one approaches life)
https
Advocating for the Construction Industry
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout chat with CMAA's President and CEO Andrea S. Rutledge, CAE, and members of CMAA's Government Advocacy Committee, Dave Crosson from HNTB and Ed Pogreba with Procon Consulting. They talk about new initiatives of the committee, how these initiatives affect the construction industry, and the new CMAA Advocacy Action
The Whys and Hows of Mergers & Acquisitions in the Construction Space
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout chat with Dan Doyon with Maxim Consulting about mergers and acquisitions in the construction management industry and navigating through the M&A process. They discuss reasons why a company would want to acquire another company, why the construction industry is so prone to mergers and acquisitions, how the process
Navigating and Minimizing Disputes and Claims
On the season 2 premier of the Construction Leaders Podcast, we discuss dispute resolution. Join CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they chat with Joe Seibold, executive vice president with Arcadis, and Roy Cooper, senior vice president Arcadis. They talk about top causes for disputes, how to minimize claims, the importance of getting a construction manager involved in the beginning of a project,
Wearable Technologies: Costs, Benefits and Overcoming Objections
On the season 1 finale of the Construction Leaders podcast, we continue our conversation about technology in construction by discussing wearables. Join CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they chat with Jarvis Alridge with HNTB, Justin Jacobsen with MBP, and Doug Matthews with Guardhat. They talk about the costs and benefits of wearable technologies, and overcoming objections encountered when impl
Digitalization in Construction
Join CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they chat with Mark Fergus, executive vice president at Cumming Group. They discuss the findings of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ 2022 report on digitalization in construction.
Show notes
Download the RICS report here: https://www.rics.org/globalassets/rics-website/media/knowledge/research/research-reports/rics0112-digitalisation-in-construc
Talking Surety Bonds and Minimizing Risks
Join CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they chat with Mark McCallum, CEO of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP), and Nick Newton, agency president of Newton Bonding and current president of NASBP. They explain why surety bonds are so important to the construction industry, and provide advice to make sure you’re taking the right steps in minimizing risks when procuring proje
Shaping the future of the workforce through STEM
Join CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they chat with Chad White with Bowers & Kubota, and Jill Rafter from Engineering is Elementary. The four talk about programs that ensure STEM training and materials are available to promote engineering and computer science in the classroom, bringing construction and engineering to the forefront for all students.
The Impact of a Second Generation Leadership Transition
Join CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they chat with Chris Payne, PE, CCM, and John MacKay, PE, CCM, CFCC, from MBP. The four talk about second generation leadership transitions within construction firms, and specifically, how such a transition directly impacted their organization.
CMAA’s Strategic Framework and Its Impact on the Industry
Join CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they chat with CMAA's President and CEO Andrea S. Rutledge, CAE, and CMAA's Board Chair Brian J. McCarthy PE, CCM. The four talk about the organization's strategic framework, its vision, and the impact it has on the future of the construction industry.
Training for the Future of Construction Leadership
Join CMAA’s Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they talk leadership and career development with Brent Darnell and Andrea Robbins with BDI. Listen as they chat about the current and future-state of their courses in CMAA's Construction Leadership library, the importance of mental, physical and emotional well-being in the workplace, and advice on advancing your career.
Talking Standards with ASTM International
Join CMAA’s Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they talk standards with Molly Lynyak, manager of technical committee operations for ASTM International; Holly Neber, CEO of AEI Consultants; and Julie Kilgore, president of Wasatch Environmental. Listen as they chat about how standards are essential to the jobs we hold, specifically when it comes to property resilience assessment and environmental site ass
Do You Have What it Takes? Starting Your Own Construction Management Firm
Join CMAA’s Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they chat with Anne Cotter, CCM, founder and president of Cotter Consulting, and Paul Foster, CCM, FCMAA, president/CEO of Foster CM Group, Inc., on what it takes to start your own construction management firm. Listen to their trials and tribulations and what lead them to take the risk of starting their own company.
Navigating the Construction Management Industry as a Young Professional (Part 2)
Join CMAA’s Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they continue their chat with emerging leaders within the construction industry. They discuss their experiences entering the construction management industry as a young professional, their unique perspectives and overcoming various challenges.
Our guests include:
Emily Gladstone, CMIT, project manager for the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Craig Sweet,
Navigating the Construction Management Industry as a Young Professional (Part 1)
Join CMAA’s Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they chat with emerging leaders within the construction industry. They discuss their experiences entering the construction management industry as a young professional, their unique perspectives and overcoming various challenges.
Our guests include:
Emily Gladstone, CMIT, project manager for the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Craig Sweet, CMIT, constru
U.S. Construction Outlook: Workforce Worries, Project Prospects and Supply Snags
Join CMAA’s Nick Soto and Carly Trout as they chat with economist Ken Simonson and a discussion around the U.S. construction outlook. In this inaugural episode, we're getting out our crystal ball and looking at the future of workforce worries, project prospects and supply snags.
Construction Leaders Podcast - Season 1 Trailer
The Construction Management Association of America presents the all-new Construction Leaders Podcast. Join our hosts Nick Soto, CAE, and Carly Trout as they chat with leaders in the construction management industry about what's impacting the industry the most. Check out the trailer for season one!
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