Construction technology is changing fast, and the leaders driving that change are willing to say how. On the Building Scale podcast, dozens of contractors, technologists, and industry advocates have shared how they use people, processes, and technology to scale.
Hosted by Will Foret and Justin Neagle at Spot Migration, the show interviews industry leaders who take us through personal and professional experiences that have shaped the way they lead their teams. We pulled together 30 of those conversations into four topic themes: technology and innovation, leadership and culture, people and inclusion, and business and legacy. Enjoy!
Technology and Innovation
Thomas Berrington, French Brothers
Thomas Berrington makes the case for data-driven decision-making. This episode covers how to win leadership buy-in for new tech, why historical data matters, and how Power BI gives executives and customers better insight.
Episode: Transforming Construction: A Tech-Driven Journey
Lenny Joseph and Laci Jackson, Bidtracer
The Bidtracer team talks about the skepticism software often meets in construction. They break down how to balance growth with innovation, and the impact of cybersecurity and AI.
Episode: Saving Time in Construction with Technology
Dr. Adam Krob, Boh Brothers Construction
Krob looks at AI’s potential in construction estimating, including data governance, legacy systems, risk management, and how to choose an AI platform.
Episode: AI’s Role in Modernizing the Construction Industry
Roger Krulak, FullStack Modular
Krulak compares modular construction with traditional methods, covering efficiency, workforce, quality assurance, and the financing challenges of building off-site.
Episode: Modular Construction: Innovation & Efficiency In The Built World
Eric Whobrey, ARCO Construction
Whobrey explains ARCO’s approach of small, incremental innovations, including how Airtable streamlines project management and subcontractor ratings and how the company measures innovation ROI.
Episode: True Innovation: Small Changes Create A Significant Impact
Peter Morandi, Eastman Cooke Construction
Morandi discusses where construction and technology meet, from AI in site safety to the effect of tech on company culture and the labor crisis.
Episode: Investing in Technology to Scale Your Construction Company
Pratyush Havelia and Forest Flager, Parspec
The Parspec team describes how they are digitizing construction procurement and supply chain processes with AI and a comprehensive digital database.
Episode: Parspec Revolutionizes Construction Supply Chain with AI Transparency and Efficiency
Yves Frinault, Fieldwire
The Fieldwire co-founder and CEO talks about the construction industry’s slow technological progress, the company’s acquisition by Hilti, and choosing the right software.
Episode: Tech & Software Transforming Construction
Leadership, Culture, and Clients
Nate Lowrie, Bjerk Builders
Lowrie discusses his journey in construction, the impact of economic cycles, and his experience acquiring Bjerk Builders, with a focus on building trust, integrity, and strong leadership, and on combating decision fatigue.
Episode: Impact-Minded Growth: Delegate, Listen, and Build Lasting Trust
Andrew Eshelman, Eshelman Construction
Eshelman talks about balancing directness with hospitality in client relationships, running a company alongside family life, and the tools his team uses, including Procore, BuildingConnected, and Bluebeam.
Episode: With Clients That Last: Earning Respect and Giving Grace
Staci and Chad Hannah, PBC Construction Group
The Hannahs tell the story of buying a construction company and stepping into leadership, including building trust, using EOS to define roles, and how technology supports scaling.
Episode: Internal Investments: Bringing The Team Into The Dream
Matt Johnson, Triangle Construction Services
Johnson covers construction invoicing and strategic procurement, the firm’s growing construction tech group, LiDAR drone technology, and servant leadership.
Episode: Embracing Change: Strategic Evolution in Project Delivery
Zach Simmons, Stronghold Construction
Simmons stresses building trust, choosing the right partners, and using data to make decisions, along with managing change orders and pre-construction cost structures.
Episode: A Different View: Challenging the Status Quo in Construction
Darlene Cadman, Weft Strategies
Cadman explains Integrated Project Delivery and lean construction, including risk and reward sharing, target value design, pull planning, and respect for people.
Episode: Unlocking Success with Lean Construction and IPD
Sarah Card, GC Legacy Construction
Card shares how she went from the 2008 financial crisis to founding GC Legacy Construction, scaling through core values and long-term thinking, and bringing trades in-house.
Episode: Taking The Long Way: How Being Resilient Is A Mighty Superpower
Sheley Brien, Brien Contracting
Brien discusses team building versus revenue growth, business development metrics, coaching subcontractors, and the pitfalls of low bids.
Episode: Balancing Metrics and Relationships in Construction
Robert Haggard, Fleming West
Haggard shares views on company culture, hiring, reputation management, community involvement, and the role of technology in construction.
Episode: Navigating the Evolution of the Construction Industry
People, Talent, and Inclusion
Kate Glantz, Move Over Bob
Glantz describes the initiative’s first magazine issue, created to reframe construction careers for young women, and its work with general contractors to challenge gender stereotypes.
Episode: Empowering Women in Construction: The Move Over Bob Initiative
JP Jaramillo, Nox Group
Jaramillo draws on a 20-year career to talk about recruiting, compensation, the cost of turnover, onboarding, and using technology and personality profiling to hire well.
Episode: The Art of Talent Acquisition in Construction
Dr. Gretchen Gagel, Brinkman Construction
Gagel discusses attracting women to construction, overcoming gender bias, organizational agility, and technology’s impact on scaling AEC businesses.
Episode: Breaking Barriers: Women Thriving in Construction
Jon O’Brien, KCA
O’Brien addresses the impact of opioids on the construction workforce, employee assistance programs, mental health awareness, and his legislative work.
Episode: Opioids & Mental Health: Addressing the Dark Side of Construction
Matt Aston, GPRS
Aston shares how a private equity partnership and a focus on safety shaped GPRS’s growth, along with its hiring philosophy and move to a subscription model.
Episode: Safety in Construction & the Impact of Private Equity Partnership
Jimmy Akintonde, Ujamaa Construction
Akintonde connects people, processes, and technology to scaling, with a focus on leadership, DEI, and how technology is reshaping project management.
Episode: Building The Most Socially-Responsible Construction Company
Jorge Quezada, Granite Construction
Granite’s VP of People and Culture and Chief Diversity Officer discusses diversity, equity, and inclusion in construction and how it affects the P&L.
Episode: Creating Inclusive Work Environments: A Conversation
Jaemie Neely, Federation of Women Contractors
Neely explains the Federation’s three pillars of legislation, networking, and technical support, and how it connects women-owned businesses to construction opportunities.
Episode: Building Diversity and Scaling Success in Construction
Business, Finance, and Legacy
Jeffrey Wagner, AZ Construction and Renovation
Wagner explains interest rate futures, lumber futures contracts, diversification into insurance, and why prompt payment to employees and subcontractors matters.
Episode: Interest Rates & Market Moves: Trends in Commodities and Construction
Jeff Falls, Haley Construction
Falls covers company culture, hiring challenges, delivery methods, and the balance between cost and value, plus the impact of technology and AI in construction.
Episode: From the Field to Finance, People Matter Most
Jeff Berglund, Berglund Construction
Berglund talks about working alongside his father across generations, planning business transitions, sales strategy, and using LinkedIn to build connections.
Episode: Building a Legacy: Family & Community in Construction
Grant Holdsworth, Holdsworth Construction
Holdsworth, a third-generation builder, discusses moving into the family business, shifting from residential toward commercial work, custom millwork as a differentiator, and using EOS for accountability.
Episode: Building a Legacy: Making It Work 3 Generations Deep
John Lenker and Assaf Arie, Lenker
Brand strategist John Lenker and CEO Assaf Arie discuss effective marketing strategies for construction companies.
Episode: Using Stoicism to Market Your Construction Company
The commonality through all 30 conversations is that construction leaders treat technology, people, and process as one system. The contractors scaling well are investing in data and software, building cultures people want to join, and planning for the long term, whether that means the next project or the next generation.
Hear these conversations, and more than 160 others, on the Building Scale podcast on Spotify. If your team is ready to make technology work harder, Spot Migration can help.
