Constructorcast

In this episode recorded live at the 2025 AGC Convention, host Max Nelson sits down with Alex Juarez (Pittsburg State University) and Chip Wilson (Colorado State University)—two soon-to-be graduates preparing to enter the construction workforce. They share what inspired their career paths, how AGC student chapters and internships have shaped their journey, and what they’re looking for in potential employers. Whether you're a contractor looking to connect with emerging professionals or a student thinking about your next step, this conversation offers real-world insights into the future of the industry. To learn more about AGC's Student Chapter network, visit agc.org/connect/chapters/student-chapters

In this episode, we are exploring the 2025 Construction Safety Week theme—All In Together—with insights from this year’s co-chairs. This theme underscores the industry’s shared commitment to safety, emphasizing that when every worker, company, and partner is fully engaged, job sites become safer for everyone. We'll chat about the initiatives shaping this year’s campaign, strategies for fostering a culture of safety, and how companies can take an active role in promoting teamwork and accountability on the job. Be sure to listen in and start preparing for Construction Safety Week 2025—because safety is a collective effort, and we’re All In Together! All resources discussed in the episode are available at https://www.constructionsafetyweek.com Guests: Mike Choutka - Chairman & CEO, Hensel Phelps https://www.henselphelps.com Adam Jelen - CEO, Gilbane Building Company https://www.gilbaneco.com

In this episode of ConstructorCast, we shine a light on a vital and often untapped workforce: military veterans. Host Max Nelson is joined by Adam Stark, founder of Jet.Build and the Veterans Who Build podcast, and Jesse Gemberling-Johnson, a Marine Corps veteran and construction professional leading a veteran hiring initiative. Together, they discuss the challenges veterans face in transitioning to civilian life, how their skills compare to those needed in construction, and what contractors can do to recruit and retain this incredible talent pool. Guests: Adam Stark Principal, Jet.Build | Host, The Veterans Who Build Show https://jet.build/ Jesse Gemberling-Johnson Chief Talent Officer, MCFA https://mcfaglobal.com/ Resources Mentioned:

In this episode of ConstructorCast, host and General Counsel for AGC, Leah Pilconis is joined by Chief Economist Ken Simonson and Vice President of Government Affairs Alex Etchen to unpack the results of the recent election and what they mean for the construction industry. From workforce challenges and regulatory shifts to infrastructure investment and tax policy changes, our experts provide key insights to help contractors prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Resources: 2025 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MLTX6N6 Advocacy in Action and Data DIGest Newsletters: https://www.agc.org/news/newsletter AGC Judicial Advocacy Updates: https://news.agc.org/tag/judicial-advocacy Action Alerts:https://advocacy.agc.org/alerts

From automating tedious tasks to supercharging project management, AI is becoming a game-changer for construction professionals. But it’s not just about the tech—our guests share real-world stories of how AI is transforming their day-to-day work, making projects smoother and more efficient. We also tackle the big questions around ethics and responsible AI use, ensuring that innovation doesn’t come at a cost. If you're curious about how AI can take your construction game to the next level, this episode is a must-listen! Guests: Harry Schmidt Director, Business Strategies | O’Shea Builders https://osheabuilders.com/ Jared Christman Director, Innovation and Technology | Big State Electric, Ltd https://www.bigstateelectric.com/ Theresa Voorhies Manager of Construction Customer Success | Autodesk https://www.autodesk.com/ Resources: Practical AI in Construction: https://www.agc.org/sites/default/files/Files/ConstructorCast/Practical%20AI%20In%20Construction%20(AGC).pdf Member discount programs: www.agc.org/D

In this episode of ConstructorCast, host Max Nelson is joined by key members of Jordan Foster Construction—Asma Bayunus and Tricia Kagerer—to delve into the crucial topic of mental health in the construction industry. They explore the alarming rates of suicide and addiction among construction workers and discuss Jordan Foster's innovative approaches to addressing these issues. Discover the inspiration and development of Jordan Foster's Mind Saver program, and learn about the integration of mental health into daily operations to ensure both physical and psychological safety on-site. This episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies for promoting mental health awareness and resilience. Join us as we navigate this essential conversation, providing actionable steps to safeguard the wellbeing of construction professionals. Guests: Tricia Kagerer Executive Vice President Risk Management tkagerer@jordanfosterconstruction.com https://jordanfosterconstruction.com Asma Bayunus EHS Department - Operatio

In this episode of ConstructorCast, host Max Nelson is joined by key members of the carbon reduction taskforce Myrrh Caplan from Skanska USA, Joe Rozza from Ryan Companies, and AGC's own Melinda Tomaino. They delve into the creation and significance of the AGC Decarbonization Playbook, discussing its formation, key drivers, content, and expected outcomes. Learn about the collaborative efforts behind the playbook, the challenges and solutions in carbon reporting, and the future of decarbonization in the construction industry. Guests: Myrrh Caplan | National Vice President - Sustainability | Skanska https://www.skanska.com Joe Rozza | Chief Sustainability Officer | Ryan Companies https://www.ryancompanies.com Melinda Tomaino | Senior Director, Environment and Sustainability| AGC of America https://www.agc.org Resources: AGC Decarbonization Playbook: https://www.agc.org/climate-change-playbook AGC Environmental Conference: Details on the upcoming Climate Change and Construction Summit on July 15th can be fo

Take a quick listen to this special ConstructorCast SHORT to hear how member company Alliance Construction Solutions are celebrating Construction Safety Week this year featuring Todd Konigsfeld - General Superintendent at Alliance Construction Solutions, LLC. Guest: Todd Konigsfeld General Superintendent Alliance Construction Solutions https://www.allianceconstruction.com/

Take a quick listen to this special ConstructorCast SHORT to hear how member company TDIndustries, a mechanical contractor based out of Dallas, Texas is celebrating Construction Safety Week this year featuring Jamie Dabbs - Vice President of Safety, Health & Environmental and this year's Construction Safety Professional of the Year! Guest: Jamie Dabbs Vice President | Safety, Health & Environmental TDIndustries https://www.tdindustries.com/

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of the Associated General Contractors of America's (AGC) litigation program, which serves as a crucial component of its broader advocacy efforts. We explore how AGC strategically engages in judicial matters to safeguard and improve the business environment for construction contractors, aligning with its overarching goal of advancing industry interests and protecting against disruption. AGC’s legal staff discuss the decision-making process behind legal action, the importance of partnerships, updates on current judicial actions, and the vital role of funding through the Construction Advocacy Fund (CAF). Additionally, we outline guidelines for AGC chapters and members to request support for impactful cases, emphasizing the significance of national impact and broader industry implications in AGC's decision-making. Guests: Stephen Sandherr CEO – AGC of America Jimmy Christianson Vice President, Government Relations – AGC of America Leah Pilconis General Counsel a

In this special episode of AGC's ConstructorCast, host Max Nelson sits down with industry leaders Dan Johnson, CEO of Mortenson, and Mike Choutka, Chairman and CEO of Hensel Phelps, to dive deep into the upcoming 10th-anniversary celebration of Construction Safety Week. As this year's Chair and Co-chair, Dan and Mike share their insights on the growth and evolution of Construction Safety Week over the past decade, and discuss the theme for this year, "Value Every Voice." Guests: Dan Johnson Chief Executive Officer Mortenson www.mortenson.com Mike Choutka Chairman | Chief Executive Officer Hensel Phelps www.henselphelps.com Resources: https://www.constructionsafetyweek.com/ 2024 Construction Safety Week Slide Deck https://www.agc.org/sites/default/files/Files/ConstructorCast/Safety_Week_Podcast_2024_Final.pdf

The Culture of CARE is an program created by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the AGC of Washington to support companies in creating diverse, safe, welcoming, and inclusive job sites and promote diversity and inclusion in the construction industry. Culture of CARE is more than just caring about people; it is asking companies to commit to building work environments where every employee feels valued, respected, and heard through the programs four pillars: Commit, Attract, Retain and Empower. This episode of AGC’s ConstructorCast podcast highlights the partnership between AGC and FMI in developing a series of articles that explore how construction firms are successfully implementing the four pillars of Culture of CARE. In this podcast episode, we spotlight the transformative impact of a Culture of CARE's two pivotal pillars: Commit and Empower, specifically in the context of fostering leadership and accountability within construction firms. You will hear from two leading construction fir

In this episode, AGC of America’s chief economist, Ken Simonson becomes your guide through the bustling landscape of construction economics, trends shaping the industry, sound projections for the upcoming year, and how all of the above can impact builders and stakeholders. Tune in to see what contractors can expect in 2024! Guest: Ken Simonson Chief Economist AGC of America Subscribe to the DataDIGest: https://marketplace.agc.org/Store/ItemDetail?iProductCode=4401

Join us as we explore the dynamic intersection of cybersecurity and the commercial construction industry. Our guest, CJ Dietzman at Alliant Insurance Services, talks about the latest trends in cyber threats, risk management strategies, and innovative solutions shaping the future of digital resilience on construction sites. Don't miss this insightful episode for a blueprint for safeguarding your projects against evolving cyber challenges. #ConstructorCast #Cybersecurity #ConstructionTech #AlliantInsurance #TheMoreRewardingWay Guest: CJ Dietzman Senior Vice President, Alliant Cyber Alliant Insurance Services https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-dietzman-cissp-cisa Resources: Read Cyber Risk & Security Considerations in the Construction Industry: https://alliant.com/news-resources/article-cyber-risk-security-considerations-in-the-construction-industry/ Learn more about Alliant Cyber: https://alliant.com/risk-management/risk-solutions/cyber/ The NIST Cybersecurity Framework: https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework IS

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with construction professionals, Phillippe Falkner of Ed Bell Construction Company, and Perry Silvey from BT Construction who are true champions of trenching and excavation safety. Discover the critical importance of safeguarding lives and preventing injuries in the construction industry. Gain valuable insights and practical tips to ensure every project is built on a foundation of safety first. Join us as we unearth the secrets to saving lives below ground. OSHA Trenching and Excavation Webpage: https://www.osha.gov/trenching-excavation Webinar - Staying Safe When Digging: Trenching & Excavation Basics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mke80vDNIQ4 AGC Targeted Topics Training Resources - https://www.agc.org/agc-safety-and-health-training-resources Partners for Safe Trenching and Excavation Operations: https://www.osha.gov/alliances/safe-trenching-excavation/safe-trenching-excavation Think Inside The Box: https://thinkinsidethebox.info Guests: Perry Silvey, CHST

Unleash the power of imagination in our latest episode, as we dive into the captivating story of “Grit Leads to Greatness”, a children’s book written by our two guests Chris Eccleston and Jenny Schroen. With workforce issues challenging the construction industry, this brilliant duo saw an opportunity to sow the seeds of interest early on and cultivate a generation that thrives on skill, creativity, and passion. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that combines the magic of storytelling with the practicality of real-world skills. Hit that play button and let's embark on a journey of reshaping perceptions about construction, breaking down barriers, and creating exciting pathways for our future builders, architects, and engineers! Chris Eccleston, LEED, AP, CHC President & Founder Delmarva Veteran Builders Chris@delmarvaveteranbuilders.com Jenny Kerr Schroen Creative Developer Delmarva Veteran Builders Jenny@delmarvaveteranbuilders.com Resources: https://www.gritleadstogreatness.com/ http

On this episode of ConstructorCast, we spotlight success stories and provide actionable strategies for creating a more diverse and inclusive future within the construction industry. You’ll hear from our guest host, Jorge Quezada, and two winners of this year's AGC Diversity & Inclusion awards program – Brad Lewis of Hensel Phelps and Judith Monrouzeau of Bermúdez Longo Díaz Massó (BLDM). They will share how they approached the application, what the recognition means to them and their companies, and how they are learning and getting better from the process. Guests: Judith Monrouzeau, PhD. SPHR. Executive Director of Human Resources Safety & Compliance Bermúdez Longo Díaz Massó, LLC. https://www.bldmpr.com/ BLDM D&I Program One-Pager: https://go.agc.org/DEI-BLDM Brad Lewis, ECMA Corporate Director of Supplier Diversity Hensel Phelps https://www.henselphelps.com/ Hensel Phelps D&I Program One-Pager: https://go.agc.org/DEI_HenselPhelps To explore more about Construction DEI Talks and access their epis

Construction has one of the highest suicide rates of any industry. It is four times higher than the national suicide average and five times higher than that of all other construction fatalities combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control. AGC of America has established a Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Task Force to stand up against this issue and is honored to have had the chance to speak with the two co-chairs for this episode - Mandi Kime of AGC of Washington and Brandon Anderson of AGC of Missouri. Together they are leading the fight for an industry in crisis. In the episode, they share why they are so passionate, and how they are working to combat construction’s leading mental health difficulties and the stigma that accompanies them. Guests: Mandi Kime Director of Safety AGC of Washington - https://www.agcwa.com Brandon Anderson Vice President of Safety AGC of Missouri - https://www.agcmo.org Resources: AGC of America Mental Health & Suicide Prevention website https://www

Construction Safety Week started in 2014, when more than 40 national and global construction firms comprising the Construction Industry Safety Initiative (CISI) group and the Incident and Injury Free (IIF) Forum joined forces with a single aim: to inspire everyone in the industry to be leaders in safety. On this episode, Mike Burke of Alberici Constructors and Dan Johnson of Mortenson, both serving as chairs on the Safety Week committee, share some history of the tradition, what this annual campaign means to them, and how you can get involved. This year's Construction Safety Week will take place May 1-5, 2023. Visit the website to find all the resources you need. Guests: Michael Burke Chief Operating Officer Alberici Constructors alberici.com Dan Johnson Chief Executive Officer Mortenson mortenson.com Resources: Construction Safety Week website: www.constructionsafetyweek.com

Texters beware: Your data is not your own! Joining on this episode to share their experiences on the front line are Lauren Abeyta, COO at Construction Discovery Experts, and Kristin Protas, VP & Deputy General Counsel at Gilbane Building Company. They talk about the realities and proliferation of electronic communication and how to successfully manage your digital footprint and train your teams to keep you out of trouble. Lauren Abeyta Founder & Chief Operating Officer Construction Discovery Experts https://www.cdelegal.com/#about Kristin Protas VP, Deputy General Counsel Gilbane Building Company https://www.gilbaneco.com/ AGC Hot Topic Paper: The Cutting Edge – Strategically Managing ESI Risks, Costs and Burdens https://www.agc.org/sites/default/files/users/user22628/Managing%20ESI%20Risks%20Costs%20and%20Burdens_FINAL.pdf Presented in January 2023 by Gregory Chertoff, Co-Managing Partner of Peckar & Abramson’s New York office, during AGC’s annual Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management C