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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 support and encouragement he has received from the industry and expressed his determination to succeed. The conversation concluded with optimism about Tabb Construction's future and its growth within the commercial sector.

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 provides a glimpse into CRP's unique approach to insurance brokerage, focusing primarily on the contracting space and helping contractors enhance their businesses through a risk-oriented lens.

Joe's storytelling takes us through the pivotal moments of his career, highlighting the importance of safety and risk management in the construction industry. He emphasizes how safety isn't just about following textbook guidelines but also about practical implementation in the field. 

Joe candidly recounts his early experiences, where safety was viewed as a mere formality to secure insurance coverage, and how he turned that perspective around to become an integral part of the organization's success.

The conversation delves into Joe's journey from being a figurehead for insurance compliance to a genuine advocate for safety and risk reduction. He shares anecdotes and challenges he faced along the way, showcasing his dedication to improving safety standards in the industry. Joe's passion for helping contractors succeed shines through as he discusses CRP's construction-centric approach and its commitment to understanding and enhancing clients' businesses.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the construction industry or those interested in the intersection of safety, risk management, and business growth. Joe's insights offer valuable lessons on how safety and success can go hand in hand, making it a compelling and informative conversation.

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 Suicide and Prevention Month! Be sure to listen to the The Building PA Podcast each week throughout the month of September for new podcasts on mental health and wellness. Take care!

Original Content:
According to the CDC, men working in construction have one of the highest rates of suicide compared to all other industries. A shocking statistic, but one not that can not be ignored.

Today's podcast is all about shining a light on mental health and wellness in construction. We're kicking off this month with a candid conversation with the Director of Safety for the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Washington, Mandi Kime.

Kime is an accomplished safety professional and leader within the construction industry on the topic of mental health & wellness.

This podcast conversation is candid, bold, and thought-provoking. To learn that men are two and a half times more likely to die by suicide than homicide is jaw-dropping. That statistic is worth repeating, MEN ARE 2 1/2 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE BY SUICIDE THAN HOMICIDE, and the only way to move the needle on this statistic is to talk, engage, educate, and build awareness.

This podcast is filled with tips to help recognize the signs of depression or distress. We've included resources and links to help you gain access to private mental assessments.

If you are in the construction industry, take a moment to listen to this episode. Do it for yourself, your staff, a coworker, or a friend.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, text or call the Suicide and Crisis hotline at 988.

Check out mantherapy.org for a private mental health assessment. This is a great resource and starting point if you are dealing with anxiety, depression, and/or substance abuse. 

The primary goal of the WELL Building Standard is to prioritize the health and well-being of occupants. By incorporating features that enhance indoor air quality, lighting, acoustics, and ergonomic design, buildings can create environments that support physical and mental health, productivity, and overall comfort.

This podcast replay with guest Chip Desmone, CEO of Desmone Architects is the epitome of WELL Building which is expressed through his business practices, WELL Gold Certified Building , and commitment to the WELL Building process. 


Original Content:
WELL Building. What is it? How does it differ from Lead building and is this the wave of the construction future? These questions and many more are answered by Chip Desmone, CEO of Desmone Architects.

Desmone and his team of architects designed the first WELL Gold Certified Building in Pittsburgh, PA. They are one of just six WELL certified spaces in Pennsylvania.

Listen and learn how WELL intersects design with human health. Desmone shares his journey through WELL certification and the continued commitment, and dedication it takes to maintain this certification status. 

Desmone comments that their “accidental brilliance” has led them to have a healthy, productive workspace environment focused on their employee’s mental health, fitness, and positive workplace culture.

The Constructors of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP) and the Master Builder's Association of Western Pennsylvania (MBA) have partnered to bring a new mental health initiative to the construction industry in western PA called Yinz Good?

Jason Koss, director of industry relations for the CAWP, and Bob McCall, director of safety for the MBA are the co-founders of this initiative in partnership with Youturn Health. Jason and Bob joined us on the podcast to discuss the importance of this campaign and why now was the right time for it. 

When asked how Yinz Good? came to be, McCall commented that the rising rate of suicide among men in construction and the demand from their members for a program on mental health and wellness was a driving factor in the MBA's motivation to develop a program like this. Koss was on board noting that their members, unions, and other safety professionals recognized the need to help the construction industry in an open and non-threatening way. To do this, Yinz Good? centers its initiative on a central website, YinzGood.com. 

YinzGood.com houses free information on topics like:

• stress management
• substance misuse
• how to have tough conversations and more. 

The digital library of resources include materials such as:

• videos
• blogs
• webinars
• assessments
• toolbox talks 

YinzGood.com can be accessed anonymously and is available now for anyone to visit. The website was designed for construction employers, individuals, loved ones of those in the industry, and YOU.

Tune in to this episode to learn more and help us start the conversation around mental health and wellness in construction by asking one simple question: "Yinz Good?"

Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest news. You can find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. 

This podcast replay focuses on the groundbreaking technology and work that CNX is doing and features one of the most down-to-earth environmentally-conscious "Yinzers" in the business, Nick Deiuliis.

Read all the details in this news release on the Pittsburgh Airport project.

Original Content:
Everyone loves a good comeback story and there's no better story to tell than how the city of Pittsburgh turned from a depressed coal miner's town into a thriving city and suburb filled with environmentally conscious businesses and people. 

Lifelong Pittsburger, or "Yinzer," Nick Deiuliis, president and chief executive officer for CNX shares his view of watching the city change and now working on the Pittsburgh Airport renovation on its way to becoming the first self-sustaining airport in the United States. 

Deiuliis shares details about the project and the innovation behind the work being done. He also talks about the strategies to reduce emissions and costs for transportation and other industries. 

For our listeners who want to hear a story of innovation, technology, and how a project of this size will help reduce carbon footprint, this podcast is for you. 

Download now and share with your co-workers and colleagues. 

In 2023 the Building PA Podcast will be bringing our listeners some podcasts worth a replay. Enjoy the October 2021 podcast with Kevin Trout on the benefits of a strong company culture.

Original content -
Join the Building PA Podcast to listen to Kevin Trout share his insights into the benefits a strong culture will have on your company.  Kevin joins us as a former owner and CEO of a medical supply company and current Vistage chair and facilitator for CEO groups.

In the discussion, Trout emphasizes the importance of establishing a strong culture as part of the hiring, onboarding, and operations process.  Trout said the process of creating a strong culture begins when companies “think of their company values as nouns with the second step focusing on creating verbs to support the nouns.”  This two-step process defines the behaviors you expect and encourages team members to focus on action toward those behaviors.

Listen in as Trout shares his four stages of growth.  Within these stages lies the secret to a strong and robust culture, which includes:

• First gear – owner wears all the hats and begins acquiring clients
• Second gear – employees are hired and all report to the owner.  Profits in this stage are high.
• Third gear – owner begins investing in the company and hires professional managers.  Profits in this stage shrink due to additional employees.
• Fourth gear – owner becomes the face of the company and profits grow exponentially as the company grows.

During 2022 the Building PA Podcast has had the pleasure to interview some extraordinary individuals. Architects, engineers, economists, construction professionals, attorneys, legislators, state and local authorities, authors, insurance agents, CEOs, construction specialists and mental health and wellness experts, and association presidents.

Of the 50-plus individuals we've interviewed, we want to recognize each one of them for their expertise and willingness to share their industry knowledge with our podcast audience.

While we would love to call out all of the special moments, one-liners, and quotes from each podcast we went through the difficult task of narrowing it down to a few standouts.

Take a listen and let us know what your favorite podcast episode was from 2022. 

Happy New Year!

Earlier this year, we asked Dr. Anirban Basu to join us on the podcast to share his economic forecast for 2022 and some insights related to the construction market.

Undoubtedly, 2022 has been filled with its share of ups and downs and challenges for the construction industry. Workforce and supply chain issues continue to plague some parts of the market, and the economic climate as a whole remains in turmoil with talks of inflation and a looming recession.

No one has a crystal ball, but we think you will find it interesting to hear the predictions, forecasts, and accuracy behind this podcast, recorded in January 2022. 

Enjoy this podcast rewind!

Our oldest modern dance company, the Australian Dance Theatre, has been delighting and challenging audiences for nearly 60 years. Now Wiradjuri dancer and choreographer Daniel Riley is at the helm, becoming the first Indigenous man to lead the company.

Also, we meet the winner of this year's Keir Choreographic Award, Tra Mi Dinh, and Wesley Enoch's joyous musical The Sunshine Club returns to the Queensland Theatre stage after 23 years.

Jim Gabriel, president of MODLOGIQ shed light on why prefabrication is trending across the construction industry. 

Owners, general contractors, designers, and architects are turning to modular construction for several reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that the world is changing. Gabriel speaks openly about the pandemic and how modular construction has helped contractors and projects continue to move ahead even when job sites are shut down. This is due in part, to 80% of modular construction being constructed off-site. When MODLOGIQ finishes a project, it’s set and ready to be shipped and installed without the headache of on-site construction. 

We also will put to rest some of the myths about modular construction and prefabrication. The perception is that modular construction is cheaper. Gabriel comments, “it’s not cheaper, it provides more cost certainty for their clients and helps reduce cost escalation.” 

You’ll also hear more about the unique ways modular construction is being used. Gabriel talks about “pushing the envelope” in their industry. Prefabrication and modularization are pushing to do more than just affordable housing or single-family homes. MODLOGIQ is trying to bring their business up to standards that designers and owners expect from traditional builds. 

We know our listeners always want to hear the take on safety as it relates to our topics. We asked Gabriel how prefabrication translates to a safer job site. He shares his thoughts, insights, and more in this next episode of the Building PA Podcast. 

Listen as President Rivera shares insight into industry trends related to workforce development beyond traditional construction-related skills such as career counseling, heavy equipment training, and professional career paths that will have significant impact. It's vital to the success of any workforce development programs they rely on training to address the entire student to ensure that future workforces are prepared to positively address future needs.  Rivera shares several stories of his experiences.

President Rivera discusses future programs necessary to support the state’s future needs, such as civil engineering specific to water treatment and sewage related to planned infrastructure investments.

Thaddeus Stevens College has various programs to  include contractors and owners in meeting industry needs such as advisory panels, internships,  externships, and soft skills counseling.  If interested in learning more about opportunities, visit Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

More about President Pedro Rivera:

•Rivera is the former Secretary of Education. 

•Appointed by Governor Wolf to that position in 2015. 

•Previously served as superintendent to the School District of Lancaster.

•Served in the Philadelphia school district for 13 years

•Undergraduate degree from Penn State University

•M.A. from Cheyney University of PA

•Rivera became President of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, October 2021

Read more about this topic in the interview that President Rivera gave for the upcoming January 2022 issue of the Keystone Contractor Magazine.

2021 proved to be an unconventional year – we battled a pandemic, did our best to manage an erratic supply chain, and watched many businesses grow at an exponential rate. With 2021 behind us, Chris and Jon wanted to take a moment and reflect on several highlights from some inspiring guests they interviewed throughout the year.

During this episode, Chris and Jon discuss their favorite podcasts and topics that continue to impact the industry. The two co-hosts discussed:

·      The Business Leadership Series

·      A site visit to the Steamfitters Local 449

·      The Better Project Outcome Series

·      A day in the life of a Union Political Director

·      Workforce development and its ongoing impact on the industry

·      Lean construction 

The conversation included the mission of the Building PA Podcast and its sister publication, The Keystone Contractor Magazine. Chris and Jon shared their pride in bringing the podcast to the Pennsylvania construction industry and the growth that occurred in 2021 - 57 episodes produced and over 7,500 downloads.

Listen to past episodes and more at BuildingPAPodcast.com and follow the podcast on Facebook and LinkedIn.

When discussing the impact of virtual meetings on sales efforts, Sandler Sales Training expert Steve Kelly told the Building PA Podcast co-hosts a simple truth, “the things that were done previously changed very quickly and most people didn’t adapt.”

Listen as Steve Kelly shares best practices for improving your sales efforts in a virtual world.  Steve discusses methods for changing your technique and volume related to outreach, which has been forced to adapt to virtual meetings.  A key takeaway from Steve’s conversation includes an emphasis on intention in your message.  This, he says, is vital to connect and communicate professionally.

Additionally, Steve shared with our listeners access to his website that provides information on improving your sales efforts in our virtual world.  Visit http://exsellyst.sandler.com/sell to learn more.

Jessica Meyers, owner and president of JEM Group, based in Harrisburg, joins co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O’Brien on the latest episode to discuss her leadership style, the future of JEM Group, and how the company is focusing on professional development among her team. During the episode, Meyers tells how she came to work in the construction industry and some of the obstacles she overcame to become an industry leader. Meyers says, “I don’t try to be a perfect leader. I think it is important to come across as humble and this makes a leader more relatable.”

A topic that is very high on her priorities is, recruitment and talent acquisition. She shares the focus of the JEM Group’s recruitment efforts, which includes an individual development plan for both professional and personal aspects, use of the Gallup Strength Finder, Q12, and ongoing training offered to meet the individual’s development plan. Learn more about the future of JEM Group at https://www.jemgroup.net/ This episode is part of the Business Leadership Series brought to you by McQueen Building Company.

Have you ever asked yourself what it takes to work with legislators?  Have no fear, John Wanner is here to share his dos and don’ts for government relations.  Wanner, the founder of Wanner Associates and a registered lobbyist stops by to speak with Chris and Jon.  During the conversation we learned the dos of lobbying:
• Be professional
• Create leave-behinds or briefs
• Make an appointment
• Prepare

Wanner also discussed the challenges facing this important segment of the industry.  Those challenges include advances in issues management, continually involving association members, and the need to keep messages simple when speaking with elected officials.  His don’t list is simple – don’t fight and storm out, relationships matter.

Tori Shriver, political director for the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EAS Carpenters) joins Chris and Jon to discuss a day in the life of a union political director.

Shriver discusses her role in promoting and educating legislators and the public on policies that affect the EAS Carpenter membership, her team of ‘political nerds’, and the challenges she faces as the youngest female in a leadership role.  During the discussion Shriver acknowledges two mentors who have guided her on her successful path – Bill Waterkotte and Bill Sproule – both, she says, have encouraged her to stand up and take action.

Shriver shares the challenges and issues facing the EAS Carpenters, which include misclassification of workers, right-to-work laws, and prevailing wage legislation.  These issues are being addressed across the six states and two territories that the EAS Carpenters represent. 

As the former international president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a current adjunct professor of architecture at Carnegie Mellon University, William Bates joined the Building PA Podcast to discuss the future of architecture.  Before we discuss the future, Bates shared insight into his tenure with the AIA and discussed best practices from his time traveling the world to promote the architecture industry.  As an industry leader, Bates has seen his fair share of change and challenges, but as a professor, he discusses his success tips, which include taking pride in the work, following trends, understanding the estimating and construction management process, and acknowledging how these components are assembled to complete a successful project.

Bates also shared his recommendations for future generations of architects.  Bates strongly encourages the next generation to work in construction during the summer months of college to understand the skills and training that are required.  He said, “future architects need to understand how a contractor not only builds but how the pre-construction phase impacts a project.”

Listen in as Bates talks about the future of the industry related to retail space, general building, and the technologies he anticipates will become indispensable.

Join the Building PA Podcast to listen to Kevin Trout share his insights into the benefits a strong culture will have on your company.  Kevin joins us as a former owner and CEO of a medical supply company and current Vistage chair and facilitator for CEO groups.

In the discussion, Trout emphasizes the importance of establishing a strong culture as part of the hiring, onboarding, and operations process.  Trout said the process of creating a strong culture begins when companies “think of their company values as nouns with the second step focuses on creating verbs to support the nouns.”  This two-step process defines the behaviors you expect and encourages team members to focus on action toward those behaviors.

Listen in as Trout shares his four stages of growth.  Within these stages lies the secret to a strong and robust culture, which includes:

• First gear – owner wears all the hats and begins acquiring clients
• Second gear – employees are hired and all report to the owner.  Profits in this stage are high.
• Third gear – owner begins investing in the company and hires professional managers.  Profits in this stage shrink due to additional employees.
• Fourth gear – owner becomes the face of the company and profits grow exponentially as the company grows.

Customer service is a part of our everyday lives, said DJ Craven of The Gildea Group.  During this episode on the impact customer service has on project outcomes, Craven shares his approach and explains a new approach to relationships now known as the Craven V.  In addition, you will hear how customer service as a core value has helped The Gildea Group grow and remain in business for over 60 years.

Within this episode, you will learn several tips necessary to avoid customer service mistakes including:

• A lack of communication
• Accepting your ego
• The use of bad judgment