Bridging the Gap

200 Episodes of Innovation

What have you learned over the past four years? We've learned a lot. Construction has changed and overcome major obstacles to adapt to a newly digitized world. Interoperability has become more than just a concept. New tools have been developed. New efficiencies have been gained.
We've also learned that there are still many hurdles along the way. Tech adoption is still clunky and slow. The labor shortage persists (or are we just bad at hiring and retaining?). Digital waste and physical waste might just be digital twins.
We have been thrilled to cover the ups, downs, triumphs and curveballs of construction in over 200 episodes. What will the future of the show hold? Join host Todd Weyandt and editor/producer Eric Daniel to find out!
 

Can AR Make Tech Adoption Easier?

What do you picture when you hear about augmented reality? What are some misconceptions we might have in the industry around AR? Join host Todd and guest Waleed Zafar as they discuss the potential of using AR on the jobsite, how to tackle the resistance to new tech in construction, and how AR is even beginning to change the conversation around the Autodesk Construction Cloud.
Waleed Zafar is the Mission Critical Director of the construction technology company, XYZ Reality. It is the company behind the Atom – the world’s first Engineering-Grade Augmented Reality headset. Waleed joined XYZ Reality as its first employee and has led the development of the Atom across all major projects in Europe.

The Gen Z Workforce Will Soon Double

What are the top issues we face when recruiting Gen Z into the construction industry? What are some ways we can use our experiences to resonate with younger generations? Join host Todd and guest Erin Volk as they discuss the importance of storytelling, the best ways to increase diversity in the industry, common misconceptions around the trades, and more.
Erin Volk is the Senior Vice President of Workforce & Community Development for the Associated General Contractors of California, which represents more than 1000 construction companies and construction related firms throughout California. She currently holds a seat on the AGC of America Construction Careers Taskforce.

The Changing of the Guard

How can we carry our enthusiasm for prefabrication into the jobsite? How do we recruit the younger generation? What are some indicators that productization is gaining popularity in the industry? Join host Todd and guest Ryan Dobbins as they discuss the biggest opportunities in construction this year, how the conversation is changing around entrepreneurship and the trades, and more.
Ryan Dobbins is Vice President of Strategic Growth at KLH Engineers. He has past experience as a Director of Manufacturing, Director of Production Operations, Director of Sales and Marketing, Director of Commercial Division, and Director of Strategic Initiatives. He attended American College Dublin and the Haworth School of Business at Western Michigan University.

Have Pride in Process Improvement

When it comes to the conversation around prefab, what are the biggest hurdles facing electrical workers today? How does effective communication between management and employees come into play? Join host Todd and guest Jared Christman as they discuss the fast-growing opportunities for electrical contractors, the direct correlation between long-term success and short-term failure, how we can promote each other’s strengths with a “hands off” approach, and more.
Jared Christman is the Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI International. He has additional experience as an Operations Manager, BIM Manager, Owner of BIMCAD Solutions, and VDC Manager.

Construction’s Most Valuable Asset

How do we tackle the issue of inefficient communication in construction, and how does “having an open mind” come into play? Join host Todd and guest Anthony Gude as they discuss site sequence, the potential of productization in construction, common misconceptions around the industry, and more.
Anthony Gude is Director of Real Estate Development at Leap of Faith Partners. His career objective is to make a measurable impact on the housing ecosystem by entitling, funding, and building large scale housing and infrastructure projects. In doing so, as an owner-developer, he aims to remove capital and project delivery constraints to deliver beautiful, attainable, and sustainable living spaces for all.

AI Shapes the Future of Hiring

What is the “human side” of construction? What is “human capital” and how does it relate to employee retention? Join host Todd and guest Katie Hall as they discuss the boom of AI development, how to secure buy-in for new tech within the construction industry, how we can find and translate construction skills in other areas, and much more.
Katie Hall is the Founder and CEO of Claira, a competency analytics platform helping companies understand their workforce and hire better. Before starting Claira, Katie spent 10 years in global workforce development, where it became clear that customers and the market were ready for a more precise, inclusive future of work. Katie regularly speaks and writes on a variety of topics including diversity hiring, ai ethics, and automation impact on the workforce. Previously, Katie worked for the United States Attorney’s Office, Department of Justice, Executive Office of the President, The White House and the State of Michigan. She holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and an MPA from the University of Michigan, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and a BA in Political Science from Hope College. She also played and coached volleyball for 20 years.

Practical Tech Adoption in Action

What does it look like when a firm truly has an open mind? CEO of Windover Construction Stuart Meurer had a great story to tell about that 'aha moment' of tech adoption. You'll know it's happening when phones are ringing off the hook in the office and the field from skeptics and promoters alike.
Stuart Meurer is President and CEO of Windover Construction. He provides leadership for the firm and is integral to ensuring operational excellence across all project teams. Dedicated to service and collaboration, Stuart focuses Windover’s teams and resources on the needs of clients to deliver a tailored, thoughtful approach to every project. 
Amr Raafat leads Windover’s virtual design and construction team and the Innovations for Design, Engineering, and Automation (IDEA™) platform, providing leading-edge technology services to optimize project delivery. He received his master’s degree in architecture from the Boston Architectural College and received global recognition as the Innovator of the Year award at the Autodesk AEC Excellence Awards in 2019.

Put Your Effort Into Only One Design

What barriers exist between design and construction, and how can we mindfully tackle them? How can we promote communication and camaraderie across the trades? Join host Todd and guest Jenny Han as they discuss the unique perspective of the licensed architect in the construction industry, ways to encourage collaboration in a hybrid working environment, embracing the “scrum” methodology, and more.
A licensed architect and Lean Champion with extensive experience managing design teams, Jenny Han serves as an important member of Boldt’s preconstruction team, pulling prefabrication concerns into the design process and shepherding DFMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly) through the fabrication and construction value stream. She couples her design background with experience solving complex code-compliance challenges, to develop innovative modular solutions that ensure projects are planned for maximum efficiency and constructability across her company and for clients seeking higher quality buildings, safer construction environments and 40-60% faster delivery and quicker return on investment.

Your Next Role Doesn’t Exist Yet

A lot can change in ten years, especially in the construction industry. What will productivity, jobs, and tech adoption look like a decade from now? Join host Todd and guest CJ Best as they discuss the unlimited career potential within AEC, how to forge your own path using the job you’re passionate about, some of the hidden contributions to your ROI, and how construction and manufacturing can promote a symbiotic relationship.
CJ Best is the Director of Manufacturing at McKinstry, responsible for the strategic sales direction and enterprise manufacturing standards. CJ studied Engineering Management at Gonzaga University and joined McKinstry in 2013. He has worked across several functions at the company including as a project engineer, project manager, senior project manager, and construction technology program manager. His experience in pre-fabrication and detailing allows him to visualize how a project will come together far in advance of the actual installation date and identify ways to drive out waste from the installation process.