Bridging the Gap: Insights & Innovations in Construction

The Power and Potential of AI

Join host Todd and Nathan Kirchner of as they discuss the intricacies of tracking AI software, situational awareness, and the issues of safety and work vs. idealization. Also, learn more about three things that matter when it comes to AI: vigilance, reliability, and consistency. 
Nathan Kirchner is the Founder and CTO at Presien - a cutting edge AI vision systems, a Special Advisor for Robotics, Ventures at one of the world’s largest private construction companies, a Director of the Robotics Australia Group peak body, and sits on the Advisory Board of Queensland Robotics. He is an active academic researcher in robotics as an Honorary Professor at both the University of Technology Sydney and at Ohio State University. Previously to this he served multiple academic appointments at Stanford University. Dr Kirchner's specialty is uncovering and imagining opportunities for emergent robotics & future technologies in the real world and forging viable R&D to Deployment (R&D2D) pathways to their realization.

Becoming a Better Leader

Join host Todd and guest Lt. General Robert “Bob” Caslen, Jr., president of the University of South Carolina, as they discuss the importance of character in leadership. Through Caslen’s time in the military, he has seen all kinds of leaders up close. Todd and Bob talk through the need to consistently perform to the upper level of your potential, and how to develop the leadership traits that are best suited to you. Learn more about the importance of character, determination, values and how that reflects on the people you lead.
Lt. General Robert Caslen, Jr. has been serving the people of South Carolina as president of their flagship university, the University of South Carolina, and president of the University of South Carolina System.He is the former Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and his principal mission was to build leaders and leaders of character. He has worked in strategic planning and policy formulation and in executive management implementing strategic plans. He is a retired general officer of the U.S. Army, and he served on NCAA Division 1 Board of Directors and Board of Governors. He also served as Co-Chair of the Commission to Eliminate Sexual Violence on College Campuses.
 
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The Rise of the Subcontractor

Join host Todd and guests “Queen of Prefab” Amy Marks of Autodesk, David Evans of Starr Electric, and Bob Snyder of Binsky and Snyder as they discuss misconceptions about prefabrication, increasing lack of labor and complexity of design, and what productization has to do with the rise of the subcontractor. Learn more about how education and proof of existence is changing the mindset around prefabrication, achieving longevity in the industry, and the new Industrial Revolution.
Want to hear more from Amy Marks? You can at MEP Force 2020. She will be the featured keynote on August 31st. Register today.
Amy Marks is the head of industrialized construction strategy and evangelism at Autodesk; she is known throughout the construction industry as the "Queen of Prefab." A graduate of the University of Florida and an alumna of Harvard Business School, Marks is the former CEO of XSite Modular, a leading prefabrication consultancy and design-builder of critical infrastructure buildings. As a prefabrication consultant, she defined the language and process that is adopted by companies, countries, and builders around the world.
David Evans is a Senior Vice President for Starr Electric Company, Inc. and a 25-year construction industry veteran. David helped found the modular division at Starr Electric Company and has helped create new techniques in prefabrication and modular construction such as interior and exterior electrical rooms, power skids, battery storage, and other electrical modular capabilities. David is a licensed general contractor and brings an expanded way of modular thinking to Starr Electric Company.
 
Bob Snyder is the CEO of Binsky and Snyder. As a fourth-generation owner, Bob has worked and been involved in the mechanical contracting industry since his youth. As a graduate engineer, Bob has strong technical and design aptitude and has a vast understanding of both conceptual and technical aspects of mechanical systems. Bob has devoted significant time to the Mechanical Contracting Association of New Jersey and Industry Council, currently sits on the Board of Directors, and holds the position of Secretary/Treasurer. In addition, Bob has served as a Trustee on Plumbers Local 24 and currently on Pipefitters Local 475.
 
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Autodesk Construction Cloud
Starr Electric Company
Binsky & Snyder
 

The Recipe for Proper Information Flow in Construction

What does optimal performance look like for construction? What about your company? What steps will ensure everyone is on the same page while working on a project? Join host Todd and guest Clay Smith of eVolve MEP as they discuss the need for proper information flow in an organization, flattening and streamlining the communication process, and the danger in “flying blind” while on the jobsite. In addition, Todd and Clay discuss what’s in store for MEP Force—and what you can expect from it now that it’s virtual.
Clay Smith is the CEO of eVolve MEP and the COO of Applied Software. He has been successful in delivering outstanding results in operations, software development, and technical consulting. He thrives in leading high-growth, cloud-based, and disruptive businesses that blend a customer-centric vision with strong technology innovation. With a focus on results and relationships, he is skilled in expanding business ventures quickly while at the same time building winning cultures that create sustainable results.
 
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The Grit Needed for MEP

The MEP industry is full of grit but can it be used as a springboard for innovation? How can grit help lead to success in the industry? What should the combination of youthful energy, technical knowledge and real-world experience look like? Join host and guest James Simpson of eVolve MEP as they unpack the grit needed for success in MEP. Listen to James’ story on how he started full time in MEP at 16 years old and the lessons learned along the way.
James Simpson is the Mechanical Product Manager at eVolve MEP. He has gained valuable experience in all sections of the industry. From within Field Installation, VDC, DFMA, and even application development, he has led teams in bettering workflows. His current passion is driving innovation utilizing ConTech applications. He also shares his expertise in his industry blog BIM² in an effort to promote growth in the field as a whole.
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EXCLUSIVE: The Comprehensive Fabrication Workflow

Join Todd for this exclusive interview episode unpacking the recently announced partnership between Autodesk, eVolve MEP and GTP Services to form a more comprehensive fabrication workflow that will enable MEP contractors to more easily adopt Building Information Modeling (BIM) Autodesk software products and workflows. Listen to Steve Butler, Sr. Industry Strategy Manager of MEP Design and Fabrication at Autodesk, Clay Smith, CEO of eVolve MEP and Amanda Comunale, COO of GTP Services, as they unpack how the partnership will help contractors create safer environments, allow more projects to be completed on time, combat the skilled labor shortage and increase overall project efficiency and profitability.  
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The Remote Workforce: Investing in Quality of Life

Let’s face it, the world has changed over the last few months between remote work, zoom meetings, safety requirements and more. How is the COVID aftermath affecting you, your company and the construction industry as a whole? Todd welcomes back Mark Oden of BIM Designsto discuss what’s changed in the past six months, the importance of self-care, encouraging communication and collaboration, and what’s going on in the world of prefabrication.
Mark Oden is the CEO of BIM Designs. He joined the BIM Designs team with over 10 years of experience working with Silicon Valley tech companies in product management, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and CxO roles. He successfully launched several startups and directly consulted several more through their early stages of development and fundraising. Mark leads the growth, strategy and execution of the company; his acute ability to develop and implement strategic processes that scale the company's capabilities drives efficient service delivery, increases client satisfaction, and builds cross-functional teams. Mark received his master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Florida.
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The Drumbeat of Construction: Intentionality and Intelligent Tools

As a construction technologist, you know that your job comes with a unique set of difficulties and benefits. Can you pinpoint what those are? Do you feel that it would benefit all construction technologists to open up a conversation about it? Join host Todd and Walker Lockard of DADO as they discuss the technological trade, the cure and curse of construction technologists, and putting intentionality into initiatives.  
Walker Lockard is the Customer Success Manager at DADO. He is a construction technologist whose heart beats fast for helping skilled trades workers, labor supervision, and project management teams save time and mitigate risk through creative problem solving with technology. His key principle is to act as a missionary - not mercenary - for innovation: earning the trust of field and executive teams alike. 
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Check out Ep23, “The Innovation Brief Bonus Episode #3: The Cure or the Curse for Construction Technologists?” 
 
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Walker’s Blog “Contech Shopkeepers: When the Cure Becomes the Curse” 
Dado’s Website  
Walker Lockard’s LinkedIn 

Knowing the Person Behind the Employee

As someone in the construction industry, you’re probably aware of the constant what-ifs that accompany you as you work. How does the impact of the uncertainty on you and your coworkers? How about the project you’re working on? Join host Todd and Mike Zivanovic of United Association Technology as they break down stigmas around mental health, momentum and coordination on the job site, and the importance of mental health awareness in the construction industry. They also talk on the importance of having humility to build a relationship with those on the jobsite to know the person behind the employee.
 
Mike Zivanovic is the Technology Manager for the Chicago Pipefitters’ Local Union 597.  Working full-time at the 597 Training Center in Mokena, IL Mike is tasked with implementing technology inside of the existing curriculum utilizing iPads, Mobile Device Management strategies and Learning Management Systems.  Mike also oversees the UA 597 Technology Team, a talented group of members who teach several courses ranging from Drone Certification to multiple levels of Autodesk Revit.  Mike is a dedicated member of several other Technology groups, including the MCAA National Technology Team, the MCA of Chicago Technology Team and the United Association Technology Team.  Mike has taught many classes ranging from Leveraging Millennials in the Workplace to Implementing Mobile Devices on the Jobsite and how it can be tied to Training.  With a strong passion for Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality, Mike constantly looks for ways to innovate our industry and do our part to preserve the future.
 
 
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UA Website
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Digital Transformation: Soft vs. Hard Skills

As someone in the construction industry, how do you see the adoption of innovation? Are you open to doing things differently, or do you prefer the way it’s “always been done?” What has the edge in the battle of soft vs. hard skills? Join host Todd and guest Graham Thiel as they discuss different roles in the AEC industry, the surge in adoption of technology, and using remote connectivity. Learn more about the benefits of collaboration, sharing information, and mutual respect.
Graham Thiel has spent more than 15 years in the AEC Industry. Prior to his role as Construction Director for Brick Inc. he was the Director of Project Management for Starcity, a co-living owner/operator with communities in the San Francisco and Los Angeles Metro Areas. At Starcity, he was responsible for the design and construction of high-density multifamily communities, managing internal team members and external AEC service and trade partners
 
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Graham Thiel’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamthiel/