Explore every episode of the podcast The Art of Construction

"I think it's just about building a community of people who have a common vision of wanting to make improvements, wanting to make things better..."

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Wiley Jones, co-founder of Doss!

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Wiley Jones, Co-founder and CEO of Doss, ARP—a lightweight ERP system focused on building tools for teams that work in the real world. Wiley has worked in product design and hardware engineering at companies like Athelas and Verkada. From designing toys in factories in China to leading hardware projects for medical devices in Silicon Valley, Wiley has been in the trenches of creating physical products and moving them along the supply chain. Discover how Doss is tackling the ERP industry by reimagining operations data primitives to provide more composable and adaptive for any company that manages physical goods.

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"It's all about teaching it forward."

In this conversation, Devon Tilly and co-host Nathan Wood chat with Benny Baltrotsky in preparation for the  AEC Summit in Austin, Texas in April 2025!

This podcast is a part of a series of episodes that will be coming out from now until Spring 2025 covering the AEC Summit in Austin, Texas April 23rd - 25th 2025. We encourage our listeners and partners to share and engage with us during this conference coverage! Keep up with the Art of Construction (AOC) podcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube!

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Benny Baltrotsky is the Vice President of Partnerships and Go-To-Market at DEWALT Construction Technology, the innovation division of Stanley Black & Decker, where he is dedicated to advancing technology solutions tailored for the construction industry. With over 15 years of experience in building and scaling construction technology companies, Mr. Baltrotsky has a proven track record of enhancing the customer experience and driving industry innovation. In 2020, he joined MSUITE as Chief Operating Officer, where he played a pivotal role in developing the company's sales, marketing, customer success, and finance programs. Under his leadership, MSUITE experienced remarkable growth, culminating in its acquisition by Stanley Black & Decker. Prior to his tenure at MSUITE, Mr. Baltrotsky served as Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder at eSUB Construction Software, a leading provider of cloud-based project management solutions for trade contractors. As a founding member and Board Member of the Construction Progress Coalition, Benny has been a passionate advocate for enhancing integration among software platforms, driving collaboration and efficiency within the construction sector. His commitment to innovation and partnership continues to shape the future of construction technology.

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"Double your time, save four times the frustration."

In this conversation, Devon Tilly and co-host Nathan Wood chat with Chad Pearson in preparation for the  AEC Summit in Austin, Texas in April 2025!

This podcast is a part of a series of episodes that will be coming out from now until Spring 2025 covering the AEC Summit in Austin, Texas April 23rd - 25th 2025. We encourage our listeners and partners to share and engage with us during this conference coverage! Keep up with the Art of Construction (AOC) podcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube!

Submit a Team Topic for the AEC Summit 2025! 

Currently, Chad is a partner at Plexxis Software, where he helps deliver software to the ‘trades’ while coaching teammates on performance under pressure. Outside of Plexxis, Chad is a Mixed Martial Arts and Wrestling coach. Prior to ConTech, Chad worked in Law Enforcement in Emergency Response, CIB (Criminal Investigation Bureau) and as an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Liaison Officer. His formal training includes a Bachelor of Arts from University of Guelph, Crisis Resolution & tactical communication, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Response), Police Defensive Tactics and Use of Force.

Nathan Wood understands how rewarding the design and construction process can be when technology and culture embrace a new era of innovation. Nathan first earned his reputation as an industry thought leader in 2011, sharing his award-winning implementation of virtual design and construction (VDC) while working on integrated project delivery (IPD) healthcare projects. Nathan strives to share the best practices and lessons learned he's gathered from over 100 project teams spanning the US, Europe, and the Middle East. These experiences have taught him that when it comes to adopting technology in construction, it’s not one size fits all. For that reason, Nathan founded SpectrumAEC with a clear goal — solving the human barriers to new process and technology adoption. As SpectrumAEC's founder and chief enabling officer, Nathan helps organizations and project teams successfully adopt change through executive strategy sessions and end user workshops. Nathan continues to support industry progression through conference presentations, academic papers, and as President of the Construction Progress Coalition.

Video: ‘Positive Proximity’ and the not so obvious consequences of physically fragmented teams

Video: Tips for Construction Tech Selection and Adoption

Video: Using Police tactics to negotiate technology agreements

Tips for Team Cohesion prior to tech adoption!

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“One thing that I always say is you have to build a plan, build a strategic plan with actionable and attainable goals - and look for those opportunities to collaborate...it's a game changer."

In this conversation, Devon Tilly and co-host Nathan Wood chat with Denise Devine from Veloris Consulting about her background and the upcoming AEC Summit in Austin, Texas in April 2025!

This podcast is a part of a series of episodes that will be coming out from now until Spring 2025 covering the AEC Summit in Austin, Texas April 23rd - 25th 2025. We encourage our listeners and partners to share and engage with us during this conference coverage! Keep up with the Art of Construction (AOC) podcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube!

Submit a Team Topic for the AEC Summit 2025! 

Denise has over 20 years of expertise in growth strategy and operational efficiencies and serves the industry as a consultant, researcher, author and speaker as Founder of Veloris Consulting. Her most recent work was the 2024 edition of the Construction Technology Report for NECA, MCAA and SMACNA after supporting the research and keynote presentation at the 2024 MEP Innovation Conference (pending publication). She is currently co-authoring a curriculum and textbook on AI for the Construction Industry with The New School of Architecture. To further support the industry, Denise also holds a position as Senior Manager with Continuum Advisory Group and she serves as the Construction Progress Coalition’s Communication Director, Chair of Women Construction Coalition’s, Julia Morgan Society, and is the Treasurer of CMAA San Diego’s DEIB committee. Denise's commitment to continued education underscores her passion for optimizing the industry and supporting contractors nationwide.

Nathan Wood understands how rewarding the design and construction process can be when technology and culture embrace a new era of innovation. Nathan first earned his reputation as an industry thought leader in 2011, sharing his award-winning implementation of virtual design and construction (VDC) while working on integrated project delivery (IPD) healthcare projects. Nathan strives to share the best practices and lessons learned he's gathered from over 100 project teams spanning the US, Europe, and the Middle East. These experiences have taught him that when it comes to adopting technology in construction, it’s not one size fits all. For that reason, Nathan founded SpectrumAEC with a clear goal — solving the human barriers to new process and technology adoption. As SpectrumAEC's founder and chief enabling officer, Nathan helps organizations and project teams successfully adopt change through executive strategy sessions and end user workshops. Nathan continues to support industry progression through conference presentations, academic papers, and as President of the Construction Progress Coalition.

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“We spend 12 years educating kids using laptops and utilizing smartphones as a tool, and then they show up on a job site and they're supposed to set all of that stuff aside and go pick up a hammer and do the work..."

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Marcus Kirkwood from Builder Answers about community inclusion in development 

plans! This podcast was recorded LIVE in studio at Mountain View Windows and Doors! They discuss the need for technology in the construction industry and how Builder Answers is addressing that need. They also talk about the importance of adopting new tools and technologies in construction and the challenges of implementing them. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration and innovation in the industry to improve efficiency and productivity.

Markus has spent nearly 15 years in construction, serving in hard goods as well as software, the industry has become a home and a passion. Having had a hand in building three organizations, a common thread has found its way through all of them. At all organizations Marcus leads, the objective is to create a culture and company that enjoys collaborating and challenging one another to accomplish our goals. A unified and productive team has been our primary focus at Outpost, Fonn and now, Builder Answers. As each organization continues to grow, they're learning how to build a scalable company that matches their values. Their mission is to create a competitive advantage for their customers by delivering on what we say they're going to do, each and every time they give their word. Pushing personal growth is necessary in order to inspire more in the rest of their teams. They are constantly striving to be better, and leadership is required to spur that on in the right direction.

Follow Outpost Construction Supply on Instagram.
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Follow Builder Answers on LinkedIn.
Watch this clip of Builder Answers Demo!

Watch a clip of this IN STUDIO podcast! 

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This is episode 5 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver! 

“This is ultimately going to be a multifaceted solution, I don’t believe that any one technology is going to dig us out of our hole that we’re in, as far as our housing shortage goes.”

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Jack Tiebout of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)!

Jack Tiebout is a Senior Program Manager at the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT). He manages the Innovative Housing Incentive Program (IHIP), which supports innovative housing manufacturers through performance-based grants and loans. Before coming to OEDIT, Jack was advancing best practices in land use at the Colorado chapter of the Urban Land Institute. Jack graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Master’s in Community & Regional Planning and from Tulane University with a dual degree in Psychology and English. Jack is an Ironman finisher, casual birder, and zealous backyard barbecuer. He lives in Denver with his wife, son, and two dogs.

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This is episode 4 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver! 

“I think there’s a lot to be learned and to be gained by applying the principles of lean and the principles of lean manufacturing to construction.”

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Jeff Hopfenbeck of Simple Homes!

Jeff is the co-founder and CEO of Simple Homes. Simple Homes is a Denver-based provider of turnkey offsite construction solutions. A lifelong architecture and construction geek, Jeff is passionate about using technology to solve our nation’s housing affordability crisis. Simple Homes seeks to address this challenge by designing, manufacturing, and assembling homes using its unique turnkey panelized construction system. Previously Jeff worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he supported the firm’s industry 4.0 and private equity practices. Before McKinsey, Jeff worked for a number of leading social sector organizations, including the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network, the Telluride Foundation, and El Pomar Foundation. He received his bachelor’s degree from Whitman College and his MBA from CU’s Leeds School of Business, where he focused on Real Estate and Entrepreneurship.

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This is episode 3 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver! 

“So if I can summarize what we do, or what we’re trying to aspire to do, is make offsite construction so easy a caveman could do it.”

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Garrett Moore of Agorus.

In football, as in life, the most important person on the field is often the least noticed – the left tackle: he protects the quarterback’s blind side.” As a quarterback at Stanford University, this simple lesson laid the early foundation for Garrett’s servant-leadership philosophy: “It’s the people you work with every day who determine your ability to make an impact”. After achieving a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford, and despite an early desire to jump right into a Silicon Valley start-up after graduation, Garrett’s passion to serve led him to San Diego to become an officer in the Navy SEALs. During this time, he was also selected to become an Olmsted Scholar (similar to a Rhodes Scholarship). After learning Hebrew from scratch, he earned his master’s degree in Cybersecurity at Tel Aviv University…in Hebrew! Living there in Startup Nation, he learned another critical lesson, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world.” You might see two common denominators in these life shaping experiences – a love of high performing teams and fearlessness in the face of challenges. Garrett and his co-founder Kyle run headlong into the fray when most would hesitate. “If a problem is too hard for everyone else, it’s probably just right for us”. And for that reason, he is wholly committed to solving America’s elusive housing crisis. Garrett is married to his childhood sweetheart and loves to spend time with his family. It’s no surprise that he’s also an extreme sports guy, snowboarding, mountain biking and e-foiling whenever he can. By the way, don’t ever get suckered into a ping pong game with him. It won’t go well for you. 

AGORUS LinkedIn
AGORUS Instagram
AGORUS ONE Build - Tucson, AZ Project Timelapse

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This is episode 2 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver! 

“For me, it’s starting with innovating from that bottom-up piece where it’s getting the people who are going to be affected by these changes and by these designs into the conversation as early as possible.”

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Brent Forsberg about community inclusion in development plans!

Brent Forsberg has been active in real estate sales, investing, and development for 22 years in the Greater Lansing area. Currently, he is the President of TA Forsberg Inc, a firm with over 60 years of experience in road and sewer construction, and land development specializing in residential and light commercial and professional office. 

Brent has led the sales teams of several large residential developments in the Greater Lansing and is a licensed broker involved in Forsberg Real Estate Company. T.A. Forsberg, Inc.’s projects have provided residential home sites for more than 1000 families within its premier lifestyle neighborhoods. He is currently involved in several urban sustainability and renewal projects within the Greater Lansing Area. Brent focuses on how to create stronger connected communities between local businesses, the arts, and residents through Place-Based Development and human-scaled design.

Throughout his career, Brent has been active on many industry and non-profit boards including the National Homebuilders Sales and Marketing Council, the City of Mason Downtown Development Authority, and the Mason Chamber of Commerce Board, Lansing March of Dimes, The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) board, and is the 2020 President of the Greater Lansing Homebuilders Association. He is also active on many committees working on transportation issues, education, workforce development, and promotion of the arts. Brent is an active speaker and has given talks, led design charrettes, and facilitated roundtables. Topics include market research, scale and design, and new home sales. Venues have included the International Homebuilders Show, the University of Michigan, Lansing Community College, many local schools, neighborhood associations, trade associations, and non-profit groups. 

Personally, Brent is an avid outdoorsman enjoying alpine skiing and mountain biking with family and friends. He is an avid reader and enjoys writing as well. Brent enjoys cooking and participated in the celebrity chef auction for the March of Dimes for seven years. He loves working with people and being a small part of the growth in the Greater Lansing Region.

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This is episode 1 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver! 

“When you build so much faster, less expensive, and can reduce the environmental impact - you check so many boxes.” 

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Gene Eidelman of Azure.

From developing multifamily projects to revolutionizing the construction industry with 3D-printed homes, Gene Eidelman's journey in real estate is marked by innovation and impact. After immigrating to the US from Ukraine, Gene quickly made a name for himself, developing over 3,000 condominiums and apartments in Southern California and across the Southeastern United States. His entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there; he launched two education startups before co-founding Azure Printed Homes in 2022. At Azure, Gene and his team are breaking new ground with a patented 3D printing process that constructs entire structures from recycled polymers. This eco-friendly method is not only 70% faster but also 30% cheaper than traditional construction, revolutionizing how we think about building homes. Since May 2023, Azure Printed Homes has been delivering units ranging from backyard studios and park models for glamping resorts and RV parks to ADUs and homes, with a focus on sustainable, affordable housing for all. Gene's commitment to making a difference extends beyond real estate. He has been recognized for his efforts in resettling 6,000 refugees from Eastern Europe and has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss his refugee resettlement work. Gene is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, 3D Printing, construction and real estate. He delivered a TED talk at TEDx Wilmington on the future of housing on April 27, 2024, which will be on YouTube this summer. He also appeared on TV news programs and podcasts. His work is paving the way for a future where sustainable and affordable housing is accessible to everyone. He can be contacted at gene@azureprintedhomes.com.

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"Anytime I'm doing something else with the data, or measurements I'm capturing, outside of just looking at it and nodding my head with it - digitally {measuring is inarguably better." 

In this conversation, Devon Tilly and Christian Reed discuss the digitization of construction tools and the development of the REEKON platform. They explore the origin story of REEKON Tools, the integration of technology into construction tools, and the role of the Recon app in connecting the field to the office. They highlight the importance of meeting construction professionals where they are and providing innovative solutions to improve efficiency and accuracy on the job site. The conversation covers the innovative T1 Tomahawk digital tape measure and the M1 caliber, highlighting their features, benefits, and applications in the construction industry. It also delves into the importance of leveraging new technologies to build a strong brand and gain a competitive edge. 

Christian Reed is the founder and CEO of REEKON Tools, a global leader in digital construction tools. Prior to starting REEKON, Christian graduated MIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and served in the US Army.  

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"The biggest thing is time, right? Like time is probably the most valuable thing that we have." 

In this conversation, Devon Tilly interviews Tom Hughes, the Vice President of Construction Operations at Genesis AEC, to demystify the concept of Engineering Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM). They discuss the criticality of pre-construction and the benefits of taking a fully integrated EPCM approach. They also touch on the importance of collaboration and communication among the different disciplines involved in the construction process. Tom emphasizes the need for a cohesive team and the role of pre-construction in setting targets and controlling costs. They also discuss the scalability of EPCM for projects of different sizes. Looking to the future, he highlights the importance of embracing technology, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, to improve productivity in construction. The key takeaway is the search for continuous improvement and the willingness to embrace change.

Tom Hughes has more than 20 years of professional experience as a project manager, project engineer, and superintendent on construction projects, focusing on safety and quality objectives. As Vice President of Construction Operations, he spearheads the entire lifecycle of construction projects, from design to commissioning. His expertise extends to the development and upkeep of preconstruction, construction, and closeout execution plans, alongside detailed project scope documentation, including comprehensive schedules and seamless construction activity coordination. Not content with merely meeting standards, Tom is a fervent advocate for pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology within construction. Under his leadership, Genesis is at the forefront of EPCM, BIM, Design-Assist, Integrated Project Delivery, and prefabrication. He consistently harnesses new resources to propel Genesis's lean construction initiatives forward, all in an effort to minimize waste and maximizing client value. Tom grew up and resides in Bucks County, PA (Philadelphia suburbs) where he lives with his wife (Alison), 2 children (Thomas III and Lana Rose), and their dog (Benson).

Tradeline article

The Morning Huddle Construction Show: Episode 36 – Tom Hughes, Practical Lean Construction

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“I focus on one thing that I believe is going to fundamentally change the industry, and that is empathy.”

This is episode 4 of 4 for a Deep Dive Series recorded at the AEC Summit in Austin, Texas in April 2024! If you hear any background noise, thad's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the AEC Summit!

Join us for this episode as Devon chats with Charlie Dunn about his role as a Project Storyteller, and maybe why legos should be taken seriously!

Charlie tells a good story. From lightning fast development on the industry in the Las Vegas strip, to oil fueled expansion in Edmonton, Alberta, to once in a generation energy plant upgrades throughout the Southeast, to global mission critical and life science construction for enterprise owners, he thrives in the challenging delivery gap between “as is” conditions and the “to be” designed state. His career highlights include the on-site project management of over 2.5 million square feet of new distribution space across North America with zero recordable injuries, and WANO (World Association of Nuclear Operators) recognition for the use of 4D technology in project delivery. He knows that projects succeed because of people—what they believe, strategy—as it supports creativity and innovation, and tools—to deliver value, drive out waste, and improve safety. Charlie’s current working definition of a project storyteller is this: imagine that which is not, and take others there with you. He believes that construction may be the highest form of storytelling, for it transports humanity in a permanent way.

Watch Charlie's TedX talk!
Check out LCI (Lean Construction Institute) "Flow" Campaign. 

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“One of the things I’ve really put more focus on is the people and the process. Right now I am so excited about sustainability, electrification…I’ve been spending a lot more of my time with the research being able to work and learn how the workforce is changing.”

This is episode 3 of 4 for a Deep Dive Series recorded at the AEC Summit in Austin, Texas in April 2024! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the AEC Summit!

Join us for this episode as Devon chats with Josh Bone about RFIs and how to "teach forward"! #AECiSummit24

For more than two decades Josh Bone has been implementing, training, and presenting construction technology solutions to AEC&O (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Owners) professionals. Having worked with some of the top technology leaders in the industry, Josh specializes in identifying best practices and methodologies for integrating construction technology into everyday workflows. Today Josh works with ELECTRI International the non-profit foundation for the electrical construction industry as the Executive Director where he is helping to ensure electrical contractors and industry partners across North American and around the world have access to the best research, educational programming, student engagement, and international outreach. Josh has had the opportunity to share his knowledge with audiences and publications across North America as a frequent professional speaker and guest editorial contributor.

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“Stop selling hopes and dreams, that’s a lot of the problems that we’re seeing…you can’t win them all. Win the ones you think you can execute properly.”

This is episode 2 of 4 for a Deep Dive Series recorded at the AEC Summit in Austin, Texas in April 2024! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the AEC Summit!

Join Devon as he chats with Hamzah Shanbari of Haskell! Hamzah generously shares his pitching tips and wisdom from working in the industry.

Hamzah Shanbari is an accomplished professional in the construction industry. Hamzah holds a PhD from the University of Florida and has extensive experience in construction. Currently, he leads innovation efforts within Haskell. In his role at Haskell, Hamzah is responsible for driving innovation and leading the development and implementation of new technology and processes. His innovative mindset and technical expertise have made him a thought leader in the industry, and he regularly speaks at conferences and events on the topic of technology in construction.

Learn more about Hamzah's book here! 

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This is episode 1 of 4 for a Deep Dive Series recorded at the AEC Summit in Austin, Texas in April 2024! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the AEC Summit!

“We’re going to have to solve the way that those products work together, and in doing that we’re going to be able to make construction projects run better, run quicker, and run at budget.”

Join us for this episode as Devon chats with Greg Mattes about software interoperability!

Greg is the product leader for Trimble App Xchange, a low-code integration platform helping Trimble partners and customers automate their data workflows. Previously he has worked in a variety of industries including space exploration, K-12 education, and health technology. No matter the industry, Greg loves solving customer problems, and software interoperability in the construction industry is a big challenge where App Xchange is making a big difference. 

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"Every developer has a different site, every developer is confounded with different setbacks, zoning, and planning...so everything's different which means it's more project based, you can't just build a thousand of them because you're not going to be able to see a thousand of 'unit A,' and so that's like the biggest challenge."

Join Devon as he chats with Jared Levy about advancing prefabrication!

Equal parts creativity and relentless problem solving. He has spent the past two decades in the prefab space, transforming the way housing is built and delivered. He helped launch Marmol Radziner Prefab in 2004 and developed the product line. He was one of the early pioneers in the modern prefab movement and received a ton of press – called “Masterpiece in a Box” by GQ and “Prefab Perfected” by Dwell – but he served a limited niche market with his bespoke custom prefab homes. In 2012, he co-founded and launched Connect Homes. His mission was to deliver modern living to a broader market. By turning the home into a standardized product, they were able to develop an assembly line process to build housing at scale, delivering over 900 modules to date. And with their patented prefab logistics system, they could cost effectively deliver homes to a national market. Their first home appeared on the cover of Dwell with the tag line “Modern For All”, so they knew they were heading in the right direction. And still are to this day.

At the core of off-site construction are large gaps between design and manufacturing and the field. You might have functional expertise in each of those areas, but things fall through the gaps. These gaps between functions and stakeholders are where margins slip and where schedules slip. With his experience in all aspects of the product lifecycle and value stream, he likes to focus on these gaps and close them.

As a former CEO, he knows first-hand the path is not always a clear one to scaling in this space. He’s learned what works and doesn’t work, made mistakes along the way, and learned from them to save you from having to repeat them. He is on a never-ending pursuit to build homes more efficiently and he wants to make a positive impact to companies like yours that are trying to change this industry.

Watch a clip of this virtual podcast!
Read about Jared in this article, Why Prefab Is Broken (and Some Suggestions to fix it)

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"Integrate your assemblies as if they are the lego blocks of building…on top of that, consider modular units as the lego Death Star. Think of it as, not necessarily you have to have an entire modular building, but I have a modular unit.”

This is episode 3 of 3 for a Deep Dive Series on Advancing Prefabrication! 

Join Devon and co-host Matt McMullen as he talks with the legendary Lonnie Cumpton of AEC Inspire!

Lonnie Cumpton brings over three decades of hands-on experience in the building design and construction industry, where he has dedicated himself to mentoring professionals and guiding firms through the complex landscape of technological integration. As Co-founder and Senior Director of Product Strategy and Customer Success at AECInspire, Lonnie is not just a leader but a coach, helping his team and clients embrace prefabrication and innovative solutions to address the skilled labor shortage in the construction industry.
Lonnie’s approach is firmly grounded in the belief that the best technological implementations start with a focus on people and processes before technology. This guiding principle has shaped his pivotal roles, from overseeing mega-sized projects like the Cosmopolitan Casino Resort to his strategic direction at Sanveo, Inc., and now at AECInspire. He fosters environments where technology acts as an enabler rather than a disruptor, streamlining processes from Takeoff to Prefab to Installation through smart applications and tools.
Previously, as Director of Construction Manufacturing at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Lonnie guided electrical contractors in adopting data-centric processes that improve information flow and project outcomes. His tenure at Faith Technologies and Taylor Design further exemplifies his commitment to educational leadership and the practical application of BIM and prefabrication technologies. A respected voice in the industry, Lonnie is regularly featured in trade publications and speaks at conferences like Autodesk University and Advancing Prefabrication, where he shares his vision for a more integrated and efficient future in construction.
Throughout his career, Lonnie has maintained an unwavering passion for the personal and professional growth of industry professionals. He firmly believes that the key to industry advancement lies in empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to succeed, making each professional an integral part of the industry's future.

Read more about the MAP Network. 
Watch a clip of this virtual podcast!
X - @aec_inspire & @lonniecumpton
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"Through robotic technologies and tele-robotics, it’s going to break...boundaries. Not just within the Earth, even extra-terrestrially through like Mars and the Artemis mission and things like that."

This is episode 2 of 3 for a Deep Dive Series on Advancing Prefabrication! 

We're taking a trip to space for this episode! Join Devon as he talks with Dr. Naveen Kumar Muthumanickam, a research engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, as they talk about how building industrialized products on Mars can help solve the affordable housing solution on Earth. 

Dr. Naveen Kumar Muthumanickam is a research engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, specializing utilizing data driven design, industrialized and robotic construction techniques for rapid volume production of energy-efficient buildings, and automated retrofitting of existing build stock. He received his doctoral degree in architecture along with a concurrent specialization in architectural engineering from Penn State University. He was part of the Penn State team at the finals of the NASA 3D Printed Mars Habitat Centennial Challenge and worked on the building information modeling-based optimization and digital twin simulation for robotic concrete 3D printing. His doctoral research focused on leveraging a range of techniques like generative modeling and machine learning-based metamodels for multidisciplinary design optimization of buildings, specifically for autonomous robotic construction. He is originally from Chennai, India, with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, and he holds an M.S. in architectural science and building technology from the University of Michigan. During his Ph.D., Naveen has held multiple appointments with construction technology firms Autodesk and Higharc, Inc, working on software development for data driven design, simulation, and construction.

Read another extensive bio on Dr. Naveen Kumar Muthumanickam here! 

NREL Industrialized & Robotic Construction Team Website

Watch a webinar about data driven design for autonomous robotic construction!

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“I love hearing the words, ‘this is how we’ve always done it…’ because I’m not an expert, I’ve just been around a lot of really smart people, and my job is to consume their information and then try to present it back to people in terminology and systems they actually understand.”

This is episode 1 of 3 for a Deep Dive Series on Advancing Prefabrication!

Adam Ketterer's focus is revolutionizing material management for Electrical Contractors. He's helping Electrical Contractors, Distributors and Manufacturers leverage technology to streamline takeoff, BOM, prefab and installation processes to combat the increasing labor shortage in the construction space. Our AECInspire cloud-based software provides full visibility and access to a contractor's supply chain, unlocking prefabrication and collaboration opportunities to help them save time and money!

He watched his father (with his mother's support) build a company from an idea to $250M a year in annual revenue, He even got to help over the last 10 years. Unfortunately, they trusted the wrong people and lost the family business (the 2nd hardest event in his life behind watching cancer take his mother). As he worked for their lender, dismantling what his father built while helping run the company with a skeleton crew (almost keeping the company alive twice), they discovered numerous missteps that could have been avoided...alas, it was too late.

Luckily, he landed at Graybar in August 2014 and what a ride it was! The people, culture and values are second to none. From Marketing to Strategy to Sales and back to Strategy, he consistently worked with great folks from across the country who surprised him with creative solutions to customer problems as well as ideas for internal improvement. His time with Graybar was exciting, educational and fulfilling; then a new challenge came calling...

At Emerson he was privileged to introduce retailers, industry partners and end users to their innovative hardware and software solutions. Additionally, he worked with talented salespeople, developers, marketers, customer service and numerous other fine individuals as they continued to adapt their solutions for additional use cases and ever-changing customer needs. After several years helping customers solve difficult problems, a new and intriguing opportunity presented itself with his friends at AECInspire.

In his spare time he is interested in why we do the things we do; and if we should continue doing them, how we can do them more effectively.

AECInspire is the ultimate tool for revolutionizing material management on construction projects. It connects takeoff, BOM, prefab, and installation into one dynamic platform, allowing users to verify, quantify, and integrate their material takeoff with ease. Placing, associating, collaborating, and executing have never been simpler or more efficient, providing project teams with the tools they need to succeed.

Watch a clip of this virtual podcast!
Follow AECInspire on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter!
Visit the AECInspire website! 

Keep up with the Art of Construction (AOC) podcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube!

“The one thing that I always say about modular is that it’s a blessing and a curse…for a successful modular project you have to work through so many things before the project can begin…The blessing is that you know what it’s going to cost if you effectively work through all those things...You have a lot more work to do, but if it’s done the right way you can hit that budget.”

Join Devon this week as we talk about modular home building in Colorado with Nathan Peterson of Vederra!

Nathan Peterson is the CEO and Founder of Vederra Modular. Vederra Modular is a new 140,000 sqft modular housing factory in Aurora Colorado dedicated to supporting the affordable housing organizations in Colorado. Vederra recently received a funding award from the State of Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. 

Nathan has been a fixture in the modular home industry in Colorado since 2005. Over that time, he has built one of the states largest modular dealerships and development companies utilizing modular technology. Since 2005, Colorado Modular Homes has completed over $250 Million dollars in modular housing projects all over Colorado. In addition to this retail business, Mr. Peterson currently has over 140,000 ft2 of affordable housing projects in various stages of development. 

Nathan is well versed in all aspects of real estate development and modular construction techniques, holding Class A, B, and C general contracting licenses. Nathan holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines and has an MBA in Finance and Accounting. He has been appointed to the Division of Housing’s rule making committee for modular industry oversight for the past 10 years. and was appointed by Governor Polis to the Board of Directors at Colorado Housing and Finance Authority where he served as Vice Chair, additionally he served as Chairman of Credit Unit of the Rockies for over 7 years . He has a passion for creative housing solutions and helping those underserved and disadvantaged communities in Colorado.

"My goal for SSLLC is to have a company that doesn't provide stress to somebody's home life or them personally. So the only way that can happen is to teach leadership and lean into those stresses {to find a solution}..."

Join Devon as he chats with Scott Sypniewski Sr. & Jr. about leadership!

SSLLC was founded on August 1, 2021, by Scott and Kathleen Sypniewski. Scott and Katheen operated a plumbing business in Chicago, from 2000-2018, while raising 4 children. Scott grew up in his father’s multifamily plumbing business. In 2018, as their youngest was graduating high school, Scott and Kathleen gave their business to a trusted employee and moved to Colorado. In May of 2021, Scott read the book Extreme Ownership. The book impacted his life and gave him the knowledge necessary to run a large scale business. When the opportunity was presented in July of 2021, Scott was ready for the challenge. With the support of Kathleen, they formed SSLLC and began to assemble their team. As of April 2024, SSLLC has 20 people on their management team and 50 plumbers. Extreme Ownership has provided the foundation for success. They have built a strong culture that people believe in. That foundation allows them to develop processes that structure their operation, i.e., project manuals, 3 week look a heads, quarterly customer reviews, QA/QC implementation and implemented safety procedures, to name a few. 

A testimonial from their Leadership coach and advisor, Marcus Aurelius Anderson:

“Working with SSLLC as a Leadership Advisor over the last year, I can say that I've never seen a company that genuinely values culture as much as SSLLC. Their employees don't just talk the talk, they walk the walk and lead by example daily. They've made culture the cornerstone of all they do, it's the foundation upon which they've built everything from the ground up. There are plenty of companies that say how important cultivating relationships, caring for their people, and culture are but then fall flat when it comes time to execute. SSLLC has used extreme ownership and self leadership to be great problem solvers through teamwork, simplicity, prioritizing execution, and building every member of the company into better leaders. All of these skills have made SSLLC a tremendously successful company in a short amount of time.”

A testimonial from the leadership group, Echelon Front:
One of the things I really respect about SSLLC plumbing is that they’re consistently looking for ways to improve as leaders.  A good leader understands that you must make time to educate and train your team, this starts with the leaders making time to educate and train themselves.  One of the areas the SSLLC leadership team is very strong in is continuing to develop as leaders and most importantly taking action with implementing this same concept with their team. A really good attribute with any leader is having an open mind to new ways of doing things or different perspectives, The Sypniewski’s are always open minded with new ideas and concepts, especially when it comes to taking care of their team and people. ~ Steve Ward. Former U. S. Navy Seal, Combat Leader, and Leadership instructor at Echelon Front. 

"If you’re going to base your career on crunching numbers, I hope you’ll be satisfied with a salary of 2 cents now."

Join Devon this week as he talks with René Morkos from ALICE Technologies about AI!

René Morkos is the founder of ALICE Technologies. He obtained his Ph.D. in artificial intelligence applications for construction as a Charles H. Leavell fellow at Stanford University. He is a second generation civil engineer with over 15 years of construction industry experience that is divided between industry and academia. His professional experience includes working as a project manager in Afghanistan, underwater pipeline construction, automation engineering on a $350 million gas refinery expansion project in Abu Dhabi, ERP system implementations, and various Virtual Design and Construction projects.

Visit ALICE Technologies website!
Watch a clip of this virtual podcast!

“Often we share problems…It can’t stop there, and too often it does…We have to come to the table with ‘Here’s an idea that might work.’ The moment we start thinking about the future in terms of potential solutions…those conversations start adding up. That habit makes the collaboration work better, and it will get us to a point where we can make an impact.”

This podcast episode features a conversation with Nolan Brown, the founder of ADL Ventures, about decarbonization and the challenges of implementing clean energy solutions in the construction industry. This episode is also happy to introduce Jason Blanker as the co-host! The conversation covers topics such as the role of drones in construction, the lack of adoption of innovation in the industry, and the future of technology in construction.

Nolan is a seasoned entrepreneur and research leader with 15 years of C-Suite experience in energy, buildings, and transportation sectors. A 5-time founder, he brings a wealth of innovation and strategic insight to his roles. He has driven organizations to success as a board member of building materials manufacturer and offsite leader Sto Corporation, and Lead Contractor for High Performance Computing for Manufacturing at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He also co-founded and served as Managing Director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy and showcased his success in implementing new technologies, notably through his $40M+ living laboratory project. His expertise spans industries including building materials, automotive, and renewable energy. As founder of ADL Ventures, he guides companies not only in upscaling and business development but also in applying for government grants that fuel innovation and growth. Watch Nolan's TedX Talk!

Jason Blenker is a cowboy and a visionary who finds the edge of the frontier a fascinating place to navigate and explore. The son of a carpenter and a home builder, he learned firsthand about building homes, businesses, and relationships from his parents whom he worked with in building a world-class, vertically integrated, offsite construction solutions company in the Midwest. After selling the business, he now guides others looking for solutions and is on the hunt for great innovation that will help address the housing affordability crisis we face today. He's on a mission to “Build Something Great®”. The first half of his career he spent focused on building great buildings – homes, apartments, commercial buildings, and off-site manufacturing where he found his true passion – building great teams and pushing innovation and automation. By focusing on culture, engaged leadership, and the team, he successfully grew a family business from 7 “employees” to over 300 “Team Members” and learned over 1 million wrong ways of doing things. He enjoys sharing stories of his bumps, bruises, and scars to help people find creative and inventive solutions to problems. When he's not working with a team, he enjoys spending time with the love of his life, Jenny, teaching and raising 3 crazy kids on a hobby farm, snocross racing, or at a rodeo. Not being much of a procrastinator, he does not believe in a bucket list that you’ll get around to one day, you should live each day to its fullest. He tries to give his free time and talent to various charities and has even been talked into riding a 2000# bull at a rodeo to help support the local food pantry (much to the dismay of his wife).

Watch a clip of this virtual podcast! 

This week's episode was created and recorded for The ConTech Crew podcast, hosted by Jeff Sample, with our host, Devon Tilly, as the guest! This is a great episode to learn more about Devon and the Master Facilitator Community! 

Jeff Sample is a technology evangelist, speaker, podcaster, and passionate advocate for construction. He has been working in the Technology Industry for the past 25+ years. He has taken specific care to work with and understand the diverse components of a successful business and how technology can enhance those workflows. He has designed and implemented solutions for diverse teams emphasizing functionality and fiscal responsibility. He joined a software development team to understand the software life cycle and become a better technology provider for the organizations he supports. He helps individuals and companies reach their full potential through technology innovation. 

As owner of MVWD, Devon Tilly fulfills clients' dreams with project management expertise in windows, doors, and hardware. Through social media and video, he has created an information platform for the building industry. He hosts the #1 rated podcast for contractors and architects, "The Art of Construction." They partner with high-end designers, architects, and builders utilizing the highest quality manufacturers to bring an art and science approach to the building industry. When you partner with MVWD, you have access to the highest quality products with a high level of expertise. He also knows "what not to do" and exceeds high-end project expectations. They have a culture of continuous improvement and a progressive commitment to excellence. They seek to add value with every interaction.

Their business partners and clients receive the highest level of service, industry expertise, and a guide to assist them from start to finish.

Follow MVWD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mountain-view-window-&-door/
Follow AOC on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/theart-of-construction/

“Start with 'why?' Why should I care about this data in the first place?" 

Join us this week as Devon chats with Nathan Wood from SpectrumAEC about data, technology, and their relationship with the construction industry. 

Nathan C. Wood is the Executive Director of Construction Progress Coalition (CPC), a grassroots non-profit initiative to educate AEC professionals about the need for open interoperability standards between project delivery stakeholders. Nathan’s experience with Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), Lean process improvement, and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) has led him to realize how even proven technology solutions can result in lost ROI when the needs of people and process are not addressed. Nathan balances his passion for data insights and stakeholder empathy through pragmatic adoption strategy, driving digital standards adoption in design and construction. When not fighting for open standards, Nathan also supports construction transformation as Chief Enabling Officer of SpectrumAEC, delivering speaking engagements, research publications and Design Thinking workshops.

Register for the Advancing Prefabrication Conference with the discount code: PODCAST10

Watch a clip of this in person podcast!
Read more about CDX & learn more about the AEC Integration Summit!

This is episode 4 of 4 discussing the national organization BS + Beer and Building Science. 

Today's episode features Devon and Robby as co-hosts chatting with Shawn LeMons of Mitsubishi wrapping up the 4 episode Deep Dive Series on BS + Beer. They explore how to get contractors on board with heat pump technology. The episode highlights the role of collaboration and innovation in moving the industry forward and emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between theory and reality. They explore the changing landscape of heat pumps and the options available for builders. They emphasize the need to take small steps towards energy efficiency and the importance of testing and double-checking specifications. They also discuss the power of a long-term mindset.

"Treat the product you are providing your customer with a 10-year warranty mindset. What opportunities would that open up for you?"

Robby Schwarz has been a champion of home performance for over 25 years, focusing on building performance, applied building science, and system thinking.  He is committed to helping industry partners, builders, code jurisdictions, and others understand residential energy, applied building science, systems thinking, home performance and our role in the built environment. His interest started in 1995, while exploring how to incorporate green building materials into the production building environment.  Soon after, Robby founded his first company, BuiltWright, Inc.  In 2006, he cofounded EnergyLogic, now the largest energy rating firm of its kind in Colorado. In 2020 he became the principal thinker and founder of BUILDTank, Inc., a pragmatic building think tank specializing in actionable applied building science solutions. He is actively involved in energy code development, builder and trade training, and educating the next generation of residential energy experts. He has helped Colorado jurisdictions develop and implement their energy codes, presented code language that was successfully adopted at the national ICC® code hearings, and encouraged implementation of the simulated performance path for code compliance.  His ability to integrate applied building science and systems thinking with building programs such as Energy Star®, Indoor airPlus®, and DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes® has lead to thousands of certified homes in Colorado.

Energy and resource efficiency, sustainable buildings, and community abundance have become Shawn LeMons' life focus. He enjoys contributing his experience and intuitive problem-solving skills to this history-changing industry. The time is now to meet these challenges head-on. He has enjoyed a broad range of professional experiences from management in large corporations to ownership of small businesses. He truly enjoys being at the center of an organization and working cross-departmentally to find innovative solutions for clients and industry partners with Mitsubishi (#heatpumpnation). He can navigate complex project dynamics from detailed specifications, operational processes, field quality assurance, customer experience nuances, and business development strategy. He considers himself a change-agent and team player with a systems-oriented approach to the development and integration of products, services, and processes. 

Register for the Advancing Prefabrication Conference with the discount code: PODCAST10

Watch a clip of this in-person studio podcast!

Listen to Robby's podcast, BuildCAST!

Learn how a heat pump works! 

Visit Mitsubishi Electric Trane Youtube Chanel. 

Visit Mitsubishi Electric heat pump tech-spec website! 

To any long time listeners of AOC, this is your chance to get to know the host, Devon Tilly!

This is episode 3 of 4 discussing the national organization BS + Beer and Building Science. 

If you hear any background noise, that's because this podcast was recorded LIVE at Tradecraft Industries during a BS + Beer meeting in December, 2023! Today's episode features Devon and Robby as co-hosts taking questions from the BS + Beer member audience. Robby interviews Devon before we take questions - here's your chance to learn more about Devon! Devon and Robby discuss building science, the AOC podcast, and Devon's business, Mountain View Window and Door. We also get to listen to discussion & questions from the audience. 

"Building Science is the people. Building Science is...people coming together on a system. It's innovators working together."

Robby Schwarz has been a champion of home performance for over 25 years, focusing on building performance, applied building science, and system thinking.  He is committed to helping industry partners, builders, code jurisdictions, and others understand residential energy, applied building science, systems thinking, home performance and our role in the built environment. His interest started in 1995, while exploring how to incorporate green building materials into the production building environment.  Soon after, Robby founded his first company, BuiltWright, Inc.  In 2006, he cofounded EnergyLogic, now the largest energy rating firm of its kind in Colorado. In 2020 he became the principal thinker and founder of BUILDTank, Inc., a pragmatic building think tank specializing in actionable applied building science solutions. He is actively involved in energy code development, builder and trade training, and educating the next generation of residential energy experts. He has helped Colorado jurisdictions develop and implement their energy codes, presented code language that was successfully adopted at the national ICC® code hearings, and encouraged implementation of the simulated performance path for code compliance.  His ability to integrate applied building science and systems thinking with building programs such as Energy Star®, Indoor airPlus®, and DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes® has lead to thousands of certified homes in Colorado.

We have so many video clips to share from this episode!
- Watch Devon explain the History of AOC
- Watch Devon explain his "Crystal Ball"
- Watch an Audience Q&A Clip (from our podcast guest, Shawn LeMons for the 4th episode of this series)
- Watch a second Audience Q&A Clip about window technology

Listen to Robby's podcast, BuildCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/2M8c6vIFahbGsCBl675BAr 

Follow MVWD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mountain-view-window-&-door/
Follow AOC on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/theart-of-construction/

This is episode 2 of 4 discussing the national organization BS + Beer and Building Science.

If you hear any background noise, that's because this podcast was recorded LIVE at Tradecraft Industries before a BS + Beer meeting in December, 2023!

"Their whole purpose is not to fine buildings. They don't want to levy these fines. They would like that money to go into upgrading the buildings so that they're achieving these targets...they want to really force the issue of, 'let's pay attention to this'...."

Join us this week as we talk with Bryce Ballew of Tradecraft Industries about Energize Denver. Robby Schwarz from BUILDTank joins Devon as a co-host in this podcast!

Bryce started out in the world of commercial construction as a project manager, but branched into multiple entrepreneurial pursuits including general contracting (Construction Incorporated LLC) construction focused flex-office space (Tradecraft Industries LLC) and most recently, building efficiency consulting (CleanTech Engineering LLC). CleanTech Engineering is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to helping real estate owners balance energy use with building performance and investment returns.  CleanTech draws experience from Commercial General Contracting, Mechanical Engineering and Property Management to work with building owners as they seek to navigate the requirements of Energize Denver ordinance. Aside from his professional pursuits, Bryce serves on the board for Combat Recovery Foundation, empowering veterans and trauma survivors to rebuild trust and community for those who have experienced the worst that life can send their way. When not working, Bryce enjoys snowboarding, trail running, scuba and free diving, hiking, boxing and international backpacking.

Robby Schwarz has been a champion of home performance for over 25 years, focusing on building performance, applied building science, and system thinking.  He is committed to helping industry partners, builders, code jurisdictions, and others understand residential energy, applied building science, systems thinking, home performance and our role in the built environment. His interest started in 1995, while exploring how to incorporate green building materials into the production building environment.  Soon after, Robby founded his first company, BuiltWright, Inc.  In 2006, he cofounded EnergyLogic, now the largest energy rating firm of its kind in Colorado. In 2020 he became the principal thinker and founder of BUILDTank, Inc., a pragmatic building think tank specializing in actionable applied building science solutions. He is actively involved in energy code development, builder and trade training, and educating the next generation of residential energy experts. He has helped Colorado jurisdictions develop and implement their energy codes, presented code language that was successfully adopted at the national ICC® code hearings, and encouraged implementation of the simulated performance path for code compliance.  His ability to integrate applied building science and systems thinking with building programs such as Energy Star®, Indoor airPlus®, and DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes® has lead to thousands of certified homes in Colorado.

Watch a clip of this LIVE podcast https://youtu.be/MNvRqlQei_4
Listen to Robby's podcast, BuildCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/2M8c6vIFahbGsCBl675BAr 

This is episode 1 of 4 discussing the national organization BS + Beer.

“Concentrate on that control and predictability, everything is about control and predictability.”

Join us this week as we talk with Robby Schwarz about BUILDTank and the foundations of building science and energy modeling. We kick off this Deep Dive Series with Robby and Devon discussing Building Science in our studio. They set up future episodes that will discuss Energize Denver and feature a LIVE podcast at BS + Beer Denver! 

Robby has been a champion of home performance for over 25 years, focusing on building performance, applied building science, and system thinking.  He is committed to helping industry partners, builders, code jurisdictions, and others understand residential energy, applied building science, systems thinking, home performance and our role in the built environment.

His interest started in 1995, while exploring how to incorporate green building materials into the production building environment.  Soon after, Robby founded his first company, BuiltWright, Inc.  In 2006, he cofounded EnergyLogic, now the largest energy rating firm of its kind in Colorado. In 2020 he became the principal thinker and founder of BUILDTank, Inc., a pragmatic building think tank specializing in actionable applied building science solutions. When getting his hands dirty doing the work he finds that ideas are stimulated, and innovative change can occur.

Using what he has learned from working on thousands of homes, Robby has helped train and lead the industry.  He is actively involved in energy code development, builder and trade training, and educating the next generation of residential energy experts.  He has helped Colorado jurisdictions develop and implement their energy codes, presented code language that was successfully adopted at the national ICC® code hearings, and encouraged implementation of the simulated performance path for code compliance.  His ability to integrate applied building science and systems thinking with building programs such as Energy Star®, Indoor airPlus®, and DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes® has lead to thousands of certified homes in Colorado.

Robby is a sought-after trainer and routinely presents at RESNET®, EEBA, the ENERGY STAR® Summit, the Colorado Chapter of the IECC®, Colorado Energy Office, and local Home Builders Associations.

Watch a promo video for this Deep Dive Series! 

Listen to Robby's podcast, BuildCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/2M8c6vIFahbGsCBl675BAr 

“At the end of the day you need to build something that is actually going to be very intuitive, very easy, and actually helps them - rather than something that feels like a micromanagement tool.”

Roni Szigeti is a visionary leader with a profound background in specialty subcontracting and a relentless commitment to developing innovation solutions for specialty subcontractors. Roni's journey into the world of specialty subcontracting began with their tenure at Northstar Environmental Group (Formerly LVI), where he served as a key player in the company's mission to provide innovative environmental and demolition contracting solutions. With a deep understanding of the complex challenges associated with environmental projects, Roni quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a driving force in the industry.
At Northstar, Roni successfully managed and executed a wide range of environmental projects, from soil remediation, asbestos abatement, structural and interior demolition, to hazardous waste disposal. Their expertise and commitment to safety and sustainability earned them recognition as a trailblazer in the field, setting new standards for responsible environmental contracting. Driven by a desire to bring innovation and efficiencies to specialty subcontractors, Roni Szigeti embarked on an entrepreneurial journey and founded FieldFlo, a technology company at the forefront of the digital revolution in our industry. As the CEO of FieldFlo, Roni has harnessed their extensive industry knowledge to develop cutting-edge software solutions that streamline and optimize project and field management.
Under Roni's leadership, FieldFlo has become synonymous with innovation in the specialty subcontractor sector, providing tools and technologies that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Through FieldFlo, Roni is empowering organizations worldwide to make real time educated decisions about their projects, employees, safety and equipment while improving their bottom line. His unwavering commitment to bringing increased efficiencies, compliance, and safety to the specialty subcontracting world extends beyond their professional endeavors. They are a passionate advocate and actively engage with a diverse set of organizations to promote awareness and best practices.
Roni envisions a world where businesses and individuals can thrive through the implementation of sound technology that truly makes their companies and lives easier, safer and more profitable. His dedication to this vision, coupled with his impressive track record, positions them as a leading authority in environmental contracting and technology. In addition to his professional achievements, Roni enjoys mountain biking, golfing and going to see live music in his spare time, demonstrating a well-rounded and holistic approach to life. His inspiring journey from environmental contracting to entrepreneurship exemplifies the power of passion and dedication in creating a more innovative world for our industry. With FieldFlo as a platform for change, Roni continues to lead the charge towards a brighter, cleaner future for generations to come.

Follow FieldFlō on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fieldflo/about/
Follow Roni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roni-szigeti-2626b636/
Visit FieldFlō's website: https://www.fieldflo.com/
Follow FieldFlō on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fieldflo

"It doesn't have to be hard to know what's going on in your business, and to know which needles you need to move that month..."

Join us this week as we talk to Shelby Ashley of Optimized Financial Solutions! 

In this episode, Devon Tilly interviews Shelby Ashley, the founder of Optimize Financial Solutions, about the importance of finance management in a wide variety of construction businesses. They discuss the role of a CFO in helping manage their cash flow and make informed financial decisions. Shelby emphasizes the need for business owners to understand the financial statements and key metrics that drive revenue, profit, and the flow of money. She also highlights the importance of paying yourself first and using artificial intelligence to streamline financial processes. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights and practical tips for effectively managing finances in a construction business.

Shelby lives in Huntsville, AL but serves clients all over the United States. She founded Optimized Financial Solutions because she is passionate about translating what business owners see (and are often confused by) on their financial statements, into actionable decisions to help grow their business.  Shelby received her Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Finance as well as her MBA from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.  After working in several industries helping large business owners achieve success, she decided to start her own service helping small to medium sized business owners do the same.  Her mission is to help clients go from feeling overwhelmed, stressed about cash, to feeling confident, knowing they are running their business like a CEO.  

Visit Optimized Financial Solution's website: www.optimizedfinancialsolutions.com
Follow Shelby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelby-ashley-mba-a72903b9/
Contact Shelby for more info/questions at info@optimizedfinancialsolutions.com

View a clip of this virtual podcast here: https://youtu.be/BIb0oOvxbkI 

Listen to Shelby on the Construction Instruction podcast: Https://www.construction-disruption.com/episode/cash-is-king-with-shelby-

"You're business is never too small to get started."

Join us this week as we talk to Brian Lambert and Jeff Salyer of Managing It Right! 

As a licensed NASCLA general contractor and the proprietor of EMG, Brian Lambert's construction company, he has extensive experience in the construction industry. Additionally, he is the owner of Managing It Right, a construction management software company. He enjoys traveling, lifting weights, and running. His active nature is evident in both his personal and professional life, and his relentless work ethic has earned him a reputation as a workaholic. Driven by a commitment to excellence, he maintains high standards for himself, his staff, and his clients.

Jeff Salyer, a seasoned professional with roots in the heartland of Kansas, whose diverse journey encompasses both military valor and business acumen. Raised against the backdrop of Kansas' scenic landscapes, he discovered at an early age the calling to serve, leading to a distinguished six-year tenure as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman. With three combat tours under his belt, learning from many leaders in his service career about courage and dedication, he earned commendations for his exceptional medical support to Marine Corps units. Transitioning seamlessly from the military to the corporate arena, he has spent six years making an impact in business development. He holds an MBA degree along with a Bachelor’s from Purdue University. As a devoted spouse and proud parent of two sons, he understands the delicate balance between professional success and a rich, rewarding personal life. Residing in the vibrant state of North Carolina, he brings a unique fusion of Midwestern values and Southern hospitality to his professional and personal interactions. He wants to continue to make significant contributions to the business landscape and thank those who have been an inspiration to value the confluence of service, leadership, and business acumen.

Visit Managing It Right's website: https://managingitright.com/
Follow Managing It Right on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/managingitright/
Follow Managing It Right on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/managingitright/
Follow Managing It Right on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/managingitright/

Follow Jeff Salyer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-salyer-/

Watch clips of this virtual podcast:
https://youtu.be/fCI0EHyFZoE and https://youtu.be/LvyOlCrlrfo

Read the article "Plans to Profits": https://www.managingitright.com/from-plans-to-profits-essential-software-products-for-home-builders.html

This is episode 4 of a 4 part series on constructing housing for I/DD adults!

“Where does your heart rest in this work? I think that that’s going to build their business definitively…In this work of what you’re building or what you’re doing, are you fundamentally changing the life of the persons who are going to be in your asset?”

In this episode, Michelle Dumay of Energy Glass discusses the benefits and applications of Energy Glass, a solar alternative for standard plate glass windows. She shares case studies and challenges faced in implementing this technology and highlights the unique features of Energy Glass. Michelle also emphasizes the importance of considering the needs of the IDD (Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled) community in construction projects and encourages builders and affiliates to focus on the heart line of their work.

Michelle Dumay is the mother of a terminally ill child born with a rare brain abnormality that required nearly half of her brain to be removed when she was less than a day old. Among other medical conditions (cerebral palsy, blindness and quadriplegia) her daughter suffers from four types of seizures. Michelle is no stranger to medical/hospital settings having taken her daughter to more than 1400 appointments. Her experience as a caregiver and medical advocate has allowed her to serve on patient advisory councils for two children’s hospital (Los Angeles and Phoenix) and one insurer (Mercy Care).
As a trained chemist, she first turned to conventional-pharma for the treatment of her daughter's seizures. Then she learned of the medicinal value of cannabis and its efficacy in mitigating seizures. With great success, her daughter has been using cannabis for several years.

Along with advocacy, learning has been a huge part of this journey. Federal prohibition has hampered all things-cannabis, including medical use. Having experienced first-hand the benefits and efficacy of its use to mitigate her daughter’s seizures, Michelle wanted to petition her insurance companies to cover the cost of the cannabis medicine. Quickly she learned that this was a lofty aspiration for a huge unforeseen reason (besides Prohibition): medical cannabis dispensaries are not HIPAA-compliant and as such, cannot partner with insurance companies to serve cannabis patients. Working to solve her own problem and the looming problem of millions of cannabis-using patients, she entered into the world of cannabis governance, risk and compliance.

Learn more about Energy Glass: http://www.energyglass.com/egl/index.php
Follow Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelledumay/
Watch Michelle's TedTalk: https://www.ted.com/talks/michelle_dumay_cannabis_gave_me_a_voice
Learn more about the Trailhead Community here:https://www.trailheadcommunity.org/

This is episode 3 of a 4 part series on constructing housing for I/DD adults!

If you hear any background noise or laughter - that’s because this podcast was recorded LIVE from the Nuts and Bolts Conference in Colorado Springs in November 2023!

“Many people don’t even know that this is a thing…so many of these folks live at home…we need more housing, we need policy to bring more money to allow for more affordable housing for this population. We need 100 of these buildings done tomorrow. The need is there.”

Beth Rodriguez is the secretary and treasurer of Trailhead Community – a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 with a mission to create a neuro-inclusive and intentional housing community. Beth has a passion for working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)- specifically helping them gain independence in activities they value. She is a licensed occupational therapist and a certified aging in place specialist (CAPS.) Beth grew up in the home building industry and cultivated a love for building and design. She is especially interested in universal design and home modifications to allow individuals of all ages and abilities to live safely and independently in their environments. Beth worked closely consulting with the design and construction team for Trailhead’s first project in creating an 83 unit building that lives well, encourages community, and promotes health and wellness. Beth has many years of experience working with individuals with IDD in both a prevocational day program setting as well as providing direct care services in the homes of individuals helping them gain independence in daily living skills.  She knows the desperate need for attainable housing in the Denver area for adults with IDD and appreciates the opportunity to be on Trailhead’s Board to create innovative housing solutions for this population. In her spare time, you can find Beth enjoying anything outdoors- skiing, hiking, camping and traveling!

Ken Wilkinson, the visionary founder and managing partner of Layer 10, has always been driven by a passion for pioneering the integration of technology in the built environment. His journey in technology consulting has led him to redefine the role of IT in construction and real estate, transforming everyday spaces into dynamic, user-centric environments. At Layer 10, Ken's leadership and innovative approach have been instrumental in setting new standards for how technology enhances our physical world. Under Ken's leadership, Layer 10 has become synonymous with a design-first, user-centric, product-agnostic approach to technology in the built environment. His vision has propelled the firm to the forefront of integrating technology into commercial real estate, setting new standards for how we experience our surroundings. Ken's expertise isn't confined to the boardroom. He's a dynamic speaker and thought leader, frequently invited to share his insights on the fusion of technology and physical spaces. His talks go beyond the informative, offering transformative perspectives that are reshaping the industry. For a glimpse into Ken's innovative thinking and to stay updated on the latest trends at the intersection of technology and the built environment, follow him on LinkedIn. Here, you'll also find his insightful and informative newsletter, "Building Tomorrow," which delves into the future of technology in construction and real estate. Join Ken and Layer 10 in advancing the conversation around building tomorrow, today.

Follow Beth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-gigliotti-rodriguez

Follow Ken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/layer-10-consulting/?viewAsMember=true
Join the "Building Tomorrow" Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7097365261124546560
Layer 10's website: www.layer10.com
Layer 10 on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/layer-10-consulting
Layer 10 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ken_LAYER_10
Layer 10 on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX_quncBaJCnLuXisR0osAA

Learn more about the Trailhead Community here: https://www.trailheadcommunity.org/

This is episode 2 of a 4 part series on constructing housing for I/DD adults!

If you hear any background noise or laughter - that’s because this podcast was recorded LIVE from the Nuts and Bolts Conference in Colorado Springs in November 2023!

“It’s always about people, and it’s about leadership and guiding those people…It’s about who’s educating that team, who’s guiding that team, who’s leading that team so that decisions can be made timely.”

Jim Shipton was born in the Midwest and raised in Story City, Iowa, the heartland as they call it. He loves being from a small town where you have an opportunity to participate in all aspects of life. Jim played football, basketball, golf and learned to work hard in the farming community. He completed one year of undergraduate civil engineering at Iowa State University before transferring to Colorado State University where he met his future wife and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture. Upon graduation he and his wife, Denise, moved to the San Diego area for several years, gained valuable experience and his first license in 1992, before moving back to the Denver Metro area. He has been delivering his exceptional services to owners and developers in the western region of the US for the last 35 years. Currently he and his wife live in Littleton where they are trying to figure out how to become empty nesters. Jim enjoys outdoor activities, skiing, golfing, camping and all things Ford Bronco.

Greg Krause is a co-founder and principal of K2 Residential Solutions.  With over 22 years of construction management experience, Greg heads up K2’s Business Development and Pre-Construction efforts. Prior to establishing K2 Residential Solutions in 2015, Greg led the construction efforts of K2’s affiliate company, Metropolitan Homes, Inc. from 2001-2014.  Krause has been active on the boards of both the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver and the Construction Education Foundation.  He is also very involved in philanthropic endeavors including long-standing relationships with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Children’s Hospital, and Trailhead Community. Krause is a native of Colorado, residing in Metro Denver his entire life, with the exception of his undergraduate studies at the University of Washington where he competed as a member of the UW Crew.  Gre­g continued with his competitive athletic pursuits after college as a professional triathlete and cyclist.  Greg trained and raced the Ironman Hawaii, Cape Epic, La Ruta, and the Leadville 100 to name a few. 
He currently lives in Jefferson County with his wife and daughter.  The Krause’s enjoy spending family time in the great outdoors skiing, hiking, and cycling. 
Learn more about Jim's work at www.pnt-llc.com
Follow Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-consulting-llc

Visit K2's website: https://www.k2rs.com/

Learn more about the Trailhead Community: https://www.trailheadcommunity.org/

This is episode 1 of a 4 part series on constructing housing for IDD adults!

“Please listen to the parents, and understand their passion will drive them to success. Believe us…You won’t just be helping us, and our kids, you will be solving an incredible social problem.”

If you hear any background noise or laughter - that’s because this podcast was recorded LIVE from the Nuts and Bolts Conference in Colorado Springs in November 2023!

Barbara Ziegler is the Board president of the Trailhead Community. Here's more about Trailhead Community that can also be found on their website:

Trailhead Community was originally inspired by the success of Stepping Stone Support Center, a sister company established in 2013. The Support Center provides prevocational and life skills training, job placement, job coaching services, social events and community connection. It now serves more than 100 individuals with developmental disabilities to live meaningful and productive lives. With this success in one aspect, it became quickly evident that another important piece was missing for adults with developmental disabilities: Homes of their own!

The individuals we work with are first and foremost ADULTS. Like all adults, they deserve to live independently in a place of their own. So in 2016, a group of parents, Stepping Stone staff and other friends all came together for the purpose of creating a non-profit to address this need. Stepping Stone Communities was born and the mission established: creating and designing an extraordinary opportunity for people to come together in an integrated and intentional apartment community!

After hundreds of hours of research and discussion, Stepping Stone Communities selected its first project- Trailhead Community, an apartment building with 77 units for both adults with DD and members of the general population with plenty of community space for meals and recreation. This was an ambitious project and it has grown since then!

The final result is an 83 unit complex where 50% of the units are allocated for adults with developmental disabilities and the other 50% for neuro-typical residents. The building will include state-of-the-art technology and “Universal Design” features to promote independence and safety for all residents. A cooperative management model will integrate all residents to make decisions about how their community will operate!

There will be on-site concierge staff to provide 24/7 oversite for the building, social events, meal preparation and encourage mutual exchange and support between tenants. The building will have many unique and intentional features to promote community including a sport court, sound-proof multimedia room for music, large screen viewing and mini jam sessions, an art studio, fitness room, a community kitchen and common dining room serving optional meals daily, and large common areas both indoors and outdoors!

Learn more about the Trailhead Community here: https://www.trailheadcommunity.org/

“If you find something that’s truly innovative, if your life history and experiences bring you to a point where you have the opportunity to change the world - you should do it.”

Derek is a values-centered entrepreneur who is passionate about the environment and making bold leaps in energy efficiency through system integration. He is a subject matter expert in building controls and intelligent DC Nanogrids, and contributes to industry working groups to promote efficient building technologies.  As founder and CEO of LumenCache, he is leading the collaborative effort to globally change the standard for power distribution in buildings making them smart, safe, efficient, and resilient.

LumenCache's website: https://reneta.lighting

Learn more by watching this video from LumenCache: https://youtu.be/8o3bsk7Zq6c

Denver HIA Pitch deck: https://youtu.be/g4qPd-ICWXY

Watch a clip from this in person podcast here: https://youtu.be/-ErrnLTZ11U & https://youtu.be/kT0ikRfkIBk

"If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance a lot less."

Brad Leavitt is President and Founder of “A Finer Touch Construction” - a Scottsdale based luxury residential and commercial builder. AFT Construction, as known throughout the industry, is an award-winning construction firm and has been nationally published in magazines such as: Fine Home Building, Luxe Interiors and Design, and Professional Builder. Brad was awarded as an “Icon” in the AZ building industry by Sources for Design in October, 2019. He was also recognized as a 2022 Phoenix Titan 100. The Titan 100 program recognizes Phoenix’s Top 100 CEO’s & C-level executives. They are the area’s most accomplished business leaders in their industry using criteria that includes demonstrating exceptional leadership, vision, and passion. Collectively, the Phoenix 2022 Titans have a combined total of annual revenue of $32B and employ more than 85,000 individuals. 
Brad Leavitt is an energetic public speaker and ambassador for many national brands including Kohler, Louisiana Pacific, Rinnai. Pella, Subzero-Wolf, Buildertrend, Cambria, and Elkay. Brad completed a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from BYU in 2005 and worked on notable projects around Phoenix, including the Omni Montelucia in Paradise Valley.
His Podcast, “The AFT Construction Podcast”, is focused on bringing value to its listeners, no matter their industry. The topics are focused on marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, organization, building science and construction. AFT has continued to exceed industry standards and create strong client relationships based on integrity, reliability and quality. Brad is married to Ashley Leavitt. Together, they have 6 children, 5 girls and 1 boy.  Brad is active with all 6 of his children, serves in his local community, and loves all sports

Mark LaLiberte is the co-founder and president of Construction Instruction. He has dedicated over 30 years to the building industry. Through his lectures, site assistance, Building Better Homes video series and his mobile App, he provides builders, architects and manufacturers with an in-depth look at the current and future state of housing. His work has earned him a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA), where he developed the highly acclaimed Houses that Work lecture series. The HTW Series has been delivered for over 16 years by the Ci team in 100’s of North American cities. He was the 2013 Building Science co-chair for the Hanley Wood Vision 2020 project and he has provided technical assistance and a voluntary board position to the Cold Climate Housing Research Center in Fairbanks, Alaska for over 10 years. Mark also helped develop the training curriculum for the 2012 Repair Corp Project for Habitat for Humanity that provides assistance to improve existing housing for our Veterans.

He works with various manufacturers to assist in developing products and services for the next phase of efficient homes. Mark is the co-creator of the Ci App and animation studio, which developed the number one mobile App in the construction industry and builds realistic state of the art contextual animations on building science concepts and technical installation practices. He is also President of Sales Instruction Inc., helping to bridge sales and marketing efforts to our industry. Working with leading industry suppliers and manufacturers, his sales training company creates a common language to drive sales and increase productivity for sales teams.
His passion for educating lies in knowing how vital the building industry is.  Building healthy, safe, durable and efficient homes has an effect on the buyer, the builder, the economy and the planet.

View Videos of the virtual podcast here: https://youtu.be/ywp9Lr0lWv4

AFT Construction's website: www.aftconstruction.com
Listen to the AFT Construction Podcast: www.bradleavitt.com
AFT Construction on Instagram @AFT_Construction
AFT Construction on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Construction Instruction website: https://constructioninstruction.com/team/mark-laliberte/ 

"What if one of the big tech companies - Apple, Google, Amazon, Tesla - decides to become homebuilders? And disruption comes from outside the industry that basically upends the industry completely, a company that can come in and do what the industry will not, or can not, at this point, to deliver affordable, high-quality housing?"

Join us this week as talk with Rich Binsacca and Dennis Steigerwalt about HIA 2024, PitchFest, and offsite construction.

Rich Binsacca is the editorial director of Pro Builder, the leading B2B media brand for the U.S. housing industry, where he heads a team journalists, designers, and contributors to deliver timely, relevant, and award-winning content. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, he has engaged the housing industry since 1987 as a journalist, editor, producer, and marketing/communications professional. Published independently by SGC-Horizon, Pro Builder is the official media partner of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Dennis leads strategy and market engagement for the Housing Innovation Alliance, a network of over 2,000+ companies focused on strategic growth opportunities in the homebuilding industries. He’s a boundary spanner, a connector, and an investor in all things related to the built environment.  Navigating complex networks of relationships and promoting broader investment in research and development, Dennis seeks out opportunities to connect the dots on transformational initiatives to achieve objectives together that we shouldn’t, and likely couldn’t, tackle alone.

The Housing Innovation Summit will take place June 4-6, 2024. Pitchfest will kick off the Summit on June 4th. Get a 2-day Summit registration to participate in all Pitchfest activities and Summit sessions, round table discussions, and networking events. Stay for the final day (June 6) with a separate ticket for tours or send another member of your team to gather best practices from the field. Follow the Housing Innovation Alliance on LinkedIn and connect with Dennis. 

View Videos of the virtual podcast here:
https://youtu.be/J4GORWQp-SY
https://youtu.be/4IJa3dqjJsE

"AI will not put you out of a job, someone using AI will."

Join us this week as we discuss the "hot topic" of AI in Architecture and Construction with Bill Allen.

Bill Allen, a seasoned leader in the AEC industry. He currently serves as the CEO and President of both EvolveLAB and On Point Scans, where he orchestrates a dynamic synergy aimed at empowering Architects, Engineers, and Contractors to optimize the built environment through the strategic application of artificial intelligence and data-driven design. With an impressive track record spanning almost 20 years, Bill brings unparalleled expertise to the AEC industry, having consulted with pioneering firms at the forefront of technological advancement. An accomplished public speaker, he has graced the stage as a keynote and featured speaker at numerous prestigious events, including the most watched Autodesk University talk, titled 'The Future of BIM is NOT BIM, And It's Coming Faster Than You Think.' Beyond his professional pursuits, Bill is a co-founder of The Bare Roots Foundation, a nonprofit organization passionately committed to ensuring that all individuals are granted the fundamental rights to clean food, shelter, and drinking water, embodying his dedication to global humanitarian efforts.

Visit EvolveLAB's website: www.evolvelab.io
Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolvelabio/
Twitter (X): @EvolveLABio
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvelabio/

Watch some clips of this virtual podcast: https://youtu.be/Nt4yLYhcJ6U and https://youtu.be/H1iE8DTZSZo

Watch a Veras Demo with Devon and Bill: https://youtu.be/nMTlBQ9oEUY

Eric Schaefer of Fading West and Ross Cohen of DL Cohen join us for episode 321 of Art of Construction!

"We came into existence to solve a problem. And the problem is that there are no attainable houses being built in our country right now."

Eric is a determine Chief Business Development Officer at Fading West, responsible for forging meaningful partnerships with developers, non-profits, and municipalities in Colorado. His drive to create workforce housing and sell Fading West products was inspired by his many years of ministry, non-profit, and donor relations work in California and the Southeast. Almost three years ago, Eric relocated to Denver to open the Fading West office, furthering his commitment to making positive changes in the world through exceptional leadership.

Ross Cohen of DL Cohen provides lots of unique perspectives in this podcast as well. Growing up in a construction family naturally led Ross to pursue construction at a young age. While at Denver University, he joined a residential framing contractor as their estimator and over five years began managing much of the operations. In 2009, Ross joined with his father David to start a new framing contracting company together known as DL Cohen and our components company Huron Components.

Keep up with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-schaefer-849051b/
Visit Fading West's website: https://www.fadingwestdevelopment.com/

Visit DL Cohen's website: https://dlcohencc.com 

"They have mountains like we have mountains, they have dirt like we have dirt. But it's not the same mountains, and it's not the same dirt. There's outside influences on how things are done - and it's not perfect."

Shawn Poore serves as Vice President of Construction in Colorado. Mr. Poore has 23 years of experience in the commercial and residential construction industry in the Mid-Atlantic, Texas, and Colorado regions and is currently responsible for all construction and pre-construction in the Denver market.

Prior to joining Mill Creek, Mr. Poore worked at CBG Building Company, LLC, where he was responsible for the completion of multifamily projects in the Mid-Atlantic, and Texas Regions for CBG Building Company. Prior to CBG Building Company, Mr. Poore worked for commercial construction companies in which he worked in the federal, education, life sciences, and base building divisions.

Mr. Poore holds a diploma in Masonry Technology from the Williamson Trade College.

Visit Mill Creek's website: https://millcreekplaces.com

Watch a clip of this in-studio podcast here: https://youtu.be/tsauxgzjoYo

"How do we create visual assets to make decisions, get everybody on the same page, and sell the product?"

Join us this week as we chat with Eric Scott of Viz Graphics about digital modeling within construction and architecture.

Eric’s strong eye for design and 3D skills bring projects to
life in areas of architecture, engineering, and construction.
With over two decades in the AEC industry, Eric has managed
a multitude of projects, including additions and remodels, high-end
custom homes and multi-family apartments - in all phases
of architecture, including schematic and conceptual design to
construction drawings. In 2008, Eric started Visualize
Graphics, Inc. focuses primarily on design consulting,
3D visualization and marketing services. His passion for
design, organization, and overall disposition make him a
a valuable asset to any project, communicating early concepts
or high-end visualization for pre-sells and marketing.

As a Colorado local, when Eric is away from his work,
He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, fishing,
camping and skiing as much as possible!

Visit Viz Graphic's website: https://www.vizgraphics.com/ 

Subscribe to Viz Graphics on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsNRg6yYEPmTowRI6S4-LQ

VIZ® Prefab Promotional Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtCb2l1Mazg&t=8s

Watch a clip of this in-studio podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExTFcLZIyFU

Watch a clip of Eric Scott talking about the MFC in studio during this podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX5Pj8Ei7Bk

"We envision a world that stands in balance with nature, a world build with grass."

Construction...with grass? Join us today chatting with Josh Dorfman of Plantd Materials, and how we can all adopt building meaningful change when it comes to climate change by reassessing how to scale plant based (or grass-based) building materials in our world of construction. 

Josh Dorfman is a sustainability-focused entrepreneur who has led tech, manufacturing, and media ventures. Josh is co-founder and CEO of Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials company pioneering a novel path to reach gigaton-scale atmospheric carbon dioxide removal. At Amazon, Josh established and led Vine.com, an e-commerce business for natural, organic, and sustainable products. He has founded two award-winning, modern sustainable furniture companies: Vivavi, named to Inc. Magazine’s “Green 50” as a pioneer accelerating the green economy, and Simbly, recognized by the National Wildlife Federation for its supply chain and manufacturing practices to preserve forest ecosystems. Josh was also CEO of The Collider, the nation’s first innovation center for big data climate change solutions. Working in tandem with NOAA, research universities, development banks, and the private sector, The Collider incubated a new generation of climate analytics startups, helping society adapt to the effects of climate change. Josh is also known as the creator, author, and host of “The Lazy Environmentalist,” a consumer entertainment brand showcasing convenient and clever ways for everyday Americans to embrace sustainable living. Josh developed the brand into a Sundance Channel reality television series, daily SiriusXM radio show, book series, and national spokesperson engagements with household brands, including Brita and Clorox Greenworks. Josh currently serves on Governor Cooper’s North Carolina Entrepreneurial Council. He holds an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.

Visit Plantd Materials here: https://www.plantdmaterials.com/

Follow Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorfmanjosh/

"Productization...but what does that mean?" 

Join us this week as we talk with John Fay of Lada Cube and Allison Seabeck from the Warehouse Business Accelerator about the productization of interior walls, and an amazing non-profit that works towards helping new businesses get started. 

John Fay is an American business owner, architectural designer, and inventor. He is the founder, CEO, and design lead of Lada Cube LLC, a building tech company. His entrepreneurial endeavors revolve around his vision to increase efficiency in construction and stewardship of our resources. These goals are currently being pursued with Lada Cube LLC. Låda Cube's mission is to rewrite construction rules by producing future-proof, sustainable, and environmentally responsible building solutions. 

Allison Seabeck is the Executive Director of the Warehouse Business Accelerator, where she is building a regional support network to help innovative businesses in Northern Colorado scale their organizations and build sustainable success. As an executive leader and business advisor, Allison focuses on building alignment and clarity of purpose with leadership teams, particularly during growth and change. Previously, Allison was the President of Prosci Inc., a global training and consulting organization specializing in change management. Allison led transformational growth strategies, process improvements, and systems implementations, including expanded distribution channels through a robust global partner network. Allison led the team responsible for successful organization transitions through the founder's exit, two Private Equity transactions, and two international add-on acquisitions. During her tenure leading Prosci, she tripled the company's top-line revenues and bottom-line profits. Prosci was also named to Forbes' 'Top 20 Best Places To Work' list. Allison graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, the science and power of language and communication.

EVENT NOTICE: On Thursday October 19th from 3:30-5:30pm you can join The Spirit of Innovation at the WIA! 

Links:
www.warehouseinnovation.com 
https://www.ladacube.com

Follow Lada Cube on socials:
 https://www.instagram.com/ladacube/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/l-da-cube/?viewAsMember=true
https://twitter.com/LadaCube
https://www.facebook.com/ladacube

Watch a clip from the podcast in person!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKwldZq8yEU

"Every project is a snowflake; it seems like..." 

As the official spokesperson for the modular construction industry, Tom has been involved in leadership roles in modular construction since 2004, when he was named the Executive Director for the Modular Building Institute, the international non-profit trade association for the commercial modular industry. In 2012, Tom launched his association management company, Hardiman-Williams, L.L.C., with his business partner, Steven Williams. At that time, he took on the additional role of Executive Director for the Modular Home Builders Association, the national non-profit trade association serving the modular home industry.

Tom has extensive experience as an advocate on various legislative, regulatory, and building code issues at the state and federal levels. He was one of the leading forces behind creating the Offsite Construction Council at the National Institute of Building Science and has served on its board since its inception. In 2015, his company launched the first “Offsite Construction Expo” in North America. The Expo has since been delivered in person and virtually over a dozen times to thousands of attendees. 

Before association management, Hardiman assisted small businesses and entrepreneurs as Director of a Small Business Development Center. He earned a bachelor’s and M.B.A. at Marshall University in Huntington, WV, and the designation Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives.

Tom has spoken at numerous conferences worldwide, including events in England, Ireland, Spain, and Hong Kong. As a tireless advocate and spokesperson for the modular industry and non-profits, he brings his entrepreneurial background and passion to his presentations. Tom has been interviewed and regularly cited in publications such as E.N.R. Magazine, Fast Company, U.S.A. Today, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. For the past decade, he has served various leadership roles with his local Boys and Girls Club, including interim director.

Join us this week as we chat with Tom Hardiman, who describes modular home and building industry experiences locally and internationally. In this episode, we take a deep dive into how the modular building industry and the auto industry compare, how tiny homes are changing the way we think about offsite construction, and how the United States stands internationally in offsite modular building. 

EVENT NOTICE: Join Denver's Offsite Construction Summit on September 14th, 2023! Register and find out more here: https://offsiteconstructionnetwork.com/events/

As mentioned in the podcast, you can feel free to email Tom any questions at his email tom@modular.org

Website: https://www.hardimanwilliams.com/

Join us today in listening to the inspiring story of Elyas Balta, the Founder and CEO of Euroline Steel Window and Doors. Born in Lebanon, Balta started working in artisan and craft trades such as leatherwork and metal working from a young age with his parents. After immigrating to the United States, he is now operating a custom steel window and doors company that blends the craftsmanship and artisan work instilled by his family heritage into American homes and construction. 

Euroline states, "We’ve been manufacturing steel doors and windows for decades, and have been fine tuning our Euroline Steel Windows and Steel Doors to present a timeless product with endless applications of style and beauty. Amazing style and elegance is achieved when less gives you more. We truly believe we have forged a precise balance between the finest lines of steel and the most beautiful sheets of glass.

As thousands of our homeowner clients can testify, each Euroline Steel Window and Steel door is built to perfection. No item leaves our factory without a quality stamp of approval which always ensures your complete satisfaction.

Whether you are near or far, we will make your steel windows and doors with as much care and precision as if they were for our own homes. Our quality control staff is very detailed and will ensure that we deliver a steady high quality product one window and one door at a time."

Visit Euroline here: https://www.eurolinesteelwindows.com

Sneha Kumari, Lean and Six Sigma Consultant and President of Etherzen INC., joins us for episode 314 of Art of Construction

Join Daniel Small, "The Engineerovator," as we dissect the roadblocks that are slowing the growth of offsite construction in the United States. Daniel, an Engineer, MBA, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and Founder & CEO of Da Vinci Consulting, helps us understand the history of the segment and what he believes to be its biggest Achilles' heel: Lingering process inefficiency. Although much better than on-site construction, most offsite factories are still operating well below their potential by not implementing the proven manufacturing principles of Lean and process optimization. A must-listen for anyone operating an offsite factory or prefab shop! For help streamlining your offsite construction process, contact Daniel at DSmall@DaVinciInno.com or 719-321-1953. For more information and Lean offsite resources, including a free ebook, visit www.LeanOffsite.com or www.DaVinciInno.com.