In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, we welcome Andy Gaslevich and Ben Miller from Cleveland Brothers, a leading Caterpillar construction equipment dealership. The discussion centers around the integration of technology in the construction industry, particularly how it relates to equipment utilization, safety, productivity, and addressing the skilled labor shortage.We kick off the episode with an introduction to Cleveland Brothers, celebrating their 75 years in the business and their e...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome back Odie Parkins, the owner of Four Tree Solutions, for an engaging discussion about his journey and the evolution of his work in the construction industry. Odie, who previously worked with the Carpenters Contractors Trust (CCT), shares insights from his transition to consulting and his focus on leadership and professional development within heavy industry.As we dive into the conversation, Odie reflects...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome back Cal Beyer, a passionate advocate for addiction awareness and recovery in the construction industry. Cal, who recently joined SAFE Project as the Senior Director for Safe Workplaces, shares his journey and insights into the critical intersection of addiction, mental health, and workplace safety.The episode kicks off with a warm introduction, highlighting Cal's previous appearance on the podcast and h...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin visit the Bethel Village project in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where they engage with the team from the JEM Group, the general contractor for this significant affordable housing development.The project, which is being constructed on the site of the former Bethel AME Church, represents a $20 million investment aimed at providing quality housing for individuals and families earning between 60-80% of the Ar...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin dive into the exciting world of electric vehicles and their impact on the construction industry. We are thrilled to welcome back Eido Almog, the Director of Strategy and Business Development for S&B USA, a global infrastructure and construction company.Eido shares insights from S&B USA's recent pilot program focused on electrifying their fleet, which includes both on-road vehicles and off-road constructi...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien welcome Jessica McKinney from P.J. Dick Trumbull Lindy to discuss the intricacies of proposal management in the construction industry. With over 25 years of experience, Jessica shares her insights on the importance of tailoring proposals to meet client needs, emphasizing that successful proposals are not just boilerplate documents but rather personalized narratives that reflect the client's unique requirements.J...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome Matt Curry and Chad Stokes from Cleveland Brothers Equipment Company. The discussion centers around workforce development and the innovative approaches Cleveland Brothers takes to recruit and train the next generation of technicians.Matt, the Technical Training and Development Manager, and Chad, the Corporate Technical Recruiter, share insights into their recruitment strategies, focusing on high school c...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome Salomon Moreno-Rosa, the Managing Director of Strategy and Philanthropy at Envoy. The discussion centers around the concept of "Recovery Ready Workplaces" and the importance of fair chance employment, particularly in the construction industry.Salomon explains that fair chance employment initiatives aim to create inclusive hiring practices that support individuals from the reentry community and those navi...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin tackle a critical and often overlooked issue in the construction industry: suicide prevention. They are joined by Sonya Bohmann, the Executive Director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), who brings her expertise and personal experience to the conversation.Sonya discusses the significant stigma surrounding mental health in the construction sector, which often prevents workers fr...

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Alexander Papson from Schneider Downs about the Secure Act 2.0. Papson, an investment advisor specializing in retirement plans, discusses how the legislation aims to improve private retirement plans and outlines key provisions, including tax credits for employers and automatic enrollment options. They delve into challenges employers face, such as complying with new rules for long-term part-time emplo...

Today’s podcast discusses the experiences and insights of Dona File, a seasoned construction safety expert, who reflects on her career journey and the evolution of safety practices in the construction industry. She highlights the critical role of communication and collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic, where safety protocols were rapidly developed and implemented to keep construction sites operational. The pandemic, despite its challenges, led to a significant improvement in hygiene stan...

In this podcast episode, Lorelee Isbell, Associate Vice President for Career and Workforce Development at Shippensburg University, and Laura Potthoff, Director of Business Development from F&M Trust Bank, discuss a collaborative workforce development initiative aimed at addressing the labor shortage in the construction industry in South Central Pennsylvania. They highlight the creation of a short-term, non-credit construction program designed for unemployed and underemployed individuals, ...

This week’s podcast discusses the KCA's scholarship program, highlighting its success in fostering the next generation of construction leaders in Pennsylvania. James Fretz, a scholarship recipient and construction management student at Penn College, shares his journey from a high school carpentry program to his current internship experiences. He emphasizes the valuable mentorship and hands-on learning he's received, which have prepared him well for a future in the construction industry. James...

In this week’s podcast episode, Jon and Chris chat with Ryan Englin, author of “Hire Better People Faster!” – an Amazon best-seller that reimagines hiring philosophies. Englin has been dedicated to helping service contractors and construction companies hire better people for over a decade. His passion stems from observing his father's struggles as an owner-operator in the construction industry. Englin identified a gap in the industry: a lack of knowledge on how to hire and retain good employe...

In this week’s podcast episode, Jon and Chris chat about the evolution and impact of their long-running podcast, particularly their popular safety episodes. To keep the educational safety content from June’s National Safety Month going, the pair brought in Darren Rech to discuss even more safety resources. They emphasize the importance of toolbox talks and informal safety discussions covering a range of topics essential for maintaining safety awareness on job sites. Darren Rech, the Safety Di...

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Makenzie Daniel, a sophomore safety science major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Makenzie shares her journey into the construction industry, highlighting her experiences and successes, including making the Dean's list and obtaining her OSHA 30 card. She discusses her motivations for pursuing safety science, inspired by her family's involvement in the industry and a desire to ensure worker saf...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Will Foret, co-host of the Building Scale podcast, renowned in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Will emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity, making it relevant and accessible to all. He breaks down the costs of cyber threats, stresses the need for proactive measures like risk assessments and employee training, and highlights emerging trends like AI-driven attac...

The latest Building PA Podcast episode featured guest Jimmy Christianson, VP of Government Relations for AGC, who shared crucial legislative updates. They emphasized the urgent need for workforce development and immigration reform to address labor shortages in the construction industry. Additionally, innovative approaches like partnerships with community colleges and targeted digital recruiting campaigns were highlighted as effective strategies. Despite looming political tensions, bipartisan ...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien sit down with Justin Neagle from the Building Scale podcast, exploring the keys to scaling businesses and fostering a strong organizational culture. Neagle emphasizes the importance of people, processes, and technology as the pillars of business growth. Drawing from his extensive interviews with industry leaders, Neagle highlights the critical role of leadership in prioritizing employee well-being and...

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Larissa Llewellyn from Pioneer Construction about trenching and excavation. Larissa shares insights into the importance of background checks before digging and discusses the challenges and safety measures involved in the industry. They delve into the evolving training and safety protocols over the years, highlighting the need for prevention training in trenching accidents, especially in residential p...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien sit down with Rich Barcaskey from the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania to discuss work zone safety awareness.  The conversation touches on the implementation of automated work zone speed enforcement programs, highlighting effectiveness in reducing speeding and accidents in construction zones. Rich explains the importance of such initiatives in safeguarding both workers and the general...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Frank Baxter from Construction Risk Partners, about taking safety programs to the next level. Baxter emphasizes the importance of top management's commitment to safety, highlighting the need for leaders to lead by example, engage in the process, and develop essential soft skills. He discusses the significance of culture, communication, and attention to detail, sharing anecdotes that underscore...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien engage in an insightful conversation with Christopher Smith from NFP brokerage insurance. They delve into the significance of project-based insurance coverage in commercial construction, particularly in Pennsylvania. Smith, drawing on over three decades of experience, elucidates how project-specific insurance offers owners greater control over coverage and extends beyond traditional policies, safeguarding...

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien sit down with Haggai Dror of Shikun & Binui to discuss the intricacies of fleet electrification. Dror explains that fleet electrification involves converting traditional internal combustion engine vehicles into electric vehicles, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach beyond just purchasing new vehicles. They talk about the challenges and opportunities of fleet electrification, including the...