Beyond the Skyline

Audra Williams, the new general counsel at Kraus-Anderson, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Williams discusses current construction legal challenges such as tariff-induced price escalation, independent contractor classification changes, and crisis communication policies.

Madi Goodrich, principal and director of interior design at DJR talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Goodrich discusses the intersection of interior design and architecture and talks through some of her favorite recent projects.

Stephen Todd, owner of The Energy Guy energy consulting firm, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Todd shares insights related to energy benchmarking.

Dan Collison, senior director of business development and public affairs at Sherman Associates talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Collison discusses his career before coming to Sherman Associates, his beliefs about human flourishing and his job responsibilities.

David Grandstaff, president of Midwest and Southwest for Adolfson & Peterson, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Grandstaff talks about his new role with AP, opportunities and challenges in the construction economy as a whole and more.

Luke Grundman, litigation director at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Grundman talks about Legal Aid's work on fair housing and the current uncertainty surrounding Housing and Urban Development grants.

Taylor Boileau, co-founder of The Blueprint for Change, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson about her organization's dedication to making construction jobsites safe, respectful and harassment-free for all workers.

Trevor Martinez, Midwest market lead for DevCo, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Martinez discusses DevCo, his move back into affordable housing development and talks about his side gig as a teacher.

Colette Holt, founder of Colette Holt & Associates, which provides legal counsel and consulting services, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Holt discusses the future of DBE programs in Minnesota and how under-represented businesses can protect their interests.

Tyler Schipper, an associate professor of economics at the University of St. Thomas, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Schipper talks about the economic impact of tariffs on the construction industry and the broader economy.

Jonathan Curry, executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Curry talks about attracting and retaining works as well as inspiring future generations of engineers.

Zak Yudhishthu, the writer of the ‘Penciling Out' newsletter, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter about land use and housing policy in the Twin Cities.

Gwe Gasco, program coordinator at 8th Fire Solar, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Gasco talks about his company, the marriage of solar thermal and hempcrete on a recent Lower Sioux project and his outlook for energy-friendly projects in 2025.

Jon Ruzicka, a first vice president at Marcus & Millichap, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Ruzicka talks about how selling hotels is really like selling a business and what advice he has for people looking to switch careers into brokerage.

Drew Johnson, Oppidan Investment Co.'s senior vice president of development in the Midwest Region, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Drew Johnson talks about data center development in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Lisa Christianson, a senior vice president at Colliers, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter about the transition from owning her own firm to joining Colliers, what advice she has for people looking to start their own business, and some predictions for where she thinks the market is going in 2025.

Nick Erickson, senior director of housing policy at Housing First Minnesota, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Erickson talks about Housing First Minnesota's legislative agenda and how he got into the homebuilder advocacy business.

State Rep. Esther Agbaje talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter about housing policy and the Minnesota Legislature.

Tim Worke, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Worke discusses opportunities and challenges in the construction industry and previews the 2025 Minnesota Construction Summit.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter about the mayor's plan for downtown Minneapolis, how it works in tandem with other plans put forward by groups and talks about his favorite Bob Dylan songs.

Dan Lindh, CEO of Presbyterian Homes & Services, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Lindh talks about his long career with Presbyterian Homes & Services, the changes he has seen in the senior housing industry, his retirement plans and more.

Tina Gassman, president of Greater St. Paul BOMA talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Gassman discusses the concerns of building owners in the capital city and breathing life into its downtown.

St. David's Center CEO Julie Sjordal talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Sjordal talks about the downtown Minneapolis YWCA acquisition and remodel, how the sale came together and why it was more complicated than a typical real estate transaction.

Chris LaTondresse, CEO of Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. LaTondresse discusses his first year on the job, his aims for the future of Beacon and how he thinks more affordable housing can be built.

Julie Sommese of PACE Equity talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Sommese discusses the growth of C-PACE lending in Minnesota and some of the projects she has assisted in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Interview: Rick Martagon, executive director, Building Strong Communities by Finance & Commerce

Shaun Hainey, the program manager for Northland Connection at Northspan, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Hainey talks about community and business development, his previous career and what he finds compelling about his work.

Ann Duginske Cibulka, Ryan Company's vice president for real estate development in health care, talks to Finance & Commerce reporter Dan Netter. Duginske Cibulka talks about her work at Ryan, how health care development does and does not obey the whims of the market and highlights why she thinks health care systems might want to start thinking differently about where they provide outpatient services.

Michael Grage, associate principal, and Troy Malmstrom, associate principal and director of computational design & fabrication, at architecture firm GBBN talk to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Grage and Malmstrom talk about how their company is using augmented reality to break down communication barriers with clients and end users, among other topics.

Apadana Energy President Lev Buslovich talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Buslovich talks in depth about Apadana Energy and some of its projects, ranging from electric vehicle charging stations for apartment buildings to a complex solar PV installation on a Minneapolis parking ramp next to Target Field.

David Nguyen and Sara Riegle of the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans talk to Finance & Commerce reporter Dan Netter about the importance of housing developments, the work of ending veteran homelessness and what cities can do to be more friendly to the much-needed development in their areas.

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority Executive Director Abdi Warsame talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Warsame was recently recognized nationally by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials as one of its two Outstanding Professionals of the Year.

Dunwoody College of Technology President Scott Stallman talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Stallman discusses Dunwoody's history and future, efforts to improve diversity in the construction trades, the ongoing need for skilled labor, and other topics.

Home Line housing attorney Daniel Suitor talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Suitor discusses how he found himself working in the tenants' rights space, doing policy work and rent payment methods.

Ulteig President and CEO Doug Jaeger talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Jaeger talks about the growing demand for clean energy, the evolution of electric utility systems and efforts to streamline the process for reviewing and approving clean energy projects.

Ben Johnson, the director of the Minneapolis Arts and Cultural Affairs Department, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Johnson discusses the Arts and Culture Vibrant Store Front Initiative, an idea meant to invest in Minneapolis artists so they can have studio space to work and hold events in.

Cecil Smith, president and CEO of the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Smith talks about opportunities and challenges in multifamily development and operations.

Mikeya Griffin, executive director of the Rondo Community Land Trust, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Griffin talks about the land trust's mission and its relationship with the city of St. Paul.

David Wood, founder and president of Ancoats Construction, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Wood discusses following in his father's footsteps, his reason for starting Ancoats and the labor challenges in the construction sector.

In this episode, Emily Nicoll, managing director and city leader for Transwestern's Minneapolis office talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Nicoll discusses her move to Transwestern, servant leadership and connecting with other women in commercial real estate.

In this episode, Centra Companies founder Dale Wills talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Wills talks about his homebuilding journey and his latest venture, Centra Capital Partners.

In this episode, Aarica L. Coleman, new CEO of Land Bank Twin Cities, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Coleman discusses her work and what her hopes are for the Land Bank.

In this episode, Mary Stoick, the senior vice president and director of tax credit lending at Sunrise Banks, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Stoick discusses the rewards and challenges of financing projects like the Coliseum restoration in Minneapolis.

In this episode, Sumair Sheikh, executive director of LISC Duluth, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Sheikh talks about his work at LISC, how the implementation of the Duluth Housing Trust Fund has worked and gave his thoughts on the recovery of Duluth's downtown.

In this episode, Gloria Wong, owner of Heritage Home Health Care and Lifestyle Adult Day Center, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Wong shares her story of emigrating to the U.S. as a child and building business success in Minnesota.

In this episode, Laura Dykema, director of planning and development at the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Dykema discusses MPHA programs and what she's learned during her time with the authority.

In this episode, Rick Carter, chairman of the board at LHB, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Carter talks about his career journey and his work on sustainable design goals and strategies.

In this episode, Marcus & Millichap senior associate Joseph Ferguson talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Ferguson talks about his move from the U.S. Marine Corps to commercial real estate and about his work on Marcus & Millichap's hospitality team.

In this episode, Gina Ciganik, CEO of Habitable, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Ciganik talks about her work with Habitable and discusses how building material choices affect human health and the environment.

In this episode JLL Managing Director Josh Talberg talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Talberg discusses his role at JLL, why he is reserving some of his nerves for the market a few years down the line and what needs to be done to incentivize building.

In this episode, Roers Cos. founders Kent and Brian Roers talk to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. The Roers talk about the company's history, the Prudential redevelopment and why they're bullish on multifamily construction.