The Perlo Podcast

In this short episode, Perlo's Director of Strategic Initiatives Elissa Looney tours the site of the Tesla Service Center in Vancouver, Washington, with Project Manager Forrest Gregg and Superintendent Glen Alcock. In this segment, they discuss what the building will look like when it's finished and what state the building is in at the time of the podcast recording. Thanks for joining us for another episode of The Perlo Podcast! If you'd like to hear more, you can find us on your favorite listening platforms. You can also engage with Perlo through our website, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

In this short episode, Perlo's Director of Strategic Initiatives Elissa Looney talks with Project Manager Forrest Gregg and Superintendent Glen Alcock about the challenges involved in constructing the 3-acre, 32,000 SF Tesla Service Center in Vancouver, Washington. Challenges included a tight site, significant groundwater, unknown underground utilities and navigating the neighborhood. Thanks for joining us for another episode of The Perlo Podcast! If you'd like to hear more, you can find us on your favorite listening platforms. You can also engage with Perlo through our website, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

In this short episode, Perlo's Director of Strategic Initiatives Elissa Looney talks with Project Manager Forrest Gregg and Superintendent Glen Alcock about the lessons learned regarding the pouring of the insulated tilt panels that made up the exterior shell of the Tesla Service Center in Vancouver, Washington. Thanks for joining us for another episode of The Perlo Podcast! If you'd like to hear more, you can find us on your favorite listening platforms. You can also engage with Perlo through our website, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

In this week's episode of The Perlo Podcast, Host Elissa Looney, Perlo's Director of Strategic Initiatives, meets with Perlo Project Manager, Forrest Gregg, and Superintendent Glen Alcock, to discuss the Tesla Service Center currently under construction in Vancouver, Washington. The Tesla Service Center is 32,000SF concrete tilt-up building which Tesla will use to sell and service Tesla vehicles. The project is located on about 3 acres and required the demolition of three older buildings. Tesla has been building similar projects across the country, but the model is relatively new as compared to other auto manufacturers. Additionally, this building envelope is made of insulated tilt panels, which is a unique construction method. Join in to hear more about this exciting new dealership! Thanks for joining us for another episode of The Perlo Podcast! If you'd like to hear more, you can find us on your favorite listening platforms. You can also engage with Perlo through our website, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

In this highlight episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives, is joined by two guests from Advanced American Construction, Dee Burch, President, and Kyle Izatt, Senior Vice President, to discuss the Schweiger Memorial Scholarship Fund. Check out the full video on our YouTube channel to see special footage from this year's scholarship banquet and to hear what the students had to say about winning this scholarship and how it's impacted their lives! Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives, is joined by two guests from Advanced American Construction, Dee Burch, President, and Kyle Izatt, Senior Vice President, to talk about the history of the Schweiger Memorial Scholarship Fund. Advanced American Construction was founded in 1983 by Konrad Schweiger and Kent Cochran with a goal to start “a legacy of success in marine construction.” Forrest Schweiger, son of Konrad and Cindy Schweiger, was working for the company and, in 1999 at the age of 26, lost his life in a tragic construction accident. To honor Forrest, Advanced American Construction formed the Forrest L. Schweiger Memorial Scholarship Fund. After three years and about $25,000 in scholarships given out, Konrad Schweiger passed away unexpectedly from a massive heart attack. The name was then changed to Schweiger Memorial Scholarship Fund to commemorate both Forrest and Konrad. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this short episode, Perlo's Director of Strategic Initiatives Elissa Looney discusses the Tesla Service Center with Project Manager Forrest Gregg and Superintendent Glen Alcock. The group discusses the structure of the unique, insulated tilt-panels that made up the exterior envelope of the building and how the team installed them. Thanks for joining us for another episode of The Perlo Podcast! If you'd like to hear more, you can find us on your favorite listening platforms. You can also engage with Perlo through our website, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

In this highlight episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives, is joined by two guests from Advanced American Construction, Dee Burch, President, and Kyle Izatt, Senior Vice President, to discuss the barriers that apprentices face in their trades. Elissa notes that although people generally understand how challenging it can be for students to get through school financially, it is less understood how challenging it is for people starting out in the trades, especially when apprentices are working and making money. In reality, apprentices have about four weeks a year where they attend school for their trade unpaid. On top of the cost for various certifications, they are also required to find projects where apprentices are accepted, which aren't always common. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives, is joined by two guests from Advanced American Construction, Dee Burch, President, and Kyle Izatt, Senior Vice President, to talk about how they select candidates for the Schweiger Memorial Scholarship Fund. According to Elissa, the unique thing about this scholarship program is that there are no metrics. The Fund puts the most emphasis on the individual and what they can achieve, bring to the table, and how they can contribute. Uniquely, there has been an organic increase in diversity, which has been accomplished by a diverse selection committee and a focus not on where an individual comes from, but on where they want to go. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

Welcome back to Episode 9 of the Perlo Podcast! Podcast host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by two guests from Advanced American Construction: Dee Burch, President, and Kyle Izatt, Senior Vice President. In today's podcast, we'll be diving into the Schweiger Memorial Scholarship Fund, how it started, and everything it has to offer. History Advanced American Construction was founded in 1983 by Konrad Schweiger and Kent Cochran with a goal to start “a legacy of success in marine construction.” Forrest Schweiger, son of Konrad and Cindy Schweiger, was working for the company and, in 1999 at the age of 26, lost his life in a tragic construction accident. As the only son of Konrad and his wife, the team at Advanced American Construction put their heads together to discuss how they could make something good come out of such a tragic event. To honor Forrest, Advanced American Construction formed the Forrest L. Schweiger Memorial Scholarship Fund. Dee Burch, President of Advanced American Construction, remarks that they formed the program with no prior experience and were shocked by how quickly the community stepped up to help. After three years and about $25,000 in scholarships given out, Konrad Schweiger passed away unexpectedly from a massive heart attack. The name was then changed to Schweiger Memorial Scholarship Fund to commemorate both Forrest and Konrad. Advanced American doubled down on making the scholarship successful, and again experienced unbelievable support from the community. General Overview The Schweiger Memorial Scholarship Fund provides “annual scholarships to applicants looking to pursue careers in construction-related fields.” From students looking for a career in construction to trades workers pursuing an apprenticeship program, this fund aims to provide the necessary support to help individuals succeed in the construction industry. Over the last 22 years, the fund has awarded over 260 scholarships totaling more than $850,000. Kyle Izatt, one of the very first scholarship winners and the now Senior Vice President of Advanced American Construction, recalls being a freshman going into his sophomore year at Central Washington University in the Construction Management undergraduate program. “I remember it as clear as yesterday,” he remarks. “We were at the Monarch Hotel, and you couldn't count the people in the audience, even though it was a smaller audience than what it is today. Business partners, subs, suppliers, competitors, the unions, friends, colleagues, and a lot of Konrad and Cindy's friends and family came to support. I was hit with this momentum and the bare roots of what our industry is. It's giving back, it's helping, it's building people up.” After graduating and continuing to attend the scholarship's banquet dinners, Kyle started giving back to the program that gave him so much to get him started in his career. Kyle was the first recipient that contributed back to the scholarship and, according to Dee, this triggered something in him to get Kyle to join Advanced American Construction. In 2005, Kyle went to work for Advanced American Construction and transitioned onto the selection committee where, 23 years later, he believes it is their obligation to be a part of the Fund and come up with new ideas to keep building up the program and supporting as many individuals as possible. “We have a lot of momentum going into the next couple of years and I'm really excited about where the future of this can go. The opportunities are endless, there is no ceiling,” Kyle states.

In this highlight episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives, is joined by Devin Koopman, Vice President of Construction, and Joe York, General Superintendent at Perlo to debunk some common construction myths! A common action that Elissa often sees when watching movies includes individuals escaping a building by sliding down the garbage shoot. Myth or fact? While a person can certainly do this, Joe explains that they'll “hurt when they get to the bottom. Not all garbage dumpsters are filled with fluffy bags of shredded paper!” Tune in for more “myth busting” facts! Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives, is joined by Devin Koopman, Vice President of Construction, and Joe York, General Superintendent at Perlo to talk about how site logistics plans can change throughout a project. According to Devin, site logistics can be like a football game. To have a successful site logistics plan, you need to “call audibles”. Calling an audible in football refers to when the play is changed at the line of scrimmage by yelling out a new play. “The fact that you may be digging a utility trench for the electrician on the same day as your concrete pour means you've really got to roll with the punches. What makes sense on day one might not make sense on day 60,” explains Devin. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives, is joined by Devin Koopman, Vice President of Construction, and Joe York, General Superintendent at Perlo to talk about how varying jurisdictions in different areas can affect site logistics plans. Between jurisdictions ranging from federal, state, county, city, and even local neighborhood associations, site logistics plans can vary astronomically. Certain jurisdictions may not inspect the same items that project teams are accustomed to in the Portland Metro Area, so there is often a steep learning curve to understand what a specific jurisdiction requires and what works on a given site. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives, is joined by Devin Koopman, Vice President of Construction, and Joe York, General Superintendent at Perlo to talk about how site logistics can be used to create efficiencies on jobsites. Devin uses an example about concrete to answer this question, noting that here at Perlo, “we like to pour concrete, and we like to pour a lot of it.” He goes on to explain that often times, our teams conduct concrete pours at 2AM to maximize efficiencies. Early morning pours are great, according to Joe, because there is no traffic and the concrete gets poured before the weather gets too hot in the summertime. When there are anywhere from 50-70 trucks expected to come and go from your project with concrete at a dark hour, site logistics become that much more important. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight episode, podcast host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by Superintendent George Trice and Project Manager Nate Brown, two members of the project team for one of Perlo's current industrial projects in Ridgefield, Washington. George and Nate take listeners on a tour of the current roofing progress at Ridgefield Industrial. We see the layers of insulation that teams used as well as learn the unique safety systems and processes in place on this project. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

Welcome back to Episode 8 of the Perlo Podcast! Podcast host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by Devin Koopman, Vice President of Construction, and Joe York, General Superintendent. In today's podcast, we're going to explore site logistics in construction, which are a critical piece of the planning and execution of construction sites. What are Site Logistics Site logistics can be thought of as the foundation that sets up an efficient and safe construction site while making the process easy and keeping the project on schedule. It involves factors such as: How crews move around the site Where materials are stored Where signage should be located How traffic and equipment can efficiently move in and out of the site How to keep crews and visitors safe Where to locate job trailers Devin notes that schedule logistics are rarely shown in the drawings and often don't get as much attention as they require. It is critical to be proactive and consider all items of a project when planning site logistics. Preconstruction efforts are the “recipe” for an effective project. When preconstruction takes place, we look at the current plan and drawings for the current site logistics and try to understand what the end result will be. Logistics range from job to job and are a huge factor in a successful project outcome. When considering the current climate of supply chain issues and long lead times, it may be necessary to procure materials early. In this case, project teams must be able to purchase or lease extra land offsite to hold materials. Joe explains that our teams have had to get creative and think outside of the box to find additional storage area for materials. Elissa adds that having space for materials shortage has become a much bigger factor in today's day and age, as companies aren't able to get “just-in-time” delivery if they want to guarantee that they will receive the materials on time. “The fact is that there aren't as many large lots for people to develop anymore,” remarks Joe. He elaborates that because of this, it can be difficult to find space to lay down materials, park trucks and trailers, and actually build the building. According to Joe, “if you can't get a neighboring property to make your footprint larger for the build, you've got to get creative.” Planning ahead for these aspects of a project gives teams more opportunity to be innovative when utilizing space and being proactive when addressing potential issues. How Do We Use Site Logistics to Create Efficiencies on Jobsites? Devin uses an example about concrete to answer this question, noting that here at Perlo, “we like to pour concrete, and we like to pour a lot of it.” He goes on to explain that often times, our teams conduct concrete pours at 2AM to maximize efficiencies. Early morning pours are great, according to Joe, because there is no traffic and the concrete gets poured before the weather gets too hot in the summertime. When there are anywhere from 50-70 trucks expected to come and go from your project with concrete at a dark hour, site logistics become that much more important. Factors to be considered can range from how to get the trucks in and out to where the pump trucks need to be staged and even accommodating for residential neighborhood time restrictions. “Time is money, so you need to get them in and off your site as quickly as possible,” explains Devin. Like what you hear? Tune in on Youtube or visit our blog for more!

In this highlight episode, podcast host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by Superintendent George Trice and Project Manager Nate Brown, two members of the project team for one of Perlo's current industrial projects in Ridgefield, Washington. As a newer Project Manager to Perlo, Nate walks us through all he's learned about commercial construction by being onsite at Ridgefield Industrial. From learning the finer details to paying attention to the bigger picture, George has provided Nate with expert insight on the parts and pieces of this process. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight episode, podcast host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by Superintendent George Trice and Project Manager Nate Brown, two members of the project team for one of Perlo's current industrial projects in Ridgefield, Washington. Listeners learn the 'ins and outs' of getting this project from the first napkin sketch to the finished product. From concrete-treating the soil to digging footings and tilting panels, George and Nate walk us through the construction process of this industrial project. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight episode, podcast host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by Superintendent George Trice and Project Manager Nate Brown, two members of the project team for one of Perlo's current projects in Ridgefield, Washington. George and Nate explain some of the challenges they have faced throughout this project and the innovative solutions that the project team and field crews had to take to get the job done! Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight episode, host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by Perlo's expert team in education settings: Drew Carter, Senior Project Manager; Stephen Alger, Senior Project Manager; and John Tompkins, Project Superintendent. Schools must be able to stand the test of time, so there is more upfront money spent to make sure that materials going into the building are high-quality to withstand hundreds of kids each day. The buildings need to be as flexible as possible to change and be functional with the times, including taking innovative routes to make schools more secure and safe in the case of an unauthorized intruder. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

“This is The Perlo Podcast. We talk construction – it's people, it's challenges, it's opportunities. We talk to industry and trade experts, movers and shakers, and people who get buildings built right. Join us. You won't regret it.” Welcome back to Episode Seven of the Perlo Podcast! Podcast host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by Superintendent George Trice and Project Manager Nate Brown, two members of the project team for one of Perlo's current projects in Ridgefield, Washington. Overview of Ridgefield Industrial Ridgefield Industrial is a 480,000 SF core and shell concrete tilt-up warehouse on a 50-acre site being built for Specht. Project teams are about three-quarters of the way through the project, with the total duration spanning about eleven months. George Trice, Project Superintendent at Perlo Construction, explains that the walls have already been tilted and the roof is about 70% completed. In this specific project, project teams are waiting to pour the truck loading docks until the last minute to allow time for a potential tenant to come in, as they are hoping to do some tenant improvements later on. The team is currently ahead of schedule, and they expect to finish the project a month ahead of schedule. George explains that although they are now expecting to finish the project a month early, this wasn't always the case. Times were tougher over the winter, but the crews were able to tackle a few critical items early, such as the truck aprons, that pushed the project schedule ahead. Nate Brown, one of Perlo's Project Mangers, states that he's learned quite a bit since being out on the site. As a visual learner, being on the site in person a few days a week to see what's going on has allowed him to learn exponentially about building in commercial construction. General Process of Concrete Tilt-ups The process for concrete tilt-ups is generally straight-forward. From stripping the site and concrete-treating the soil to digging footings for the slab, the end goal is the have the panels come off the ground when it is time to tilt. One unique factor of concrete tilt-ups is that you don't run the slab where the wall is going to be. As panels tilt up and sit on footings, there is about a 10-foot gap between the wall and the slab. Once the roof is tied in, project teams start backfilling and do a pour-strip around the building. This is critical, as both the rebar that is coming out of your panels and the roof system all have to tie into the slab perfectly. Site Challenges George and Nate explain that the biggest challenge on this site was the rain. Every pour that the team conducted was followed by rain, which meant that bond breaker couldn't be added to the slab. Bond breaker is what keeps the newly poured panel layers from sticking to the slab and is a necessity for panel tilts. The project team and field crews had to take a more innovative route to solve this problem by working over the weekend when the weather was nicer to get as much water off the panels as possible. Final Thoughts Like what you hear? Check out the full podcast to see a tour of this in-progress project!

In this highlight episode, host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by Perlo's expert team in education settings: Drew Carter, Senior Project Manager; Stephen Alger, Senior Project Manager; and John Tompkins, Project Superintendent. So, what makes construction in a K-12 space so different than a normal private construction project? The first part comes down to K-12 spaces being public projects, so teams must be more cognizant of being good stewards of public money by maximizing the construction budget. The second part is sticking to the outlined budget, so teams must know how to find the most cost-effective solutions for a project. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight episode, host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by Perlo's expert team in education settings: Drew Carter, Senior Project Manager; Stephen Alger, Senior Project Manager; and John Tompkins, Project Superintendent. One of the biggest adjustments on K-12 sites is keeping the students and our construction workers away from each other. There is a balancing act when trying to get kids off a site safely while being cognizant of who is communicating with them. Most of the time, teachers are eager to get back into their spaces, so it is critical that project teams communicate the current progress and whether or not it's safe for occupants to come back. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight episode, host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by Perlo's expert team in education settings: Drew Carter, Senior Project Manager; Stephen Alger, Senior Project Manager; and John Tompkins, Project Superintendent. In construction, the only constant is change. As a given project progresses, project teams have to be communicating with the users of the facility to let them know what the plan is. There is a constant effort to understand that we have a job to do while also recognizing that it doesn't give project teams full access to what we may want to do because, at the end of the day, the kids come first. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

“This is The Perlo Podcast. We talk construction – it's people, it's challenges, it's opportunities. We talk to industry and trade experts, movers and shakers, and people who get buildings built right. Join us. You won't regret it.” Welcome back to Episode 6 of The Perlo Podcast! Host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by Perlo's expert team in education settings: Drew Carter, Senior Project Manager; Stephen Alger, Senior Project Manager; and John Tompkins, Project Superintendent. In today's episode, we'll being going over K-12 projects and what makes them so unique. What Are Some of the Factors That Go Into Planning Summer Projects? Education projects often take place in the summer, when students are no longer in school. During the shortened summer construction season, we often see remodel projects that include anything from re-roofing upgrades and siding repairs to a “fluff and buff” on interior finishes. A lot of the time, these are projects that can't be done while the campus is occupied when students are in school. Drew notes that the biggest consideration when defining the scope and timeline to complete a project over the summer is, “Do we have enough time to actually do the work on the plans?” He remarks that although there is a lot that can get done in the summer months, it comes down getting on the campus early to look at the existing conditions and ensuring the construction documents are the same as what is actually on the ground. John agrees, and adds, “The sooner you get into the building and get things opened up, the sooner you can get the District involved to figure out next steps.” This concept is something that the team learned first-hand, as John reminisces on one example where project teams opened a wall on a school project and discovered significant siding and structural issues that equated to about $100,000 worth of extra work. Another option for project teams is to get into the building during a spring break or Christmas break period, which allows teams an early start to what they can tackle in terms of existing conditions, purchasing materials, getting a plan in place, and knowing who to contact. According to Stephen, the real key is what you can get done ahead of time, as “one week in advance is massive for a summer project when it is only 10 or 12 weeks long.” Construction Strategies when Spaces are Occupied Elissa kicks off this topic by asking the team what changes in our strategies when a project can't fit into a summer time frame and you must remodel a campus over the course of a school year. According to John, the biggest thing that changes is safety. “We know how to keep our workers safe, and we take it all seriously, but when it comes to having kids in your work area, it takes it to a whole other level,” he remarks. In one recent Perlo project, project teams put up barricades to cover demolition and used a material called ‘core ply'. Teachers ended up making murals on the material and, closer to the removal, Stephen came up with the idea of letting the kids in each class draw on it, as well. The goal for this innovative idea was to make the construction less intimidating for the students while still keeping them safe. “The safety part is really the toughest aspect on an occupied site when trying to make sure it accommodates the school and allows them to be operational. The communication with the school to explain what we're doing, how we're doing it, what we need from them, and what they need from us is critical and is a challenge because of how many stakeholders we have,” explains Stephen. With constantly changing expectations from the District, the general contractor, the school, the principal, and the facilities, there is always a constant struggle to find out who makes the final decisions.

In this short highlight reel, host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo, is joined by two Perlo team members, Adam Smelley, Project Manager, and Kyncade Hardy, Superintendent, on the site of True Terpenes, a tenant improvement currently underway in Hillsboro, Oregon. Adam and Kyncade explain the unique ‘pop-up' spill barrier used in the containment rooms to protect the facility from any spills and preserve the ease of entry and exit of any necessary equipment across the barrier. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this short episode, host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo, is joined by two Perlo team members, Adam Smelley, Project Manager, and Kyncade Hardy, Superintendent, on the site of True Terpenes, a tenant improvement currently underway in Hillsboro, Oregon. Kyncade and Adam walk us through the current progress of the site, showing the process piping and ‘roughed-in' state of the building. The project team also touch on the strategies used to protect the existing concrete from any potential chemical spills. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this short episode, host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo, is joined by two Perlo team members, Adam Smelley, Project Manager, and Kyncade Hardy, Superintendent, on the site of True Terpenes, a tenant improvement currently underway in Hillsboro, Oregon. Adam and Kyncade share their knowledge of the current processes for the buildings, as well as the innovative strategies they've taken in regard to the project's ceiling cloud, which had to be moved from it's original starting point to keep out of the way of the building's ductwork. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this short highlight episode, host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo, is joined by two Perlo team members, Adam Smelley, Project Manager, and Kyncade Hardy, Superintendent, on the site of True Terpenes, a tenant improvement currently underway in Hillsboro, Oregon. Adam walks listeners through the basic foundations of this project, including the addition of a mezzanine, a new process room with process piping throughout, and the incorporation of added space for storage of the mechanical units. The team highlights the challenges they've faced and overcome while building through the winter, adding more insulation, and finding innovative ways to store the mechanical systems. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this short clip from Episode 4, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by guests George Trice and Mark Helling, two of Perlo's superintendents. When asked what is necessary to know before following this career, Mark touches on advice he received in high school: “If you're going to be in construction, you need to be prepared to work with some rough people and develop a thick skin. It's a career, but the job is not the career - the trade is the career. Every day, you're working yourself out of a job by completing it.” Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

“This is The Perlo Podcast. We talk construction – it's people, it's challenges, it's opportunities. We talk to industry and trade experts, movers and shakers, and people who get buildings built right. Join us. You won't regret it.” Welcome back to the Perlo Podcast for Episode Five! Host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by Kyncade Hardy, Superintendent, and Adam Smelly, Project Manager, on the site of True Terpenes, one of Perlo's tenant improvements in Hillsboro, Oregon. General Overview of True Terpenes True Terpenes is a tenant improvement currently underway with Perlo consisting of interior improvements on a 20,000 SF existing tilt-up building. The building interior, which had originally consisted of existing office space, was demolished to clear out space for the following: • A second-level mezzanine • Additional office spaces • Conference rooms • Manufacturing space complete with clean rooms and a warehouse Kyncade Hardy, Perlo Superintendent on this project, notes that there are quite a few components to this tenant improvement, including a hazardous materials storage room with a concrete curb and steel barriers for chemical storage, as well as areas of the building with a Corrosion Resistant Coating (CRC) on the flooring to protect from the chemicals used for CBD production. In addition, this job required considerable HVAC and mechanical work for proper ventilation and air movement. Adam Smelley, Perlo's Project Manager on True Terpenes, remarks, “One of the unique things we've done is that we've maintained the general office area by adding a mezzanine area above that to amplify their office space.” In addition, the project team is also taking what was an existing warehouse from the previous tenant and modifying it for the current process rooms, complete with process piping and other production systems throughout. Because the roof lacked the space necessary to store the building's mechanical systems, concrete pads were added to the outside of the building as well as another second-level mezzanine. Kyncade states that this has been a great asset, as it has allowed them to avoid the risks and challenges that come along with opening roof structure in the winter. The project, which kicked off in mid-November of last year, is expected to be completed in April of 2022. Where True Terpenes is Today This space has remained unoccupied for the majority of the work, along with being in the unique position of being procured through a negotiated strategy. This gave project teams the time to go over four rounds of budgeting before taking on the unique existing conditions. Adam states, “The client has been great to work with, and they were open to following our path on which is the best route to remedy the conditions and make this the right product for them.” Kyncade describes the current conditions of True Terpenes as very close to completion. He describes that on one half of the interior, the office space area and mezzanine are in place, and the crews are currently finishing the drywall both upstairs and downstairs. On the other half, crews are finishing up the Fiberglass-Reinforced Polymer (FRP), a strong yet lightweight building material that resists corrosion, in the clean rooms. Electrical rough-in has been taking place in the clean rooms and manufacturing side, with ceilings ready to be installed in the area. It was crucial, especially with FRP, that project teams knew where certain facets of electrical work came into play. These factors, such as the location of outlets, are why project teams took multiple walks through the facility with the client to plan accordingly. The mezzanine structure also contains a 4-inch concrete slab, which was initially intended to be stained concrete. In the end, the client decided to go with marmoleum flooring, which saved time on the job and helped maintain cleanliness on the jobsite. Elissa notes how stained concrete is not

In this short clip from episode 4, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by guests George Trice and Mark Helling, two of Perlo's superintendents. George and Mark touch on the differences between crews 20 years ago versus today and how back then, crews were more seasoned by doing the same types of projects but didn't necessarily have the same technical skills that new Perlo workers have today. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight reel from Episode 4, host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo, is joined by two Perlo superintendents, George Trice and Mark Helling, to talk about their experiences in the field. They touch on the different management styles that were used over 20 years ago, including expecting crews to get the job completed no matter the circumstances. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight reel from Episode 4, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by guests George Trice and Mark Helling, two of Perlo's superintendents. When asked about the environment 20 years ago while working, Mark and George touch on the lack of safety standards that crews had during that time, as there wasn't as much worry about getting the job done safely, just on getting the job done. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight from our third episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by repeat guests Todd Duwe and Chris McLaughlin to discuss the challenges of hard bid and negotiated procurement strategies. One of the biggest challenges in a hard bid is the factor of price. If subcontractors and project teams attempt to adjust a hard bid for potential risks they see, they will not be the lowest bidder and will therefore not be awarded the project. This creates a potential for more risk and conflict between the owner, contractor, and architect. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

Welcome back to Episode 4 of The Perlo Podcast! Host Elissa Looney is joined by two Perlo superintendents, George Trice and Mark Helling, to talk about their experience in the field. We hear how these two superintendents started out in their careers, how things have changed over the years, and the many stories that George and Mark brought with them from their years of experience. Don't forget to listen all the way until the end. You won't want to miss the bloopers!  Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight reel, Perlo Construction's Chris McLaughlin, Vice President of Preconstruction, and Todd Duwe, Vice President of Business Development join host Elissa Looney to compare and contrast the benefits and challenges of hard bid and negotiated procurement strategies. The most significant differences when negotiating come down to potential savings and the ability to identify long-lead items and potential risks on a project. A hard bid, on the other hand, doesn't necessarily have a schedule that you are bound to, as the priority is based on the lowest price. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight reel from our third episode, Perlo Construction's Chris McLaughlin, Vice President of Preconstruction, and Todd Duwe, Vice President of Business Development join host Elissa Looney to discuss the benefits of negotiated and hard bid procurement strategies. In the case of hard bidding, the perceived benefit is that you're going to get the lowest price. For negotiated strategy, you can find out about long-lead items and, by bringing a contractor on board early, potential risks and project scopes can be identified and solutions can be planned in advance. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight reel from our third episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by repeat guests Todd Duwe and Chris McLaughlin to discuss two common terms when referencing how to procure a general contractor for a project. First, we have a hard bid strategy, which refers to when an owner has several contractors selected, and they are asked to give their best price on a project based on a set of documents. The second option is to do a negotiated strategy, where there is one specific contractor selected to come up with their price and complete their work. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight reel, the team explores their roles in construction. When comparing and contrasting different careers in construction, there is overlap in positions like estimating and project management. In estimating, there is more of a quick turnaround, whereas on the project management side, the process is often more drawn-out and can even take place over multiple years. Broc Van Vleet, Senior Estimator at Perlo Construction, states that you have to be able to understand both the estimating and project management aspects of construction to be successful. In the construction industry, you can only react well to a curveball if it was planned out well in the first place. It's not a matter of if a curveball is thrown, it's when. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

There is a common theme among careers in construction management: no day is ever the same. In this highlight reel, Chris McInroe, Project Director at Perlo Construction, notes that every day typically starts out with a “script”. There may be meetings to attend and items to accomplish, but inevitably, you'll get a curveball. It requires you to be flexible and have good communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. It is crucial that you have those skills to be on top of your game and get the critical items finished to get back on track. Broc Van Vleet, Senior Estimator at Perlo Construction, is on the preconstruction side of project management and deals heavily with subcontractors and their fielding questions, answering design intent, coordinating with design teams on bids, and more. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

Welcome back to Episode 3 of The Perlo Podcast! Podcast host Elissa Looney is joined by repeat guests Todd Duwe and Chris McLaughlin to compare and contrast two common terms in the construction industry when procuring a general contractor on a project: “hard bid” and “negotiated”. When a property owner decides they want to move forward with a project, they first must determine not only what factors are most important, but how they will choose a general contractor. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this short highlight, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, emphasizes that it's necessary to break up the workday with fun, camaraderie, and relationships. Guests Broc Van Vleet, Whitney Peterson, and Chris McInroe agree that not only does this make the workday worthwhile, but it leads to more productivity and gives you the opportunity to think of new solutions to problems. According to Chris McInroe, Project Director at Perlo Construction, the power of teamwork and help from others is what pushes you forward. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this highlight episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, prompts guests to share the importance of participating in an internship and creating relationships in the industry. If you are in a position to pick up an internship, it is an outstanding way for both you and the company in question to have a trial. By the end of your internship, you'll have a great idea of whether or not that career path is for you. According to Whitney Peterson, Project Manager, and Chris McInroe, Project Director, talking to people in the industry and defining those relationships will help you find your passion and align your career to it. To Chris, “it's not what you know, it's who you know”. Want to know more about Perlo? Visit our website at perlo.biz or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Subscribe now on your favorite listening platforms to keep up with the Podcast. And finally? Work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this excerpt from our first episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, inquires what the future looks like for the cost of construction materials. Chris McLaughlin, Vice President of Preconstruction Services, makes one particular comment that stands out – costs are not volatile, as they are only going up; it's a matter of how fast. According to Chris, some items have tripled in cost, while others have stayed relatively flat. At the end of 2021, we heard a lot of inflationary news that would eventually trickle into the construction industry. When asked what the present reality is of updating the price index and how often it has been changing, Chris emphasizes, “It's down to the day.” Listen in to find out more. Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Want to learn more about Perlo Construction? Visit us at perlo.biz, on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

In this highlight from our first episode, Chris McLaughlin, Vice President of Preconstruction Services at Perlo Construction, shares his perspective on how basic technology on the construction site has advanced over the last decade. The advancements in technology are an exciting prospect to the industry. Superintendents on the jobsite now have technology that allows them to conference in architects and engineers on the spot. Not only are these technologies expected to create more technology-based jobs, but the opportunities on the safety side and in decreasing our overall footprint are positive factors that those in the industry can look forward to. Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Want to learn more about Perlo Construction? Visit us at perlo.biz, on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

Welcome back to the second episode of The Perlo Podcast with host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction. In order to shine a light on careers in construction management, Elissa is joined by Whitney Peterson, Project Manager; Chris McInroe, Project Director; and Broc Van Vleet, Senior Estimator to find out just how gratifying these careers can be. Like all career paths, there is a fine balance between challenges and opportunities. However, a career in construction management is not a path that many young people are exposed to. Statistics from Indeed.com show that the US currently has over 5,600 openings in construction project management careers, making it the perfect time to pursue this option for employment. This episode covers the opportunities and challenges, as well as the skills necessary for a successful and fulfilling career in construction project management. Subscribe now so that you never miss an episode, and find out more about Perlo Construction by visiting our website at perlo.biz, or on our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. In college? Check out our profile on Handshake! And finally: work hard, build it right, and have fun!

In this excerpt from our first episode, Dennis Bonin, Safety Manager at Perlo Construction, shares his perspective on how the COVID-19 Pandemic and health concerns have affected safety over the past couple of years. Dennis notes that the most significant impact he has seen is in managing a balance between the different local, state, federal, and individual client regulations. While there have been many challenges to face, the efforts to increase jobsite and workplace safety is ongoing, and we expect to see these continue to improve long after COVID-19 is a factor. Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Want to learn more about Perlo Construction? Visit us at perlo.biz, on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

In this short highlight from our first episode, Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, is joined by a group of Perlo leadership. She asks Todd Duwe, Vice President of Business Development, what he has noticed regarding how market sectors have changed over the past couple of years. Todd remarks, “Two years ago, it felt like the world was going to drop out. Nobody knew what to expect.” He notes that the market quickly reacted, with some even accelerating. As a result, the industrial market took off, and, especially in the Northwest, we are seeing interest from national developers continue to grow. Listen in for more on this topic! Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Want to learn more about Perlo Construction? Visit us at perlo.biz, on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

Welcome to the first episode of The Perlo Podcast! This week, we're diving into what the construction industry looks like today after being hit by a worldwide pandemic. Podcast host Elissa Looney, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Perlo Construction, guides guests and listeners through changes ranging from cost of materials to sustainability and the diversity of the industry workforce. Join Elissa as she talks to some of Perlo's foremost leadership to find out what the future of the construction industry holds. Today's guests include: Todd Duwe, Vice President of Business Development Chris McLaughlin, Vice President of Preconstruction Dennis Bonin, Safety Manager About Perlo Construction: Perlo Construction is a Pacific Northwest commercial general contractor headquartered near Portland, Oregon. You can find out more about Perlo by visiting our website at perlo.biz. You'll also find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Subscribe now to keep up with future episodes of The Perlo Podcast! Don't forget to rate, review, and share with your colleagues.

The Perlo Podcast is coming! Ready to launch soon, the Perlo Podcast will talk all things construction: it's people, it's challenges, it's opportunities. Subscribe now so you don't miss a beat!