Touchplan Podcast Network

Host Noah Baker chats with Kurt Morneault, Senior Systems Manager for Bond Building and Construction. Kurt shares his expertise in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems and the role that MEP systems play in completing high-end construction projects in biotech, energy, and other industries.

Host Noah Baker chats with Selasie Buatsi, P.E., PMP, Sr. Project Manager for Bond Civil Utility and Construction. The two discuss Selasie's passion for and experience in construction that began working with her Dad in her home country of Ghana; and now managing some of the largest utility projects in New York City.

Noah Baker chats with Brian Giamo, the co-founder and CEO of Activate, a fully integrated operating system for construction equipment owners, dealers, and rental companies to use and maximize equipment uptime, performance, and productivity. The two had a fantastic conversation about how there are many unsung technology heroes in this ecosystem of the industry. They also covered topics like the struggles of tech adoption, the single source of truth, and the single pane of glass many are trying to achieve regarding data and insights into construction projects. Enjoy this conversation with a passionate construction tech CEO.

Host Noah Baker chats with Dr. Nakisa (Niki) Alborz, LEED AP BDC, PMP, Technology, Learning & Innovation Manager for Bond Civil Utility Construction. The two discuss Niki's experience as both a professor and a construction professional; as well as the benefits of collaboration, education, and all the way to Virtual Reality and its impact on the industry. Lots of great info in this episode so please tune in.

Noah sits down with Mark Bedard a project manager with Daniel O'Connell & Sons Construction. Mark is a phenomenal leader who believes in the importance of social awareness and people interaction. In addition to that he is a world-class Spartan racer and shares how is competition experience translates to leading complex construction projects and mentoring future leaders.

Host Kathryn Tinnesz (construction professional,NAWIC member and owner host & producer of Space to Build) sits down with fellow NAWIC member Katie Masterson, Human Resources Generalist at Talent Corps., a Texas-based staffing agency that focuses on building the construction workforce. The two discuss the ins and outs of the recruiting process, especially within the context of using LinkedIn. Some great takeaways in this episode so please tune in.

Host Noah Baker sits down with Sarah Tenpas of the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing & Community Development. The two discuss Sarah's background in the general contracting world and now the "owner" world and the similarities and differences between the two. This is an invaluable conversation for anyone working in construction and dealing with the relationships between contractors and owners and Sarah offers some fantastic insight into how to navigate those relationships.

Host Angela Highland sits down with NAWIC National President Lauline Mitchell, ESP. In addition to being the 2022-2023 NAWIC President, Lauline is the Director of PreConstruction atBBI Construction in Oakland, California. Lauline discusses her vision for women in construction, leadership and the power of NAWIC on women's lives and careers. This is a great conversation that you do not want to miss.

In honor of Construction Safety Week, we have a special episode of Upping Your Game. Guest host Melanie Gilbertson, Director of Production Support at Flintco, is joined by her colleagues Steve Jordan and Shayne Harris for a conversation about safety and its importance at Flintco and throughout the industry—the three touch upon various safety topics and why safety has to be personal and relevant industry-wide. Shayne and Steve are recognized as safety innovators and also participated in a video called The Shortcut that shares Shayne and his family's story of survival after a jobsite incident during his electrician days. This meaningful discussion will have you look at safety in a whole new light.

We have a special episode for you today hosted by former Touchplanner Dave Frankel, who is currently with Trimble, managing partnerships and alliances for their SketchUp team. This episode was recorded in late 2022, and Dave was joined by Kevin Gausch, Customer Engagement Executive from Safety Culture. The two dive into the topic of certainty in construction and some of the areas in which that can be achieved.

Guest host Elena Miller (Planning & Control Manager at Daniel O'Connell & Sons) welcomes a panel of amazingly smart and talented women who are actively furthering lean knowledge in their companies and throughout the industry. Elena is joined by Kate Simons from Daniel O'Connell & Sons, Rhonia Moreau from Haley & Aldrich, & and Laurie Da Forno from Smith Group. This group all met through Lean Construction events and have a great discussion on how Lean has impacted their professional growth.

Noah sits down with Dr. Tony-Kenneson-Adams and Dan Shakespeare out of the UK, both working at Project seven consultants, and a really amazing conversation around leadership. Leadership is an important topic these days. We are seeing a seismic change in how people lead in the construction industry, how they support their team members, how they support their colleagues, their subcontractors, and the huge benefits a company can get out of that type of leadership. This is a fantastic conversation with some super intelligent people, who are so passionate about what they do, and that passion comes through in the conversation.

Melanie Gilbertson, Director of Production Support at Flintco, takes the mic as guest host for this episode. She is joined by her colleague Heather Ormonde and Elena Miller from Daniel O'Connell & Sons, and the three discuss this year's LCI Congress and reflect on past Congress events.

Noah Baker sits down with Patrick Andrews, a Senior Vice President in the Hospitality Group of Haynes Group Construction. The two discuss Patrick's and Haynes' experience building breweries for some of New England's most popular beer makers including Trillium and Mighty Squirrel. They also discuss Patrick's thought process to connect with his clients and build amazing projects.

Noah sits down with Tomer Elran Co-Founder & CEO of LIGHTXY, a new construction technology firm that is bridging the gap between designed plans and construction on the jobsite. The two discuss a variety of topics, including the adoption of technology and the responsibility tech companies have in changing the marketplace; but also what companies like LIGHTYX & Touchplan are doing to make workers' days more efficient on the jobsite so they can finish work and enjoy the more important things in life. You will really enjoy this conversation; give it a listen

Guest Host Emma Yarbrough from World Wide Professional Solutions sits down with Jason Beach from Global Foundries and Kyle Price from World Wide Professional Solutions. The group discusses the implementation and growth of The Last Planner System® at Global Foundries (one of the world's largest manufacturers of semiconductors) and how that process has evolved during the changing market conditions of the last few years.

Noah Baker sits down with Joe Stahlman, Vice President & Project Manager with MOCA Systems. The two discuss Joe's experience with historic rehab and restoration projects. Joe is very passionate about his work, and it comes out in the way he runs construction projects. This is a fantastic conversation, and we invite you to take a listen.

Angela welcomes Mitch Hill to the podcast. Mitch is a certified leadership coach, author, and motivational speaker. A construction industry veteran, Mitch delivers coaching and training that help her clients engage their diverse clients and teams to achieve optimum productivity and success.

Noah welcomes Project Executive from Apollo Mechanical Contractors, Eldon Parry, to the podcast. The two discuss his values and insights on data and analytics along with the culture of safety and family at Apollo. They also discuss all things Pacific Northwest and how that contributes to a solid work/life balance.

Noah welcomes Marc Roberts to the podcast. Marc is the Chief Operations Officer for BBI Services, a leading-edge consultancy based in the United Kingdom specializing in the development and delivery of improved organizational and project performance. The two discuss Marc's impressive background in manufacturing and how that evolved into construction; and the commonalities between the two. Give this insightful chat a listen.

Host Angela Highland speaks with Organizational & Business Development Manager Kizzy Ferrer from Mills & Nebraska. The two discuss how to get more from your career and clearly define the best path forward to find purpose in your jobs. Kizzy is a well-known facilitator and speaker and an inspiration to many. She has a wealth of insight that you will want to hear.

Angela welcomes back business coach, consultant, and founder of Thrive HQ, Coralee Beatty. The two discuss the topic of equity and how women in construction can find it and embrace it to power up their careers.

Noah speaks with Kate Fahey, the youngest crane operator in Ireland (working for BKRN, Ltd.), and the youngest female crane operator in the world. The two discuss her journey to her current position, her background in farming, and her goals for the future. Kate is an inspiration to young women all over the world pursuing careers in construction. This is a fantastic conversation and we hope you enjoy it.

Noah chats with Jamie MacDonald, Construction Project Manager, Major Capital Projects at Boston College. A Boston College grad herself and a mom of three, Jamie discusses overcoming challenges early in her career to become a leader in the construction industry. She explores working on both the General Contractor and client-side of the industry. She also tells us about some of the fantastic projects she has worked on at Boston College which includes several projects for their Division One athletics programs. Her story is inspirational! Please give it a listen.

Angela chats with Tammy Crooks Senior Project Manager at Byrne Construction Services and current President of the NAWIC Education Foundation (NEF). The two discuss the importance of getting a solid construction education and how that can be achieved via many programs offered by NAWIC and having the right support network.

Angela chats with Kim Walker, Executive Recruiter and Co-Owner of Global Recruiters of Bradenton. Kim provides insights on how she had to adjust her recruiting during Covid, the current state of the job market, and advice for construction professionals currently searching in a very active job market.

Noah chats with Dan Fauchier. Dan is a lean construction coach/expert with more than 40 years experience. The two discuss the best ways that waste can be removed from the construction process via lean construction and design.

As part of Women In Construction Week, we have a fantastic episode to share with you. Angela Highland sits down with Miranda Martz. Miranda is a tradeswoman and CNC Machinist who has honed her skills and earned credibility in her craft while also inspiring others by helping with apprenticeship programs. Please give this a listen.

Host Angela Highland sits down with Laura Jones, Project Manager with WW Gay Mechanical Contractors. Laura discusses her experience and how she blazed her path to become a project manager, and how she leads her teams on the job site. Her story is one of determination, resilience, and adapting in tough times.

Touchplanner Matt DeKoeyer filled in as a guest host for this episode with Brian Vizarreta from Recap Robotics and Structionsite. The two had a great conversation on all things tech & innovation and the role that it plays in the construction industry.

Host George Hunt chats with Gary Fischer of the Project Production Institute, who provides his perspective on all of the benefits behind PPM, how it compares to traditional project management and what PPM does differently. Some excellent food for thought in this episode. Please give it a listen.

Angela sits down with Business Coach, Consultant, and owner of Thrive HQ; Coralee Beatty. Coralee is an experienced business owner in the trades who has also been advising women leaders in construction. The two discuss the best approach to starting and managing a business in construction and the trades.

Host Angela Highland chats with Stacey Dillion, Vice President of Estimating and Purchasing at Bond Mechanical in New York City. Stacey takes us through her journey as a student in Northern Ireland to become a rising woman leader in the construction industry while working at Bond.

George sits down with Clarke Ching (aka The Bottleneck Guy). Clarke is an author of several books and an expert in agile and the theory of constraints, and George has invited him to discuss Clarke's book, The Bottleneck Rules. The two discuss the basics behind the theory of constraints, the focus formula; and how to tie it all back to everyday construction work. This discussion provides some great insights that can take your construction project to the next level. Please enjoy!

Host Angela Highland chats with Apryl Armstrong, the founder of Skill4, a non-profit that works with young girls, many of who are about to age out of foster care. Apryl's organization helps these girls identify their talents that can be applied within a construction company. They are educated in the trades but also introduced to other positions in construction such as marketing, finance, and HR. Skill4 also teaches valuable skills that can be applied to independent life.

Host Noah Baker speaks with Mitch Ersek, Director of Sales & Business Development at TopDeck, Touchplan's newest technology partner. The two discuss Mitch's background working in the construction industry and how he made the transition to technology. Mitch also shares his perspective on the importance of technology in the construction industry.

Host George Hunt sits down with Adam Hoots of Construction ACHE Solutions to catch up on his work helping to organize more learning events and continuing to build interest in working in the trades amongst the next generation of workers. He also leaves us with some simple but great advice that can be summed up in two words; Just Learn.

In this episode, host Angela Highland chats with Debbie Rodriguez, Owner of Competitive Edge Partners, Co-Owner of Quality Labor Management, and Founder and President of iBuild USA. Debbie is a powerhouse in the construction industry who is not only providing opportunities for women but also educating young people about construction careers and also providing chances for those who are not always given one.

Noah chats with Martha McGowan, Sr. Project Manager for BAM Construction. Martha has spent the last 2-3 years working on construction projects in Antarctica for a Bass Research Facility that is studying climate change. The two discuss everything from the logistics involved working in the world's most extreme environments to keeping an eye out for Orca's while divers are working on the construction of a new pier. You don't want to miss this chat!

Angela Highland sits down with Stacy Sherman, an award-winning customer experience keynote speaker, podcaster, author, and founder of Doing CX Right. The two discuss how customer experience can differentiate brands.

George continues his recap of the 2021 LCI Congress Conference and chats with Jason Schroeder from Elevate Construction, Kate Simons from Shawmut Design and Construction, Cade Keyes from Columbia Construction, and Darcy DeGeorge from Stantec. All discuss their experiences at LCI and advice for first-timers except those who are first-timers.

Angela Highland sits down with new NAWIC President Doreen Bartoldus to discuss her experience as a woman in construction and her plans for NAWIC over the next year.

In honor of Veteran's Day, we have a special episode of Voices of Construction. Noah chats with Touchplanner Andrew Piland (a Captain in the US Marines reserves) and Aaron Matkin (a former US Army Green Beret) and current Lean Consultant for Relevate. The two discuss their careers in the military and the comparison to working in construction.

This is the first of two episodes that were recorded at this year's Congress Conference hosted by the Lean Construction Institute. (LCI)George sits down with attendees Felipe Engineer-Manriquez, Adam Hoots and Brian Winningham to discuss key takeaways from this year's conference and advice for first time attendees.

In this episode of Voices of Construction, Noah Baker speaks with Nick Dimitruk founder and CEO of BitRip. Nick and his company have created the next evolution of the QR Code connecting the digital and physical worlds of construction. Nick is extremely passionate about his company and how they are impacting the industry, and he is a former Marine Corps Harrier pilot, so he also has some fantastic stories to tell. You absolutely want to tune in.

This episode is all about resilience. Angela chats with Terri Michalak and Andrea Ward about managing their careers while overcoming severe illness and injury. They also talk about the support they received and provide advice to those facing their own challenges.

Upping Your Game addresses a range of topics surrounding one of the foundational elements of Lean: capability development. From operations methods to new technologies, Upping Your Game takes a look across the AEC industry and beyond to bring you how others are improving the way they work as well as helping develop themselves and others around them.

Noah chats with Chase Rezentes from The Demo Company. Noah and Chase discuss the fantastic culture at The Demo Company that motivates their employees to be the best they can be while also reinforcing the importance of the work they do and the safety of those around them.

In recognition of Construction Inclusion Week, we have a special episode. Angela Highland sat down with the leaders of a panel on Diversity Equity and Inclusion presented at NAWIC's annual conference; to learn about their personal stories & journeys to becoming leaders in promoting equity for all.

With LCI Congress happening next week (10/19 - 10/21) we have a special episode of Voices of Construction. While Noah Baker was on vacation, Touchplan's Head of Pre-Sales and resident Lean expert George Hunt took control of the mic and was joined by fellow Lean experts Colin Milberg and Connor Butler for a discussion on construction technology and the impact it has on Lean construction practices

In this episode of Build. Lead. Succeed., host Angela Highland sits down with Jennifer Ponce de Leon, Sr. Business Development Manager with JEM Construction Services Group, as she discusses her path through the construction industry.