Under Construction: Stories of the Journey to Success

After receiving a life altering diagnosis, Ramona and I sat down to record a podcast episode centered around what her journey now looks like, and how we can all learn to navigate these kinds of hard times in our lives. This episode is raw, encouraging, dark, light, real, and unedited to feature Ramona and her thoughts and challenges to us all. May it reach you where you are and help you move forward.

What is the difference between daily work, operational effectiveness and strategic thinking? Who should do which kind of work? When are they appropriate? Answers to these and other questions in this episode for EVERYONE to accelerate their career growth. Enjoy!

Change - especially organizational changes surface many challenging emotions in people. In this episode April and I discuss ways to look at change from different perspectives, discover if trust & alignment exist, when to change organizations, and how to communicate change as both a leader and team member. Enjoy!

Our discussion today focuses on the topic of unhealthy comparison and taking ownership of our lives. Join us as we share our different viewpoints, and tips for understanding when it's healthy to have

This episode features Kevin Fox, the Director of Quality for our Keeley Construction Group's Heavy Industries team. Kevin shares his journey from welder to manager, to director, and practical tips on getting team members up to speed in their roles. Enjoy!

This episode shares Seth's journey of discovery of what role he wanted as he entered the workforce, the progression into leadership and the challenge for us all to go from apathy to empathy as we perform our jobs. Enjoy!

This episode features Lindsay's journey of discovering what her ideal career would be, how she made those decisions, and how we can follow her example. Enjoy!

Today's episode features Mark Wojtal talking about his passion for helping to support those impacted by cancer, how to participate in events to raise funding for research, and how to build community in the process. Mark's featured charity is Pedal The Cause - you can learn more and join us at https://pedalthecause.org Enjoy this episode and make a difference in the world!

Mike and I talk about his career journey from craftsperson, to manager, to leader, to business executive. You'll hear some great tips along the way that you can apply to your career journey. Enjoy!

Networking is a term that creates strong reactions, both positive and negative. Today April & John unpack how to effectively understand, participate, and leverage networking in an effective and relationship building manner to connect with people better. Enjoy!

On this episode, Rikk and I discuss his career path from roughneck, armed services, and then transitioning into safety. We discuss how action can drive passion, and starting is the most important part. Enjoy!

Today April & John discuss how you define a culture, craft what it means, and how it affects the people included within. Enjoy!

John and April share some tips for dealing with gossip & drama in the workplace. We discuss both how to keep yourself in check, and how to provide feedback in a way that helps others to identify patterns and change for the positive. Enjoy!

Today's episode features Stacey Kamps, CFO for Keeley Capital. Stacey shares her career journey as it spans both public and family owned, very small and large organizations, and how she found her passions throughout her time in each. We also talk the importance of culture and how a growing organization keeps culture front and center. Enjoy!

This episode features John & April discussing how to leverage values based leadership to ensure that you drive alignment in your teams. We discuss curiosity, hard conversations, and how a strong mission statement can bring everyone together. Enjoy!

As we start season 5 of the podcast, we are adding a cohost in April Lopinot, and including topical discussion interspersed with our interview format. Today our topic is focused on navigating from individual contributor to operational leader and then strategic leader in a growing company and the changes that you can expect, and how to leverage curiosity to accelerate your career. Enjoy!

Many of us are looking at how we can change as the year changes into 2024. I share some tips and tricks for how to effectively plan and execute change. Enjoy!

This episode features Rich Roberts, business development lead for Keeley Restoration Services. Rich has just completed a 36 year career with Keeley Construction and we discuss both his tenure, what he sees as key leadership traits, and how to succeed as a leader in a massively growing business. Enjoy!

Today's episode features Alison Long, Paving Production Manager for the Central Region Paving team at Keeley Construction Group. Alison shares her story about the challenges she faced in college trying to decide what her career will be, and the explosive growth she has now that she found her passion. Enjoy!

Today's episode features Tom Rojas, Director of IT for the Keeley Companies. Tom shares his career growth journey from getting into IT, working for global companies, and why he has found his career at Keeley Companies. Enjoy!

Today's episode features Callaghan Adams, Product Owner for the Keeley Companies UX team. She shares her journey from marketing to IT and how they are connected. Enjoy!

This episode features John Dottenwhy, Project Director of the Civil Energy Group of Keeley Construction Group. John's career has been based on being a traveling expert in the field and he shares his thoughts on career growth, how a new person can successfully integrate in the construction world, and things he'd tell his kids and grandkids about how to be a success in the world. Enjoy!

Part 3 of 3 of our Back to School episodes features Canon Adams, an intern in our safety department for Keeley Construction. Canon shares his thoughts on how to choose a career that will make a difference. Enjoy!

Session 2 of our 3 part back to school episode series features Mary Jane Tierney, intern with the KCG Building Financial Facilities Design group. We discuss her process of discovery of how to pick a career and the ability to change your mind as you go along. Enjoy!

Excited to share the first of 3 “back to school” episodes featuring some of the interns at Keeley Companies during the summer of 2023. Today's kickoff episode features Bryenna Walker, one of the Keeley Companies People Operations Interns. Bryenna shares her insights on what makes a successful internship, how to find a mentor, and what to look for in a company after graduation. Enjoy!

I'm excited to share this 100th episode of the Under Construction Podcast with Nikki MacDonald - Controller for Keeley Construction Group and very recently, contributing author the to the # 1 best selling business management book - “Intention - Deconstructing G.R.I.T. Collection: 40 women share inspiring stories of how they listen to their own internal compass, focus on positive habits, and lead life with purpose”. You can pick up a copy of the book at https://linktr.ee/nikkimacdonald . Enjoy this poignant and powerful episode as Nikki shares, with Intention, about her career and personal journey!

This episode features Jeremy Heard, Director of Operations for Best Box. Our conversations covers his incredible career journey across multiple disciplines, the importance of face to face meetings in build relationships, and an overall approach to opportunities. Enjoy!

This episode features Drew Forney, Project Engineer for Keeley Construction Group's Civil Infrastructure team. Drew has followed in the footsteps of his father at KCG, and shares his insights about the journey into construction as a career. Enjoy!

Today's episode features Matt Bureau, a project director for the Keeley Construction Group, Heavy Industries team. Matt shares his thoughts on what makes a successful estimator, how to deal with competing priorities and how we can balance our health to drive results. Enjoy.

This episode features Grace Kmetz, Onboarding Specialist for Keeley Companies People Operations Group. Grace shares her journey from both discovering her passion for business, the career growth journey she has had with KCo's, and thoughts on how to effectively mentor and find mentors. Enjoy!

Today's episode features Cameron Grimmer - Project Manager for Keeley Construction Group Texas Civil. Enjoy!

Today's episode features Eric Gower, Chief Surveyor for Keeley Construction Group. Eric shares his story of career growth from field to office to leadership. Enjoy!

Today's guest is Jason Kuhl, Sr. PM with KCG Industrial Manufacturing. Jason and I talk about his long tenure at the Keeley Companies, his interest in construction being formed as a young boy, and the growth potential he sees for those in the construction industry. ENJOY!

Today's episode features Austin Maraman, Project Engineer for the Keeley Construction Group Civil Infrastructure group. We discuss his experiences in the early stages of his career, the difference between perfection and progression, and how he approaches time management. Enjoy!

Today's episode is a special edition conversation that I had with the founder and chairman of Keeley Construction Group, Larry Keeley. Larry and I share the same birthday and as he turns 85, we spent time talking about the origins of the company, what he's learned in his career, how he developed the culture of safety, family and results throughout the years, and the legacy he hopes to leave. Enjoy!!!

Today's episode features Roque Leal jr, project manager for our Texas Paving division of the Keeley Construction Group. Roque shares his experience as a third generation construction member and the lessons he's learned from both his father and grandfather, that apply as much then, as they do now in growing a successful business. Enjoy!

Today I interview one of our development analysts with BestBox storage, a part of our Keeley Properties team. Angela shares her journey of discovering when it was time to switch not only her career, but how she identified with her future self. Enjoy!

Today my guest is Greg Goette, Director of Operations for Keeley Construction Group's, Building Group. Greg shares his career from both the owner and contractor perspectives, as well as many years of project experience in dealing with challenging design and deliverable dates. Enjoy!

Today's episode features Matt Evrard, General Superintendent for KCG Civil Infrastructure Group. Matt discusses the importance of questions during the course of your daily work, and how to run towards problems to grow your career. Enjoy!

This episode features one of Keeley Construction Group's new Vice Presidents, Brian Peter. Brian leads the Building Group and shares with us his career journey and lessons learned along the way. Enjoy!

Today's episode features John Regan, VP of Learning & Development for the Keeley Companies sharing his 20+ years of coaching and leadership development experience on how to craft a personal strategic plan to achieve results on purpose in 2023 for YOU! Grab a pen and paper (or digital equivalent), and be ready to take notes on how this proven process can work for you. Enjoy!

This episode features Dr. Scott Chadwick, Leader of MaryvilleWorks program at Maryville University. Our conversation ranges widely on the topics of leadership, learning, creating environments for growth, and dealing with challenging environments while maintaining both the people and business goals in mind. Enjoy!

Joining me today is Garry Berra, the KCG National Operations Director for Paving. Garry's career journey spans widely diverse industries and ties into his passion for helping people to achieve their goals. Enjoy!

Today's episode features Mike Flom, the director of operations for Keeley Construction Group's Texas Paving Division. Mike has a long history in the asphalt industry from the production of asphalt, highway/roads, and now lot paving for customers throughout Texas. Join us as Mike shares how to balance the production and people side of the business to drive success! Enjoy.

This episode features Kristen Clark, Executive Admin at Keeley Construction Group, serving the executive leadership team. Kristen discusses her non-traditional journey and thoughts about failure. Enjoy!

Today's episode features Beau Reinberg, one of two Principal Partners at Best Box storage, a partnership with Keeley Properties. Beau shares how his upbringing in both the country and city gave him deeper insight into people, how hard work, perseverance, and faith have sustained him in a journey with many ups and downs, and the importance of partnering others to have a successful life. Enjoy!

Today's guest is Steve Long, Director of Innovation and Learning at Dome Construction. Steve shares his career story of moving from operations into a support functional role experiencing the challenges and rewards along the way. Enjoy!

Today I'm talking to Rich Roberts with Keeley Construction Group. Rich has been with the company for over 30 years in roles from business development, operations, management, and group leadership, and has come full circle back to business development. Rich's tenure and perspective with KCG, and the paving industry in general, is insightful and full of lessons that we can all learn. Enjoy!

My guest on this episode is Krista Frenzel, HR Generalist at Keeley Construction Group. We discuss her career aspirations and journey and how the two have evolved over time. Krista has some great advice for folks about how to intentionally grow your career, and make self-reflection a part of your growth plan. Enjoy!

Today I'm talking with Chris Edrington, part of the Keeley Companies Cybersecurity Team. Chris shares his career journey including: ministry, electrical work, alarm install and IT. We also talk about how he prioritizes his work in a field that never rests. Enjoy!

This episode features Josh Ridler, Direct of PreConstruction for the Keeley Construction Group Heavy Industries and Industrial Manufacturing groups. Josh shares his story in a very relatable and transparent manner. Be ready to take notes, this episode is packed with details that can help us all as we continue on our journey. Enjoy!