BUILD America
BUILD America presents the most innovative minds in construction and development across United States of America. From contractors and designers to engineers and real estate professionals, this podcast covers all aspects of the industry. Tune in to stay up-to-date on who’s moving dirt and building projects in the region.
Episodes
In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith sits down with Amelia Dicks, Director of Business Development at Wind River Built, to unpack the urgent issue of America’s housing shortage and why diversifying housing stock is a critical part of the solution. From the rise of single and two-person households to outdated zoning regulations, Amelia explores how offsite modular construction could pave the way for more financially vi...
In this episode of BUILD America, Kerry Smith Buck interviews Lutalo Webb, Vice President of Guarantee Electrical Company, who emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey, not just focusing on the finish line. They discuss how leaders can balance delivering safe, efficient, and high-quality work while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and people-first values. The conversation also highlights the power of data-driv...
In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith-Buck talks with safety experts Joe Shyrock and Drake Zappia about top construction hazards, including OSHA’s “Fatal Four” and the rising concern of mental health in the industry. They share real-world prevention strategies, the role of safety tech, and how their work with the Southern Illinois Builders Association helps promote a stronger, more supportive safety culture.
In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith sits down with Yvette Paris, president and majority owner of Lauer Facility Planning in Collinsville, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience in interior design and a background rooted in functionality and wellness, Yvette shares her inspiring journey—from a fresh design graduate to running a woman-owned business that blends design expertise with community impact.
In this episode, Kerry Smith sits down with Adam Stark, a Special Forces veteran and host of "The Veterans Who Build Show" - a podcast dedicated to sharing stories of veterans transitioning from military service to the construction industry. The conversation explores the natural synergies between military experience and construction careers, highlighting how the team-based environment, physical demands, and need for adaptability m...
In this compelling episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith interviews PJ Jenkins, President & CEO of MIG Construction, about resilience in both business and life. PJ shares the remarkable story of his fourth-generation construction company in Detroit, discussing their evolution from a multi-sector contractor to specialists in healthcare, gaming, and hospitality construction. PJ offers valuable insights on personal developmen...
In this episode, Kerry Smith-Buck interviews Patrick Mckeehan from O'Fallon, Missouri about effective city marketing. Mckeehan shares his city's successful strategy of early stakeholder engagement and discusses three core principles: certainty, simplicity, and speed. The conversation covers how manufacturing projects prioritize workforce availability, while retail development focuses on demographics and location. Drawing from Mckee...
In this episode of BUILD America, Kerry Smith Buck sits down with cybersecurity experts Wayne Shaw and Jered Bare to discuss crucial Department of Defense (DOD) cybersecurity requirements for contractors and subcontractors. The conversation covers essential topics including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Federal Contract Information (FCI), and the implementation of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
For ...
In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck welcomes Dr. Suhash Harwani, Senior Director of Science for Workforce Health Solutions at Quest Diagnostics. Together, they explore a revealing survey on drug testing tampering and rising positivity rates in sectors such as construction. Dr. Harwani shares insights from the extensive drug testing index, which includes over 8 million tests, highlighting alarming trends like a 6...
In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck explores the practical application of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the construction industry with Kiara Fortson, DEI Project Implementation Director at ArchKey Solutions. Kiara shares her journey into DEI, her challenges and strategies for fostering an inclusive environment, and the importance of community engagement and mentorship for small businesses. She outlin...
In this podcast episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith welcomes Byron Conley, a project engineer, and Taylor Moon, a senior VDC manager from Russell, to explore adaptive reuse projects. From transforming a century-old YMCA into a modern hotel and museum to discussing the role of VDC in preserving historical elements while integrating modern amenities, Conley and Moon shed light on the intersection of history and innovation in c...
In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith discusses the pervasive issue of tax fraud in the construction industry with guest Mark Dalton, Assistant Political Director for the Mid America Carpenters Regional Council. They explore how tax fraud and wage theft affect workers, communities, and the economy, highlighting red flags and enforcement efforts. With insights into the regional scope of the problem and calls to action f...
In this episode of BUILD America, hosted by Kerry Smith, attorney Quinn Murphy of Sandberg Phoenix explores the essential do's and don'ts of construction collection. Discussing the significance of having a structured system, understanding contractual and legal rights, and securing retainage through liens, Murphy provides valuable insights for contractors facing payment challenges. Kerry and Murphy delve into the complexities of con...
In this episode of BUILD America, Kerry Smith, owner of Construction News and Review (CNR) Magazine, explores the world of indoor agriculture with guests Ron Jones and Ron Mitchell from Claco. Ron Jones, the vice president of Claco's industrial group, discusses groundbreaking methodologies for delivering capital projects in the indoor grow and greenhouse space. Ron Mitchell, a master grower and expert in aeroponics and hydroponics,...
In this episode of Build America, host Kerry Smith delves into the dynamics of workforce retention, honing in on the "Big Stay" movement within the construction industry. Jennifer Nguyen and Dana Borchert from CMA Global join the conversation, shedding light on the aftermath of the Great Resignation and the shift towards a more people-centric approach to attract and retain talent. The discussion encompasses the diverse challenges f...
In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith interviews Tim Gunn, Vice President Construction at Alberici Constructors Inc., about the topic of prefabrication design and engineering. They discuss the challenges faced by the industry, such as supply chain issues and workforce availability, and how prefabrication can help address these challenges. Tim highlights the benefits of offsite construction, including better control on ...
In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith interviews Kurt Bangert, President and CEO of Bangert Incorporated, and Reid Bangert, COO and Integrator of the company. They discuss the role of Bangert Inc. and Sage Intacct Construction in making life easier for the construction industry by automating processes and providing innovative technology solutions. Kurt Bangert emphasizes the company's 40-year history and their belief...
In this episode of Build America, host Kerry Smith interviews Chris Martin, a marketing guru and president of Atlas Marketing. They discuss the art of storytelling in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry and how to effectively communicate the stories of AEC firms. Chris emphasizes the importance of simplifying complex processes and issues to make them understandable to a wider audience. He compares storyte...
In this episode of Build America, host Kerry Smith interviews Kyle Kammer, Director of Quality for Concrete Strategies. They discuss the impact of cement and concrete production on carbon dioxide emissions and the efforts being made in the concrete industry to reduce its carbon footprint. Kyle explains that while concrete is a major producer of CO2, it is also the most used building material in the world. He highlights the importan...
In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith discusses the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) with Alex Etchen, Senior Director for Infrastructure Management at the Associated General Contractors of America. The IIJA is a 1.2 trillion dollar investment in US transportation infrastructure over five years, with a focus on roads, bridges, mass transit, airports, and broadband deployment. The conversation covers the ch...
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