🎖️ From Combat Medic to Ground Zero to Building the Future

🎙️ The Veterans Who Build Show: Episode 49

📅 Releases March 2

He served 9 years as a U.S. Army Combat Medic.

On September 11th, he ran toward the towers — not away.

Now he’s one of the leading voices in industrialized construction, helping reshape how we build in America.

🎖️ Guest: Dave Cooper 🎥

U.S. Army Combat Medic

September 11th Survivor & Rescue Worker

Host & Founder, Dave Cooper LIVE: An Editorial Series on Construction Innovation

🎙️ Hosted by Adam Stark

➡︎ The VWB show is sponsored by: https://jet.build/

Mentions in This Video

Dave's Info:

➡︎ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davecooperlive/

➡︎ Business: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveCooperLive

➡︎ 9/11 Story: https://hereisnewyorkv911.org/david-r-cooper-ii/

➡︎ Books:

- The One Thing, by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

Subscribe To Our Podcast Here

➡︎ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKONY1n1qysTx2RiBiwj28QzLc8gI2oui

➡︎ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZizGddgHgKA4oimoLkNRc?si=cd7c0afd6b064292

➡︎ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3Vt3rCE

➡︎ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vwbshow/

➡︎ X: https://twitter.com/TheVWBShow

➡︎ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamstark512/

➡︎ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veterans-who-build

➡︎ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veteranswhobuild/

The Veterans Who Build Show

➡︎ At VWB, we are on a mission to provide a platform for Veterans to share their story, empower others for success, transition from Military to civilian to profession, chat translatable skills, professional and personal wins, and all things Built Environment

The VWB Show Sponsors

➡︎ The VWB show is sponsored by @jetbuild

➡︎ Find more information on Jet.Build, here: www.jet.build

➡︎ Jet.Build is THE central command for RE development and construction project management software. Solutions range from project finance to stakeholder collaboration, construction operations, and data reporting with AI. Jet.Build is the better way to build

Timecodes

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:18 Cultural Gaps Between Veterans and Civilians

06:19 Dave's Military Journey Begins

09:44 Combat Medic Training and Experiences

12:28 Deployment Experiences and Challenges

15:24 Life After Military Service

18:18 Reflections on Military Life and Lessons Learned

21:27 Top Combat Medic Competition

24:37 Final Thoughts and Advice

35:52 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

41:02 Navigating Career Choices and Opportunities

45:02 The Impact of September 11th

57:44 Building a New Path in Construction

01:10:47 The Search and Rescue Experience

01:11:56 Transitioning to Home Building

01:13:25 Lessons from Early Projects

01:15:25 Navigating the 2008 Financial Crisis

01:19:00 Building a Successful Business

01:22:10 The Importance of Systems and Processes

01:24:41 The Rise of Mass Timber

01:28:51 Translating Military Skills to Construction

01:29:58 The Birth of a Podcast

01:35:42 Life on the Road During COVID

01:37:50 Returning to Pittsburgh and Family Life

01:41:42 Jet.Build Sponsor

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