Beyond the Build - Kelvin Enfinger

Pensacola is growing, but what does it take to manage that growth while protecting what makes the community special?

In this episode of Beyond the Build, Kelvin Enfinger sits down with Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves for a conversation about the city’s transformation, the challenges that come with growth, and the decisions shaping Pensacola’s future.

They discuss Mayor Reeves’ transition from entrepreneur and business owner to public service, economic development, housing, infrastructure, workforce challenges, managing growth, and what Pensacola could look like over the next decade.

It’s a conversation about leadership, opportunity, and the responsibility that comes with building a stronger community for the next generation.

Beyond the Build is produced in partnership with Associated Builders and Contractors North Florida and Florida Construction News.

In this episode, Kelvin Enfinger speaks with Dr. Nick Jackson, CEO of BRACE, about the recovery efforts in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties following Hurricane Isaias. They discuss the immediate needs of the community, the role of BRACE in coordinating disaster response, and how individuals can find help during this challenging time.

Takeaways

• Community needs post-hurricane
• Where residents can find help
• Importance of coordinated disaster response

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Hurricane Recovery
• 01:55 Understanding BRACE's Role
• 04:07 Current Situation and Immediate Needs
• 07:30 Points of Distribution for Supplies
• 10:25 How to Help and Donate
• 11:50 Crisis Cleanup Hotline Explained
• 15:54 Multi-Agency Resource Centers
• 18:03 Next Steps for Residents
• 21:47 Long-Term Recovery Plans
• 22:56 Community Involvement and Support

Commissioner Colten Wright shares his personal journey and discusses the challenges and opportunities facing Santa Rosa County. He also highlights major accomplishments and the importance of compromise in public service. The conversation covers a range of topics including economic development, job growth, education, and the impact of large projects on the community. It emphasizes the importance of balancing economic growth with community well-being and providing opportunities for the next generation. The conversation covers the importance of vocational education and career technical training, the role of the county in infrastructure planning, and the challenges and costs associated with road projects. It also addresses the need for funding and the impact of budget constraints on infrastructure development. The conversation delves into the financial challenges faced by Santa Rosa County, the impact of local option sales tax, and the importance of responsible governance. Commissioners discuss the need for revenue, the role of local option sales tax, and the impact on public services. They also address the upcoming election and the importance of truth in political discourse. The conversation delves into the challenges and realities of political office, the impact of public perception, and the importance of experience and leadership. It also explores the complexities of campaign promises and the need for a healthy dose of reality in governance.

Takeaways

• Community Leadership
• Balancing Progress
• Strategic Planning Economic development and job growth are crucial for the community's prosperity.
• Education and vocational training play a significant role in preparing individuals for high-wage jobs and skilled trades.
• Balancing economic growth with community well-being is essential for sustainable development. Vocational education and career technical training are essential for providing opportunities to young people.
• Infrastructure planning and road projects involve complex challenges and significant costs. Financial challenges in Santa Rosa County
• Role and impact of local option sales tax Leadership and governance require a balance of experience, integrity, and the ability to work with others.
• Campaign promises often face the harsh reality of governance, where state laws, funding constraints, and the need for compromise come into play.

Chapters

• 00:00 Personal Journey and Background
• 03:02 Challenges and Opportunities in Santa Rosa County
• 09:08 Major Accomplishments and Strategic Planning
• 20:06 Economic Development and Community Impact
• 37:21 The Role of Skilled Trades and Vocational Education
• 39:21 Vocational Education and Career Training
• 42:12 County's Role in Infrastructure Planning
• 53:18 Challenges and Costs of Road Projects
• 59:00 Financial Challenges in Santa Rosa County
• 59:58 The Role of Local Option Sales Tax
• 01:00:55 The Impact on Public Services
• 01:06:01 The Importance of Truth in Political Discourse
• 01:16:58 The Realities of Political Office
• 01:18:25 Challenges and Perceptions
• 01:19:44 Campaign Promises vs. Governance Reality
• 01:20:34 Experience, Leadership, and Decision-Making
• 01:22:04 The Role of Education and Qualifications
• 01:23:32 Breaking the Mold and Perseverance
• 01:25:03 The Importance of Experience and Reality in Governance
• 01:26:29 Leadership, Problem-Solving, and Public Perception
• 01:27:26 The Journey of Governance and the Future
• 01:35:21 Reflections and Gratitude

In this episode of Beyond the Build, host Kelvin Enfinger sits down with Quint Studer for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, resilience, and community building in Northwest Florida.

Quint shares the personal journey that brought him to Pensacola, the adversity he has overcome throughout his life, and the leadership lessons that have shaped his approach to building successful organizations. Together, they discuss how great leaders create cultures built on trust, accountability, and investing in people.

The conversation also explores one of today's most important challenges, workforce development. Quint explains why skilled trades are among the most honorable professions, how they transform lives, and why creating more pathways into the construction industry and other trades is essential for America's future.

Shifting from leadership to community development, Quint offers his perspective on what makes a city thrive. From supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs to creating vibrant downtowns and investing in education, he shares practical insights on how communities can build long-term economic success. He also discusses the role of Civicon in helping organizations and communities become more sustainable and effective.

The episode concludes with thoughtful reflections on worry, perspective, and living with intention, offering practical wisdom for leaders, professionals, and anyone striving to make a meaningful impact.

Key Takeaways

• Resilience is built by facing adversity, asking for help, and continuing to move forward.
• Great leadership begins with investing in people and creating cultures of trust and accountability.
• Skilled trades offer meaningful, high-impact careers that strengthen individuals, businesses, and entire communities.
• Thriving communities are built by supporting local businesses, developing strong downtowns, and investing in education and future generations.
• The greatest impact often comes from focusing on what you can control instead of worrying about what you cannot.

Chapters

• 00:00 – The Journey to Pensacola
• 07:09 – Overcoming Adversity
• 13:19 – Leadership and Organizational Culture
• 23:21 – Workforce Development and Skilled Trades
• 30:15 – The Noble Profession of Trades
• 36:10 – Building a Thriving Community

Congressman Jimmy Patronis discusses Northwest Florida, addressing workforce shortages, infrastructure investment, permitting reform, skilled trades, and economic development. He emphasizes the importance of federal support for transportation and infrastructure initiatives, the value of construction in Florida's economy, affordability of home ownership, workforce shortages, and the impact of COVID-19 on the construction industry. Additionally, he highlights the role of small businesses in job creation, the impact of federal regulations on small businesses, and the economic growth in Northwest Florida driven by leadership and investments.

Takeaways

• Economic Growth
• Infrastructure Investment
• Home Ownership
• Construction's Impact in FL

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background of Congressman Jimmy Patronis
• 07:31 Infrastructure Needs in Northwest Florida and Targeted Federal Funding
• 14:20 Challenges of NIMBYism and the Importance of Home Ownership for Community Development
• 21:35 Small Business Initiatives and Support for Economic Growth
• 28:17 Impact of Federal Regulations on Small Businesses and Construction Projects
• 34:48 Safety and Security in Northwest Florida and the Importance of Strong Leadership

Tyson Lamond, COO of American Magic, shares insights on building high-performance teams, the journey to professional sailing, creating opportunities in Pensacola, the importance of team sports, the impact of American Magic on Pensacola, mentorship and leadership, decision-making in high-pressure situations, and the team sport philosophy.

Takeaways

• Building high-performance teams requires understanding individual motivations and fostering a culture of accountability.
• Mentorship and leadership play a crucial role in developing the next generation of skilled workers and leaders within any industry.

Chapters

• 00:00 Building High-Performance Teams
• 06:27 Creating Opportunities in Pensacola
• 23:20 Mentorship and Leadership
• 41:39 Decision-Making in High-Pressure Situations

The conversation with Becca Hardin, President of the Bay Economic Development Alliance, covers a wide range of topics related to economic development in Bay County. Becca shares her background in economic development and the challenges and successes of Bay County's economic outlook. She discusses the impact of Hurricane Michael, the rebuilding efforts, and the next phase of growth. The conversation also delves into the opportunities and challenges in the construction industry, workforce availability, and the impact of tariffs on the global economy.

Takeaways

• Economic development is a crucial factor in shaping the future of communities and industries.
• The impact of natural disasters, such as Hurricane Michael, can lead to opportunities for growth and revitalization.
• Workforce availability and site readiness are key factors in attracting and retaining businesses in a community.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Economic Development in Bay County
• 05:57 Background in Economic Growth in Columbus, Georgia
• 13:57 Aviation and Maritime Industry Growth in Bay County
• 25:37 Challenges and Opportunities in Economic Development
• 34:36 Impact of Tariffs on the Global Economy
• 41:20 Future of Bay County and Economic Development

In this episode, Kelvin Enfinger sits down with Chris Platé , CEO of FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance, for a forward-looking conversation about where our region is headed and what it will take to get there.

From attracting new companies and closing transformative deals to tackling infrastructure priorities and addressing community perception, this episode dives deep into the real work behind economic growth in the Pensacola area.

We also explore:

• Strategic infrastructure investments
• Convention space and tourism opportunities
• Job creation and long-term economic impact
• The importance of accurate information in shaping public dialogue
• Economic development doesn’t happen by accident but requires collaboration, vision, and intentional investment. This conversation offers valuable insight for contractors, design professionals, business leaders, and anyone invested in the future of Escambia County.

Chapters

·         00:00 Introduction to Economic Development

·         09:00 Attracting Companies and Deals

·         15:17 Community Perception and Misinformation

·         25:15 Convention Space and Tourism

·         34:02 Upcoming Opportunities and Infrastructure

In this episode of Beyond the Build, Kelvin Enfinger sits down with Jennifer Conoley, President & CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest, to discuss the strategy behind economic development in Northwest Florida.

Jennifer shares how regional collaboration, site readiness, infrastructure investment, and workforce alignment are driving major industry recruitment across the Panhandle. From aerospace and defense to advanced manufacturing, we explore what it really takes to compete for high-impact projects, and why long-term vision matters more than ever.

If you care about jobs, infrastructure, and keeping young talent in our region, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

In this episode of Beyond the Build, Associated Builders & Contractors Kristen Swearingen, Vice President of Government Affairs, and Melanie Pfeiffenberger, Senior Director of Political Affairs, take us inside the advocacy work shaping the commercial construction industry. We discuss how ABC’s political programs - including the ABC PAC and the Free Enterprise Alliance - support merit shop policy for contractors across the country, where key issues like Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and merit-based visa reform stand today, and what contractors should be watching as we head into the 2026 election cycle. This conversation offers practical insight into how policy decisions in Washington and in the states directly impact contractors, workforce development, and the future of our industry.