Building PA Podcast

We wanted to know more about what a B Corp is and what is fueling the desire to become B Corp certified. 

Our guest on this episode is passionate about their B Corp certification and took the time to share with us a broad overview of what it takes to achieve this status.

Beth Peiffer, owner and president of Ralph E. Jones, a painting, wallcovering, and special coatings contractor in Harrisburg, shares her company's experience around becoming B Corp certified.

Peiffer believes being a B Corp is the wave of the future. 

The philosophy behind this certification is to make your company focus less on your product or service and more on the prioritization of employees and their well-being, your environmental footprint, community impact, your governance structure, and your relationship with customers and suppliers.

Listen to this latest podcast episode to hear more about Peiffer's journey to becoming B Corp certified and how this decision has changed the way they do business.

Peiffer is proud to say, "Ralph E. Jones, painting a better community!"

WELL Building. What is it? How does it differ from Lead building and is this the wave of the construction future? These questions and many more are answered by "Charles" Chip Desmone, CEO of Desmone Architects.

Desmone and his team of architects designed the first WELL Gold Certified Building in Pittsburgh, PA. They are one of just six WELL certified spaces in Pennsylvania.

Listen and learn how WELL intersects design with human health. Desmone shares his journey through WELL certification and the continued commitment, and dedication it takes to maintain this certification status.

Desmone comments that their "accidental brilliance" has led them to have a healthy, productive workspace focused on their employees' mental health, fitness, and positive workplace culture.

This podcast is sponsored by Barry Isett & Associates Healthy Work Environment Series.

The topic of captive insurance has gained in popularity. We want to know, why? So we invited Tim Ziegler, vice president, principal, and head of the construction division at McConkey Insurance to join us on the podcast to talk about captive programs and answer some questions, we’re hearing in the industry.

 Ziegler brings clarity to what captive programs are and shares the three biggest advantages of being part of a captive group, why it is gaining in popularity, and who benefits the most.

McConkey Insurance and the Keystone Contractors Association are hosting a hybrid event titled, Is A Captive Program Right For My Company? Click on the link to sign up. The event is free to members. In-person lunch starts at 11:30. The presentation starts at 12 PM. 

In today's podcast, co-hosts, Jon and Chris are joined by a special guest, senior project manager for Quandel Construction Group, Sarah Knehr—KCA’s 2021 Top Young Leader Award winner. 

Knehr was chosen as the winner because of her outstanding performance on the job and in the community. 

You'll hear Knehr's insight on the importance of embracing young students, both high school and college-aged, and exposing them to the construction profession. She shares the value of job shadowing and learning about “the day in the life,” of an architect, project manager, or engineer. It’s hard for students to answer the question, “what do you want to be or do with your life,” if they aren’t given examples or exposure to different occupations.  

Knehr supports and volunteers with the ACE Mentor Program and is dedicated to the education of young adults considering a profession in construction. 

A senior project manager at Quandel Construction Group, Inc. Knehr has been with the company for almost a decade. Knehr started her career early in the construction industry as a co-op student in high school splitting her days between school at work at Quandel.

Knehr is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and holds a Bachelor of Science in architecture.

Quote:

I am passionate for my career and this industry. It shows in my work, in my leadership, and how I'm trying to be more active in the community. 

- Sarah Knehr

Michael Metz-Topodas, partner with Cohen Seglias Greenhall & Furman PC returns to the Building PA Podcast to talk about contract management. In this episode, Topodas shares insight about contract management and how it relates to change management.

Topodas sees the contract as an equation; the contractor will do work and in exchange, they will receive money or payment.  This is balance. The imbalance occurs when something happens on a job that requires extra work and additional money is owed to the contractor. Change occurs in a contract to help restore balance for everyone involved.

Hear more about what it takes to be a great client and how contractors can save money through organization and communication.

Marc Mondor, principal, architect, and co-founder of evolveEA is our latest guest to talk about sustainable design. 

Mondor shares how their company approaches a project to ensure the structure has a "lesser, lighter environmental impact." Mondor commented that the word "sustainability" is used a lot more in recent years and is sometimes overused. 

He puts this thought into context when he talks about what they refer to as the triple bottom line of sustainability or the three "e's" of the built environment. 

Listen and learn more about Mondor's thoughts on sustainable design and how they are striving to build a healthier world. 

Mondor is a former president of the AIA. evolveEA has over 100 certifications and has earned many awards for their work in sustainable design.

No one knows communication and organization better than Bob Dresser of Strategic Executive Consulting. In this fourth episode in the Better Project Outcomes Series, Bob addresses a key component in the success of construction companies, projects, and profitability—change management. 

In this episode, Bob highlights the key components needed to set the stage for a  successful project. Communications, file structure, and sharing of information can solidify client relationships and continued work for the future. 

To learn more about change management visit strategicexecconsult.com.

In today’s podcast, Maria Elliott, attorney/partner for Barley Snyder talks about contracts and risk management. 

Maria shares her insight about the changes being made in contracts since COVID.  Maria commented that before COVID, owners and general contractors were focused on force majeure, which is the unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract. Since COVID, the shift has been on price escalation. With supply chain issues, owners and general contractors are faced with the concerns of material prices rising. Maria helps write contracts to make sure that there is consideration across the board to account for price increases and decreases on a project.

Listen to the complete podcast to hear more about escalation and de-escalation clauses in contracts. 

Maria Di Stravalo Elliott is a member of Barley Snyder's Real Estate Practice Group. Elliott counsels international, national, regional, and local businesses and individuals on complex real estate and construction transactions. 

Jim Gabriel, president of MODLOGIQ shed light on why prefabrication is trending across the construction industry. 

Owners, general contractors, designers, and architects are turning to modular construction for several reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that the world is changing. Gabriel speaks openly about the pandemic and how modular construction has helped contractors and projects continue to move ahead even when job sites are shut down. This is due in part, to 80% of modular construction being constructed off-site. When MODLOGIQ finishes a project, it’s set and ready to be shipped and installed without the headache of on-site construction. 

We also will put to rest some of the myths about modular construction and prefabrication. The perception is that modular construction is cheaper. Gabriel comments, “it’s not cheaper, it provides more cost certainty for their clients and helps reduce cost escalation.” 

You’ll also hear more about the unique ways modular construction is being used. Gabriel talks about “pushing the envelope” in their industry. Prefabrication and modularization are pushing to do more than just affordable housing or single-family homes. MODLOGIQ is trying to bring their business up to standards that designers and owners expect from traditional builds. 

We know our listeners always want to hear the take on safety as it relates to our topics. We asked Gabriel how prefabrication translates to a safer job site. He shares his thoughts, insights, and more in this next episode of the Building PA Podcast. 

Listen as President Rivera shares insight into industry trends related to workforce development beyond traditional construction-related skills such as career counseling, heavy equipment training, and professional career paths that will have significant impact. It's vital to the success of any workforce development programs they rely on training to address the entire student to ensure that future workforces are prepared to positively address future needs.  Rivera shares several stories of his experiences.

President Rivera discusses future programs necessary to support the state’s future needs, such as civil engineering specific to water treatment and sewage related to planned infrastructure investments.

Thaddeus Stevens College has various programs to  include contractors and owners in meeting industry needs such as advisory panels, internships,  externships, and soft skills counseling.  If interested in learning more about opportunities, visit Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

More about President Pedro Rivera:

•Rivera is the former Secretary of Education. 

•Appointed by Governor Wolf to that position in 2015. 

•Previously served as superintendent to the School District of Lancaster.

•Served in the Philadelphia school district for 13 years

•Undergraduate degree from Penn State University

•M.A. from Cheyney University of PA

•Rivera became President of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, October 2021

Read more about this topic in the interview that President Rivera gave for the upcoming January 2022 issue of the Keystone Contractor Magazine.