Construction Presidents Club

In this episode, we sit down with Justin Tedesco to explore a side of construction that is often misunderstood but critically important: pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMBs). As the second generation leading this division at Tedesco Construction Services, Justin shares how PEMBs are reshaping timelines, reducing waste, and offering single-source accountability that traditional builds often struggle to match.
We dive into:
- The speed, cost savings, and efficiency of PEMBs.
- How early involvement in design changes the entire outcome of a project.
- What it means to build a culture of ownership, mentorship, and accountability.
- Why PEMBs are a natural fit for sectors like aviation, industrial, and cold storage.
- The legacy of growing up in the family business and how that shaped Justin’s leadership style.
Whether you are a GC, subcontractor, or developer trying to deliver faster and smarter, this episode sheds light on a powerful solution that is gaining ground across the industry

In this episode, Ryan Goddard, COO of SD Builders & Construction, shares how his team is delivering ambitious work in one of the most complex and fast-paced construction markets in the world: New York City.
He explains how SD Builders approaches projects with simplicity, speed, and clarity, avoiding the trap of overengineering. Ryan breaks down how design-build fits into the NYC market, why knowing your client’s true need matters, and what it means to treat partners and subcontractors with trust and consistency.
We cover:
• The pressures and pace of working in the NYC market.
• What makes design-build viable, and when it doesn’t work.
• The balance between ambition and practicality.
• Why repeat work is built on relationships, not just delivery.
• The mindset behind earning loyalty from trades and partners.
If you are in operations, client delivery, or leading teams under pressure, this is one worth tuning in for.

What does it take to bridge design, construction, and the human experience of the workplace? In this episode, Jamie Trevett sits down with Jim Beale, who brings over 30 years of experience across design, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and workplace delivery.

Jim shares how his career evolved from drafting on paper to leading integrated design-build projects that transform how people work every day. From managing pharmaceutical facilities that brought life-saving therapies to market, to shaping hybrid office strategies in a post-COVID world, his story reveals how purpose, culture, and persistence drive lasting impact.

Highlights from the conversation include:

• Jim’s early shift from design to construction, and why being part of the full project lifecycle matters.
• The power and challenges of integrated design-build versus traditional delivery models.
• How COVID accelerated hybrid working and reshaped workplace strategy across the U.S.
• The role of culture, trust, and mentorship in building high-performing teams.
• Why “hope is not a plan” has become one of Jim’s guiding principles.
• Where AI tools like OpenSpace, Matterport, and rapid test-fit technology are already impacting project delivery, and why caution is key in chasing new tech.
• The importance of attracting the next generation of talent and redefining what leadership looks like in construction.

Jim’s reflections go beyond projects and profits: they focus on people, culture, and creating environments that improve lives.

Whether you’re in construction, design, or simply curious about how the built environment is changing, this episode delivers insight, honesty, and perspective.

Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Renee Guerrieri’s introduction to construction started in the passenger seat, riding around with her dad as he pointed out toll booths he had built.

Today, she leads LoDuca Associates Inc. as President and CEO, bringing decades of experience, quiet clarity, and a people-first mindset to every project and partnership.

In Episode 8 of The Construction Presidents Club, Renee shares how she built her career without shortcuts, the leadership lessons that stuck, and the importance of showing up steady in a world that moves fast.

This is one you will want to catch.

We are joined by Steve Phifer, Executive Vice President at Rodgers Builders, Inc., who takes us inside the world of healthcare construction. Imagine building on five sides of a hospital during hurricane season, all while keeping emergency rooms fully operational.

From vertical expansions and modular strategies to risk registers and real-world leadership, this episode is full of insight for anyone leading high-pressure projects.

Tricia Kagerer, EVP of Risk Management at Jordan Foster Construction, has built a career redefining what safety and leadership can look like in construction.

As Executive Vice President of Risk Management at Jordan Foster Construction, she has led from the front, blending compliance with culture, and accountability with empathy.

In this episode, Tricia shares how psychological safety, strong leadership, and people-first policies can radically shift company culture and performance.

She also opens up about her own path to executive leadership and why the next generation of construction leaders must be both strategic and human.

This is an essential conversation for anyone leading teams, managing risk, or rethinking what safety in construction really means.

Chris Caputo doesn’t just build projects. He builds teams, trust, and culture that lasts.
In this episode, Chris joins us for a straight-talking conversation about what leadership in construction really looks like. He shares the moments that shaped his approach, from being challenged by his own team to setting the tone on site through consistency and care.
We dig into:
✔ The link between leadership and accountability
✔ Why culture is not what you say, but what your team feels
✔ How showing up, even when it's tough, is what earns real respect
Whether you're running your own business, leading crews, or growing into a leadership role, this is one you’ll want to watch.Listen on Youtube or Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/justconstruction

Pam Donaldson never planned on a career in construction. At 32, she walked away from a business and started over, taking an entry-level role in an industry she knew little about. Today, she is the VP of Community Development at Gordon Highlander, where she champions trade partner relationships and creates programs that empower the next generation.

In this episode of Construction Presidents Club, Pam shares her remarkable journey from administrative roles to executive leadership, the lessons learned in a male-dominated industry, and why relationships are the true foundation of success. She opens up about building Gordon Highlander’s trade relations strategy, the importance of mentorship, and why being open to change can transform careers.

This is a candid conversation about resilience, leadership, and creating impact through people and purpose.

Fredrick Redd is not just a leader in infrastructure; he is a force across disciplines. As VP of Operations at PACO Group, he has overseen some of the most high-stakes capital programs in the United States. He was the first PMO Director at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He has shaped program delivery models at scale. And beyond the hard hat, he is a classically trained baritone who has graced the stage at Carnegie Hall.

In this episode, Fred shares the story behind his multidimensional career and how his early experiences shaped his unique leadership style. He talks about managing complexity, fostering collaboration, and building project cultures that thrive under pressure. He also offers a clear-eyed perspective on the construction talent crisis and the urgent need to attract and retain skilled professionals across the sector.

Whether he is leading a room of engineers or performing for thousands, Fred brings precision, poise, and purpose to everything he does. His advice is grounded, generous, and deeply relevant for anyone navigating leadership in high-stakes environments.

What happens when a 22-year-old political science grad walks onto a job site and decides to do drywall differently?

In this episode, Mikki Paradis, founder of one of North Carolina’s top drywall companies, shares her journey from outsider to industry leader. She dives into what it took to be taken seriously as a young woman in construction, how collaboration became her competitive edge, and why she walked away from million-dollar clients who didn’t align with her values.

From refusing to backcharge trades to creating a workplace people never want to leave, Mikki’s story is proof that doing business the right way is not only possible, it is powerful.

🎧 Highlights: