ConstructorCast

In this episode of ConstructorCast, host and General Counsel for AGC, Leah Pilconis is joined by Chief Economist Ken Simonson and Vice President of Government Affairs Alex Etchen to unpack the results of the recent election and what they mean for the construction industry. From workforce challenges and regulatory shifts to infrastructure investment and tax policy changes, our experts provide key insights to help contractors prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Resources:

2025 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MLTX6N6

Advocacy in Action and Data DIGest Newsletters: https://www.agc.org/news/newsletter

AGC Judicial Advocacy Updates: https://news.agc.org/tag/judicial-advocacy

Action Alerts:https://advocacy.agc.org/alerts

From automating tedious tasks to supercharging project management, AI is becoming a game-changer for construction professionals. But it’s not just about the tech—our guests share real-world stories of how AI is transforming their day-to-day work, making projects smoother and more efficient. We also tackle the big questions around ethics and responsible AI use, ensuring that innovation doesn’t come at a cost. If you're curious about how AI can take your construction game to the next level, this episode is a must-listen!

Guests:

Harry Schmidt

Director, Business Strategies | O’Shea Builders

https://osheabuilders.com/

Jared Christman

Director, Innovation and Technology | Big State Electric, Ltd

https://www.bigstateelectric.com/

Theresa Voorhies

Manager of Construction Customer Success | Autodesk

https://www.autodesk.com/

Resources:

Practical AI in Construction: https://www.agc.org/sites/default/files/Files/ConstructorCast/Practical%20AI%20In%20Construction%20(AGC).pdf

Member discount programs: www.agc.org/Discounts

This episode is sponsored by Autodesk.

In this episode of ConstructorCast, host Max Nelson is joined by key members of Jordan Foster Construction—Asma Bayunus and Tricia Kagerer—to delve into the crucial topic of mental health in the construction industry. They explore the alarming rates of suicide and addiction among construction workers and discuss Jordan Foster's innovative approaches to addressing these issues.

Discover the inspiration and development of Jordan Foster's Mind Saver program, and learn about the integration of mental health into daily operations to ensure both physical and psychological safety on-site. This episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies for promoting mental health awareness and resilience. Join us as we navigate this essential conversation, providing actionable steps to safeguard the wellbeing of construction professionals.

Guests:

Tricia Kagerer

Executive Vice President Risk Management

https://jordanfosterconstruction.com

Asma Bayunus

EHS Department - Operations Manager

https://jordanfosterconstruction.com

AGC's Mental Health Resource Page: https://www.agc.org/mental-health-suicide-prevention

More on AGC's Culture of Care: https://buildculture.org

In this episode of ConstructorCast, host Max Nelson is joined by key members of the carbon reduction taskforce Myrrh Caplan from Skanska USA, Joe Rozza from Ryan Companies, and AGC's own Melinda Tomaino. They delve into the creation and significance of the AGC Decarbonization Playbook, discussing its formation, key drivers, content, and expected outcomes. Learn about the collaborative efforts behind the playbook, the challenges and solutions in carbon reporting, and the future of decarbonization in the construction industry.

In addition to Skanska and Ryan Companies, AGC appreciates the support of task force participants from Clark Construction, DPR Construction, Granite Construction, Kiewit, M.A. Mortenson Company, and Turner Construction Company in developing the Playbook.

Guests:

Myrrh Caplan | National Vice President - Sustainability | Skanska

https://www.skanska.com

Joe Rozza | Chief Sustainability Officer | Ryan Companies

https://www.ryancompanies.com

Melinda Tomaino | Senior Director, Environment and Sustainability| AGC of America

https://www.agc.org

Resources:

AGC Decarbonization Playbook: https://www.agc.org/climate-change-playbook

AGC Environmental Conference: Details on the upcoming Climate Change and Construction Summit on July 15th can be found at https://shec.agc.org

Take a quick listen to this special ConstructorCast SHORT to hear how member company Alliance Construction Solutions are celebrating Construction Safety Week this year featuring Todd Konigsfeld - General Superintendent at Alliance Construction Solutions, LLC.

Guest:

Todd Konigsfeld

General Superintendent

Alliance Construction Solutions

https://www.allianceconstruction.com/

Take a quick listen to this special ConstructorCast SHORT to hear how member company TDIndustries, a mechanical contractor based out of Dallas, Texas is celebrating Construction Safety Week this year featuring Jamie Dabbs - Vice President of Safety, Health & Environmental and this year's Construction Safety Professional of the Year!

Guest:

Jamie Dabbs

Vice President | Safety, Health & Environmental

TDIndustries

https://www.tdindustries.com/

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of the Associated General Contractors of America's (AGC) litigation program, which serves as a crucial component of its broader advocacy efforts. We explore how AGC strategically engages in judicial matters to safeguard and improve the business environment for construction contractors, aligning with its overarching goal of advancing industry interests and protecting against disruption.

AGC’s legal staff discuss the decision-making process behind legal action, the importance of partnerships, updates on current judicial actions, and the vital role of funding through the Construction Advocacy Fund (CAF). Additionally, we outline guidelines for AGC chapters and members to request support for impactful cases, emphasizing the significance of national impact and broader industry implications in AGC's decision-making.

Guests:

Stephen Sandherr

CEO – AGC of America

Jimmy Christianson

Vice President, Government Relations – AGC of America

Leah Pilconis

General Counsel and ConstructorCast Host – AGC of America

For details on current issues visit https://advocacy.agc.org

The Construction Advocacy Fund:

The Fund helps finance a host of critical campaigns, including AGC’s ongoing efforts to fight for federal infrastructure investments, push back against costly and needless regulatory burdens, promote workforce development and workplace safety, and enhance construction technology. Visit https://constructionadvocacyfund.agc.org to learn more.

Timestamped Topics:

• 00:00 - Introduction

• 01:35 - Overview of AGC's litigation program and its alignment with advocacy goals

• 05:37 - Goals and strategies for challenging government regulations

• 8:08 - Decision-making process for legal action

• 10:25 - Partnerships and collaborations within the industry

• 11:58 - Updates on current judicial actions and recent US Supreme Court victories

• 36:27 - AGC’s litigation program funding

• 39:53 - Guidelines for AGC chapters and members to request support for impactful cases

• 41:22 - Conclusion

In this special episode of AGC's ConstructorCast, host Max Nelson sits down with industry leaders Dan Johnson, CEO of Mortenson, and Mike Choutka, Chairman and CEO of Hensel Phelps, to dive deep into the upcoming 10th-anniversary celebration of Construction Safety Week.

As this year's Chair and Co-chair, Dan and Mike share their insights on the growth and evolution of Construction Safety Week over the past decade, and discuss the theme for this year, "Value Every Voice."

Guests:

Dan Johnson

Chief Executive Officer

Mortenson

www.mortenson.com

Mike Choutka

Chairman | Chief Executive Officer

Hensel Phelps

www.henselphelps.com

Resources:

https://www.constructionsafetyweek.com/

2024 Construction Safety Week Slide Deck

https://www.agc.org/sites/default/files/Files/ConstructorCast/Safety_Week_Podcast_2024_Final.pdf

The Culture of CARE is an program created by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the AGC of Washington to support companies in creating diverse, safe, welcoming, and inclusive job sites and promote diversity and inclusion in the construction industry. Culture of CARE is more than just caring about people; it is asking companies to commit to building work environments where every employee feels valued, respected, and heard through the programs four pillars: Commit, Attract, Retain and Empower.

This episode of AGC’s ConstructorCast podcast highlights the partnership between AGC and FMI in developing a series of articles that explore how construction firms are successfully implementing the four pillars of Culture of CARE. In this podcast episode, we spotlight the transformative impact of a Culture of CARE's two pivotal pillars: Commit and Empower, specifically in the context of fostering leadership and accountability within construction firms. You will hear from two leading construction firms who share how a steadfast commitment from leadership sets the stage for a culture of inclusion and belonging. We explore how empowering employees at all levels contributes to a sense of responsibility, aligning individual actions with organizational values. Join us to understand how cultivating leadership and accountability through a Culture of CARE not only enhances workplace inclusivity but also propels construction companies toward sustained success.

Guests:

Michelle Thompson

Senior Consultant | FMI Consulting - https://fmicorp.com

Bill Aalerud

Executive Vice President | Columbia Construction Co. - https://www.columbiacc.com

Chair, Board of Directors - AGC of Massachusetts

Stephanie Roldan

Vice President Learning & Development, Director of Lean Culture | Rosendin Electric - https://www.rosendin.com

Co-host Construction DEI Talks: https://constructiondeitalks.com

Resources:

• Visit www.BuildCulture.org and find out more.

• Take the Culture of CARE pledge: https://buildculture.org/commit

• See the list of Impact Champions who have already taken the pledge:

https://buildculture.org/impact-champions/

• Take the AGC Diversity & Inclusion Assessment -

https://www.agc.org/culture-assessment

2023 FMI Talent Study: https://fmicorp.com/insights/industry-insights/2023-fmi-talent-study

HERstory Emerging Managers Institute: https://fmicorp.com/consulting/training/herstory-emerging-managers-institute

See the article in the latest issue of Constructor Magazine: https://constuctorjanfeb24.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=811684

Direct link to the article at Culture of CARE:

https://buildculture.org/commit-to-employee-wellbeing

In this episode, AGC of America’s chief economist, Ken Simonson becomes your guide through the bustling landscape of construction economics, trends shaping the industry, sound projections for the upcoming year, and how all of the above can impact builders and stakeholders. Tune in to see what contractors can expect in 2024!

Guest:

Ken Simonson

Chief Economist

AGC of America

Subscribe to the DataDIGest: https://marketplace.agc.org/Store/ItemDetail?iProductCode=4401