Welcome back to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed — where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode, host Merv Campbell sits down with Katy Devlin, Chief Content Officer at the National Glass Association, for a wide-ranging and deeply insightful conversation about the future of the glass and glazing industry. From workforce development and generational change to technology, training, and advocacy, Katy shares what’s really happening behind the scenes — and what it means for contractors, installers, and business leaders on the ground.

Together, Merv and Katy dive into:

• How the National Glass Association supports the entire glass supply chain

• The biggest workforce challenges facing glazing contractors today

• Recruiting, training, and retaining the next generation of glaziers

• Why visibility and pride in craftsmanship matter more than ever

• How technology and smarter tools are reshaping safety and longevity in the trades

• Bridging generational gaps between experienced pros and new talent

• What to expect at the Building Envelope Contractors Conference (BEC)

• Why collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and curiosity are key to the industry’s future

From AI and jobsite technology to culture, mentorship, and career longevity, this episode is packed with practical insight, honest perspective, and real optimism for where the glass industry is headed.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Learn more about the National Glass Association: https://www.glass.org/

Welcome back to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast — brought to you by Omni Cubed, where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

Host Merv Campbell sits down with Geoff Shellard, Regional Architectural Design Manager at Guardian Glass, for a wide-ranging and deeply insightful conversation about education, community, and the evolving responsibilities of the glazing industry. From Geoff’s unconventional journey through marketing, construction, remediation, and even award-winning karaoke, to his leadership role across North America, this episode is packed with real-world perspective and hard-earned wisdom.

A major focus of the discussion centers on bird-friendly glass — what it is, why it matters, where projects go wrong, and how better education, early collaboration, and thoughtful specification can prevent costly mistakes while protecting wildlife. Geoff breaks down the technology, myths, and best practices behind bird-safe glazing, while also addressing performance, aesthetics, code requirements, and real-world budget pressures.

In this episode, you’ll also hear them dive into:

Thoughtful, practical, and refreshing, this episode is a must-listen for architects, glaziers, fabricators, specifiers, and anyone invested in smarter, more responsible building design.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Learn more about Guardian Glass: https://www.guardianglass.com/

Welcome back to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed — where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode, host Merv Campbell sits down with Andrew Lejeune (of Glass Art Design in Minneapolis) to unpack what it really takes to run a custom glass shop that says “yes” to the weird, the complex, and the high-end. Andrew shares how he went from fire protection to leading a decades-old artisan glass business built on hand-crafted techniques, relentless quality control, and a reputation trusted by luxury homebuilders.

Together, Merv and Andrew dive into:

• Why custom glass is equal parts art, precision, and problem-solving

• How “saying yes” (with the right guardrails) builds trust and reputation over decades

• The reality of rejecting glass to protect quality — and what it costs (and saves)

• Blending old-world craftsmanship with modern operations, systems, and scaling

• Product development lessons from chasing a recycled glass countertop concept

• The traits that make a great installer today: pride, detail, and consistency

• Why cross-functional meetings prevent expensive mistakes on complex jobs 2026 goals: ditching paper, adopting tablets, and growing both luxury and commodity work

From fire-molded showpiece doors in a $10M lake home to a stunning solarium packed with leaded panels and color, this episode is packed with practical insight and a real appreciation for craftsmanship in the trades.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Learn more about Glass Art Design: https://glassartdesign.com/

Welcome to another episode of the Cutting Edge Install Podcast — brought to you by Omni Cubed, where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode, host Merv Campbell sits down with Russ Payne, tradesman, business leader, and host of The Talking Tradesmen podcast. What starts as a light-hearted Irish-meets-English conversation quickly turns into a deep, honest discussion about the realities of life in the trades — from workforce shortages and social media myths to mental health, leadership, and building cultures where people actually feel supported.

Russ shares his journey through the trades, why he felt called to start a podcast giving tradespeople a voice, and what he’s learned from years of wearing multiple hats as a craftsman, advocate, and mentor. Together, Merv and Russ unpack what’s really driving young people away from hands-on careers, why the trades are more valuable than ever, and how leaders can create workplaces that value people as much as production.

You’ll also hear them dive into:

This episode is thoughtful, real, and refreshingly human — packed with perspective for installers, shop owners, foremen, and anyone who believes the trades deserve more respect, visibility, and care.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Learn more about the Talking Tradesman: https://www.thetalkingtradesman.co.uk/

Welcome back to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed — where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode, host Merv Campbell sits down with Brandon Maestas, whose inspiring journey into the glazing world is anything but ordinary. From overcoming addiction at 15, to learning how to drive a rack truck on the fly, to becoming a leader known for innovation, professionalism, and consistency — his story is a testament to resilience and reinvention.

Starting in a Denver glass shop long before he was old enough to legally work, he went on to master nearly every role in the glazing industry. Today, Brandon plays a pivotal role at Baron Glass, shaping processes, training teams, modernizing workflows, and driving high-end residential work with a blend of craftsmanship, technology, and leadership.

Together, Merv and Brandon dive deep into:

From near-disasters in a manual rack truck, to complex curved-glass measurements done by hand, to building a personal brand that attracts customers AND talent — this episode is packed with honesty, humor, and practical wisdom for glaziers, shop owners, installers, and anyone trying to grow in the trades.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Learn more about Baron Glass: https://baronglass.com/

Welcome to another episode of the Cutting Edge Install Podcast — brought to you by Omni Cubed, where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode of the Cutting Edge Install podcast, host Merv Campbell sits down with Darand Davies, Founder and CEO of Black Line Glazing in Oregon. With over 40 years in the glass industry, Darand traces his journey from sweeping shop floors at 19 to running a company built on integrity, long-term relationships, and a culture where people actually want to come to work.

Darand shares what’s changed most in glazing over four decades—from single pane to high-efficiency systems, from aluminum to advanced European product lines and vacuum glass—and why estimating is more art than math. He talks candidly about big mistakes (including missing an entire floor on a job), why doing what you say you’ll do matters more than ever, and how strong communication and clear values can carry a shop through brutal market cycles.

You’ll also hear Darand unpack:

• How Black Line Glazing was born and why “Black Line” isn’t just a cool name

• The leadership lessons behind building a healthy, durable company culture

• Why owners need to know their blind spots and hire people smarter than themselves

• The future threats and opportunities he sees for glaziers in a changing construction landscape

• How faith, family, hunting, travel, and poker help keep him grounded outside of work

Whether you’re an installer, estimator, shop owner, or just curious how a trades business survives and thrives over the long haul, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom, humor, and practical takeaways.

Learn more about Black Line Glazing: https://blacklineglazing.com/

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Welcome to another episode of the Cutting Edge Install Podcast — brought to you by Omni Cubed, where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode, host Merv Campbell sits down with Alana Staffel, a rising voice in the glazing world whose journey into glass is anything but ordinary. From managing electricians and plumbers, to being “poached” at a trade show, to suddenly cutting mirrors the day before a booth install — her story is full of unexpected twists, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of grit.

Together, Merv and Alana dive into:

• Falling into the trades (and loving it): how one weekend at a trade show changed her entire career path

• Life in glass as a woman in the trades: the challenges, the misconceptions, and why she encourages more women to join

• Craftsmanship that can’t hide: why she loves a trade where the quality is always visible

• Lessons from companies that didn’t survive: cash flow, communication, staffing, culture, and red flags owners should watch for

• Best practices for staying profitable: business development, follow-up, value-engineering conversations, and building trust with contractors

• Where the industry is heading: energy efficiency, retrofits, and a return to architectural character

• Faith, family, and attitude: how she stays upbeat in tough markets

• Her newest passion project: combining mirrors and stained glass (and learning it from YouTube)

This one is packed with humor, honesty, industry insight, and encouragement — for shop owners, installers, estimators, and anyone who’s ever been “thrown in” and had to figure it out on the fly.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Welcome to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed—where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode, host Merv Campbell, General Manager of Omni Cubed, sits down with Ryan Shoemaker, founder of Champagne Glass & Door, to talk about what it means to build a company from the ground up with heart, purpose, and craftsmanship. 

Ryan shares his journey from second-generation glazier to business owner, detailing how he turned a one-man operation in a van into a growing team and thriving shop. Through stories of risk, resilience, and relentless standards, he reveals what it takes to build a brand that lasts.

Throughout the conversation, Ryan provides insights on:

• Lessons from starting over and defining excellence on your own terms

• How customer service and reputation are the true foundations of success

• The value of mentorship, humility, and lifting others in the trade

• Using social media as visibility—not vanity—to elevate your craft

• Building company culture that attracts and retains people who care

• Why technology should enhance, not replace, craftsmanship

• How to turn fear, failure, and persistence into a legacy worth building

From personal reflections to industry insights, this episode captures the grit, gratitude, and growth mindset that define today’s best tradespeople.

Learn more about Champagne Glass & Door: https://www.champagneglass.ca/

Learn more about OmniCubed: https://omnicubed.com

Welcome to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed—where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode, host Merv Campbell, General Manager of Omni Cubed, sits down with Rich Katzmann, Executive Director of the Rockheads Group, to talk about the evolving landscape of the stone fabrication industry—and what it takes to lead through it. 

Rich shares his journey from construction and product development to leading one of the most influential professional networks in stone fabrication. He and Merv discuss the realities of running a shop, developing people, and staying resilient in uncertain times.

Throughout the conversation, Rich dives into:

• How the Rockheads Group helps fabricators grow stronger, safer, and more profitable businesses

• Why connection and collaboration—not competition—are the keys to long-term success

• How AI and automation are reshaping shop operations and workforce dynamics

• The importance of mentorship, communication, and benchmarking for sustainable growth

• Why transparency, continuous learning, and investing in people create a culture that lasts

From tariffs and workforce challenges to game-changing technology and leadership lessons, this episode is packed with real-world insights for anyone in the stone, surfacing, or fabrication industries.

Learn more about the Rockheads Group: https://www.rockheadsusa.com

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com

Welcome to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed—where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode, host Merv Campbell, General Manager of Omni Cubed, sits down with Stuart Amidon, founder & CEO of Page50, for a no-fluff conversation on building brands, earning trust, and growing profit the patient, human way.

Stuart shares his journey from bivocational pastor and wedding shooter to running a boutique marketing agency serving clients worldwide—and why none of it was part of a “five-year plan.”

Throughout the conversation, Stuart digs into:

Human over Hype: Why good marketing sounds like a person and serves actual people (and how “social media is social”).

Brand ≠ Logo: Brand is your reputation—product quality + customer service—long before colors and typefaces.

First Impressions that Matter: Invest in aesthetics as you can, but never compromise the human first impression.

Avoiding “Design by Committee”: How to keep projects from turning into camels—and get decisive, effective creative.

Mentoring the Next Gen: Hire hungry young talent, pay them to learn, and build a culture of teaching.

Always Be Innovating: In the AI era, stagnation kills. Create weekly bandwidth for R&D and improvement.

E-E-A-T in Practice: Publish real expertise to win search—experience, authority, and trust beat generic AI fluff.

Owned Media is Back: Why email lists, podcasts, and repeatable content engines outperform fickle brand pages.

Quick Win Example: Turning on Google Merchant Center (even for digital goods) to unlock discoverability at scale.

Your Story, Ready to Go: Craft an elevator (15 sec) and stump (2–3 min) speech so every team member can sell the why.

Serve & Leave a Legacy: “Business is serving others at scale”—build something that outlasts you.

Whether you run a fab shop, lead installs, or own a growing trade business, this episode is packed with field-tested moves you can implement today—without losing the human touch.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com

Learn more about Page50: https://page50.com