Deliberate Words

To spec or not to spec....or HOW to spec.

Architects & Hazardous Waste: Proceed with Caution

AI's Next Asbestos

Whose responsibility is the waste?

Should the architect and specifier be aware of it?

How should you document it?

From a 14 year old kid bending sheet metal in his family's basement, to receiving a lifetime achievement award at 70 years old, Dick Bus of ATAS International, breaks down how to help build the metal industry. 

In this episode, Dick breaks down what it takes to build more than just a successful business. It's about investing in relationships, technology, and education—laying the groundwork not only for growth, but for lasting impact across the metal envelope industry.

Dick shares how healthy competition inspired collaboration, how he read the market to drive product development, and how his greatest secret is surprisingly simple: LISTEN.
Listen to the architect.
Listen to the installer.
Listen to the distributor.
Listen to the industry.

Let’s get into the episode with David Stutzman and Steve Gantner as they chat with Dick Bus and learn more about when you truly hear what’s being said—and combine it with experience, intuition, and trusted relationships—You go from breaking metal, to building a legacy.

What do muscle cars and global procurement have in common? According to Kevin Batche, Vice President of Procurement at IPS (Integrated Project Services)—quite a bit. It’s all about timing, control, and having the right engine under the hood when the road gets unpredictable, like the current climate with global tariffs. 

Kevin is a mechanical engineer by trade and a Penn State graduate. His early career in the steel industry in western Pennsylvania laid the groundwork for a transition into the pharmaceutical sector—just as the industry began tightening capital project constraints. That real-world experience fuels his ability to lead multi-national teams through complex, high-stakes projects with clarity and precision.

In this episode, Kevin shares what it takes to navigate the current climate of construction material procurement. While the chaos of past supply chain crises may have eased, tariffs and other uncertainties continue to keep the AECO industry on high alert. Manufacturers are at a crossroads—debating whether to shift operations stateside or remain abroad. And owners? They’re no longer idling. They’re asking sharper questions and demanding more agile strategies to keep projects moving without delay.

Buckle up. This conversation brings horsepower, strategy, and hard-earned insight to the fast-moving world of global procurement.

What happens when you grow up in manufacturing surrounded by sheets of glass, the hum of cutting tools, and a father with a vision? You don’t just learn the business—you reshape it.

In this episode, we sit down with Chris McGrory of McGrory Glass—a company that’s shattered expectations (and a few stereotypes) since its humble beginnings in 1984. From decorative and architectural to ballistic and fire-rated, Chris has taken the family trade far beyond the showroom—into the realm of safety, performance, and systems-based thinking.

This isn’t just about panels and partitions. It’s about innovation that protects people, enhances design, and pushes the boundaries of what glass can do. McGrory Glass isn’t just keeping up with the industry—they’re helping define it.

So if you think glass is just for windows… think again. Let’s get into it with Chris McGrory learning how shattering expectations happens in the glazing industry.

One Hard Hat – The Concept that Built Air Products air and gas separation unit featuring Kevin Sell and Brandon Jordan from The Kwest Group

What does it take to deliver a world-class facility? A willing owner and a passionate contractor team—fully aligned under one vision.

This is the Deliberate Words podcast, hosted by David Stutzman and Steve Gantner, leaders in Conspectus, the specification company….where words have a power that can create trust, transparency, and transform the process and can significantly impact the success of a construction project and team!

In this episode, Kevin Sell and Brandon Jordan from Kwest Group break down the story behind Air Products’ new air and gas separation unit in Wilson, Arkansas and how the One Hard Hat concept made it possible. They share both the qualitative insights and the hard data behind this groundbreaking project—and, most importantly, how this success can be repeated.

This isn’t just a feel-good story. Project Summit, the formal report on the construction of Air Products'' facility is not anecdotal—it's proof. It shows what’s possible when full collaboration, absolute trust, and a deep commitment to safety, health, and quality come together on a jobsite.

Check out these results:

• 88% boost in site productivity
• 10% drop in cost
• 80% fewer safety incidents
• 92% coordination and collaboration across the board
• Zero re-work
• Zero team turnover

Yep—zero.

The roadmap is there. Kevin and Brandon are here to tell us how the team did it, and what it really looks like when everyone shows up wearing One Hard Hat. 

We found a kindred spirit with Matt Brennan- host of the podcast “What the RFI” with his ambition to improve project documentation and construction administration (CA) through that oh-so critical practice of communication!

This is the Deliberate Words podcast, hosted by David Stutzman and Steve Gantner, leaders in Conspectus, the specifications company….where words have a power that can create trust, transparency, and transform the process and can significantly impact the success of a construction project and team!

Beyond his podcasting success, Matt is an architect, a construction administration enthusiast, and a product specialist with Part 3, a software solution designed for the architectural community. The simplify CA by bringing consultants, owners, and contractors together—providing the tools, insights, and collaboration that empower teams and drive informed decision-making. Yes! That’s what we’re talking about!

This collaborative language has no borders, from British Columbia to the Jersey shore Matt, Steve, and Dave reveal ways to reduce RFIs, love your project team, and ultimately enjoy life! Listen in on this fast-paced, nugget-filled, super-fun episode of Deliberate Words, and “Keep Exploring, Keep Communicating”!

As a new year kicks off, it is natural to look ahead with a bit, or a lot, of uncertainty.  What risks lie ahead and how can they be managed?  We invite Michael Dubreuil, managing partner of PTAG, to join us on to the show.  He works on projects that can span decades!

In this episode, Michael dives into collaborative contracting, which basically is IPD (integrated project delivery) on steroids.  This powerful method of contracting provides balance, stability, and trust in the project team, providing confidence in risk sharing and management.  Have you ever wondered how oil and gas projects, or nuclear projects get built? Let’s learn how MEGA collaboration on MEGA projects defines certainty in any situation.  

The idea of a good owner is more than just a philosophical idea or an anecdote. It is the member of the project team, who is intentional, aware, and deliberately behaves with responsibility to create a positive influence and success on the project. Jack Mumma is that owner. 

Jack, educated in philosophy and law, is the Executive Director of Construction and Facilities Strategic Acquisitions at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. His unique blend of legal expertise and philosophical insight sheds light on what it truly means to be a "good owner" in the realm of construction projects and beyond.

Jack is guided by a powerful mantra: "Trust More. Expect More Value."—a philosophy that reimagines how we approach collaboration, accountability, and excellence in complex undertakings. Whether you’re managing a construction project, leading a team, or simply striving to bring out the best in others, Jack's perspective will leave you with invaluable lessons on trust, integrity, and achieving meaningful results.

Tune in as Dave Stutzman and Steve Ganter explore Jack's journey, his ideals, and how applying principles of trust and high expectations can transform not just projects, but also relationships and outcomes. Welcome to The Profile of a Good Owner on this episode of Deliberate Words.

Sourcing product information can be tedious, time consuming, frustrating!  Conspectus has been using 4specs.com for decades, and a reliable directory for information.  No, this is not an infomercial.  Instead we reveal the solution to the ongoing quest many are on to find a quality resource of building product content and manufacturers.

Whether he's on a journey to connect with fellow ham radio operators or gathering insights for the specifying community, Colin Gilboy enjoys a good quest. Decades ago, he recognized that finding reliable, up-to-date product information is essential for creating timely and accurate project specifications. This understanding led him to create 4specs.com—a directory that conveniently catalogs building product manufacturers and is continually updated to provide specifiers with a current, trusted resource.

 Today, we dive into the story behind 4specs, a pioneering website that has transformed how professionals research building product manufacturers. Whether you're on the side of searching or on the side of being found, this episode is for you! 

Does the construction industry need more attorneys, or do we simply need contractors to better understand the construction contract process? Josh Levy, CEO of Document Crunch and an attorney, believes it's all about understanding the process rather than hiring more lawyers. He offers deep insights into how they are helping project teams navigate the complex area of construction contracts.

Many individuals are passionate about improving the construction industry through their expertise. In this episode, you will feel Josh's immense passion for making the industry safer and better through risk assessment and the negotiation process of construction contracts. Think it sounds dull? Trust me, this episode is anything but! Josh openly admits he's not a tech guy, even though Document Crunch is a leading AI company. For them, technology is secondary to solving contract compliance issues in the construction industry. We MUST reduce risk through proper assessment, understand proper negotiations, and educate project teams on contract obligations. How can the project team be supported? Let's dive into Dave and Steve’s conversation with Josh Levy to find out how Crunching Contracts is the Intersection of AI and Assessing Risk.