Deliberate Words

Saddle up for high stakes and hard hats! Ken Stonecipher, corporate director of construction for Global Gaming Solutions joins us to chat about what its like to build in the world of casinos, with Native American tribes. 

As a true-blue rodeo guy, with a long career in construction, Ken knows a bit about risk and safety, culture and community, teamwork and coordination, and most importantly preparation. All of these play critical roles in running casino and racino projects for the Global Gaming Solutions.  Join us as we uncover the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into building these type of projects, and learn how the land impacts how they function, as well as what it does for the tribal community. There is a lot more to a casino project than security and design, and precise timing. This episode offers a look at the unique challenges faced by construction managers in this specialized field, and the rewarding outcomes that comes with the role!  Hosts of Deliberate Words David Stutzman and Steve Gantner saddle up with Ken Stonecipher covering blueprints to blackjack because casino work is about building more than just bets!

In this episode we welcome Jeff Sawyer!  Researcher, business leader and educator who is the director of strategy for Simplar – a world-leading procurement and an organizational management consultancy, and is president of the board of directors at the Center 4 Procurement, home of the RFP Doctor!  Jeff, who considers himself the black sheep of construction research, introduces us to a new perspective in viewing the procurement process.  A perspective that is backed by scientific data based on the results produced from executing thousands of projects, for hundreds of clients, across different contract delivery methods, in a large variety of geographic locations.  This is REAL PROJECT RESEARCH.  The results are obvious – Better RFPs yield better projects.  But what’s the formula to creating those amazing RFPs?  Take a listen to the hosts of Deliberate Words: Dave Stutzman and Steve Gantner as they learn from Jeff Sawyer – Procurement Mathematics.   

Organization of information is critical when it comes to making design decisions, estimating costs, and constructing a building.  Structuring project data in an efficient manner allows members of the project team to make rigorous analysis of options to compare cost, risk, performance and design attributes.  This can be accomplished through the SPD, which stands for Systems and Performance Description.  It is a way of documenting design in a highly efficient manner, offering tremendous value to the construction team.  It combines an early project narrative with UNIFOMAT organization for ease of estimating. 

Let’s throw back to November, 2023 to the COAA Fall Conference in Orlando, FL. Our guests are:  Cy Rangel of Purdue University, Carli Cole of HGA Architects, Sarah Delphin and Kamila Andrzejak from MD Anderson. 

In this episode host of Deliberate Words and president of Conspectus sits down with four colleagues who we have become friends with during our participation and attendance at COAA which stands for Construction Owners Association of America.  This podcast is a peak into a discussion between Dave, Cy, Carli, Sarah and Kamila.  It exemplifies why we, as specifiers, attend these conferences and get to know other members of the project team.  Truly understanding the vantage points, challenges, and activities help us understand how we can create better documents and improve the process.  We hope you enjoy this conference episode of Deliberate Words!

Conspectus continues to grow, doubling the size of the team in just one year.  The Conspectians got together for the annual meeting in December, 2023 in the world-wide headquarters - Tuckahoe, NJ.  Take a peek into our culture.  That is the secret to our success.  

A fascinating look at the career path of the AEC industry tech leader Marc Goldman.  From crafting his own arch/eng degree to software development to digital mapping and location intelligence, and many adventures in between that brought him to BIM, the digital twin and GIS - Geographic Information System. In his current position with ESRI, he educates the AEC industry on how to leverage the benefits of GIS during planning, design and construction. 

Something is build everywhere.  GIS provides geospatial analytics that can aid in many aspects in every stage of development and construction, including codes, placement, context and so much more.  

 Join Dave, Steve and Marc to learn more about geographic information systems.  

Specifications are not typically a celestial experience, but Brian Conroy helps us discover how the process of creating well written documents, when done correctly, can put one in a state of service that may have the effects of feeling spiritual.  

In this episode we welcome Brian Conroy, fellow Philly CSI members and product rep of Master Wall, which is a manufacturer of stucco, coatings, exterior insulation and EIFS.  Brian is our very first building product manufacturer on the show!  Specifiers and technical representatives have a critical relationship that can substantially influence project documentation. But is goes beyond technical knowledge.  It becomes a trusted advisor position, so if and when they don't have the solution, they assist in finding it.  From this act, mutual respect is built and a successful relationship is built, ultimately benefiting the project and the owner.  Join our hosts of Deliberate Words: Dave Stutzman and Steve Gantner, as they find spirituality in specs with Brian Conroy.  

Welcome to the Continuum... during this episode, we welcome Doug Bevill, the very first General Manager of Conspectus Cloud. 

Conspectus Cloud, the specification tool created by specifiers for specifiers, and designers, and contractors, and owners and building product manufacturers, is capturing attention in the industry at a tremendous rate.  In response to this growth, Conspectus brought on Doug Bevill, who is incredibly experienced in the AECO industry, and belief system is in line with the firm: make the process better.  His manta is A product should not reinvent the way someone works, it should enhance the way someone works.  Check out his full bio on our website, a link in posted in the show's description.  Now here are your hosts of Deliberate Words, Dave Stutzman and Steve Gantner chatting with Doug Bevill, taking an in depth look as to where Conspectus Cloud is going, and how we are going to get there! 

Pizza and prefab construction, an unusual pair that have quite a lot in common, according the Axel Webb, from TAS Energy, a prefabrication and manufacturing powerhouse. 

Axel is a golf semi-pro and efficiency guru.  His career has taken him from operation over 40 Little Caesar Pizza restaurants to his current position as pre-construction manager at TAS Energy, a pre fab manufacturer specializing in construction in the MEP sector. He talks about the parallels between these two types of manufacturing.  Yes, manufacturing food with ingredients, and manufacturing a building with materials.  The prefab process is fascinating and Axel takes us through considerations when deciding to procure this method of construction to how it is delivered to the site.  Challenges, successes, and failures hinge on how efficient a CUP - Central Utility Plant is designed, manufactured, delivered and installed.

Conspectus team members have been long time members of the CSI (Construction Specification Institute) at different capacities, all across the country.  We understanding the importance of this organization for, not just specifiers, but for the entire project team.  Which is why we decided this spring, to invest in CSI at a new capacity, and attend regional conferences across the country as a sponsor. Conspectus Cloud was our main feature and it was well received. Because no one likes RFIs or value engineering, especially spec writers!  Take a listen and find out how our 8 specifiers, who attended 4 region conferences, expanded their knowledge, developed and nurtured relationships, and evangelized Conspectus Cloud!