On this episode of the People-First Builders Podcast, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Russ Seamon, President of Seamon Whiteside, a fast-growing civil engineering and landscape architecture firm in the Southeast.

Russ shares how his firm transformed from a small, family-founded business into a 250-person, multi-office organization—without losing its culture. At the core of their growth? A deliberate decision to scale for their people, not just for profit.

From implementing leadership training and mentorship programs to building structured onboarding, project management boot camps, and a culture of intentional development, Russ breaks down how Seamon Whiteside is accelerating the growth of its people while maintaining excellence across the organization.

He also dives into:

• Why growth is essential for creating opportunity and retaining top talent
• How to develop future leaders faster through intentional delegation and training
• The power of culture in attracting and retaining experienced professionals
• Why organic growth can outperform acquisitions when building a people-first company
• Practical strategies for balancing accountability and empowerment in leadership

If you're a leader in construction, engineering, or any service-based business looking to grow without sacrificing culture—this episode is a must-listen.