In this episode of Get the kNACk, host Sue Steele is joined by Michael Loose, the 2024 recipient of the Ted C. Kennedy Award, to discuss leadership in construction. Mike was honored with the Ted C. Kennedy Award for outstanding career achievement that has measurably improved the design and construction industry. He is a retired Vice Admiral and former Deputy Chief of Naval Operations in the U.S. Navy, as well as a former executive in the infrastructure construction sector. Mike shares key lessons learned throughout his career, offers thoughtful advice to young professionals, and discusses how to foster meaningful collaboration to move the industry forward. He emphasizes that true success in the industry ultimately comes down to character, integrity, ethics, and compassion—offering valuable insights into what it takes to be a genuine leader.

In this episode, host Jerry Eyink welcomes Lillian Borrone to share valuable insights on career choices and lessons learned in the construction industry. Lillian retired from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as Assistant Executive Director and served over 12 years as Director of the Port Commerce Department, overseeing the New York and New Jersey Marine Terminals. She also served as a political appointee at the U.S. Department of Transportation and remains active on industry boards, including the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Public Administration, and the Maritime Association Hall of Fame. Lillian shares her experiences and explains how success in the industry stems from continuous learning, strategic planning, and a positive mindset. She emphasizes the importance of building strong connections, seeking mentorship, and maintaining a big-picture perspective. Reflecting on the challenges she faced, Lillian demonstrates how setbacks serve as opportunities for growth, ultimately advancing both career and personal development

In this episode, host William O’Brien welcomes Doug Omichinski for a discussion on leading change within project organizations in the construction industry. Doug recently retired as a Principal Vice President and Corporate Manager of Construction for Bechtel. He has an extensive background in implementing best practices and technological innovations on projects and within organizations. In addition, he has conducted significant research with the Construction Industry Institute on Advanced Work Packaging. Doug shares real-world examples from his career, offering effective strategies for driving change across complex project environments. He discusses how evidence-based groundwork can enhance execution methods, foster innovation, and improve project outcomes. Additionally, he provides practical insights on presenting change in a way that encourages adaptability and cultivates a culture of continuous improvement within organizations. Tune in for valuable insights on leading change, overcoming industry challenges, and advancing project execution.

This week is Women in Construction week, and host Jerry Eyink welcomes Gretchen Gagel to discuss building women leaders in the construction industry. Gretchen shares her extensive journey in the industry and discusses the significance of inclusivity, allyship, and strong relationships. She describes the leadership qualities of successful women leaders, emphasizing authenticity and staying grounded in purpose and values. Gretchen offers her advice to women in the industry on navigating conflict and shares how men can proactively support women leaders. Additionally, she introduces the new global institute she founded, Women Thriving in Construction, which aims to grow collaboration and funding for initiatives supporting and elevating women in construction. Tune in for valuable takeaways on advancing inclusivity, advocating for change, and building strong women leaders.

A career in ironworking offers women valuable opportunities while helping to grow the skilled labor workforce. In this episode of Get the kNACk, hosts Sue Steele and Kevin Hilton sit down with Vicki O'Leary, Director of Diversity for the Ironworkers International Union, to discuss efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable construction industry. Vicki shares her journey into ironworking and the impactful initiatives she has led. She discusses progressive maternity leave policies designed to better support tradeswomen and the development of the “Be That One Guy” program, which empowers ironworkers to address and prevent workplace bullying and harassment. Additionally, Vicki shares how women can enter the ironworking field and why they choose to stay. This episode highlights the vital role of fostering diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in traditionally male-dominated industries, building a stronger, more equitable workforce.

Culture is at the core of project success, as Host Jerry Eyink and NAC CEO and President Edd Gibson discuss in their exploration of the critical intersection between technology and people in the construction industry. They share their evolving understanding of balancing technical expertise with the human element and how this balance enhances project outcomes. Edd shares the importance of front-end planning and the development of the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) to integrate technical and people-oriented aspects of project management. He also gives insight into a recent effort to build an integrated project/program management (IP2M) tool at the Department of Energy, which empirically proved the socio-technical interaction.  In effect, maturity of business systems or technology usage is a function of the environment within the project team interacts.  The discussion highlights the importance of organizational culture, alignment, and a socio-technical systems approach. Additionally, Edd shares the characteristics of mature organizations that allow them to be successful. Ultimately concluding that while technology is important and should be embraced, people are the most important part of a project.