Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

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.

In this episode, host Kevin Hilton, CEO of the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT), sits down with IMPACT General President Eric Dean and Bill Brown, Executive Director of Ideal Contracting, to discuss how the Union Ironworker model consistently succeeds in staffing mega projects. Amid today’s skilled labor shortage, they explore the union’s unique ability to provide a trained workforce that meets project requirements safely and efficiently. Eric and Bill share experiences from past projects, demonstrating how the union approach ensures safety, profitability, and the ability to meet tight schedules. They also discuss the advantages of union training programs that adapt workers to project-specific needs and address common challenges, demonstrating the union model’s essential role in successful mega projects and its capacity to meet industry demands.

Why pursue a career in construction? With October being “Careers in Construction” month, Jeff Ehret, Chairman of The PENTA Building Group, explains why he finds the construction industry both exciting and rewarding. With no two days alike and the ability to see tangible results of your work, a career in construction management is especially fulfilling. In this episode, host Jerry Eyink sits down with Jeff to explore the diverse benefits the field offers. They discuss the wide range of opportunities for both vertical and horizontal career growth, emphasizing that success is driven by a combination of technical, business, and interpersonal skills. Jeff also highlights that a career in construction management is portable and flexible allowing for travel, and lucrative opportunities. In addition, he offers valuable advice to young professionals on entering the industry and encourages listeners to see this path as an exciting career option.

The value and impact of mentorship is tremendous in transforming the lives of both the mentee and mentor. In this episode, Milo Riverso joins our host, Jerry Eyink, to discuss the importance of mentorship. Milo is the retired President and CEO of the STV Group and currently serves as the President of Manhattan University. Throughout his career, Milo has been involved in mentorship, having served as chairman of the ACE Mentorship Program and currently serving on the National ACE Mentor Board Executive Committee. At Manhattan University, Milo launched a highly successful mentorship program that significantly boosted retention rates for engineering students. He shares the key qualities of a successful program and his strategies for strong mentor-mentee relationships. Emphasizing with strong leadership and recognition of success, mentorship proves to be win-win for all.

Temporary structures play a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of construction projects. In this episode, Charles (Chuck) Jahren, Morrill Professor Emeritus at Iowa State, joins host Bill O'Brien to share his expertise. Chuck offers valuable insights into the significance of temporary structures and strategies to mitigate the challenges they pose. He emphasizes the importance of investing in careful planning to ensure project success. Chuck recounts his experience working on various projects, describing how practical exposure helped him gain a deeper understanding of temporary structures. He calls for careful planning of temporary structures early in the project. He also encourages young practitioners to seek hands-on opportunities to enhance their spatial awareness, a crucial skill for mastering this key aspect of construction.

The Hoover Dam stands as one of the greatest civil engineering construction achievements in history, as it was unprecedented in its size, scope, and technical complexity. Built during the challenging times of the Great Depression, it not only showcased incredible project management and innovation but also served as a symbol of hope. In this episode of “Lessons of the Great Builders”, host Jerry Eyink is joined by Paul Giroux, a leading construction historian with decades of experience on mega projects and a professor of practice at Purdue University. The discussion centers around three critical areas of knowledge from the project: technical innovations, and professional and personal outcomes. Paul discusses the project's challenges, highlighting the technological advancements and safety improvements that emerged as a result. He also explores the key attributes that enabled the project leaders to achieve success. Through this conversation, valuable insights from the Hoover Dam's construction continue to be shared across the industry, serving as a reminder that even the most ambitious dreams can become reality.

Join us for the sixth installment of our “Leadership in Construction” series, featuring Jan Tuchman, a remarkable leader in the construction industry. Jan served as the editor-in-chief of Engineering News-Record (ENR) and now leads content development for ENR’s live and virtual events. Her dedication to the industry extends to her work with construction organizations and nonprofits. She serves on the National Academy of Construction’s awards, collaboration, and communications committees and chairs the Industry Leaders Council of the American Society of Civil Engineers. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Jan was honored with the 2020 Ted C. Kennedy Award from NAC. In this episode, she joins host Sue Steele to discuss the leadership qualities that have driven her success. Jan shares stories of the challenges she’s faced, the strategies she used to overcome them, and the attributes that enabled her to lead effectively. She also discusses emerging industry trends, such as the transition to renewable energy sources, and offers advice to young professionals, encouraging them to stay focused on their vision and mission.