Hard Hats & Data Chats

What happens after fraud strikes? In Part 2 of our conversation with Rob Cochran, Vice President of Fraud and ACH Operations at Corpay and former FBI cybercrime leader, we move from prevention to response. 

Drawing on decades of experience investigating financial crime, Rob shares practical guidance for the critical moments after a fraud incident, including how to stop the bleeding, activate an incident response plan, communicate effectively, preserve evidence, and recover operations. He also discusses the human impact of fraud, the importance of tabletop exercises, and why every AP and finance team needs a tested plan before a crisis occurs. 

Whether you're in construction, finance, or operations, this episode offers actionable lessons to help your organization respond with confidence when fraud becomes a reality.

Learn more about Steve’s work with eCMS Cloud Construction ERP Software at  Computer Guidance Corporation or Fraser’s work transforming construction data into actionable insights at Onware.

What happens before a fraud incident, cyberattack, or payment diversion hits your construction business? In this episode of Hard Hats & Data Chats, we sit down with Rob Cochran, former FBI leader and cybersecurity expert, to explore the concept of "Left of Boom" and the proactive steps construction companies can take to reduce risk. From vendor verification and payment controls to MFA and incident planning, Rob shares practical strategies that can help keep your organization one step ahead of fraudsters. Whether you're an owner, controller, IT leader, or project executive, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help protect your business before something goes wrong.

Learn more about Steve’s work with eCMS Cloud Construction ERP Software at  Computer Guidance Corporation or Fraser’s work transforming construction data into actionable insights at Onware.

In Part 2 of our conversation with James Bullis, Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure at JDM Technology Group, we move beyond basic security awareness and dive into the strategic decisions construction and trade contractors need to make to protect their businesses. 

We discuss the risks of relying on a single IT person, when it makes sense to partner with a managed service provider (MSP), and why cyber insurance has become an essential part of business risk management. James Bullis also shares practical guidance on ransomware, business continuity planning, and the importance of validating backups before a crisis occurs. 

The conversation then turns to artificial intelligence. We explore how AI is changing both the offensive and defensive sides of cybersecurity, from more sophisticated phishing attacks to modern endpoint detection and response tools that help organizations identify threats before they spread.

Whether you're a business owner, operational leader, or technology professional, this episode offers practical advice on reducing risk, building resilience, and treating cybersecurity as a business responsibility rather than just an IT problem.

Learn more about Steve’s work with eCMS Cloud Construction ERP Software at  Computer Guidance Corporation or Fraser’s work transforming construction data into actionable insights at Onware.

Season 2 kicks off with a deep dive into the cybersecurity realities construction and industrial organizations face today. Fraser and Steve sit down with James Bullis, Director of Cybersecurity & Infrastructure at JDM Technology Group, to unpack why phishing is still the #1 attack vector, how MFA and password hygiene actually work in practice, and why backup testing—not just backup taking—is essential for survival.

James also breaks down the risks of relying on a single IT person, the rise of AI‑powered attacks, and the practical steps leaders can take this week to reduce risk. If you’re responsible for keeping your organization secure, this episode gives you the playbook.

Learn more about Steve’s work with eCMS Cloud Construction ERP Software at  Computer Guidance Corporation or Fraser’s work transforming construction data into actionable insights at Onware.

In our season finale, Fraser and Steve sit down in person in Scottsdale, Arizona with Michael Pompey, Chief AI Strategist at Arrow Electronics, for a candid, no‑fluff conversation about where construction data and AI are really headed.

Across two decades as a CIO, Michael has led digital transformation, infrastructure modernization, and AI strategy — and he brings that experience straight into the construction job trailer. Together, we dig into the realities behind the hype: data silos, ERP limitations, semantic models, data warehouses, and why “10 inches from the keyboard” is still the biggest barrier to innovation.

Michael shares stories from the public sector, insights on biometric data and digital twins, and a blunt take on how leaders will either use AI to elevate their teams… or race straight to the bottom. We explore the future of project management, the irreplaceable value of field expertise, and why construction firms must tie data initiatives directly to business value — not IT wish lists.

If you care about the future of construction technology, practical AI, and how builders can finally unlock the value buried in their own systems, this episode is the perfect capstone to Season 1.

Follow, subscribe, and stay tuned — Season 2 is already in the works.

Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/a3ocC682B04

Michael Pompey, AI Evangelist, Arrow Electronics: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpompey/

Learn more about Steve’s work with eCMS Cloud Construction ERP Software at  Computer Guidance Corporation or Fraser’s work transforming construction data into actionable insights at Onware.

Fraser Gallop and Steve Gross break down real‑world examples of modern data transformation in construction—moving from manual month‑end chaos to automated data warehouses, governance, semantic models, and actionable dashboards. They share stories from the field, highlight how top performers streamline WIP, forecasting, and reporting, and show how better data architecture frees high‑value teams to focus on strategy instead of spreadsheets. A practical, insight‑packed conversation on what “good” truly looks like in construction data.

Learn more about Steve’s work with eCMS Cloud Construction ERP Software at  Computer Guidance Corporation or Fraser’s work transforming construction data into actionable insights at Onware.

Fraser and Steve break down the real challenges behind successful software and data deployments—why they happen, how to avoid them, and what teams can do to build a strong foundation. They cover the essentials: getting early buy‑in, cleaning and standardizing data, defining meaningful KPIs, integrating systems properly, and building trust through training and transparency. As Fraser notes, “we won’t get it right the first time,” so iteration and feedback loops are critical. The episode closes with a look ahead to Fraser’s upcoming Tableau presentation and the next topic: What Good Looks Like.

Learn more about Steve’s work with eCMS Cloud Construction ERP Software at  Computer Guidance Corporation or Fraser’s work transforming construction data into actionable insights at Onware.

In Episode 4 of Hard Hats & Data Chats, Fraser Gallop and Steve Gross dive into the real reasons data initiatives fail in construction — and why it’s almost never the technology. Drawing from real project stories, they unpack issues like data silos, inconsistent definitions, user‑created workarounds that break reporting, and the cultural gaps that undermine even the best systems. This episode highlights the importance of governance, stewardship, and cross‑team communication in building a trustworthy data foundation. If you’ve ever wondered why your dashboards don’t match your spreadsheets, this one hits home.

Learn more about Steve’s work with eCMS Cloud Construction ERP Software at  Computer Guidance Corporation or Fraser’s work transforming construction data into actionable insights at Onware.

Struggling with disconnected data in construction? This episode is your guide to unifying and automating data flow for smarter projects. Fraser Gallop and Steve Gross tackle data silos and manual reporting, revealing how ERP integration can transform tracking, cost control, and forecasting. Learn to build intuitive dashboards and gain real-time visibility to maintain margins and manage change orders effectively. Perfect for executives and project managers ready to harness data as a competitive edge. Listen now to streamline your systems and improve decision-making.

Learn more about Steve’s work with eCMS Cloud Construction ERP Software at  Computer Guidance Corporation or Fraser’s work transforming construction data into actionable insights at Onware.

In this episode of Hard Hats and Data Chats, Fraser Gallop and Steve Gross dig into a key insight for contractors: you don’t need more data—you need to better use the data you already have.

They share practical, real-world examples of how information captured in ERP systems, timesheets, and billing processes can be activated to improve productivity, simplify time-and-materials billing, and reduce manual work. From tracking quantities alongside labor hours to replacing spreadsheets with system-driven reporting, the discussion focuses on small changes that deliver meaningful impact.

The episode also touches on earned value, forecasting, and why consistent data discipline creates better visibility, scalability, and profitability over time.

If you’re looking for ways to unlock insights from your existing systems and work smarter—not harder—this episode is for you.

Learn more about Steve’s work with eCMS Cloud Construction ERP Software at  Computer Guidance Corporation or Fraser’s work transforming construction data into actionable insights at Onware.