Mac & Bleu

You Belong Here: Glendale, Arizona – From Super Bowls to Exploding Development and Growth
This week Robert and JJ’s guests were City of Glendale Arizona’s Mayor Jerry Weiers and Assistant Director of Economic Development, Jessi Pederson. From Mayor Weiers refreshing honesty to Jessi’s knowledgeable insight, we couldn’t have had a better discussion.

The City of Glendale is a vibrant and welcoming metropolitan city with extraordinary opportunities for everyone to prosper, connect, and experience all that is remarkable about this great community.

We began our discussion with the Super Bowl. Glendale, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, is hosting their third Super Bowl in 2023 after hosting in 2008 and 2015. The Mayor is proud of the continuing development of the Westgate Entertainment District & the space available to double it’s current size. Jessi shared examples of the exploding growth along the Loop 303, Glendale’s New Frontier, with projections to add 80,000,000 square feet of development along this corridor within the next 10 years.

Both of our guests are excited about the planned redevelopment of the city center to include the city hall office building, amphitheater and park, and to continue to the rest of downtown Glendale. 
With over 250,000 residents and nearly 2,000 city employees working together to make Glendale the community of choice for those looking to live, work, and play, You Belong Here is a fitting tagline.

Valley residents learn about what goes into hosting Super Bowl 57, the current and planned development along the Loop 303 corridor, & what is happening with the redevelopment of the downtown city center.

The city of Glendale is a vibrant and welcoming metropolitan city with extraordinary opportunities for everyone to prosper, connect, and experience all that is remarkable about our community. Incorporated in 1910, Glendale is home to both historic attractions like Sahuaro Ranch Park and state of the art entertainment facilities like State Farm Stadium the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and the 2008, 2015, and 2023 Super Bowls.

The city is home to natural preserves such as Thunderbird Conservation Park and high-tech manufacturers like Conair and Honeywell Aerospace. The city can boast medical school Midwestern University, the only veterinary school in the state of Arizona, and Luke Air Force Base, the training home for new F-35 pilots.

The Westgate Entertainment District is Ar

MAC & Bleu, your go-to podcast for the innovative minds shaping our nation’s future. Our topics are not only vast but advanced and forward looking, as we explore emerging trends in blockchain, AI, the Metaverse, and both virtual and augmented reality within the construction, business and entrepreneur market segments.

Our conversations are as diverse as they are enlightening, traversing not just the topics of economic development, supply chains, diverse market sectors, and celebrate the rich diversity underpinning each industry. We also dive into the intricate interplay between local politics and business, highlighting the far-reaching impact of political decisions on different market segments. Be sure to subscribe to the MAC & Bleu Youtube Channel

About the Host - JJ Levenske - President & Co-Founder of Bleuwave General Contracting

JJ Levenske is a seasoned construction executive with over 30 years of experience in the commercial & industrial sectors. From pre-construction services to complex quality controls and close-outs, he brings a commitment to delivering the highest levels of professionalism and customer service. J.J.’s dedication to construction has allowed him to become an industry expert which he aims to share with customers and investors alike.

Bringing the Strength of Women to the World of Construction with Dawn Rogers and Tuyet Jacobson
Robert and JJ’s guests, Dawn Rogers(Executive Director) with Arizona Masonry Council and Tuyet Jacobson(Sr. Project Manager) with McCarthy Building Companies, discussed the many benefits of women in the AEC arenas.

We learn what brought these ladies into their prospective positions and the importance of women “telling their story better” to encourage others. Experiencing the passion that Dawn and Tuyet bring to their advocacy of women in the AEC professions shined the light on the importance of diversity in the industry.

Both are heavily involved with programs highlighting the multitude of possibilities for careers in construction, reaching out to Middle School students through College level.

If you have been looking to “Find your Tribe” Dawn and Tuyet are the place to start!

MAC & Bleu, your go-to podcast for the innovative minds shaping our nation’s future. Our topics are not only vast but advanced and forward looking, as we explore emerging trends in blockchain, AI, the Metaverse, and both virtual and augmented reality within the construction, business and entrepreneur market segments.

Our conversations are as diverse as they are enlightening, traversing not just the topics of economic development, supply chains, diverse market sectors, and celebrate the rich diversity underpinning each industry. We also dive into the intricate interplay between local politics and business, highlighting the far-reaching impact of political decisions on different market segments. Be sure to subscribe to the MAC & Bleu Youtube Channel

About the Host - JJ Levenske - President & Co-Founder of Bleuwave General Contracting

JJ Levenske is a seasoned construction executive with over 30 years of experience in the commercial & industrial sectors. From pre-construction services to complex quality controls and close-outs, he brings a commitment to delivering the highest levels of professionalism and customer service. J.J.’s dedication to construction has allowed him to become an industry expert which he aims to share with customers and investors alike.

City of Maricopa: Economic Development Done Right with Nathan Steele
City of Maricopa – Economic Development Done Correctly. Robert and JJ met with Nathan Steele (Chief Economic Development Officer) of the City of Maricopa to discuss "all things" development related in the City of Maricopa. Nathan enlightened everyone with the tremendous growth in Maricopa and went on to elaborate.

Mac and Bleu is the hot new podcast dedicated to all things related to building Arizona. Topics discussed range from construction, economic development, supply chain, and market segments.

Mac & Bleu also includes diversity in construction, local politics affecting construction, women in construction, construction technology, and more.

The hosts, Robert Johnson of Tori Contracting, LLC and JJ Levenske of Bleuwave have their finger on the pulse of the people building Arizona.

The show brings in the brightest minds in their perspective positions and industries and JJ and Robert have a unique ability to touch on the subject matter that you want to hear.

If you want to know who’s building Arizona, tune in and subscribe to Mac and Bleu today!
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Robert Johnson is a knowledgeable construction professional with over 40 years of experience. His experience ranges from residential to commercial and industrial sectors. Robert began working in the trades immediately out of high school and quickly advanced to Journeyman status.

Robert went to estimating, operations, senior-level management, as well as business development. Robert is consistently building relationships and networking with those associated with all aspects of development and construction. Robert has become a respected source for prefabricated construction solutions. 

Robert enjoys spending time with Pam, his wife of 42 years, their 3 children, and 10
grandchildren.

JJ Levenske is a seasoned construction executive with over 30 years of experience in the commercial and industrial sectors.

From pre-construction services to complex quality controls and close-outs, he brings a commitment to delivering the highest levels of professionalism and customer service.

J.J.’s dedication to construction has allowed him to become an industry expert which he aims to share with customers and investors alike.

J.J. does not believe in mediocrity and strives to see the “en

MAC & Bleu, your go-to podcast for the innovative minds shaping our nation’s future. Our topics are not only vast but advanced and forward looking, as we explore emerging trends in blockchain, AI, the Metaverse, and both virtual and augmented reality within the construction, business and entrepreneur market segments.

Our conversations are as diverse as they are enlightening, traversing not just the topics of economic development, supply chains, diverse market sectors, and celebrate the rich diversity underpinning each industry. We also dive into the intricate interplay between local politics and business, highlighting the far-reaching impact of political decisions on different market segments. Be sure to subscribe to the MAC & Bleu Youtube Channel

About the Host - JJ Levenske - President & Co-Founder of Bleuwave General Contracting

JJ Levenske is a seasoned construction executive with over 30 years of experience in the commercial & industrial sectors. From pre-construction services to complex quality controls and close-outs, he brings a commitment to delivering the highest levels of professionalism and customer service. J.J.’s dedication to construction has allowed him to become an industry expert which he aims to share with customers and investors alike.