In this episode of Strong Conversations, Mike Ellerbrook, Executive Vice President of UFP Site Built, shares his 27-year journey from working in a plant at 18 to leading within a major building products company. The conversation dives into culture, multi-generational leadership, and what it really takes to stay relevant and win in a constantly evolving industry.

Key Takeaways:

- Why culture and having fun at work are essential to long-term success in the industry

- Leading across generations: adapting your style while staying authentic and consistent

- The importance of “dual learning” between experienced leaders and younger talent

- Setting a clear expectation to win—and tailoring how you coach individuals to get there

- Navigating post-COVID market shifts and resetting expectations for sustainable growth

In this episode of Strong Conversations: Real Stories, Sam Marcoux sits down with Steve Swinney, CEO and co-founder of Kodiak Building Partners, to unpack what it really means to bet big—and do it thoughtfully.

From launching Kodiak during the Great Recession to leading a 5,500-employee organization into its next chapter with QXO, Steve shares lessons on risk, culture, scaling, and leadership. The conversation blends hard-won business insight with humor, reflection, and a few 1980s hair-metal references along the way.

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Episode Highlights

· Why Kodiak’s biggest bets were bold but calculated

· Lessons from starting a company during the Great Recession

· How culture became the #1 diligence factor in acquisitions

· What it’s like being acquired after 15 years of growth

Steve is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kodiak Building Partners, a transformative force in the building materials industry that he has steered through strategic growth and 40+ acquisitions throughout the past 13 years.

In the second part of the Strong Conversations Lessons Learned series with 84 Lumber, we talk to Mitch Wagner, Vice President of Purchasing, who reflects on four decades in the building industry. From starting at $4.35 an hour to leading purchasing strategy for one of the most recognized names in the business, Mitch shares lessons on relationships, resilience, and leadership that endure through industry change.

Key Takeaways:

• How 84 Lumber builds careers that span decades

• The importance of long-term relationships with vendors and stores

• Why burning bridges is never an option in a consolidating industry

• Lessons for salespeople on working effectively with purchasing leaders

• The value of mentorship and succession in sustaining company culture

We continue our Strong Conversations Lessons Learned series with an episode with Frank Cicero, COO of 84 Lumber, who reflects on a 42-year career that began with handwritten tickets and grew into leading one of the largest players in the building industry. From mentors who shaped his leadership to lessons in humility, work ethic, and technology, Frank shares what it means to grow with a company while always keeping customers and associates at the center.

Key Takeaways:

• Why long-term success comes from listening to customers and associates

• The influence of mentors and the importance of learning at every stage

• How the building industry has shifted from generalists to specialists—and what’s next with technology

• The leadership values that stand out: hard work, humility, and treating people with dignity

In this overtime edition of Strong Conversations, Jason Blair returns to explore life beyond the org chart. Part Three dives into passions, personal growth, and technology, revealing the thoughtful, competitive, and forward-looking mindset behind TAL’s leadership. From public speaking to golf to AI, this final chapter delivers powerful takeaways on staying sharp, staying human, and embracing what’s next.

Key Takeaways:

• Jason’s mindset on public speaking and how preparation beats “natural talent”

• Why golf remains both a competitive outlet and a relationship-building tool

• How TAL is forming an internal “Team AI” to future-proof its operations

• The leadership lesson in focusing on what you can control

In Part Two of this three-part series, TAL Building Centers CEO Jason Blair returns to Strong Conversations for a deeper dive into the leadership lessons that shaped his career. From managing 180 people at age 24 to guiding a 500-employee company today, Jason opens up about accountability, feedback, and learning to lead other leaders.

Key Takeaways:

• How to seek, receive, and respond to feedback with intention

• The challenges and breakthroughs of leading leaders—not just teams

• Lessons in patience, title-chasing, and staying grounded in growth

• Creating space for trust, delegation, and meaningful decision-making

In part one of this three-part Strong Conversations series, host Sam Marcoux sits down with Jason Blair, CEO of TAL Building Centers, for a candid, insightful look at career growth, leadership lessons, and the power of humble beginnings. Recorded in Jason’s own apartment in Vancouver, WA, the episode explores his journey from stocking paint at Payless Cashways to leading a 500-person company steeped in history and community values.

Highlights include:

• Why your title isn’t your job—and how Jason defines real responsibility

• The early influences that shaped his leadership style

• How a part-time gig turned into a lifelong career in building materials

• The value of grit, mentorship, and lessons learned through hard work

In part two of our powerful conversation with Garrett Moore, we explore how the lessons from his Navy SEAL experience shaped his path into construction innovation, entrepreneurship, and ultimately, failure and rebirth. This is the story of resilience, brutal honesty, and the pursuit of purpose in the face of mounting pressure.

Key Highlights:

- The founding, rise, and fall of AGORUS: what went right and what went wrong

- The emotional toll of leadership, burnout, and learning to ask for help

- Lessons from failure: the cost of chasing too many goals at once

- How focus and humility gave rise to a new venture rooted in teamwork and impact

- Garrett’s vision for transforming construction through digital twin technology

In part one of our powerful two-part conversation with Garrett Moore, we dive deep into the extraordinary origin story of a man who’s not only a Division I quarterback and a US Navy SEAL but also the co-founder and CEO of TektonOS reshaping the construction industry. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and the strength of high-performing teams.

Key Highlights:

- Global travel, family values, and early exposure to leadership shaped Garrett’s childhood.

- Life at Stanford football under Jim Harbaugh, and lessons from an elite sports culture.

- The journey from quarterback to Navy SEAL, and the life-defining experience of BUD/S training.

- Endurance, teamwork, and decision-making under extreme pressure.

- How one phone call from his wife during a mission would eventually define Garrett’s next mission—rebuilding trust and efficiency in construction.

You won't want to miss this if you're interested in leadership, resilience, or simply hearing a great story.

This is one of our favorite episodes from our Live from the Simpson Strong-Tie booth at IBS 2025 in Las Vegas season. In this episode, we sit down with Tim Uhler, the powerhouse framer behind "Awesome Framers," to talk shop at the 2025 International Builders’ Show. Known for his mix of technical know-how, on-site humor, and authentic content, Tim shares how a simple Instagram joke turned into a full-fledged construction media platform.

Highlights include:

How Tim unintentionally became a social media standout in the trades

The unexpected power of building education through short-form video

Why connecting with real people at shows like IBS matters

Behind-the-scenes stories of fake magic, real friendships, and builder wisdom