The Art of Construction

In this conversation, Devon Tilly and co-host Nathan Wood chat with Chad Pearson in preparation for the  AEC Summit in Austin, Texas in April 2025!

This podcast is a part of a series of episodes that will be coming out from now until Spring 2025 covering the AEC Summit in Austin, Texas April 23rd - 25th 2025. We encourage our listeners and partners to share and engage with us during this conference coverage! Keep up with the Art of Construction (AOC) podcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube!

Submit a Team Topic for the AEC Summit 2025! 

Currently, Chad is a partner at Plexxis Software, where he helps deliver software to the ‘trades’ while coaching teammates on performance under pressure. Outside of Plexxis, Chad is a Mixed Martial Arts and Wrestling coach. Prior to ConTech, Chad worked in Law Enforcement in Emergency Response, CIB (Criminal Investigation Bureau) and as an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Liaison Officer. His formal training includes a Bachelor of Arts from University of Guelph, Crisis Resolution & tactical communication, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Response), Police Defensive Tactics and Use of Force.

Nathan Wood understands how rewarding the design and construction process can be when technology and culture embrace a new era of innovation. Nathan first earned his reputation as an industry thought leader in 2011, sharing his award-winning implementation of virtual design and construction (VDC) while working on integrated project delivery (IPD) healthcare projects. Nathan strives to share the best practices and lessons learned he's gathered from over 100 project teams spanning the US, Europe, and the Middle East. These experiences have taught him that when it comes to adopting technology in construction, it’s not one size fits all. For that reason, Nathan founded SpectrumAEC with a clear goal — solving the human barriers to new process and technology adoption. As SpectrumAEC's founder and chief enabling officer, Nathan helps organizations and project teams successfully adopt change through executive strategy sessions and end user workshops. Nathan continues to support industry progression through conference presentations, academic papers, and as President of the Construction Progress Coalition.

Video: ‘Positive Proximity’ and the not so obvious consequences of physically fragmented teams

Video: Tips for Construction Tech Selection and Adoption

Video: Using Police tactics to negotiate technology agreements

Tips for Team Cohesion prior to tech adoption!

In this conversation, Devon Tilly and co-host Nathan Wood chat with Denise Devine from Veloris Consulting about her background and the upcoming AEC Summit in Austin, Texas in April 2025!

This podcast is a part of a series of episodes that will be coming out from now until Spring 2025 covering the AEC Summit in Austin, Texas April 23rd - 25th 2025. We encourage our listeners and partners to share and engage with us during this conference coverage! Keep up with the Art of Construction (AOC) podcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube!

Submit a Team Topic for the AEC Summit 2025! 

Denise has over 20 years of expertise in growth strategy and operational efficiencies and serves the industry as a consultant, researcher, author and speaker as Founder of Veloris Consulting. Her most recent work was the 2024 edition of the Construction Technology Report for NECA, MCAA and SMACNA after supporting the research and keynote presentation at the 2024 MEP Innovation Conference (pending publication). She is currently co-authoring a curriculum and textbook on AI for the Construction Industry with The New School of Architecture. To further support the industry, Denise also holds a position as Senior Manager with Continuum Advisory Group and she serves as the Construction Progress Coalition’s Communication Director, Chair of Women Construction Coalition’s, Julia Morgan Society, and is the Treasurer of CMAA San Diego’s DEIB committee. Denise's commitment to continued education underscores her passion for optimizing the industry and supporting contractors nationwide.

Nathan Wood understands how rewarding the design and construction process can be when technology and culture embrace a new era of innovation. Nathan first earned his reputation as an industry thought leader in 2011, sharing his award-winning implementation of virtual design and construction (VDC) while working on integrated project delivery (IPD) healthcare projects. Nathan strives to share the best practices and lessons learned he's gathered from over 100 project teams spanning the US, Europe, and the Middle East. These experiences have taught him that when it comes to adopting technology in construction, it’s not one size fits all. For that reason, Nathan founded SpectrumAEC with a clear goal — solving the human barriers to new process and technology adoption. As SpectrumAEC's founder and chief enabling officer, Nathan helps organizations and project teams successfully adopt change through executive strategy sessions and end user workshops. Nathan continues to support industry progression through conference presentations, academic papers, and as President of the Construction Progress Coalition.

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Marcus Kirkwood from Builder Answers about community inclusion in development 

plans! This podcast was recorded LIVE in studio at Mountain View Windows and Doors! They discuss the need for technology in the construction industry and how Builder Answers is addressing that need. They also talk about the importance of adopting new tools and technologies in construction and the challenges of implementing them. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration and innovation in the industry to improve efficiency and productivity.

Markus has spent nearly 15 years in construction, serving in hard goods as well as software, the industry has become a home and a passion. Having had a hand in building three organizations, a common thread has found its way through all of them. At all organizations Marcus leads, the objective is to create a culture and company that enjoys collaborating and challenging one another to accomplish our goals. A unified and productive team has been our primary focus at Outpost, Fonn and now, Builder Answers. As each organization continues to grow, they're learning how to build a scalable company that matches their values. Their mission is to create a competitive advantage for their customers by delivering on what we say they're going to do, each and every time they give their word. Pushing personal growth is necessary in order to inspire more in the rest of their teams. They are constantly striving to be better, and leadership is required to spur that on in the right direction.

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Watch this clip of Builder Answers Demo!

This is episode 5 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver! 

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Jack Tiebout of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)!

Jack Tiebout is a Senior Program Manager at the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT). He manages the Innovative Housing Incentive Program (IHIP), which supports innovative housing manufacturers through performance-based grants and loans. Before coming to OEDIT, Jack was advancing best practices in land use at the Colorado chapter of the Urban Land Institute. Jack graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Master’s in Community & Regional Planning and from Tulane University with a dual degree in Psychology and English. Jack is an Ironman finisher, casual birder, and zealous backyard barbecuer. He lives in Denver with his wife, son, and two dogs.

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This is episode 4 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver! 

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Jeff Hopfenbeck of Simple Homes!

Jeff is the co-founder and CEO of Simple Homes. Simple Homes is a Denver-based provider of turnkey offsite construction solutions. A lifelong architecture and construction geek, Jeff is passionate about using technology to solve our nation’s housing affordability crisis. Simple Homes seeks to address this challenge by designing, manufacturing, and assembling homes using its unique turnkey panelized construction system. Previously Jeff worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he supported the firm’s industry 4.0 and private equity practices. Before McKinsey, Jeff worked for a number of leading social sector organizations, including the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network, the Telluride Foundation, and El Pomar Foundation. He received his bachelor’s degree from Whitman College and his MBA from CU’s Leeds School of Business, where he focused on Real Estate and Entrepreneurship.

This is episode 3 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver! 

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Garrett Moore of Agorus.

In football, as in life, the most important person on the field is often the least noticed – the left tackle: he protects the quarterback’s blind side.” As a quarterback at Stanford University, this simple lesson laid the early foundation for Garrett’s servant-leadership philosophy: “It’s the people you work with every day who determine your ability to make an impact”. After achieving a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford, and despite an early desire to jump right into a Silicon Valley start-up after graduation, Garrett’s passion to serve led him to San Diego to become an officer in the Navy SEALs. During this time, he was also selected to become an Olmsted Scholar (similar to a Rhodes Scholarship). After learning Hebrew from scratch, he earned his master’s degree in Cybersecurity at Tel Aviv University…in Hebrew! Living there in Startup Nation, he learned another critical lesson, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world.” You might see two common denominators in these life shaping experiences – a love of high performing teams and fearlessness in the face of challenges. Garrett and his co-founder Kyle run headlong into the fray when most would hesitate. “If a problem is too hard for everyone else, it’s probably just right for us”. And for that reason, he is wholly committed to solving America’s elusive housing crisis. Garrett is married to his childhood sweetheart and loves to spend time with his family. It’s no surprise that he’s also an extreme sports guy, snowboarding, mountain biking and e-foiling whenever he can. By the way, don’t ever get suckered into a ping pong game with him. It won’t go well for you. 

AGORUS LinkedIn

AGORUS Instagram

AGORUS ONE Build - Tucson, AZ Project Timelapse

This is episode 2 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver! 

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Brent Forsberg about community inclusion in development plans!

Brent Forsberg has been active in real estate sales, investing, and development for 22 years in the Greater Lansing area. Currently, he is the President of TA Forsberg Inc, a firm with over 60 years of experience in road and sewer construction, and land development specializing in residential and light commercial and professional office. 

Brent has led the sales teams of several large residential developments in the Greater Lansing and is a licensed broker involved in Forsberg Real Estate Company. T.A. Forsberg, Inc.’s projects have provided residential home sites for more than 1000 families within its premier lifestyle neighborhoods. He is currently involved in several urban sustainability and renewal projects within the Greater Lansing Area. Brent focuses on how to create stronger connected communities between local businesses, the arts, and residents through Place-Based Development and human-scaled design.

Throughout his career, Brent has been active on many industry and non-profit boards including the National Homebuilders Sales and Marketing Council, the City of Mason Downtown Development Authority, and the Mason Chamber of Commerce Board, Lansing March of Dimes, The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) board, and is the 2020 President of the Greater Lansing Homebuilders Association. He is also active on many committees working on transportation issues, education, workforce development, and promotion of the arts. Brent is an active speaker and has given talks, led design charrettes, and facilitated roundtables. Topics include market research, scale and design, and new home sales. Venues have included the International Homebuilders Show, the University of Michigan, Lansing Community College, many local schools, neighborhood associations, trade associations, and non-profit groups. 

Personally, Brent is an avid outdoorsman enjoying alpine skiing and mountain biking with family and friends. He is an avid reader and enjoys writing as well. Brent enjoys cooking and participated in the celebrity chef auction for the March of Dimes for seven years. He loves working with people and being a small part of the growth in the Greater Lansing Region.

This is episode 1 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver! 

In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Gene Eidelman of Azure.

From developing multifamily projects to revolutionizing the construction industry with 3D-printed homes, Gene Eidelman's journey in real estate is marked by innovation and impact. After immigrating to the US from Ukraine, Gene quickly made a name for himself, developing over 3,000 condominiums and apartments in Southern California and across the Southeastern United States. His entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there; he launched two education startups before co-founding Azure Printed Homes in 2022. At Azure, Gene and his team are breaking new ground with a patented 3D printing process that constructs entire structures from recycled polymers. This eco-friendly method is not only 70% faster but also 30% cheaper than traditional construction, revolutionizing how we think about building homes. Since May 2023, Azure Printed Homes has been delivering units ranging from backyard studios and park models for glamping resorts and RV parks to ADUs and homes, with a focus on sustainable, affordable housing for all. Gene's commitment to making a difference extends beyond real estate. He has been recognized for his efforts in resettling 6,000 refugees from Eastern Europe and has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss his refugee resettlement work. Gene is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, 3D Printing, construction and real estate. He delivered a TED talk at TEDx Wilmington on the future of housing on April 27, 2024, which will be on YouTube this summer. He also appeared on TV news programs and podcasts. His work is paving the way for a future where sustainable and affordable housing is accessible to everyone. He can be contacted at [email protected].

In this conversation, Devon Tilly and Christian Reed discuss the digitization of construction tools and the development of the REEKON platform. They explore the origin story of REEKON Tools, the integration of technology into construction tools, and the role of the Recon app in connecting the field to the office. They highlight the importance of meeting construction professionals where they are and providing innovative solutions to improve efficiency and accuracy on the job site. The conversation covers the innovative T1 Tomahawk digital tape measure and the M1 caliber, highlighting their features, benefits, and applications in the construction industry. It also delves into the importance of leveraging new technologies to build a strong brand and gain a competitive edge. 

Christian Reed is the founder and CEO of REEKON Tools, a global leader in digital construction tools. Prior to starting REEKON, Christian graduated MIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and served in the US Army.  

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In this conversation, Devon Tilly interviews Tom Hughes, the Vice President of Construction Operations at Genesis AEC, to demystify the concept of Engineering Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM). They discuss the criticality of pre-construction and the benefits of taking a fully integrated EPCM approach. They also touch on the importance of collaboration and communication among the different disciplines involved in the construction process. Tom emphasizes the need for a cohesive team and the role of pre-construction in setting targets and controlling costs. They also discuss the scalability of EPCM for projects of different sizes. Looking to the future, he highlights the importance of embracing technology, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, to improve productivity in construction. The key takeaway is the search for continuous improvement and the willingness to embrace change.

Tom Hughes has more than 20 years of professional experience as a project manager, project engineer, and superintendent on construction projects, focusing on safety and quality objectives. As Vice President of Construction Operations, he spearheads the entire lifecycle of construction projects, from design to commissioning. His expertise extends to the development and upkeep of preconstruction, construction, and closeout execution plans, alongside detailed project scope documentation, including comprehensive schedules and seamless construction activity coordination. Not content with merely meeting standards, Tom is a fervent advocate for pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology within construction. Under his leadership, Genesis is at the forefront of EPCM, BIM, Design-Assist, Integrated Project Delivery, and prefabrication. He consistently harnesses new resources to propel Genesis's lean construction initiatives forward, all in an effort to minimize waste and maximizing client value. Tom grew up and resides in Bucks County, PA (Philadelphia suburbs) where he lives with his wife (Alison), 2 children (Thomas III and Lana Rose), and their dog (Benson).