This is episode 1 of 4 discussing the national organization BS + Beer.

Join us this week as we talk with Robby Schwarz about BUILDTank and the foundations of building science and energy modeling. We kick off this Deep Dive Series with Robby and Devon discussing Building Science in our studio. They set up future episodes that will discuss Energize Denver and feature a LIVE podcast at BS + Beer Denver! 

Robby has been a champion of home performance for over 25 years, focusing on building performance, applied building science, and system thinking.  He is committed to helping industry partners, builders, code jurisdictions, and others understand residential energy, applied building science, systems thinking, home performance and our role in the built environment.

His interest started in 1995, while exploring how to incorporate green building materials into the production building environment.  Soon after, Robby founded his first company, BuiltWright, Inc.  In 2006, he cofounded EnergyLogic, now the largest energy rating firm of its kind in Colorado. In 2020 he became the principal thinker and founder of BUILDTank, Inc., a pragmatic building think tank specializing in actionable applied building science solutions. When getting his hands dirty doing the work he finds that ideas are stimulated, and innovative change can occur.

Using what he has learned from working on thousands of homes, Robby has helped train and lead the industry.  He is actively involved in energy code development, builder and trade training, and educating the next generation of residential energy experts.  He has helped Colorado jurisdictions develop and implement their energy codes, presented code language that was successfully adopted at the national ICC® code hearings, and encouraged implementation of the simulated performance path for code compliance.  His ability to integrate applied building science and systems thinking with building programs such as Energy Star®, Indoor airPlus®, and DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes® has lead to thousands of certified homes in Colorado.

Robby is a sought-after trainer and routinely presents at RESNET®, EEBA, the ENERGY STAR® Summit, the Colorado Chapter of the IECC®, Colorado Energy Office, and local Home Builders Associations.

Listen to Robby's podcast, BuildCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/2M8c6vIFahbGsCBl675BAr 

Roni Szigeti is a visionary leader with a profound background in specialty subcontracting and a relentless commitment to developing innovation solutions for specialty subcontractors. Roni's journey into the world of specialty subcontracting began with their tenure at Northstar Environmental Group (Formerly LVI), where he served as a key player in the company's mission to provide innovative environmental and demolition contracting solutions. With a deep understanding of the complex challenges associated with environmental projects, Roni quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a driving force in the industry.

At Northstar, Roni successfully managed and executed a wide range of environmental projects, from soil remediation, asbestos abatement, structural and interior demolition, to hazardous waste disposal. Their expertise and commitment to safety and sustainability earned them recognition as a trailblazer in the field, setting new standards for responsible environmental contracting. Driven by a desire to bring innovation and efficiencies to specialty subcontractors, Roni Szigeti embarked on an entrepreneurial journey and founded FieldFlo, a technology company at the forefront of the digital revolution in our industry. As the CEO of FieldFlo, Roni has harnessed their extensive industry knowledge to develop cutting-edge software solutions that streamline and optimize project and field management.

Under Roni's leadership, FieldFlo has become synonymous with innovation in the specialty subcontractor sector, providing tools and technologies that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Through FieldFlo, Roni is empowering organizations worldwide to make real time educated decisions about their projects, employees, safety and equipment while improving their bottom line. His unwavering commitment to bringing increased efficiencies, compliance, and safety to the specialty subcontracting world extends beyond their professional endeavors. They are a passionate advocate and actively engage with a diverse set of organizations to promote awareness and best practices.

Roni envisions a world where businesses and individuals can thrive through the implementation of sound technology that truly makes their companies and lives easier, safer and more profitable. His dedication to this vision, coupled with his impressive track record, positions them as a leading authority in environmental contracting and technology. In addition to his professional achievements, Roni enjoys mountain biking, golfing and going to see live music in his spare time, demonstrating a well-rounded and holistic approach to life. His inspiring journey from environmental contracting to entrepreneurship exemplifies the power of passion and dedication in creating a more innovative world for our industry. With FieldFlo as a platform for change, Roni continues to lead the charge towards a brighter, cleaner future for generations to come.

Follow FieldFlō on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fieldflo/about/

Follow Roni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roni-szigeti-2626b636/

Visit FieldFlō's website: https://www.fieldflo.com/

Follow FieldFlō on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fieldflo

Join us this week as we talk to Shelby Ashley of Optimized Financial Solutions! 

In this episode, Devon Tilly interviews Shelby Ashley, the founder of Optimize Financial Solutions, about the importance of finance management in a wide variety of construction businesses. They discuss the role of a CFO in helping manage their cash flow and make informed financial decisions. Shelby emphasizes the need for business owners to understand the financial statements and key metrics that drive revenue, profit, and the flow of money. She also highlights the importance of paying yourself first and using artificial intelligence to streamline financial processes. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights and practical tips for effectively managing finances in a construction business.

Shelby lives in Huntsville, AL but serves clients all over the United States. She founded Optimized Financial Solutions because she is passionate about translating what business owners see (and are often confused by) on their financial statements, into actionable decisions to help grow their business.  Shelby received her Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Finance as well as her MBA from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.  After working in several industries helping large business owners achieve success, she decided to start her own service helping small to medium sized business owners do the same.  Her mission is to help clients go from feeling overwhelmed, stressed about cash, to feeling confident, knowing they are running their business like a CEO.  

Visit Optimized Financial Solution's website: www.optimizedfinancialsolutions.com

Follow Shelby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelby-ashley-mba-a72903b9/

Contact Shelby for more info/questions at [email protected]

View a clip of this virtual podcast here: https://youtu.be/BIb0oOvxbkI 

Listen to Shelby on the Construction Instruction podcast: Https://www.construction-disruption.com/episode/cash-is-king-with-shelby-

Join us this week as we talk to Brian Lambert and Jeff Salyer of Managing It Right! 

As a licensed NASCLA general contractor and the proprietor of EMG, Brian Lambert's construction company, he has extensive experience in the construction industry. Additionally, he is the owner of Managing It Right, a construction management software company. He enjoys traveling, lifting weights, and running. His active nature is evident in both his personal and professional life, and his relentless work ethic has earned him a reputation as a workaholic. Driven by a commitment to excellence, he maintains high standards for himself, his staff, and his clients.

Jeff Salyer, a seasoned professional with roots in the heartland of Kansas, whose diverse journey encompasses both military valor and business acumen. Raised against the backdrop of Kansas' scenic landscapes, he discovered at an early age the calling to serve, leading to a distinguished six-year tenure as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman. With three combat tours under his belt, learning from many leaders in his service career about courage and dedication, he earned commendations for his exceptional medical support to Marine Corps units. Transitioning seamlessly from the military to the corporate arena, he has spent six years making an impact in business development. He holds an MBA degree along with a Bachelor’s from Purdue University. As a devoted spouse and proud parent of two sons, he understands the delicate balance between professional success and a rich, rewarding personal life. Residing in the vibrant state of North Carolina, he brings a unique fusion of Midwestern values and Southern hospitality to his professional and personal interactions. He wants to continue to make significant contributions to the business landscape and thank those who have been an inspiration to value the confluence of service, leadership, and business acumen.

Visit Managing It Right's website: https://managingitright.com/

Follow Managing It Right on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/managingitright/

Follow Managing It Right on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/managingitright/

Follow Managing It Right on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/managingitright/

Follow Jeff Salyer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-salyer-/

https://youtu.be/fCI0EHyFZoE and https://youtu.be/LvyOlCrlrfo

Read the article "Plans to Profits": https://www.managingitright.com/from-plans-to-profits-essential-software-products-for-home-builders.html

This is episode 4 of a 4 part series on constructing housing for I/DD adults!

In this episode, Michelle Dumay of Energy Glass discusses the benefits and applications of Energy Glass, a solar alternative for standard plate glass windows. She shares case studies and challenges faced in implementing this technology and highlights the unique features of Energy Glass. Michelle also emphasizes the importance of considering the needs of the IDD (Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled) community in construction projects and encourages builders and affiliates to focus on the heart line of their work.

Michelle Dumay is the mother of a terminally ill child born with a rare brain abnormality that required nearly half of her brain to be removed when she was less than a day old. Among other medical conditions (cerebral palsy, blindness and quadriplegia) her daughter suffers from four types of seizures. Michelle is no stranger to medical/hospital settings having taken her daughter to more than 1400 appointments. Her experience as a caregiver and medical advocate has allowed her to serve on patient advisory councils for two children’s hospital (Los Angeles and Phoenix) and one insurer (Mercy Care).

As a trained chemist, she first turned to conventional-pharma for the treatment of her daughter's seizures. Then she learned of the medicinal value of cannabis and its efficacy in mitigating seizures. With great success, her daughter has been using cannabis for several years.

Along with advocacy, learning has been a huge part of this journey. Federal prohibition has hampered all things-cannabis, including medical use. Having experienced first-hand the benefits and efficacy of its use to mitigate her daughter’s seizures, Michelle wanted to petition her insurance companies to cover the cost of the cannabis medicine. Quickly she learned that this was a lofty aspiration for a huge unforeseen reason (besides Prohibition): medical cannabis dispensaries are not HIPAA-compliant and as such, cannot partner with insurance companies to serve cannabis patients. Working to solve her own problem and the looming problem of millions of cannabis-using patients, she entered into the world of cannabis governance, risk and compliance.

Learn more about Energy Glass: http://www.energyglass.com/egl/index.php

Follow Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelledumay/

Watch Michelle's TedTalk: https://www.ted.com/talks/michelle_dumay_cannabis_gave_me_a_voice

Learn more about the Trailhead Community here:https://www.trailheadcommunity.org/

This is episode 3 of a 4 part series on constructing housing for I/DD adults!

If you hear any background noise or laughter - that’s because this podcast was recorded LIVE from the Nuts and Bolts Conference in Colorado Springs in November 2023!

Beth Rodriguez is the secretary and treasurer of Trailhead Community – a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 with a mission to create a neuro-inclusive and intentional housing community. Beth has a passion for working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)- specifically helping them gain independence in activities they value. She is a licensed occupational therapist and a certified aging in place specialist (CAPS.) Beth grew up in the home building industry and cultivated a love for building and design. She is especially interested in universal design and home modifications to allow individuals of all ages and abilities to live safely and independently in their environments. Beth worked closely consulting with the design and construction team for Trailhead’s first project in creating an 83 unit building that lives well, encourages community, and promotes health and wellness. Beth has many years of experience working with individuals with IDD in both a prevocational day program setting as well as providing direct care services in the homes of individuals helping them gain independence in daily living skills.  She knows the desperate need for attainable housing in the Denver area for adults with IDD and appreciates the opportunity to be on Trailhead’s Board to create innovative housing solutions for this population. In her spare time, you can find Beth enjoying anything outdoors- skiing, hiking, camping and traveling!

Ken Wilkinson, the visionary founder and managing partner of Layer 10, has always been driven by a passion for pioneering the integration of technology in the built environment. His journey in technology consulting has led him to redefine the role of IT in construction and real estate, transforming everyday spaces into dynamic, user-centric environments. At Layer 10, Ken's leadership and innovative approach have been instrumental in setting new standards for how technology enhances our physical world. Under Ken's leadership, Layer 10 has become synonymous with a design-first, user-centric, product-agnostic approach to technology in the built environment. His vision has propelled the firm to the forefront of integrating technology into commercial real estate, setting new standards for how we experience our surroundings. Ken's expertise isn't confined to the boardroom. He's a dynamic speaker and thought leader, frequently invited to share his insights on the fusion of technology and physical spaces. His talks go beyond the informative, offering transformative perspectives that are reshaping the industry. For a glimpse into Ken's innovative thinking and to stay updated on the latest trends at the intersection of technology and the built environment, follow him on LinkedIn. Here, you'll also find his insightful and informative newsletter, "Building Tomorrow," which delves into the future of technology in construction and real estate. Join Ken and Layer 10 in advancing the conversation around building tomorrow, today.

Follow Beth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-gigliotti-rodriguez

Follow Ken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/layer-10-consulting/?viewAsMember=true

Join the "Building Tomorrow" Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7097365261124546560

Layer 10's website: www.layer10.com

Layer 10 on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/layer-10-consulting

Layer 10 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ken_LAYER_10

Layer 10 on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX_quncBaJCnLuXisR0osAA

Learn more about the Trailhead Community here: https://www.trailheadcommunity.org/

This is episode 2 of a 4 part series on constructing housing for I/DD adults!

If you hear any background noise or laughter - that’s because this podcast was recorded LIVE from the Nuts and Bolts Conference in Colorado Springs in November 2023!

Jim Shipton was born in the Midwest and raised in Story City, Iowa, the heartland as they call it. He loves being from a small town where you have an opportunity to participate in all aspects of life. Jim played football, basketball, golf and learned to work hard in the farming community. He completed one year of undergraduate civil engineering at Iowa State University before transferring to Colorado State University where he met his future wife and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture. Upon graduation he and his wife, Denise, moved to the San Diego area for several years, gained valuable experience and his first license in 1992, before moving back to the Denver Metro area. He has been delivering his exceptional services to owners and developers in the western region of the US for the last 35 years. Currently he and his wife live in Littleton where they are trying to figure out how to become empty nesters. Jim enjoys outdoor activities, skiing, golfing, camping and all things Ford Bronco.

Greg Krause is a co-founder and principal of K2 Residential Solutions.  With over 22 years of construction management experience, Greg heads up K2’s Business Development and Pre-Construction efforts. Prior to establishing K2 Residential Solutions in 2015, Greg led the construction efforts of K2’s affiliate company, Metropolitan Homes, Inc. from 2001-2014.  Krause has been active on the boards of both the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver and the Construction Education Foundation.  He is also very involved in philanthropic endeavors including long-standing relationships with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Children’s Hospital, and Trailhead Community. Krause is a native of Colorado, residing in Metro Denver his entire life, with the exception of his undergraduate studies at the University of Washington where he competed as a member of the UW Crew.  Gre­g continued with his competitive athletic pursuits after college as a professional triathlete and cyclist.  Greg trained and raced the Ironman Hawaii, Cape Epic, La Ruta, and the Leadville 100 to name a few. 

He currently lives in Jefferson County with his wife and daughter.  The Krause’s enjoy spending family time in the great outdoors skiing, hiking, and cycling. 

Learn more about Jim's work at www.pnt-llc.com

Follow Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-consulting-llc

Visit K2's website: https://www.k2rs.com/

Learn more about the Trailhead Community: https://www.trailheadcommunity.org/

This is episode 1 of a 4 part series on constructing housing for IDD adults!

If you hear any background noise or laughter - that’s because this podcast was recorded LIVE from the Nuts and Bolts Conference in Colorado Springs in November 2023!

Barbara Ziegler is the Board president of the Trailhead Community. Here's more about Trailhead Community that can also be found on their website:

The individuals we work with are first and foremost ADULTS. Like all adults, they deserve to live independently in a place of their own. So in 2016, a group of parents, Stepping Stone staff and other friends all came together for the purpose of creating a non-profit to address this need. Stepping Stone Communities was born and the mission established: creating and designing an extraordinary opportunity for people to come together in an integrated and intentional apartment community!

After hundreds of hours of research and discussion, Stepping Stone Communities selected its first project- Trailhead Community, an apartment building with 77 units for both adults with DD and members of the general population with plenty of community space for meals and recreation. This was an ambitious project and it has grown since then!

There will be on-site concierge staff to provide 24/7 oversite for the building, social events, meal preparation and encourage mutual exchange and support between tenants. The building will have many unique and intentional features to promote community including a sport court, sound-proof multimedia room for music, large screen viewing and mini jam sessions, an art studio, fitness room, a community kitchen and common dining room serving optional meals daily, and large common areas both indoors and outdoors!

Learn more about the Trailhead Community here: https://www.trailheadcommunity.org/

Derek is a values-centered entrepreneur who is passionate about the environment and making bold leaps in energy efficiency through system integration. He is a subject matter expert in building controls and intelligent DC Nanogrids, and contributes to industry working groups to promote efficient building technologies.  As founder and CEO of LumenCache, he is leading the collaborative effort to globally change the standard for power distribution in buildings making them smart, safe, efficient, and resilient.

LumenCache's website: https://reneta.lighting

Learn more by watching this video from LumenCache: https://youtu.be/8o3bsk7Zq6c

Denver HIA Pitch deck: https://youtu.be/g4qPd-ICWXY

Watch a clip from this in person podcast here: https://youtu.be/-ErrnLTZ11U & https://youtu.be/kT0ikRfkIBk

Brad Leavitt is President and Founder of “A Finer Touch Construction” - a Scottsdale based luxury residential and commercial builder. AFT Construction, as known throughout the industry, is an award-winning construction firm and has been nationally published in magazines such as: Fine Home Building, Luxe Interiors and Design, and Professional Builder. Brad was awarded as an “Icon” in the AZ building industry by Sources for Design in October, 2019. He was also recognized as a 2022 Phoenix Titan 100. The Titan 100 program recognizes Phoenix’s Top 100 CEO’s & C-level executives. They are the area’s most accomplished business leaders in their industry using criteria that includes demonstrating exceptional leadership, vision, and passion. Collectively, the Phoenix 2022 Titans have a combined total of annual revenue of $32B and employ more than 85,000 individuals. 

Brad Leavitt is an energetic public speaker and ambassador for many national brands including Kohler, Louisiana Pacific, Rinnai. Pella, Subzero-Wolf, Buildertrend, Cambria, and Elkay. Brad completed a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from BYU in 2005 and worked on notable projects around Phoenix, including the Omni Montelucia in Paradise Valley.

His Podcast, “The AFT Construction Podcast”, is focused on bringing value to its listeners, no matter their industry. The topics are focused on marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, organization, building science and construction. AFT has continued to exceed industry standards and create strong client relationships based on integrity, reliability and quality. Brad is married to Ashley Leavitt. Together, they have 6 children, 5 girls and 1 boy.  Brad is active with all 6 of his children, serves in his local community, and loves all sports

Mark LaLiberte is the co-founder and president of Construction Instruction. He has dedicated over 30 years to the building industry. Through his lectures, site assistance, Building Better Homes video series and his mobile App, he provides builders, architects and manufacturers with an in-depth look at the current and future state of housing. His work has earned him a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA), where he developed the highly acclaimed Houses that Work lecture series. The HTW Series has been delivered for over 16 years by the Ci team in 100’s of North American cities. He was the 2013 Building Science co-chair for the Hanley Wood Vision 2020 project and he has provided technical assistance and a voluntary board position to the Cold Climate Housing Research Center in Fairbanks, Alaska for over 10 years. Mark also helped develop the training curriculum for the 2012 Repair Corp Project for Habitat for Humanity that provides assistance to improve existing housing for our Veterans.

He works with various manufacturers to assist in developing products and services for the next phase of efficient homes. Mark is the co-creator of the Ci App and animation studio, which developed the number one mobile App in the construction industry and builds realistic state of the art contextual animations on building science concepts and technical installation practices. He is also President of Sales Instruction Inc., helping to bridge sales and marketing efforts to our industry. Working with leading industry suppliers and manufacturers, his sales training company creates a common language to drive sales and increase productivity for sales teams.

His passion for educating lies in knowing how vital the building industry is.  Building healthy, safe, durable and efficient homes has an effect on the buyer, the builder, the economy and the planet.

View Videos of the virtual podcast here: https://youtu.be/ywp9Lr0lWv4

AFT Construction's website: www.aftconstruction.com

Listen to the AFT Construction Podcast: www.bradleavitt.com

AFT Construction on Instagram @AFT_Construction

AFT Construction on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Construction Instruction website: https://constructioninstruction.com/team/mark-laliberte/