Welcome back to the Construction Hall of Fame Podcast, where we highlight the people driving excellence in the architecture, engineering, and construction world.

In today’s episode, host Matt Gorgolinski welcomes Kurt Dannwolf, co-founder and principal of ODP Architecture and Design, a firm now spanning 140+ employees with offices in Florida and Colombia. 

With a background that includes working for world-renowned firms like Kohn Pedersen Fox and Handel Architects, Kurt’s journey is anything but typical.

From building tree forts and train sets as a kid to collaborating with global icons like Zaha Hadid’s team, Kurt opens up about the early risks, hard-earned lessons, and the leadership philosophy that propelled ODP into one of Florida’s most respected architectural firms.

This episode is packed with insights on growing a business, navigating market downturns, balancing artistic vision with real-world deliverables, and the importance of mentorship in the industry.

Takeaways

• Kurt Dan Wolf's journey in architecture began at Pratt Institute.
• The importance of finding paying work after architecture school.
• Building relationships is crucial for business development.
• Quality work leads to referrals and reputation in the industry.
• Mentorship plays a significant role in professional growth.
• The transition from being an employee to a business owner is challenging.
• Creating a strong company culture fosters employee satisfaction.
• Understanding client needs is key to successful project management.
• The future vision includes expanding ODP Architects internationally.
• Investing in training and development for employees is essential.

Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed this episode and would like to encourage you to subscribe, rate, and review. Your feedback is extremely valuable to us.

Please stay connected with us on social media and listen to more fascinating stories from construction industry trailblazers. 

As we approach our next episode, keep nurturing greatness!

In this episode, Hedy Woodrow, President of the Atelier division and Chief Client Experience Officer at Blue Heron, shares her extensive career journey from retail management to luxury design. She emphasizes the importance of building strong client relationships, trust, and transparency in the luxury market. 

Hedy discusses her approach to empowering teams to deliver exceptional client experiences and the significance of timeless luxury in design. Throughout the conversation, she highlights the value of communication, passion, and a client-centric culture in achieving success.

Takeaways

• Hedy's career began in retail management, where she learned the importance of delegation and team building.
• Building a strong client relationship is crucial in the luxury market.
• Trust and transparency are foundational to long-lasting client relationships.
• Empowering teams is essential for delivering exceptional client experiences.
• Timeless luxury is preferred over trends in design.
• Effective communication is key to team success and client satisfaction.
• Hiring passionate individuals leads to a motivated and dedicated team.
• Understanding client expectations is vital in the luxury home building process.
• Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in leadership and client interactions.
• Mistakes should be viewed as learning opportunities to improve processes. 

Thank you for tuning in! We hope you enjoyed this episode and would love for you to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—your feedback means the world to us.

To stay connected and hear more inspiring stories from trailblazers in the construction industry, follow us on social media and visit us at BigLeagueTalentCo.com.

Until next time, keep nurturing greatness—we’ll see you in the next episode!

In this episode, Matt Gorgolinski and Eric Anderton discuss succession planning in the construction industry. They explore the importance of early succession planning, common mistakes leaders make, and the strategic drivers that shape organizational growth. The conversation emphasizes the need for talent development, effective communication, and understanding employee motivations to mitigate flight risks. 

Eric shares insights on creating clear career paths and the role of organizational structure in succession planning, ultimately highlighting the importance of fostering a culture of growth and continuity in construction leadership. In this conversation, Eric Anderton and Matt Gorgolinski delve into the intricacies of succession planning within construction companies. 

They discuss the importance of recognizing and valuing employees who may not have received promotions, the need for self-assessment in leadership aspirations, and the critical role of process mapping in ensuring a smooth transition of leadership. The dialogue emphasizes the necessity of mentorship, accountability, and clear documentation in executing effective succession plans. 

They also explore the dynamics of family businesses and the challenges of preparing the next generation for leadership roles, highlighting the importance of clarity and readiness in succession planning.

Takeaways

• Succession planning should start early in a construction leader's career.
• Effective succession planning involves understanding the unique needs of each organization.
• Many leaders begin thinking about succession too late, often within a few years of retirement.
• Succession planning is not just about passing on the business, but about ongoing talent development.
• Creating a clear career path is essential for employee retention and satisfaction.
• Regular check-ins on career progression help maintain employee engagement.
• Understanding the motivations of employees can help mitigate flight risks.
• Role clarity and KPIs are crucial for effective succession planning.
• Organizations should be aware of the different ambitions of their employees.
• Transparent communication about career paths fosters trust and loyalty. Make sure strong players are on projects they enjoy.
• Transparency about promotion decisions is crucial.
• Recognize and reward technical skills to retain talent.

Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed this episode and would like to encourage you to subscribe, rate, and review. Feedback from you is extremely valuable to us.

Stay connected with us on social media and listen to more fascinating stories from construction industry trailblazers. 

As we approach our next episode, keep nurturing greatness!

In this episode, Tony Calvis, the president of Calvis Wyant Luxury Homes, shares his career journey, starting as a construction worker and eventually becoming a successful custom home builder. He emphasizes the importance of learning from experience and the transition from being in the field to running his own business. 

He also discusses the factors that contributed to the growth and success of his company, including building a strong team and establishing a reputation. He shares his leadership philosophy, focusing on treating employees as equals and creating a culture of accountability. 

Tony highlights the significance of planning in building high-level homes and the evolution of design-build in the industry. In this conversation, Tony Calvis discusses the transition to an in-house design team and the benefits of working with other architectural firms. He also shares considerations for building high-end homes and the importance of collaboration between architects and designers.

Tony highlights the significance of a maintenance business and the role of the maintenance department. He emphasizes the benefits of a maintenance program and shares his lessons learned in the construction industry. Finally, Tony discusses future initiatives and projects at Kalvis Homes.

Takeaways:
• Learning from experience is a valuable way to develop skills and knowledge.
• Building a strong team and establishing a good reputation are key factors in the growth and success of a business.
• Treating employees as equals and creating a culture of accountability are important aspects of effective leadership.
• Planning is crucial in building high-level homes and ensuring coordination among various consultants and contractors. Collaboration between architects and designers is crucial for creating unique, beautiful, and functional homes.
• Having an in-house design team allows for better coordination and support for architectural and design projects.
• A maintenance program is essential for ensuring the longevity and functionality of high-end homes.
• Apologizing quickly and taking responsibility for mistakes builds trust and strengthens relationships with clients.
• Treating people well and empowering them leads to successful teams and businesses in the construction industry.

Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed this episode and would like to encourage you to subscribe, rate, and review. Feedback from you is extremely valuable to us.

Stay connected with us on social media and listen to more fascinating stories from construction industry trailblazers. 

As we approach our next episode, keep nurturing greatness!

Welcome to another episode of the Construction Hall of Fame Podcast, where we delve into the remarkable journeys and narratives of outstanding individuals in the construction industry. This episode features a captivating guest, Terry Paterson, President of Patterson Project Management.

In this episode, Terry takes us through the chronicles of establishing and nurturing a thriving high-end luxury home construction business. He shares his profound insights, starting from his background in construction, the founding of his company, to the formidable challenges confronted during the tumultuous 2008 recession.

Key Takeaways:

• Building a successful construction business takes time and perseverance.
• Trust and reputation are crucial in the high-end luxury home construction industry.
• During challenging times, it is important to prioritize retaining key staff and maintaining strong relationships with clients and banks.
• Exceptional service and clear communication are essential for success in the construction industry. Passion and dedication are essential for success in any industry.
• Building relationships and networking are crucial for business growth.
• Adapting to market changes and diversifying can help mitigate risks.
• Investing in leadership development and delegation is key to scaling a business.
• Involvement in charities can provide networking opportunities and contribute to the community.

If you found this episode insightful, we encourage you to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your feedback is invaluable to us.

For more enthralling tales from the construction industry’s trailblazers, visit our podcast channels and stay connected with us on social media. Until our next episode, keep fostering greatness!

On this episode, we are joined by Suzanne Pentin -- West Coast Controller at Gilbane Building Company.

Suzanne's success story begins with her playing collegiate and professional basketball. Since then, Suzanne has risen up through the construction industry ranks and has made some interesting career pivots along the way to get where she is today -- supporting one of the country's most reputable building companies.

In this episode, we discuss how to build a successful construction career through a consistent team player mentality and a commitment to mentorship & servant leadership to support your team's success.

If you're looking to advance in your construction career or want to hear the perspective of a seasoned veteran Controller making powerful moves in the construction industry -- you're in for a treat with this episode!

We hope you enjoy the episode!

To learn more about Big League Talent, your favorite construction & AEC recruiters, visit our website at www.bigleaguetalentco.com

To steal our Construction Recruitment Thesis for recruiting and retaining top construction and AEC professionals, visit our landing page at www.bigleaguetalent.co/dossier

In this episode, we welcome Scott Staton, Business Unit Director at Harris Company.

Scott's journey in mechanical contracting began on a path of uncertainty, leading to a successful career commanding his own business unit at the renowned Harris Company. With his background, he brings a unique perspective and invaluable insights to our discussion.

In this episode, we delve into:

• Scott's background and his entrance into the mechanical contracting world, along with the inspirations that led him to head up his own business unit.

• His strategies for setting his business unit apart from other mechanical contractors in the crowded Bay Area market.

• Challenges that Scott has faced in the mechanical contracting industry and his strategies for overcoming them.

• Proven practices Scott has utilized for attracting and retaining top talent within the industry.

• Scott's view on crucial qualities for any successful business unit leader.

• The evolution of the industry since Scott's early days and how his company has adapted to these shifts.

• Practical advice Scott would offer to a newcomer to the mechanical contracting industry.

• Parting advice for young professionals in the construction industry who aspire to walk in his shoes one day.

And much more…

If you are keen to hear an inspiring journey from uncertainty to success, gain firsthand insights from a mechanical contracting leader, or garner valuable advice for career progression within the industry, this episode with Scott Staton is not to be missed!

On this episode, we are joined by Rey Altamirano -- Director of Life Sciences and Healthcare at Peacock Construction.

Rey's success story began working for his father's construction company, and he initially decided construction wasn't for him. Then, he found a professor in college who led him to fall back in love with construction. Fast forward to today, Rey is a prolific Project Leader focused on Healthcare and Life Sciences, who has also done an incredible job winning work for Peacock Construction.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What Rey enjoys about being a part of the team at Peacock

• How his experience has differed going from larger GCs to a smaller GC

• How his experience at the “big boys” helped him improve the systems and processes at Peacock

• How he has helped add a significant amount of backlog work to Peacock through relationships and business development

And much more…

If you're looking to hear a story about a construction leader who fell out of love and back into love with construction, how Rey has significantly increased the backlog for their team during the pandemic, or how a Healthcare and Life Sciences construction leader has taken their experience at larger GC's to impact a smaller GC -- you're in for a gem with this episode!

On this episode, we are joined by Mike Trulove -- Senior Project Manager at CDI Contractors.

Mike's success story began chasing gold buckle dreams as a professional bull rider in Austin, TX. Along the way, he was running his own fencing company on the side, when all of a sudden, he suffered a career-ending injury. After his bull riding career ended, he joined KB Home for about 2 years, superintending 60 to 80 homes at a time. 

He decided he wanted to get into the commercial side of construction as the residential construction market saw a crash, which led to him joining Hensel Phelps as a field engineer. Along the way, Mike applied an impressive work ethic coupled with a growth mindset and a high self-awareness to help him grow into who he is today.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What lean construction means to him — and how companies can benefit by implementing lean into their organization

• His experience transitioning from residential construction to ultimately working on international mega projects

• His perspective on building a thriving culture by aligning the “mind, body and spirit” of the organization

• His personal experience going from a construction employee, to a consultant, and back to an employee leading his team to success

And much more…

If you're looking for new ways to implement the Lean mentality into your construction organization, you want to build a thriving construction culture, or you simply want to hear the perspective of a seasoned construction leader who genuinely cares about pushing the industry forward -- you're in for a treat with this episode!

On this episode, we are joined by Mike Martinez -- VP of Business Management at Rossi Builders.

Mike's success story began working in the media industry, rising up the ranks over the years with companies like San Diego Business Journal, San Francisco Business Times, and Bisnow. After wrapping up his media career, he decided to make the jump into the construction industry. 

Throughout his career, he's maintained a growth mindset and built relationships with impactful construction leaders, which has allowed him to make an immediate impact on the construction teams he's been a part of, while also taking massive action to learn as much construction knowledge as possible when he officially entered the industry.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What the transition was like moving from the media industry to construction

• Recent shifts Mike has noticed in the San Francisco Bay Area construction market

• What allows Mike and the team at Rossi to perform at such a high level and consistently win multi-million dollar bids throughout the San Francisco area

• His personal experience as a client partner of our construction headhunting firm, Big League Talent

And much more…

If you're considering a career move into construction from another industry, you want to level up your ability to recruit and retain rockstar construction professionals, or you simply want to hear the perspective of a successful construction leader who represents a roughly $100M ARR Bay Area construction team -- you're in for a treat with this episode!