The ConTech Crew 392: 2023 Year-in-Review and A Look Ahead to 2024 with Nathan Wood and Ariel Castillo

The Future is Built! Learn more at: https://thecontechcrew.com/

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Here, we discuss innovation and all things construction tech, including hardware, software, devices, apps, and the strategies for applying them to construction projects.

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EPISODE 406: How can a finance expert reshape the construction world and demonstrate its urgent need for cutting-edge technology? In this week’s episode, join my co-host Tannis Liviniuk and me as we dive into the extraordinary journey of Lisa Giuffra Diaz–a former managing director at Goldman Sachs turned construction technology trailblazer and mentor. With over two decades of financial expertise, Lisa shares her unique transition from Wall Street to spearheading innovation in construction. Today, we explore the role of technology in addressing industry challenges and the need for diverse perspectives and ethical leadership in driving construction innovation. Moreover, we talk about Lisa’s passion for mentoring and preparing the younger generation for diverse career paths in construction and how this can impact the industry as a whole. Join us in this riveting discussion now. Let’s get started! 
 Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) From Wall Street to construction (01:47) How Turf connects with construction tech companies (06:11) Finding pain points in the construction tech world (10:37) 3 key traits of an archetype founder (14:47) Red flags to look out for when working with an entrepreneur (19:02) Linking diversity with innovation (22:40) Exposing the younger generation to construction (29:16) Career pathways in construction (39:19) Keep up with Lisa and her work (42:33) Construction technology news of the week (48:35) 
 Additional Resources: Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagiuffradiaz/ Check out Turf Advisory: https://www.turfadvisory.com/ Visit the Boys and Girls Club of Vermont for more information: https://www.bgcmvny.org/ —  See this week’s news articles! 

From Wall Street to Construction Technology: How a Finance Expert Rebuilds the Construction Sector | Lisa Giuffra Diaz of Turf Advisory

EPISODE 405: As fewer students opt for trade schools, addressing today’s skills gap in construction seems far-fetched. But this episode might inspire others to step up and educate the trades of the future. In this week’s episode, I’m joined by an old friend of mine, Jim Jones. Jim is the program director of skilled crafts and trades at Colorado Mountain College (CMC). With a wealth of experience from his years in the construction industry, he built an automotive program for a local high school in partnership with CMC and eventually took on the directorship role. Today, Jim and I talk about his journey from his humble beginning as a lift mechanic to his current role as an educational innovator and how his unwavering passion for mechanics has crafted educational pathways for tradespeople. Discover how CMC is revolutionizing trade education to meet the evolving demands of the construction industry. We also discuss the significant role of partnerships in trade programs and CMC’s future projects aimed at integrating sustainability and modern technologies into trade education. Ready to explore how you can turn your trade skills into a thriving career and help shape the future of construction? Tune in now to learn more! 
 Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) From on-site construction to classroom lessons (06:31) The importance of practical application in trade programs (13:22) Expansion of trade programs at CMC (18:45) Integrating sustainability and innovation in trade education (26:37) Opportunities for technology providers (33:42) Keep up with Jim (36:17) Construction technology news of the week (37:55) 
 Additional Resources: Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Follow Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-jones-031b7067/ Visit Colorado Mountain College for more information: https://coloradomtn.edu/ —  See this week’s news articles! 

Is the Future of Construction in the Hands of Trade Educators? With Jim Jones of Colorado Mountain College

EPISODE 404: Construction is always ahead of what is going to happen. You can’t have a data boom until you have the data center–and somebody has to build it.  Yet, most companies don’t put that much weight on extensive training to upskill their people. In this week’s episode, my co-host Jacob D’Albora and I sit down with Ian Theodore, the training director at Austin Commercial, to talk about the critical role of training and technology integration in the construction industry. With a career spanning various aspects of construction–from on-site experiences to leading technology integration projects–Ian offers deep insights into the importance of comprehensive training programs for employees across the board. We also explore the impact of technological advancements on construction projects, the potential of concepts like IoT and digital twinning to building management and operations, and much more. Are you curious how technology and training are shaping the future of construction? Tune in now to learn more! 
 Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) From construction to training (01:40) How technology has changed construction over time (11:02) The rise of PoE lighting and its implications (16:17) Integrating IT into building operations (20:35) The power of cross-training (25:36) Implementing comprehensive training for all employees (31:31) Keep up with Ian (39:55) Construction technology news of the week (41:33) 
 Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Follow Ian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-theodore-b3ab0688/ Check out Austin Industries for more information: https://www.austin-ind.com/ —  See this week’s news articles! 

Why Smart Building Starts with Smarter Training with Ian Theodore of Austin Commercial

EPISODE 403: Imagine a world where roads and bridges are designed and constructed with unmatched accuracy and efficiency. That future is NOW! In this week’s episode, my co-host Jacob D’Albora and I sit down with Connor Christian, the BIM (Building Information Modeling) operations manager at Kiewit, as we explore how BIM and generative design technology are transforming transportation infrastructure. Drawing on over two decades of experience in the construction and technology industry, Connor shares his insights on the reality of the software world, the potential of data-driven transportation infrastructure, future trends in transportation technology, and more. Are you ready to unlock the future of efficient and innovative infrastructure development? Let’s get started! 
 Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) Connor Christian’s journey through the construction industry (01:03) The truth about the software world (05:46) How to use technology more effectively in construction (10:00) The transition to infrastructure and technology (12:29) Opportunities in the horizontal construction (20:10) The importance of data and pay items in transportation projects (24:51) Future trends in transportation technology (31:06) The potential of generative design in infrastructure (34:44) Construction technology news of the week (43:46) 
 Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Follow Connor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-christian-pe-2697154/ Check out Kiewit for more information: https://www.kiewit.com/ —  See this week’s news articles! 

BIM Reality: How Technology is Transforming Transportation Infrastructure with Connor Christian of Kiewit

EPISODE 402: The biggest challenge in construction isn’t technology; it’s changing perceptions. When did you last hear field workers compliment a tech specialist on his latest software? It seldom happens, and it’s hurting the industry one way or another. In this week’s episode, my co-host Jonathan Marsh and I have the pleasure of interviewing James Faulkner, the CEO and founder of SiteMax. Started as a special project in 2014, SiteMax is a robust jobsite management software built for construction. From daily reports to safety, timecards, photos, drawings, and more, you can access all these essential tools in one place. Today, James shares his journey from making vinyl deck holes in his parents’ basement to getting into construction technology. Learn how SiteMax is bridging the gap between field and office, what tribalism is in construction, its potential impacts on construction innovation, and so much more. Let’s dive in! 
 Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) From vinyl decals to construction tech (02:35) How James started SiteMax (08:01) Challenges of bridging the office-field gap (11:49) What is tribalism in the construction industry? (16:27) Game-changing features from SiteMax that bridge the tribalism gap (20:25) How to deal with pushbacks from the field guys (30:47) What led James to podcasting? (35:22) Discussing the future of construction technology (40:00) Advice to the younger generations (50:59) Construction technology news of the week (56:06) 
 Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Follow James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-faulkner-9a53085/ Listen to The Site Visit Podcast: https://www.thesitevisit.com Check out SiteMax software for more information: https://sitemaxsystems.com —  See this week’s news articles! 

The ConTech Crew 392: 2023 Year-in-Review and A Look Ahead to 2024 with Nathan Wood and Ariel Castillo

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