Gareth McGlynn sits down with Katie Coulson, EVP - General Manager, to discuss her journey and current role leading Skanska Advanced Technology (SAT) - a unit focused on high-tech project delivery across the U.S.

Discussion Highlights:

• Her education at the University of Wisconsin - Madison as a Civil and Environmental Engineer.

• Her background delivering high-tech projects for Skanska for over 27 years.

• What her role as Director of Risk, Project Controls, and Project Analytics taught her.

• What’s next for tariffs - and how the CHIPS Act could affect Skanska.

• The challenges ahead as she leads Skanska Advanced Technology Group.

For follow-ups on the topics, connect with her via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiecoulsonuw/

Clay Shumake, Preconstruction Manager at Gates Construction Co., joins Gareth McGlynn on The Preconstruction Podcast to share practical insights from his experience across electrical and masonry trades.

Discussion Highlights:

• The art of masonry construction.

• The importance of communication when dealing with subcontractors.

• All the secrets of dealing with a masonry contractor as a GC.

• Clay’s electrical background and why he made the switch

• Why tariffs are causing huge problems with veneer types.

• Preconstruction technology and its practical uses.

• Solutions to keep out water in existing buildings and renovation projects.

Clay shares real-world experience across trades, offering value to anyone involved in the early phases of construction planning.

For further questions or follow up, you can reach Clay via:

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-shumake-7b5a52151/

Gareth McGlynn sits down with Ryan Abbott, President, Southwest Region of Clayco , for a powerful discussion on leadership, innovation, and long-term thinking in the world of preconstruction and construction delivery.

Discussion Highlights:

• Clayco's Business Units:

  ▪ Clayco Self-Performed Concrete

  ▪ Lamar Johnson Collaborative

  ▪ Clayco Design Engineering

• Integrated Project Delivery (IPD): Why Ryan believes it’s essential for improving project outcomes.

• Award-Winning Results: How Clayco has earned over 61 awards for design and construction excellence across the Southeast.

• Education & Drive: Why Ryan pursued his master’s degree through night school while building his career.

• Career Journey: Reflections on 21 years at SUNT and what he’s bringing into his leadership at Clayco.

• Future Outlook: Ryan shares why he believes Clayco is positioned for huge success in the coming decade.

• Technology in Practice: Prefabrication, prefab glazing, and the role of predictive analytics in project planning and performance.

  
  

  For any follow up questions, you can connect with Ryan via his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbottbuilding/

Our host, Gareth McGlynn, catches up with Ivo Brook, Brand Director at Hanson Wade, and Randall Thompson, Preconstruction Executive at Nibbi Brothers, for a full-on Advancing Preconstruction love fest.

Celebrating 75 years of excellence, Nibbi has led Bay Area construction with a focus on complex builds, innovation, and quality - Randall shares how that legacy continues to shape modern preconstruction.

Discussion highlights:

• What to expect at Advancing Preconstruction 2025 in San Diego.

• Randall Thompson’s take on rethinking pre-construction and estimating workflows for prefabrication.

• Why people keep coming back – the value of attending

• The real benefits: networking, golf, happy hour, tech provider demos, and more.

• A rallying call for precon professionals: Let’s move forward together in San Diego.

You can connect with our guests on LinkedIn:

Ivo Brook - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivobrook/Randall Thompson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallethompson/

Our host, Gareth McGlynn, sits down with Mason Hennings , Estimator II at Traylor Bros., to discuss preconstruction data.

Discussed on the podcast:

• How to leverage big data in preconstruction.

• Using a data-driven approach to enhance accuracy, reduce risk, and create a competitive advantage.

• Machine learning and AI capabilities in construction.

• The $864 million Howard Franklin Bridge project.

• And much, much more.

For any follow-up questions, connect with Mason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mason-hennings-409a8113b/

Back for Part 2!

Our host, Gareth McGlynn, continues the conversation with Andrew Pitcher, Data Analyst and Integrations Manager at Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, as they pick up where they left off—talking practical tools, systems, and strategies that are helping preconstruction teams stay ahead.

Discussion Highlights:

• Integrating software to streamline communication and information sharing between teams.

• Inside Bartlett Cocke’s custom cost forecasting tool – how it connects to their data warehouse.

• Making data work: how estimators and preconstruction managers can use it to support better decision-making.

• Tackling knowledge transfer – the most common (and most frustrating) pain point across teams.

• And much, much more.

If you missed Part 1, you can catch it here: https://www.nichessp.com/pre-construction-podcast/139-andrew-pitcher

And you can connect with Andrew via his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-pitcher-71006b47/

Gareth McGlynn sits down with Tim Griggs, Director of Estimating at OHT Partners, to discuss key factors shaping multifamily construction and the broader real estate market.

Key Discussion Points:

• Multifamily construction – what are deals with no teeth?
• Multifamily optimism – why there’s confidence in a big bounce back in 2025
• Winning bids – getting the numbers right, the site right, and securing multifamily projects
• Inflation cycle and real estate market – how current trends are shaping project costs
• New administration – what potential shifts could mean for the industry

Plus, a special link to Tim’s music from Austin — check it out here: https://youtu.be/JBR_7MzCNb8?si=Oo-7FrK-EbztMQsX

Connect with Tim Griggs via his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-griggs-90b5b520/

Our host, Gareth McGlynn, welcomes back Bob Kovacs, Director of Preconstruction at Albion General Contractors, for another insightful conversation. Having previously joined us in 2022, Bob returns to discuss his career shift and key industry topics shaping preconstruction today.

Discussion Highlights:

🔹 Moving from a large general contractor to a growing small to mid-sized general contractor – the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges of both.

🔹 GMP contracts- Bob shares his perspective on why it doesn’t work for everyone”?

🔹 Is design-build GMP any better?

👉 Missed Bob’s previous episode? Listen here: https://www.nichessp.com/pre-construction-podcast/43-bob-kovacs
👉 Learn more about Albion General Contractors: https://albiongc.com/
👉 Connect with Bob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-kovacs-1491744/

We’re back with Steve Dell’Orto, Founder & CEO of Concentric. Our host, Gareth McGlynn, caught up with Steve to discuss key developments in preconstruction.

Discussion Points:

• Built by Builders Network – What it is and why it matters

• Concentric’s latest updates – Including the Concept Hub and AI advancements

• Knowledge Transfer & Retention – Keeping industry expertise within reach

🔗 Check out their website: Concentric

📌 Connect with Steve : LinkedIn

Our host, Gareth McGlynn, sits down with Andrew Pitcher, Data Analyst and Integrations Manager at Bartlett Cocke, for the first of a two-part series on the power of data in construction.

Discussion Points:

• Andrew’s background in Construction Science from Texas A&M University

• His Master of Science in Data Analytics
• How to extract, organize, and display data effectively
• The key data points every general contractor should be tracking
• Extracting data from Excel, text, images, and videos
• Building a scalable data and tech stack for long-term success

Part 2 coming soon!

🔗 Connect with Andrew Pitcher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-pitcher-71006b47/