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In this special ElevateAEC episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast, Frank Lazaro moderates a forward-thinking panel featuring Scott Cattran, Vanessa McMahan, and Jered Morris. Together, they explore the intersection of innovation, culture, and strategy—especially as generative AI transforms the architecture, engineering, and construction landscape.
With candid stories and practical frameworks, the panel unpacks what it takes to foster a culture of innovation, assess ROI on technology investments, navigate the ongoing “build vs. buy” debate, and anticipate the workforce shifts AI will catalyze. Throughout the episode, listeners receive actionable advice on how to cultivate adaptable teams, implement meaningful change, and position their firms for long-term success.
If you’re seeking real-world strategies to elevate your firm’s innovation initiatives or facing questions about AI’s impact on organization, talent, or value to clients, this episode is a must-listen.
Key TakeawaysListen to the full conversation on this episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast.
Links Referenced in This EpisodeGet your FREE Subscription to the Zweig Letter Newsletter.
Call to Action & Next Steps
To stay updated on industry evolution and leadership, subscribe to The Zweig Letter Podcast and explore our library of episodes highlighting AI transformation and technical innovation. To connect with Puskar Regmi, visit his LinkedIn profile or the Stantec website. Stay tuned for continued insights into how today’s leaders are driving the future of design and construction—one conversation at a time.
Thank you for listening! Be sure to subscribe for regular updates and more enlightening content from The Zweig Letter Podcast.
Other Episodes You'll EnjoyAI Transforming AEC with KP Reddy
Bridging Design and Construction with Dan Crist
Leadership Transition with Sondra Rotty
Connect with Zweig GroupInstagram: Zweig Group
Facebook: Zweig Group
Twitter: Zweig Group
LinkedIn: Zweig Group
Website: Zweig Group
-Pusker Regmi
Episode SummaryPusker Regmi is the vice president and wastewater sector leader at Stantec, as well as an award-winning engineer honored with the Water Environment Federation's Camp Applied Research Award. After moving from Nepal to the United States to pursue his passion for water engineering, Pusker now spearheads technical innovation and leads teams in delivering large-scale wastewater treatment and resource recovery solutions. His career is defined by a commitment to pushing the boundaries of process intensification and technical excellence.
In this episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast, host Randy Wilburn and co-host Luke Carothers sit down with Pusker to discuss his remarkable journey from studying electrical engineering in Nepal to becoming a sector leader at Stantec. They explore the inherent complexity and societal value of wastewater engineering, the transformative integration of AI and advanced technologies, and how these advancements are reshaping leadership, innovation, and upskilling within AEC firms. The conversation provides practical perspectives for leaders on fostering innovation and navigating the rise of "intelligent assets" in water infrastructure.
Whether you are navigating a digital transformation or seeking to inspire technical teams, this episode offers firsthand insights from the forefront of the AEC industry's AI evolution. Listeners will gain action-oriented strategies for intentional upskilling and a better understanding of evolving client expectations in the era of intelligent infrastructure.
Key TakeawaysListen to the full conversation on this episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast.
Links Referenced in This EpisodeGet your FREE Subscription to the Zweig Letter Newsletter.
Call to Action & Next Steps
To stay updated on industry evolution and leadership, subscribe to The Zweig Letter Podcast and explore our library of episodes highlighting AI transformation and technical innovation. To connect with Pusker Regmi, visit his LinkedIn profile or the Stantec website. Stay tuned for continued insights into how today’s leaders are driving the future of design and construction—one conversation at a time.
Thank you for listening! Be sure to subscribe for regular updates and more enlightening content from The Zweig Letter Podcast.
Other Episodes You'll EnjoyAI Transforming AEC with KP Reddy
Bridging Design and Construction with Dan Crist
Leadership Transition with Sondra Rotty
Connect with Zweig GroupConnect with Zweig Group:Instagram: Zweig Group
Facebook: Zweig Group
Twitter: Zweig Group
LinkedIn: Zweig Group
Website: Zweig Group
Episode Summary:
Sondra Rotty is the newly elected president and COO of Tarlton Corporation, one of St. Louis's largest general contracting and construction management firms. Since joining the company in 2005 as a project engineer, she has left her mark on a range of high-profile projects while actively serving the profession through board service and industry leadership — a career that exemplifies both operational excellence and a deep commitment to developing the next generation of AEC talent.
In this episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast, Randy Wilburn and co-host Luke Carothers sit down with Sondra to trace her journey from project engineer to President, unpacking the leadership lessons, recruitment strategies, and mentorship experiences that shaped her path. The conversation gets into succession planning, the ongoing challenge of attracting new talent to the industry, and how values-based cultures drive both business growth and individual fulfillment in design and construction.
Listeners will come away with candid reflections on navigating career transitions, championing diversity in the workplace, and building a resilient organization — all grounded in action-oriented insights for leaders, managers, and emerging professionals across AEC.
Key Takeaways:All this and more on this episode of the Zweig Letter podcast.
Links referenced in this episode:Get your FREE Subscription to the Zweig Letter Newsletter.
Call-to-Action & Next Steps:
For more candid leadership stories and industry strategies, be sure to subscribe to The Zweig Letter Podcast and download other episodes highlighting AEC firm growth and talent development. Want to connect? Reach out to Sandra Roddy via LinkedIn or the Tarlton Corporation website. Stay tuned for continued insight into how today’s leaders are driving the future of design and construction—one conversation at a time.
Stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Zweig Letter podcast, and make sure to subscribe for regular updates!
Other episodes you'll enjoy:Architecture with Heart - Carley Chastain
From Specs to Stories with Cherise Lakeside
Bridging Design and Construction with Dan Crist
AI Transforming AEC with KP Reddy
Connect with Zweig Group:Instagram: Zweig Group
Facebook: Zweig Group
Twitter: Zweig Group
LinkedIn: Zweig Group
Website: Zweig Group
What does it actually take to build a firm that lasts generations—not just decades?
Mike Carragher has lived that question. As the leader of VHB, one of America's best-managed private firms, Mike took the stage at the ElevateAEC Conference to pull back the curtain on nearly 50 years of intentional growth—from a small shop navigating the savings and loan crisis to a purpose-driven organization that keeps getting stronger with age.
This isn't a story about surviving. It's a story about building something worth handing off.
In this episode, Mike breaks down how VHB has stayed disciplined about the long game — balancing short-term performance with long-term viability, developing leaders before they're needed, and embedding culture, strategy, and technology into the firm's DNA in ways that actually stick. If you lead or own an AEC firm and you've ever wondered what separates good companies from generational ones, this episode is your roadmap.
Key Takeaways:All this and more on this episode of the Zweig Letter podcast.
Mike Carragher is the CEO of VHB, a leading generational engineering and consulting firm grounded in long-term vision and employee stewardship. As VHB’s first non-founder president, Mike has guided the company through significant growth, technological transformation, and a celebrated culture, positioning VHB as a model for multi-generational excellence in the AEC sector. He is renowned for his collaborative leadership, commitment to inclusivity, and active engagement within industry organizations.
Links referenced in this episode:Get your FREE subscription to the Zweig Letter Newsletter.
Stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Zweig Letter podcast, and make sure to subscribe for regular updates!
Other episodes you'll enjoy:Architecture with Heart - Carley Chastain
From Specs to Stories with Cherise Lakeside
Master Builders Reimagined: KP Reddy Explores AI, Integration, and Future Design Leadership
Connect with Zweig Group:Instagram: Zweig Group
Facebook: Zweig Group
Twitter: Zweig Group
LinkedIn: Zweig Group
Website: Zweig Group
Episode Summary:
In this special ElevateAEC 2025 edition of The Zweig Letter Podcast, we're sharing KP Reddy's keynote from the main stage—a straight-talk session about where innovation in AEC is actually heading. Drawing from real conversations with major owners, hands-on research, and his own experience as an engineer and investor, KP breaks down why the industry's current approach to innovation isn't cutting it—and what needs to change.
He tackles the questions that matter: What do owners actually want? How can AI and agentic systems make a real difference? And what would a new master builder mindset look like today? This keynote delivers practical insights and honest challenges for AEC leaders ready to rethink how they approach business, technology, and client value.
Key Takeaways:All this and more on this episode of the Zweig Letter podcast.
KP Reddy is the founder and CEO of Shadow Ventures and a recognized voice on innovation in architecture, engineering, and construction. With expertise spanning AI, robotics, and automation—plus his role as a lecturer at Georgia Tech—KP brings practical strategies that push the AEC industry forward.
Links referenced in this episode:Get your FREE Subscription to the Zweig Letter Newsletter.
Stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Zweig Letter podcast, and make sure to subscribe for regular updates!
Other episodes you'll enjoy:Architecture with Heart - Carley Chastain
From Specs to Stories with Cherise Lakeside
Bridging Design and Construction with Dan Crist
AI Transforming AEC with KP Reddy
Connect with Zweig Group:Instagram: Zweig Group
Facebook: Zweig Group
Twitter: Zweig Group
LinkedIn: Zweig Group
Website: Zweig Group
Episode Summary:
In this keynote episode from Zweig Group's ElevateAEC2025 Conference, Lynn Wong delivers a powerful talk on what it takes to thrive—both personally and collectively—in the architecture, engineering, and construction world. Drawing from her global leadership experience and some transformative moments along the way, Lynn explores where well-being, conscious leadership, and innovation meet.
She opens up about her own story: climbing the ladder across three continents, hitting burnout hard, then finding her way back through slowing down and living with intention. Lynn connects the dots between wellness science and team dynamics, the importance of unlearning old patterns, and how to navigate the disruptions reshaping the AEC industry. Her message is clear: make conscious choices, take care of yourself, and build resilience—in your own life and across the profession.
Key Takeaways:All this and more on this episode of the Zweig Letter podcast.
Links referenced in this episode:Get your FREE Subscription to the Zweig Letter Newsletter.
Stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Zweig Letter podcast, and make sure to subscribe for regular updates!
Other episodes you'll enjoy:Architecture with Heart - Carley Chastain
From Specs to Stories with Cherise Lakeside
Bridging Design and Construction with Dan Crist
AI Transforming AEC with KP Reddy
Connect with Zweig Group:Instagram: Zweig Group
Facebook: Zweig Group
Twitter: Zweig Group
LinkedIn: Zweig Group
Website: Zweig Group
Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Mark Zweig for a candid conversation about leadership, optimism, and embracing change in the AEC industry. Drawing from decades of experience and stories from the design trenches, Mark unpacks how leaders can break with outdated thinking, foster resilience, and turn market challenges into opportunities.
From evolving workplace cultures—including tales of "buttoned down" firms in the '90s—to the importance of decisive leadership, Mark and Randy explore what it takes to maintain an entrepreneurial mindset in uncertain times. The conversation digs into strategies around client outreach, the risks of overanalyzing decisions, and why open-book management and broader ownership structures drive firm success.
Tune in for actionable advice and fresh perspectives on thriving through economic uncertainty.
Key Takeaways:All this and more on this episode of the Zweig Letter podcast.
Links referenced in this episode:Get your FREE Subscription to the Zweig Letter Newsletter.
Stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Zweig Letter podcast, and make sure to subscribe for regular updates!
Other episodes you'll enjoy:Architecture with Heart - Carley Chastain
From Specs to Stories with Cherise Lakeside
Bridging Design and Construction with Dan Crist
AI Transforming AEC with KP Reddy
Connect with Zweig Group:Connect with Zweig Group:Instagram: Zweig Group
Facebook: Zweig Group
Twitter: Zweig Group
LinkedIn: Zweig Group
Website: Zweig Group
Episode Summary:
This episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast, hosted by Randy Wilburn and joined by marketing co-host Luke Carothers, traces Carley Chastain's unique path through the architecture profession. Carley, an emerging architectural professional at Marlon Blackwell Architects in Northwest Arkansas, shares how she was drawn to architecture not by tradition, but by curiosity, community, and a keen desire to make the built environment serve real people.
From Auburn University's Rural Studio—where students design and build for underserved communities—to Mass Design Group's healthcare infrastructure projects in Rwanda, Carley unpacks the transformative power of purpose-driven design. Her journey from Alabama to Montana, Boston, and Kigali has shaped her approach to design as one focused on social impact, community resilience, and equity. Listeners will gain perspective on how intentional architecture can shape lives, tackle rural housing and infrastructure gaps, and deliver facilities that truly respond to community needs.
The conversation also spotlights the next generation of AEC professionals prioritizing equity, resilience, and local advocacy. Carley's reflections offer valuable strategies for increasing diversity, retaining talent, and ensuring architecture's continued relevance for the future.
Key Takeaways:All this and more on this episode of the Zweig Letter podcast.
Links referenced in this episode:Get your FREE Subscription to the Zweig Letter Newsletter.
Stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Zweig Letter podcast, and make sure to subscribe for regular updates!
Other episodes you'll enjoy:From Specs to Stories with Cherise Lakeside
Bridging Design and Construction with Dan Crist
AI Transforming AEC with KP Reddy
Connect with Zweig Group:Instagram: Zweig Group
Facebook: Zweig Group
Twitter: Zweig Group
LinkedIn: Zweig Group
Website: Zweig Group
In this episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast, host Randy Wilburn is joined by Robert Yuen of Monograph and Mark Zweig of Zweig Group for a candid conversation around the future of A/E firm management. Together, they explore the recent industry benchmarks released by Monograph, unpack persistent pain points for design firm leaders, and discuss how technology is reshaping project visibility, profitability, and firm culture.
The discussion dives into the importance of real-time data, transparency, and the need to rethink how AEC firms measure success—challenging outdated norms that stifle both business growth and employee engagement. With stories from Robert’s career and practical lessons for both emerging and established leaders, this episode delivers actionable strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of architecture and engineering firm management.
Key Takeaways:All this and more on this episode of the Zweig Letter podcast.
Links referenced in this episode:Get your FREE Subscription to the Zweig Letter Newsletter.
Stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Zweig Letter podcast, and make sure to subscribe for regular updates!
From Specs to Stories with Cherise Lakeside
Bridging Design and Construction with Dan Crist
AI Transforming AEC with KP Reddy
Connect with Zweig Group:Instagram: Zweig Group
Facebook: Zweig Group
Twitter: Zweig Group
LinkedIn: Zweig Group
Website: Zweig Group
Randy Wilburn and Luke Carothers deliver an exclusive preview of the 2025 Elevate AEC Conference, September 9–11 in San Antonio, Texas. Drawing on extensive industry experience and insights from previous events, they explore what makes Elevate Conference a critical growth catalyst for AEC firm owners, emerging leaders, and rising talent.
The conversation covers the conference's complete experience—from industry award celebrations to transformative workshops and strategic peer networking opportunities. Randy and Luke examine how Elevate AEC drives firm growth, fosters innovation, and strengthens organizational culture across all career levels. They dive into this year's theme, "The Speed of Business," and discuss the enhanced opportunities created by Zweig Group's recent integration with Stambaugh Ness.
For AEC professionals celebrating recent successes or navigating strategies in today's fast-evolving marketplace, this episode demonstrates why Elevate AEC stands as the industry's premier annual gathering.
Key Takeaways:All this and more on this episode of the Zweig Letter podcast.
Links referenced in this episode:Reserve Your Spot at ElevateAEC 2025 in San Antonio, TX
Luke Carothers on LinkedIn
Randy Wilburn on LInkedIn
Get your FREE Subscription to the Zweig Letter Newsletter.
Stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Zweig Letter podcast, and make sure to subscribe for regular updates!
From Specs to Stories with Cherise Lakeside
Bridging Design and Construction with Dan Crist
AI Transforming AEC with KP Reddy
Instagram: Zweig Group
Facebook: Zweig Group
Twitter: Zweig Group
LinkedIn: Zweig Group
Website: Zweig Group
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