This Is Concrete

Daniel Bigman is the President and CEO of Bigman Geophysical, a consulting firm offering specialty training and support solutions to engineers, contractors, and government agencies responsible for scanning and testing concrete infrastructure. Daniel is also the Founder of LearnGPR.com, which provides ground-penetrating radar (GPR) training to environmental, engineering, and agricultural professionals across four continents. He received his PhD in philosophy from The University of Georgia and is an expert in nondestructive testing, remote sensing, and 3D modeling. Daniel’s research on concrete testing has been published in internationally recognized journals, including Water, First Break, and Case Studies in Construction Materials.

Technology is vital to the evolution of the construction industry. The previous century has provided time for concrete infrastructures to improve their structural integrity and longevity. Due to technological advancements, it is possible to monitor concrete’s durability and be informed when repairs are necessary.

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a non-intrusive surveying technique that uses electromagnetic radar pulses to capture two-dimensional cross-section images of subsurface materials. GPR’s ability to monitor infrastructure improves industry standards and civilian safety. Daniel Bigman, an expert in nondestructive testing and remote sensing, emphasizes the impact of GPR technology in the construction industry and how you can benefit from incorporating it into your services.

On this episode of This Is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Daniel Bigman, President and CEO of Bigman Geophysical, to discuss the implications of applying GPR technology in construction businesses. Daniel shares the importance of technicians taking responsibility for educating customers on the benefits of GPR, the differences between nondestructive testing and remote sensing, the cost of GPR testing, and the training services offered through LearnGPR. Tune in to learn how GPR is transforming the industry.

Dave Epp is the President of Epp Foundation Repair, a family-owned construction company specializing in residential and commercial concrete leveling, foundation repair, foundation settlement, and waterproofing. As a second-generation contractor, Dave is passionate about empowering his employees to succeed in the construction industry. His 30 years of industry experience have provided the business and product knowledge necessary to exceed customer expectations.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Dave's involvement in civic and church organizations highlights his dedication to community engagement and service. He finds fulfillment in coaching youth sports, including football, and indulges in outdoor pursuits like golfing and elk hunting.

With a new generation entering the workforce, companies struggle to recruit and retain employees, beckoning for change throughout various industries. The construction industry, known for being labor-intensive, is not exempt from this reality. While many companies grapple with attracting qualified candidates, one industry leader dominates the competition with his business model. 

Adopting a novel business approach has proven effective for experienced contractor Dave Epp. Recognizing that employees want to feel empowered in their occupation, he opted against traditional leadership strategies and instead led with transparency, allowing employees to learn the value of ownership. While some find his leadership tactics extreme, his response to the culture climate has improved the leadership abilities of his employees and boosted the company's employee retention rate.

On this episode of This Is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Dave Epp, President of Epp Foundation Repair, to discuss why the construction industry struggles to recruit new employees and how he empowers his crew. Dave shares how transparency impacts his company and the value of coaching teams on extreme ownership. 

Nick Small is the Founder and CEO of U.S. Pave, a paving company specializing in commercial parking lot maintenance. Since 2013, Nick has committed himself to improving the industry through exceptional service and attention to detail. Before becoming a business owner, he gained valuable experience working for his family’s painting company. Nick also dutifully served six years in the United States Army Reserves as military police.

Entrepreneurs must understand their responsibility to cultivate and maintain honor and integrity in their business. Without attention to detail, their reputable standing can fall by the wayside. What can you implement to maintain the reputation you’ve worked hard to establish? 

The construction industry holds notoriety for being an unclean industry. Nick Small, a construction business owner, was vehement about changing the public’s perception by strategizing how to make his grimy job more attractive to customers. While many construction companies have a reputation for being disorganized, Nick established systems and routines that supported his crew, contributing to better working conditions and satisfying customer expectations. 

On this episode of This Is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Nick Small, Founder and CEO of U.S. Pave, to discuss implementing strategies to maintain his highly regarded business reputation. Nick highlights the importance for business owners to take ownership of their company, the value of developing a system to organize business procedures, and how to address weaknesses in individual crew members.

Jim Schneider is the Executive Director of the PCI Mountain States, a construction trade association coordinating and providing a network of organizations and educational resources to help create, improve, and grow the precast/prestressed concrete industry. In his role, Jim oversees product marketing activities, manages the operating budget, and fosters relations with existing and prospective association members. His decades of experience working alongside architects, engineers, and other industry professionals has spurred Jim’s passion for efficient and sustainable design. He regularly contributes to several national and regional industry publications and is a LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional).

Thanks to the initiative of cement masons, the construction industry has witnessed rapid advancements in technology, leading to more efficient and sustainable mixtures. Major competitors like wood and steel have also improved, but nothing compared to the capability of precast/prestressed concrete. 

While other building elements are cheaper initially, cement’s longevity makes it a more affordable and sustainable material. Jim Schneider, a LEED AP, acknowledges the benefits of concrete innovations. With precast options formed before assembly and prestressed designed to withstand tensile forces, the construction industry can utilize these mixtures to build structures in record time with increased durability. 

On this episode of This is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Jim Schneider, Executive Director of the PCI Mountain States, to discuss the beneficial uses for precast/prestressed concrete. Jim explains how concrete compares to its competitors, how technology advancements improve utility purposes, and the criteria to consider when choosing a concrete supplier.

Shawn Davis is the Founder and CEO of Davis & Co. Custom Builders, a family-owned and operated full-service construction and remodeling company providing service to the greater Nashville, TN areas. Shawn’s experience includes facets of marketing, management, project planning, and strategic partnerships. Under his leadership, yearly revenue has more than doubled since the company launched in 2019. Shawn is passionate about prioritizing customer satisfaction with white-glove service.

While construction is known for being a labor-intensive industry, people underestimate the social aptitude required to deliver customer satisfaction. In any customer-facing position, your ability to communicate effectively can determine the success of your business. Regardless of your social skills, some clients will not be as easy to contend with. How do you prioritize customer satisfaction without compromising quality?

As often as the phrase “The customer is always right” is used in industries providing high-paid services, it’s not always accurate. Especially in construction, clients often believe they know best and may resist alternative perspectives. Entrepreneur Shawn Davis has found the most efficient way to diffuse the situation is by educating the customer as to why their request is unacceptable while still partnering with them to help bring their vision to life. In doing so, he implemented a white-glove service system involving customers by providing regular project updates. Going above and beyond in communicating with your customers can increase customer satisfaction. 

On this episode of This is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Shawn Davis, Founder and CEO of Davis & Co. Custom Builders, to discuss prioritizing customer satisfaction without compromising quality. Shawn shares what he’s done to foster effective communication between his team and clients, why communication is vital in construction businesses, and innovative ways to provide customers with affordable options.

Kaushal Parikh is the Founder and CEO of Impact Floors India Pvt. Ltd. He founded the company in 2008, gathering a team of experts to design and build concrete floors for warehouses, retail, manufacturing, and commercial spaces for globally established companies. 

Kaushal specializes in ACI concrete flatwork and concrete floor and pavement design. He received a bachelor’s degree in commerce and a master’s in financial management. Outside of work, Kaushal enjoys traveling, music, vegetarian cuisine, and cricket. 

Building a prosperous concrete company requires adaptability, extensive industry knowledge, and solid relationships with project leads. Take it from Kaushal Parikh, who’s been in the industry for over two decades and has taken his business from one strength to the next. 

Kaushal started his first concrete business in 1999, eventually transitioning from surface treatment to placement and founding Impact Floors India. By leveraging his past relationships with architects and consultants, he built his business and continued to provide service to major companies. However, Kaushal encountered various challenges and obstacles and learned valuable lessons along his journey, and he’s here to share his story with you. 

In this episode of This is Concrete, Chad Gill sits down with Kaushal Parikh, Founder and CEO of Impact Floors India Pvt. Ltd., to talk about how he developed his concrete flooring company. They discuss Kaushal’s approach to concrete floor solutions, how business in India compares to that in the US, and why evolving with industry changes is crucial.

Ike Casey is the Executive Director of the American Subcontractors Association of Metro Washington (ASAMW). This organization focuses exclusively on business issues affecting all subcontractors and specialty trade contractors — both union and non-union firms — from nearly every trade specialty. 

Ike has over 20 years of leadership experience, spearheading organization-wide initiatives to grow membership, increase customer satisfaction, and achieve a company’s vision. Before ASAMW, Ike was the Executive Vice President for the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association and for Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.

How can subcontractors stay up to date on the industry and steer clear of consequential mistakes? 

The answer is associations. Ike Casey breaks down the benefits of associations into four categories: advocacy, education, information, and recognition. Associations not only provide the necessary resources and networks to help workers in the industry thrive, but they also advocate for workers, ensuring that fair policies are in place on both the local and national levels. Tune in as Ike shares everything you need to know about the American Subcontractors Association of Metro Washington (ASAMW).

In this episode of This is Concrete, Chad Gill talks with Ike Casey, Executive Director of the American Subcontractors Association of Metro Washington (ASAMW). Ike shares why associations are important for business, why subcontractors need to review clauses and contracts carefully, and the specific issues the ASAMW is focusing on this year.

Phillip Ogilby is a contractor-turned-serial entrepreneur. He’s the Co-founder and CEO of STACK Construction Technologies, an all-in-one cloud-based construction takeoff and estimating software. 

In 1984, Phillip started his first construction contracting company. After witnessing the challenges of managing people, equipment, materials, and an ever-changing bid schedule, he decided to create a solution. In 2008, Phillip created STACK, and the company continues to serve thousands of users worldwide. 

There’s a surprisingly high failure rate in the construction industry. If you start today, there’s only a 35% chance of staying in business. But why is it so difficult to sustain success in this industry, and what can you do about it? 

Many companies are still using the antiquated paper and pencil method to operate. According to Phillip Ogilby, this failure to adopt new technology is one of the top reasons why businesses don’t make it. But investing in technology won’t just help your business survive — it will help your business thrive for years to come.

In this episode of This is Concrete, Chad Gill sits down with Phillip Ogilby, Co-founder and CEO of STACK Construction Technologies, to talk about how contractors can make an impact on their business. Phillip discusses the benefits of estimating technology, how contractors can customize their processes, and the growing trends within the industry.

Nick Savage is a Business Unit Leader for the Concrete Flooring Group at PROSOCO, a company that provides specialty construction chemicals to make buildings look better and last longer. Nick has been with PROSOCO for over 12 years, starting as a Concrete Products Groups Specialist and working his way up. He previously worked in sales and account management at SASE, Transwestern Publishing, and ADT.

With so many different sealers and protective treatments on the market, how can you determine what’s best for your project? Nick Savage is here to break it all down for you. He describes the different varieties of guards, how penetrating sealers compare, and the benefits of each specific protective treatment. Nick says that ultimately, determining the right treatment for your job depends on your environment, contractor, spec writer, and regulations. However, it’s important to fully understand all of the options available to you. In this episode of This is Concrete, Chad Gill talks with Nick Savage, Business Unit Leader for the Concrete Flooring Group at PROSOCO, about the best protective treatments. Nick shares the unique benefits of LSGuards, Polish Guards, and penetrants, when to use each treatment, and the importance of floor maintenance.

Sarah McInerney is a Senior Project Manager at Walter Parks Architects, a company dedicated to creating buildings that support the continued growth of cities. Sarah has been with the company since 2003, combining her passion for historic buildings with extensive federal and state historic tax credit experience. Her design work honors and responds to existing spaces and communities while imagining exciting opportunities for new uses.

In the construction industry, it can be cheaper, faster, and easier to build new. But when you opt for new development, you erase the history that lies within a landmark. So, how are renovators working to preserve the stories while putting old buildings to new use?

Every building has its own unique story. That’s why Sarah McInerney is so passionate about historic renovations. While she preserves the best qualities of original buildings, she also explores new opportunities for these old spaces. Updates to make the buildings safer, energy-efficient, and habitable bring life back into them — without sacrificing their rich histories. 

In this episode of This is Concrete, Chad Gill talks with Sarah McInerney, Senior Project Manager at Walter Parks Architects, about the process of preserving historic buildings. Sarah discusses the reasons behind historic preservation, how state and federal historic tax credit programs aid renovators, and the beauty of imperfect buildings.