BUILD St. Louis

Episode 28: The Current State of the Supply Chain with Randy Bueckendorf

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith interviews Randy Bueckendorf, the president of BEX Construction Services. Randy shares his expertise on the state of the construction material supply chain, discussing the ongoing supply chain issues in the industry. He mentions that while the supply of raw materials like lumber, steel, and copper has improved, there are still significant challenges with electrical switchgear and HVAC equipment. Randy explains how project teams navigate these delays by adjusting project timelines and finding temporary solutions. He also highlights the importance of collaboration between designers, builders, and owners in finding innovative alternatives.For more information, check www.informationworks.org

Episode 27: Staying Safe on the Jobsite with John Flynn, Contegra Construction

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith interviews John Flynn, Safety Director at Contegra Construction, about the importance of staying safe on the job site. They discuss Contegra Construction's safety culture, which is characterized by collaboration and involvement from all levels of the company, including the leadership team. John highlights the company's commitment to employee safety and the implementation of measures such as pre-job meetings and kickoff meetings to address potential risks and ensure safety protocols are in place. He also emphasizes the importance of employee buy-in and involvement in the safety program. For more information, visit www.informationworks.org

Episode 26: IMEG: The Critical Importance of Big Data with Brendon Buckley

In this episode of the BUILD St. Louis podcast, host Kerry Smith interviews Brendon Buckley, leader of building intelligence and integration services at IMEG. They discuss the topic of big data and its life-saving power in the context of design and construction. Brendan explains the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) and how it relates to big data. He shares examples of how big data and IoT are being leveraged in different industries, such as airlines and theme parks, to enhance the consumer experience.
For more information, check www.informationworks.org

Episode 25: Economic Development Done Right with Patrick McKeehan

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith interviews Patrick McKeehan, the economic development director for the city of O'Fallon, Missouri. McKeehan discusses the importance of creating a balanced community and how economic development is the creation of wealth. He explains the role of economic assets and the importance of matching them to the needs of businesses looking to invest in the area. For more information, visit informationworks.org

Episode 24: Artificial Intelligence & Construction with Tomislav Zigo

In this episode of the BUILD St. Louis podcast, Kerry Smith interviews Tomislav Zigo, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Clayco, a global full-service, turnkey real estate architecture, engineering, design, build, and construction firm. They discuss artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the built environment, including its potential to optimize processes throughout the project delivery cycle, from design to handover. They also touch on related technologies such as machine learning and computer vision. Love emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and data governance in the adoption of these technologies. 
 
For more information, go to www.informationworks.org

Episode 23: Recruiting – Finding & Keeping the Very Best People

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith speaks with Matt Stack, President of Russell Co. St. Louis office, and Jill Niebuhr, Russell Co.'s Talent Acquisition Manager, about their strategies for recruiting and retaining the best people in the construction industry. They discuss how Russell Co's philosophy of investing in people before technology growth has helped them grow sustainably, as well as the importance of core values, competitive compensation, career development opportunities, work-life balance, and a supportive work culture in retaining top talent.
 
For more information, visit www.informationworks.org

Episode 22: Expediting Development - Moving at the Private Sector’s Pace with Julie Powers and Lisa Bedian

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, Kerry Smith interviews Julie Powers and Lisa Bedian from the city of St. Peter's, Missouri, about their FasTrac program for expedited development and permitting for businesses. They discuss how the program was created and how it has helped both large corporations and small mom-and-pop businesses. The key to their success is their process of bringing the right people in the room early on and being solution-oriented.
 
For more information, visit www.informationworks.org
 

Episode 21: Building a Healthy Workplace Culture with Geri Boyer

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, Kerry Smith interviews Geri Boyer, founder and president of Kaskaskia Engineering Group (KEG). Boyer discusses the unique culture at KEG, which emphasizes flexibility, work-life balance, and service to humanity. She also shares her experience as a woman in the engineering field and how she started KEG with the intention of creating a different work model that was more conducive to women and men who wanted to work in a different way. 
 
For more information, visit www.informationworks.org