BUILD St. Louis

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.
 
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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

Episode 20: Financing Construction: How Deals Are Getting Done with Gant Harper

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, Gant Harper, President of St. Louis Bank, discusses the financing of construction projects in the St. Louis area. He notes that while the pandemic slowed down construction, it also gave businesses the opportunity to plan for expansion or repurposing of their properties. Harper also discusses the trend towards mixed-use buildings, why construction projects have become more expensive and his advice to developers, owners, and contractors to reduce financial risks.
 
For more information, visit www.informationworks.org

Episode 19: Augmenting the Audience Experience at Powell Hall with Brian Corry and Unitey Kull

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith speaks with Brian Corry, an acoustic consultant and partner at Kirkegaard, and Unitey Kull, vice president of marketing and audience experience for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, about the renovation and expansion of Powell Hall.
They discuss the challenges of modernizing a structure on the National Register of Historic Places, and the importance of preserving the beauty and historical architecture of Powell Hall while still making improvements. The episode also highlights the importance of considering the artist experience and the thoughtfulness put into every detail, including materials, lighting, and acoustics.
For more information, visit www.informationworks.org
 

Episode 18: Managing and Improving Excavation Safety with Len Toenjes

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith interviews Leonard (Len) Toenjes, President of the Associated General Contractors of Missouri (AGCMO), about excavation safety and the Missouri One Call 811 system. Toenjes discusses the importance of the One Call system and the need for modernization to improve effectiveness and safety. He also mentions the federal study that ranked Missouri near the bottom of the list in terms of cost to utilities and rate payers due to inaccurate locates or locates not done on time. For more information, visit www.informationworks.org

Episode 17: How B2B Companies Can Engage in Compelling Storytelling with Todd Imming

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith interviews Todd Imming, the Chief Marketing Officer at the Korte Company, a design build firm based in Highland, Illinois. They discuss how B2B companies in the architecture, engineering, and construction space can tell their stories in compelling ways. Todd emphasizes the importance of genuine storytelling and sophisticated grit, which is the hard work and challenges involved in the construction industry.
For more information, visit www.informationworks.org
 

Episode 16: Reputation Management Done Right with Ron O’Connor

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith speaks with Ron O'Connor, owner of O'Connor and Partners, about reputation management in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. Ron defines reputation management as the process of managing a firm's reputation as an asset and emphasizes the need for a long-term and proactive plan to manage reputation. He also shares insights on crisis management best practices, including the role of spokespeople and the messaging strategy during a crisis, as well as the importance of legal counsel in developing a crisis communication plan.
For more information, visit www.informationworks.org
 

Episode 15: Building Effective Working Relationships with the News Media with Steve Houston

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith interviews Steve Houston, Founder and Owner of Compass Communications LLC, about building effective working relationships with the news media in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Houston shares insights on how to make a project newsworthy, when to approach the media, and communicating with clients about deadlines. He also emphasizes the importance of strategic PR planning and understanding the difference between news releases and pitches. The episode provides valuable tips for AEC marketing professionals and others seeking to gain meaningful traction with print and broadcast news media.
For more information, visit www.informationworks.org