Welcome to Leadership Blueprints Podcast

Episodes

100
July 12, 2023

Implementing Customer Experience Design In The Construction Industry With Barry Sutherland

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Barry Sutherland, Client Experience Director at Henderson Engineers. Barry talks about how he is trying to innovate in the realm of client experience, what it means to deliver high quality customer service, and how to think about improving the relationships aspect of the A/E/C industry. Resources mentioned: Leadership through adversity (resource mentioned by Barry, please follow up with MCFA/ guest to get this!) Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places i...
99
July 5, 2023

Recruiting and Retaining Women Leaders in the Construction Industry with Kathryn Martinez

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Kathryn Martinez, Senior Director at MACRO. Kathryn discusses the many phases of her career journey, how she tackles management, and the importance of amplifying the visibility of women in the A/E/C industry. Resources mentioned: “May Cause Miracles” by Gabrielle Bernstein: https://www.amazon.com/May-Cause-Miracles-Guidebook-Unlimited/dp/0307986950 Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com an...
98
June 28, 2023

How Professional Associations Can Develop Your Career Network and Leadership Skills with Holly Bolton

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Holly Bolton, Owner of 3chord Marketing. Holly talks about how she found her way into the A/E/C industry, the specificities of the niche marketing she engages with at 3 Chord, and the importance of awareness building in the industry. Resources mentioned: “You Are Not So Smart” by David McRaney: https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Not-So-Smart/dp/1592407366 “What Your Customer Wants and Can’t Tell You” by Melina Palmer: https://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Customer-Wan...
96
June 21, 2023

Helping Leaders Create More Capacity With Caleb Campbell

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with Caleb Campbell, founder of COR Consulting, INC., Army veteran, and former NFL athlete. Caleb explores his journey and career from Texas to West Point, and from the Army to the NFL. Resources mentioned: Connect with Caleb at: https://www.calebcampbell.me/ Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry articles of the...
97
June 14, 2023

How Public Infrastructure Agencies Can Be Thinking of Customer Service With Stephen F. Dougherty

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Stephen F. Dougherty, Executive Director at South Jersey Transportation Authority. Stephen talks about his entry into a public service career, his mentality about treating passengers like customers, and some exciting developments in the SJTA wheelhouse coming to the South Jersey area soon. Resources mentioned: John Maxwell books: https://store.maxwellleadership.com/All-Books_c_237.html Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. V...
95
June 7, 2023

Exploring Why Mental Health is a Leadership Issue in the Workplace and Beyond with Val Peterson

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Valerie Peterson, Licenced Mental Health Counselor at Destin Counseling Center. Valerie breaks down the stress associated with multitasking, the importance of prioritizing quality family time with our partners and children, and how technology has changed how we interact with our places of employment, our children, and mental health as a whole. Resources mentioned: Visit Valerie’s website at: http://valeriepeterson.org/ Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and P...
94
May 31, 2023

Raising Your Value In The A/E/C World With June Jewell

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with June Jewell, Author and President and CEO of AEC Business Solutions. June talks about her framework at AEC Business Solutions, how they help firms get tighter and more efficient, and how she has created a business training that is guaranteed to increase your utilization rate, cash flow and project profits. Resources mentioned: Find out more about June and AEC Business Solutions at: https://aecbusiness.com/ June’s book, “RAISE Your Value”: https://www.amaz...
93
May 24, 2023

The Knock at the Door: Honoring Dennis Zilinski's Legacy of Love with Marion Zilinski

Today’s episode is a Memorial Day special honoring 1LT Dennis W. Zilinski, II. Dennis was Killed in Action in Bayji, Iraq on November 19,2005. Dennis was BJ’s West Point Classmate, Swim Teammate and best friend. This is an intimate and heartfelt conversation with Dennis’s mother, Marion Zilinski, or Mama Z as BJ calls her. They reflect on Dennis’s life and death, the legacy Dennis has left behind and how his family and friends are honoring his sacrifice and dedication to service to this day. Mi...
92
May 17, 2023

Why Civil Engineering Is Such A Great Foundation For Careers in the Built Environment With Anthony Caruso

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Anthony Caruso, Chief Engineer at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Coatesville, PA. Anthony discusses why he chose to work for the Veterans Affairs, what leadership lessons he has gained through his many responsibilities as an engineer, and why serving the public is a passion of his. Resources mentioned: “The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America” by Erik Larson Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places...
91
May 10, 2023

Applying Mission Command with Dean DiSibio

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Dean DiSibio, Director of Sales Ops Strategy at Imperial Dade, and author of “Reel Lessons in Leadership”. Dean breaks down his military career as a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve, the intersection of leadership and sales, and what unique leadership lessons he learned from his extensive professional career. Resources mentioned: Dean’s book, “Reel Lessons in Leadership” Travis Manion Foundation “The Heart of Business: Leadership Principles for the ...
90
May 3, 2023

DoD 2 A/E/C: Discovering Identity While In Service and Why The Answer Lies In Creating Palaces For The People With Tony Nash

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Tony Nash, Active Duty Field Artillery Officer and host of Got Your Six Podcast. Tony discusses his education, his evolution as an Officer and podcast host, and where he wants to go in both his professional career, and passion endeavors. Resources mentioned: Matthew McConaughey “Chasing yourself 10 years from now” speech Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women by W. Brad Johnson, David Smith The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your In...
89
April 26, 2023

Infrastructure Stewardship In Action With Delaware River Port Authority's Mike Venuto

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Mike Venuto, Chief Engineer at Delaware River Port Authority. Mike discusses what DRPA’s main focus is currently, the value of transit rails between cities, and what Mike is seeing in the engineering and construction industry that excites him. Resources mentioned: Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Com...
88
April 19, 2023

Investing For Impact: Housing Solutions For Veteran Homelessness With Dave Foster

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Dave Foster, Founder and CEO of BDP Impact Real Estate. Dave discusses his military career, the mission of BDP, and how he is solving the issue of veteran homelessness today with actionable steps. Resources mentioned: Hoover Institute Veteran Fellowship Program “Grant” by Ron Chernow Find more information about BDP Impact Real Estate Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for...
87
April 12, 2023

Keeping Big Projects On Track and Out of the Headlines With Ken Roberts

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with Ken Roberts, Chair of the Construction Law Group at Venable LLP. Ken breaks down how and why projects end up in mediation, how to avoid it, and how the industry can help alleviate legal problems at the inception stage. Resources mentioned: Learn more about Vebable LLP Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry a...
86
April 5, 2023

Why modular construction may be the solution to controlling costs, schedule and quality in multi-family construction delivery with Mark Cartella

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Mark Cartella, Senior Vice President of Development and Construction at Alterra Property Group. Mark breaks down his journey to Alterra, what him and the team at Alterra are focused on in property development, and where he believes the future of property development is headed. Resources mentioned: The Real Estate Game: The Intelligent Guide To Decisionmaking And Investment by William J. Poorvu with Jeffrey L. Cruikshank Learn more about Alterra Property Group...
85
March 29, 2023

Tackling the housing crisis by building communities with Nick Cangelosi

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Nick Cangelosi, Vice President of Affordable Development at Michaels. Nick and BJ break down what Michaels mission is, how he is driving solutions to housing insecurity, and what the future of housing looks like. Resources mentioned: “Ego Is the Enemy” by Ryan Holiday “Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality” by Anthony De Mello: Learn more about Michaels at: https://tmo.com/ Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA...
84
March 22, 2023

Best ways to approach new opportunities and connections with Bill Lyons

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with Bill Lyons. Bill discusses his career in the US Army and Army Reserves, and his approach to building firms from the ground up. Resources mentioned: The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost Pieces of the Game: The Human Drama of Americans Held Hostage in Iran by Charles W. Scott Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our w...
83
March 15, 2023

Exploring the Adjacent Possible in Real Estate Development With Mike Vahle

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Mike Vahle, Managing Partner at Capital Growth StoreGuard. Mike discusses his time at West Point, his career journey, and the decision-making process behind joining the team at StoreGuard. Resources mentioned: “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins “The Confident Mind” by Dr. Nate Zinsser “Traction” by Gino Wickman Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter wh...
82
March 8, 2023

Win or learn: How you can benefit from failure with BJ Kramer

On today’s solo episode, BJ reflects on his time at Super Bowl LVII, the leadership strengths a football team must be composed of in order to be successful, and how leadership lessons from the field can be brought into our everyday lives. Resources mentioned: “New Heights” podcast by Jason & Travis Kelce Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry ar...
81
March 1, 2023

Keeping Our Transit Infrastructure Safe With Daniel Hauber

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with Dan Hauber, Vice President at Transportation Resource Associates, Inc. Dan talks about his journey to employment at TRA, how he has worked to keep our railways safe over his 25 year career, and how TRA is innovating in the future of public transport safety. Resources mentioned: Form, Design and the City: Philadelphia Department of Records The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable (Incerto)by Nassim Nicholas Taleb “The Power Broker: Robert Moses ...
80
Feb. 22, 2023

The current state of stadium design and construction with David Murphy

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with David Murphy, Owner & Senior Principal at Crawford Architects. David shares how he became an architect, his philosophy when designing multi use facilities such as sports stadiums, and Crawford’s mission for building the future. Resources mentioned: Find out more about Crawford Architects at: https://crawfordarch.com/ Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly new...
79
Feb. 15, 2023

DoD to A/E/C: Leveraging the likeability factor with Joey Fay

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with Joey Fay, Naval Academy Graduate, United States Marine and Founder & President of Quatrefoil Consulting. Joey and BJ break down Joey’s military career, both of their transitions from active duty into reserves, and what unique leadership lessons they learned from their military experience. Resources mentioned: “The Likeability Factor: How to Boost Your L-Factor and Achieve Your Life's Dreams” by Tim Sanders: https://www.amazon.com/Likeability-Factor-L-Facto...
78
Feb. 8, 2023

Innovation in Action: How LIFTbuild is making construction delivery better, safer, and faster with Joe Benvenuto

On today’s episode, BJ talks with Joe Benvenuto, Chief Operating Officer at LIFTbuild. Joe breaks down the philosophy of LIFTbuild, why the construction industry can be resistant to change, and how the LIFTbuild philosophy can be utilized to aid in stream
77
Feb. 1, 2023

Diving deep into the art of stress free productivity

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with David Allen, author of “Getting Things Done”. David breaks down his career journey, what inspired him to write “Getting Things Done”, and how the GTD process has revolutionized project management.