June 5, 2024 • 27 mins
In this episode, we meet John Ewart, the dynamic leader of the Knoxville Chapter of the Associated General Contractors. John shares his inspiring journey from his early days in the Navy to playing football at the University of Tennessee and how these experiences led him to a significant role in shaping Knoxville's construction scene. He discusses the importance of skilled trades like electric work and carpentry, the impact of the Women in Construction initiative, and how he is helping to grow the next generation of leaders in the construction industry. Tune in to discover how John's leadership is building a stronger community in Knoxville.
Show Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction.
(01:00) John recounts his early experiences.
(02:31) Explanation of what AGC stands for and its significance in the construction industry.
(03:24) Details on the membership composition of AGC and its community impact.
(05:33) The role of AGC in workforce development, focusing on the Apprenticeship Program.
(06:04) Explanation of what a journeyman is and the value of the apprenticeship.
(07:09) Strategies to combat the workforce shortage in skilled trades.
(09:18) Insights into the Women in Construction initiative and its goals.
(11:00) Discussion on large-scale projects and the importance of blueprint skills in construction.
(13:36) The pivotal role of mentorship and networking in professional growth.
(16:00) The importance of community involvement and service in John's career.
(18:45) How AGC connects with legislation and the broader construction industry at the national level.
(20:43) The impact of social media and networking on professional relationships.
(22:35) Closing thoughts on leadership, community impact, and the future of Knoxville's growth.
Links Referenced:
Connect with John on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.ewart.92/
Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ewart-79645578/
The Associated General Contractors Of Tennessee: https://www.tnagc.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1tYTy1NQthNQ4nuE9ZdoJ9Gx5wYMK66xFKV5f2DHMR6jsdLmG1pBXSEqM_aem_AasVxJi0pfAijcboVz04oicdRqrQ2YjpNRhnK1Ni6J0d2U4s8D9xvbaFrQqBtocM2yUk3KDdvGQcb-M-_uZqzpnv
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Julia (00:05):
Hey everybody, welcome to
another episode of Connect the Knox.
I'm Julia Hurley, your host,
connecting Knoxville to the nation.
Today's guest is John Ewert.
He is the Knoxville Chapter President
in all things, honestly, he could
probably run the whole country if
we would just let him do it, of AGC,
(00:26):
Knoxville Chapter, and one of the
best volunteers you will ever meet.
It is very important that everybody
moving here gets to know John, because
he houses one of the most prolific
groups of people you will ever meet.
Please introduce yourself to the nation
and start from the beginning, how you
ended up here in Knoxville and how you
got to AGC and then tell us what it is.
John Ewart (00:48):
Well, thank
you so much for having me.
I truly do appreciate it.
My stories.
Pretty simple, uh, come from a small
town, Fayetteville, Tennessee, uh, 1991,
uh, United States goes into war with the
Persian Gulf area, enlisted in the United
States Navy, had a four year career in
the Navy, that was absolutely incredible,
got a chance to be stationed in Pearl
(01:09):
Harbor, Hawaii, got a chance to go to
the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Cairo, Egypt,
just had an amazing four year career.
During that time, I decided I
wanted to go play football at the
University of Tennessee as a walk on.
Got over to UT in 96, graduated in 99.
And what an incredible two year
journey from 1997 and 1998.
(01:32):
Playing on the, uh, 97 SEC
Championship team with Peyton Manning.
Playing on the 1998 National
Championship team with a host
of Vols, Al Wilson, Jamal Lewis.
And, uh, uh, just a host of others.
From there, uh, started
my business career.
Got a chance to work four years
at Gettysview Country Club.
(01:53):
That was absolutely incredible.
Incredible opportunity to network,
meet a lot of people moving to the
Knoxville area during that time.
From there, I went to St.
Mary's Healthcare.
Got a chance to run a health and fitness
center, uh, off the Emory Road exit.
I got a chance to run a daycare,
do director of marketing and, uh,
facilities manager, uh, COO for
(02:15):
the hospital after 13 years there.
Uh, a GC hired me six years
ago to run this market.
Running the construction community
is absolutely incredible.
There's so many amazing people
in Knoxville to connect with.
Julia (02:28):
So what does a GC stand for, john?
John Ewart (02:31):
Associated
General contractors.
So, we are a nationwide organization.
The headquarters of AGC is on Capitol
Hill, literally on Capitol Hill.
They, of course, want favorable
outcomes in legislation, so construction
continue to happen and grow.
Obviously, the infrastructure of
America as a whole is very old.
(02:52):
Between roads and bridges and
dams and everything in between.
And then, of course, in the Knoxville
market, we really are looking at
your vertical GCE individuals.
The people that are building the
large buildings, Smith Wesson, Neyland
Stadium, College of Nursing on campus.
So that's really who we serve
here in the Knoxville market.
Julia (03:11):
So it's a pretty
big market to think about.
Uh, anybody that can get a collegiate
contract usually has a national
contract for large construction.
It's not something that's
really easy to understand.
It's not something
that's easy to get into.
It takes years to develop the
relationships to pull contracts like that.
You need subcontractors, you need all
kinds of different vendors, and you
(03:32):
manage relationships with all of those.
Uh, what does that membership look like?
What is it made up of?
John Ewart (03:38):
So right now we have roughly
200 members here in the Knoxville Market.
Everything from the largest GCs,
you've got subcontractors, you've got
suppliers, you have service providers.
And the way I look at it, it is,
what does our community look like?
And we want to be a makeup of all
of those levels in our community.
(03:59):
So a lot of people look at this and just
say, well, you're just construction.
We are not just construction.
You have financial investors here,
you've got real estate, You have
Insurance, but then you have all the
large subs, you've got all the large
GCs, but ultimately the Knoxville
market is built around a community.
(04:20):
And I think that's where we have
had so many levels of success here,
is because we are community driven,
uh, which includes construction.
Construction
Julia (04:29):
industry as a whole, especially
in the East Tennessee market right
now, especially in East Tennessee,
we, national blew up, right?
And it's just absolutely, you can't find
space, yet they continue to find space.
And they're coming this way, and there's
more and more opportunity every day.
But as you said, construction's
not just put on the hard
hat and go build something.
Construction is Supply.
(04:51):
Construction is employment.
Construction is management.
Construction is healthcare.
Construction is base.
What?
There are so many different facets to
the word construction and especially
the major amounts of construction
industries that you were helping manage.
What converse, what are conversations
like with all of those people in one room?
Like what is the benefit here?
John Ewart (05:11):
So the biggest thing
that you look at when we talk about
construction is you've got two major
things that you've got obstacles with.
The first one's going to be
Employment, um, Workforce Development.
Second one's going to be Supply Chain.
So, with AGC, one of the greatest benefits
that we offer Knox County, not only
the school system, but the employers,
is we have an Apprenticeship Program.
(05:33):
This Apprenticeship Program is
Electricians, Carpenters, and Masons.
This year was our largest group of
students we've had with 270 students
starting the 2023 school year.
It's a four year program
through the Department of Labor.
After four years in this program,
you get your journeyman's license
and workforce development in every
(05:55):
industry is vital to the growth and
continuing education, uh, for employers.
Julia (06:01):
Now, what's a journeyman?
John Ewart (06:04):
A journeyman is, uh, basically
when you get your real estate license.
You have to go through class, you've
got to go through the seminars,
you've got to go through all the
process to receive your license.
Well, a journeyman is a four year degree
as an electrician or as a carpenter.
So you go four years to school, you
do all the testing, you get all the
apprenticeship hours, which you have
(06:26):
to have 2, 000 work hours a year,
so basically a full time employee.
And after you test out after four
years, you are, you are a licensed
electrician or a licensed carpenter
that can practice throughout the U.
S.
Julia (06:38):
I have friends of mine that
own large scale businesses, like
the ones that belong to AT& T.
And we are told constantly that that is
a dying industry, that there are just not
enough people that, one, are interested
in it or understand why it's valuable.
I do want to go through that long of a
process to Gain that type of knowledge,
yet it is one of the most sought after.
(07:00):
Claymore, why that's relevant and what you
all are doing to partner with like Key,
Rhode State, uh, Walter State, and, and
how you're providing that to industry.
John Ewart (07:09):
So from what I understand,
the latest study that I saw when we had
an apprenticeship roundtable with Knox
County is it's about a five to one loss.
We're losing five people for
every one entering in, in these,
uh, journeyman type positions.
So for us, it comes down to education.
People just don't realize a starting wage
(07:31):
for a lot of these 18, 19, 20 year old
individuals could be 15 plus an hour.
Now a lot of places are paying 15 plus an
hour just to, you know, survive business.
But once you enter as your journeyman
after four years, you can make 25, 30,
35 an hour with that four year degree.
A lot of the college degrees that
(07:52):
people are receiving right now on
different campuses can't pay that much.
I know I didn't make that coming out.
No, I came out of college
25 plus years ago.
But we really want to, through the
865 Academy here in Knox County,
with Builders Exchange, with other
entities, we really want that.
education piece to say if you're not ready
(08:13):
for a four year degree at post, post high
school, if you want a job opportunity
where you're hired, you're employed,
and you're still doing education, uh,
becoming an electrician, carpenter,
mason is an incredible way to go.
Of course, my way, as soon as I've left
high school, I'm straight into boot camp.
You know, I'm four years military.
(08:34):
Then I go back to college
and get my degree.
I think the value of degrees
right now with the cost of them,
you can join the apprenticeship
program and a four year program.
I did a study for Knox County
last week and our average student
after four years graduating will
(08:54):
pay less than 1, 500 in tuition.
So again, we want to provide
that value back to our members.
Because they employ individuals, they send
them to our school, but it's also a great
value for each of those students who isn't
getting in a lifetime of debt to get a
four year, you know, journeyman's license.
Julia (09:13):
I know that there's
a show, uh, does something
called the Man Show every year.
And the IEBW, am I saying that properly?
The local IEBW is always there.
Really and truly, every person walks
through the door, they're like, Please
go and get your electrician's license.
Please, we need more electricians.
Please help us.
We need this.
This is a need that is being talked
(09:34):
about more and more and more.
How do you see this program bringing
these kids into this faster to be able
to that 5 to 1 ratio is a big loss.
Like, how are we How can we work as a, as
a community to bring more of that to you?
John Ewart (09:49):
I think with Knox
County School System starting the
865 Academy, getting their juniors
and seniors exposed into different
trades and different styles of work.
I think a lot of times it's people,
you know, have grown up and they
haven't had to work with their hands.
Uh, they haven't had to do manual
labor, yet when they get into the, uh,
(10:10):
workforce, I mean, that's the majority
of the jobs that's going to be out there.
And then the second thing is
you've got to educate them on pay.
The hourly wage for a journeyman or
the hourly wage for an apprentice.
is going to be greater than
a lot of the other jobs that
they're going to be seeking.
And the on the job
training is so important.
That's why being an apprentice and having
(10:31):
a mentor and having somebody who is
guiding you along the way is so important.
But I just don't think in today's Twitter
universe, you know, everything is built
on social media and clicks and likes.
I think a lot of people just miss it.
This is a great area to go into
business And you can start your
(10:52):
own business after four years.
It's incredible.
Julia (10:56):
AGC, you said there's 200
members in just the Knoxville chapter?
John Ewart (10:59):
Correct.
Julia (11:00):
I know that we've met, I've met a
few, um, the new female CEO, which is huge
of, and I'm going to mess it up, OYSK3.
John Ewart (11:08):
Kara, she's incredible.
Julia (11:14):
They're doing the
blueprints for Neyland Stadium.
They're a, they're a massive
blueprint company, right?
That's, that is a skill that takes
years of practice to be part, and that's
just one portion of what it takes to
put together construction as a, the
word construction means so much more.
What are some of the pieces?
Like, you have the women in construction.
(11:34):
Tell us about that offshoot
of the AGC specifically.
John Ewart (11:38):
So, I had a conversation with
my, at that time, 15 year old daughter.
And she was telling me all of this
stuff that she is growing up learning,
saying how women are at a disadvantage
in the workforce, whether it's through
pay, whether it's through promotions,
whether it's through opportunities.
And I don't want her
(11:58):
growing up believing that.
If it's true or not,
again, I, I don't know.
But that's what she already at
15 believes is she is already
taking a backseat to a man.
So two years ago, I created this
women and constructed show Megan that
at, you create your own self worth.
If somebody doesn't offer you what
you're worth, don't accept the job.
(12:19):
If you don't like the environment
of a workplace, create your own.
Create your own.
We got capital.
We can, we can do something.
You know, again, you gotta be creative
and you gotta have your own standards.
So, um, I wanted to show my daughter
powerful women at any level of
business, whether you're the admin
(12:40):
assistant or the CEO president.
Women create so much value.
The buying power for women, the
decision making ability, the
ability to create companies, and the
ability to mentor other young women.
So we created Women in Construction in
early 2023, and our goal for 2023 was
to average about 25 people at events.
(13:02):
2023, we averaged 87 people,
87 women, at these events.
So, this year, 2024, every six weeks,
we are hosting a free Lunch Learn.
Uh, we've got some incredible
speakers coming in.
And, again, it was a way to show my
daughter, who is now 16, what decision
(13:22):
making, what leadership, what mentoring,
but the buying power that women really do.
Run the world.
It is true.
You know, you just have to seek it out.
And I want, and I wanted
to show that to people.
Julia (13:36):
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is location, location, location.
Our team at Just Homes Group
Realty Executives has the true
expertise pairing buyers and sellers
with the right opportunities.
Whether you're looking to buy or
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Lenore City, Clinton, or Farragut.
(13:58):
We have the expertise throughout
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Call Just Homes Group
Realty Executives today.
We have all girls as well,
three girls in our home as well.
And as a female business owner who is
constantly prejudiced, towing that line
of, I know what people say and I know
(14:19):
exactly what you just said is true.
And both of those things have got to find,
The middle ground, there's always some,
you can turn on social media, no matter
what social media it is, and find 500
negative things and find the one positive
thing, you have to find it, you have to
look for it, you have to want to be part
of it, you have to create it, and you have
to work at it, and Reiterating that on a
(14:40):
consistent basis to our children, because
that's the next generation of leadership.
We're, I mean, that's another 20
years and I'm out of the game, right?
I'll be, well, I mean, hopefully
not, but I mean, 20 years,
technically I should be out of this
game and those kids are, are it.
That's the next conversation.
And if they're already going into
the conversation saying I can't do
something, there's a good chance that
they won't even try something to at
(15:01):
least show that if you try and make
this initiative, people will respond.
You've had eight, seven women per meeting.
in attendance and you're on waiting
lists for some of these things.
John Ewart (15:12):
Yes, we've got, we've
got some incredible, we had Karen
Weakley come out and speak, the head
coach of the Lady Ball Softball.
We've got Claudia with Centro
Hispano coming out to talk about
the Hispanic speaking community.
Our next one is Dana Hart, the CEO of
the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
You know, we just had the WNBA draft
last night, which was celebrated.
(15:33):
Uh, the Women's Hall of Fame has
their induction ceremony next week.
And then she's coming to talk to our
women's event, uh, women's group about
why it's so important to have the
Women's Hall of Fame here in Knoxville.
Why is it here?
Who does it serve?
The empowerment of women, and our
women's group was just a perfect
connector for our next speaker.
Julia (15:53):
My doubles tennis
partner's parents.
Um, her brother, we were all at their
beach house for vacation one spring
break, and her brother had said something.
He was a, he was a huge baseball player.
He was being recruited.
And, uh, he said, well, what if
something happened to me and all
I could be was a ditch digger?
And I remember, I mean,
it wasn't even a thought.
It came right out of his mom's mouth.
(16:14):
And she said, well, you better be the best
damn ditch digger this world's ever seen.
Because if you're not going to be the
best at your position, don't do it at all.
And that applies to everybody.
That applies to the person who has
to order the pencils, because if you
order the bad pencils, then nobody can
do the drawings, and then the drawings
don't get to be where they need to be.
It doesn't matter what your
position is, creating your value,
creating that opportunity for value
(16:36):
is important, and you're getting
that in one place for people.
Tell us about how, what, why
is that so heavy on your heart?
Like, what is this, you're very passionate
about it, you're really bringing it.
John Ewart (16:46):
I think, so, Going to St.
Mary's, which is now, it's
called Tenova Healthcare, but
when I started, the Sisters of
Mercy taught me a couple things.
I was 32, just taking over the
Health and Fitness Center, had
150 employees, had 6, 000 members.
And, you know, they really preach
being a servant leader, you know, as
(17:08):
we are here to serve the community.
But we're also here for business, and
one of the greatest business quotes
that I've heard from the sisters is you
can't feed the poor if you are the poor.
And to truly be a servant leader is yes,
you've got to have business principles
and business practices, and you do
have to watch out for your bottom line.
(17:28):
But at the end of the day, once
you get your bottom line right,
it's time to serve your community.
And, uh, that's really, before
then I hadn't really been part,
you know, Gettysburg Country Club.
I was working with lots of business
leaders, a lot of decision makers.
And, you know, we were bringing
people in and we were networking
and doing a great job.
But when I got to St.
(17:49):
Mary's and working for the Sisters of
Mercy, it just changed my perspective on
what, you know, My personal outlook on
life was going to be, and instead of just
chasing revenue, I was chasing quality.
And not just chasing quality,
but trying to serve a community,
and it just continues to
translate into what I do today.
Julia (18:08):
You're constantly working
on your ability to connect people.
You always make the connection.
And that is something that's super rare
and super relevant because connectors
are few and far between when you really
can just speak with someone and get
their vibe and be like, I know somebody
you need to know and know who they are.
They'll take your call.
You've built that relationship.
(18:29):
You have that ability and you
are using that to empower all the
people in the Knoxville market.
Tell us about.
What you're doing, maybe like in D.
C.
or Nashville, because you
have to be part of all of it.
You're national.
You're just, you're a part of that.
John Ewart (18:45):
Well, with legislation,
I really do sit on the sidelines
for the legislation part.
We've got a CEO out of Nashville.
We go to Nashville once a year at
an event called Day on the Hill, and
we go meet with local legislators.
And that's great to get a chance
to connect with our decision
makers in Nashville, extremely
important in all of that.
(19:05):
But I really do sit on the sidelines
because there's so many varying
opinions on the way the world
should work and the way the U.
S.
should work and the way the
state of Tennessee should work.
It's really hard for me to
be on one side or the other.
So I really just, really do remove
myself from that aspect because
(19:26):
Everybody's passionate about it, and
nobody's opinion is necessarily wrong.
There's just different
ways of getting there.
So, um, in that aspect, now that's
one thing I've done really well since
my time in the military, is when
people say, don't talk politics at
dinner, I don't talk politics ever.
I really don't.
I really just tell people, be passionate
(19:47):
about, I, I, I don't like indifference.
Like, be passionate one way or
the other, whether it Agrees with
the majority or the minority.
It really doesn't matter.
Just be passionate about it.
You know, as you know, I'm passionate
about the University of Tennessee.
You know, I'm passionate about it.
I'm an alumni.
I was a, you know, on the football team as
(20:08):
a walk on, which we have a specific role.
But I knew my role when I was a walk on.
I knew exactly why I was there with GPA.
I knew I wasn't going
to hurt other players.
I knew that I was going
to have a clean drug test.
I knew I was going to do all the
right things that you're supposed to
do, and that's one reason I stayed on
the football team as long as I did,
because a lot of walk ons would get cut.
(20:30):
You know, you just don't have the
right skill set to be a walk on.
When politics, I know my role, and my
role is, if you're passionate about
it and want to hear about it, it
doesn't necessarily have to agree or
disagree, I just want to hear about it.
Julia (20:43):
I think what I'm going to
sum this whole conversation up
with is one servant leadership.
I genuinely feel like that
is your passionate thing.
I feel it.
I see it.
Everybody knows it.
Anybody that meets you
can feel that from you.
You definitely want to give back.
You want to make sure everybody wins.
Everybody gets something from the benefit.
(21:04):
Everybody gets a connection.
Everybody has something that
they can offer and take.
It is win win or no deal with you.
And I love that.
Second thing that I already forgot
because I was super excited to talk
about the first one because I will,
I'll remember in a minute, but it
was what you literally just said.
And to sum that up is making sure
that you have a place to belong and
stay passionate about something.
(21:24):
And I think that you bring that out
in other people, just surround them
with your energy and your passion.
And you're so focused on doing what
you need to do to grow other people.
And as Knox will continue to grow and we
see more and more and more construction
in the commercial real estate industry.
We haven't, we don't have 300 cranes
in the air, but we're getting gosh
darn close to a few, you know, a few
(21:47):
more than we've ever seen before.
And as we can grow, your role
in that will be so important.
I think one thing that I have taken away
from just being around you in the short
amount of time that I've known you is
watching the way you work and network.
I had said something to our young
daughter over the weekend about
connecting to the community.
(22:07):
I'm part of this group.
You've got to know this guy.
You matter at the game.
And I said, there's a day that this
person is going to look to you like he
just became super popular in Knoxville.
Oh my gosh, he's so connected.
He's got all these things.
This guy's everywhere.
And you're not going to see the 30 years
of dedication, and passion, and work, and
(22:27):
relationship, and effort, and failure,
and success, and effort that went into
that, what you're going to see overnight.
John, you were to AGCS
taking over Knoxville.
You're just not gonna see that part.
And you share that story with
people and you make sure they know.
How could, how long it has been
of a journey for you to get here.
(22:47):
What advice would you give younger
people in Knoxville who want to start
building those relationships today?
John Ewart (22:53):
So we're about to start
a VFL Micro internship program.
We've got 25 current student athletes that
are gonna go work for 25 of our members.
And it's a three week program.
And this is what I will be, uh,
sitting on my soapbox, preaching,
whatever you want to call it.
Is, first off, in today's social
(23:14):
media world, you know everybody.
You're connected to everybody.
So it used to be, who do you know?
I don't really believe that anymore.
I believe, based on social
media, and LinkedIn, and uh,
everybody knows everybody.
So it's, now, who's gonna extend
goodwill to you, when you need something?
Thank you.
Because who you know really isn't going
(23:35):
to get you the needle moved anymore.
But who's going to extend goodwill when
you call on somebody and say, I need
help, I need something, I need advice.
The connectors of the world
compared to the users.
You know, it's vast different.
You might have 10 people in your
world that are true connectors and
the other hundred are users, you know?
(23:57):
So you've got to build up goodwill.
And that's where that sense
of community comes in.
I want everybody to know you can
ask me for anything and I literally
don't need anything in return.
So you want to build up that goodwill.
You need to find good mentors.
Again, in today's world, who's going to
give you the tough love, the tough advice?
(24:17):
The information you really don't
want to hear about yourself,
but you need to hear it.
And the people that's going
to pray over you and love on
you when you need it the most.
And so to find good mentors.
You know, one, two, three mentors
of people that will be there for you
to do the praying and the kicking.
(24:38):
And you need, you need both.
You need the praying and the kicking.
And if you find mentors, and then
the last thing we're going to
preach to this career development
program with these 20 is networking.
You have got to extend your network out.
So when you need something, your
network can make connections for you.
That's spiderweb effect.
(24:59):
Yes, that one on one relationship's
important, but it's more important when
you create that one on one relationship
that they help feather you out there
and really help get you connected.
And if these young people, whether in
high school, college, post college, if
they don't have mentors, if they don't
have true connectors in their life, It's
(25:20):
an uphill battle because you just don't
know where you're supposed to reach.
Where's that next foothold?
Where's that next?
You don't have it because you don't have
somebody that's been there guiding you.
And so that's what I would say that,
you know, as people get into any
industry is if they don't have those
people, it's hard to build them,
(25:42):
you know, and you got to start off
young and you got to be invested.
You know, when I went and talked to
the football team, I was like, just
be engaged, be invested, you know, if
you're sitting there playing on your
phone, if you're sitting there, you
know, just half listening to this three
week period, you're going to miss some
of the greatest opportunities that
could ever present themselves to you,
because they're going to love you,
(26:03):
not because of the tea on the helmet.
But the quality of your character.
Julia (26:07):
It is, it is truly a rare
opportunity to have a good mentor.
My mentor passed away and I had him
for a very short amount of time.
It was not until very late in life
that I found someone who I could
really connect with and that could
do the praying and the kicking.
And he did both very well, very well.
And then I learned what I was
missing and what I needed.
(26:28):
And until that light bulb came
on, I couldn't pass that on.
Had to fill my cup.
Had to learn how to fill it
properly so that everybody
else could have the overflow.
And until someone shows you how
to do that, you can't do that.
Part of it, I'm excited
to show who you are.
I need to share you as a person
to the world because it is, again,
very rare true connectors exist.
And you are one of them.
(26:49):
So I want to say thank you very
much for taking time for us today.
We're out of time.
We've literally got 30 minutes
and that was like the fastest
interview we've done all year.
So, everybody, I'm Julia Hurley.
This was our guest John Ewart with AGC.
Please look it up.
Please like it.
Connect with him on LinkedIn.
You can find him
everywhere on social media.
And if you would like to be part
of his program in 2025, go ahead
(27:10):
and send him a message because I
believe you're booked out for 2024.
Correct?
John Ewart (27:14):
We have been blessed.
Membership growth has been incredible.
Julia (27:17):
Wonderful.
Everybody, thank you so much for tuning
in to this episode of Connect the Knox.
I'm your host, Julia Hurley,
Connecting Knoxville.
To the nation.
Until next time.
for tuning into the show.
Make sure to like and subscribe.
Leave a five star review on
your podcast player of choice.
And if you would like information
(27:39):
on moving to Knoxville,
send me a private message.
As always, this is Julia Hurley
connecting Knoxville to the nation.
Hey everybody, welcome to
another episode of Connect the Knox.
I'm Julia Hurley, your host,
connecting Knoxville to the nation.
Today's guest is John Ewert.
He is the Knoxville Chapter President
in all things, honestly, he could
probably run the whole country if
we would just let him do it, of AGC,
(00:26):
Knoxville Chapter, and one of the
best volunteers you will ever meet.
It is very important that everybody
moving here gets to know John, because
he houses one of the most prolific
groups of people you will ever meet.
Please introduce yourself to the nation
and start from the beginning, how you
ended up here in Knoxville and how you
got to AGC and then tell us what it is.
John Ewart (00:48):
Well, thank
you so much for having me.
I truly do appreciate it.
My stories.
Pretty simple, uh, come from a small
town, Fayetteville, Tennessee, uh, 1991,
uh, United States goes into war with the
Persian Gulf area, enlisted in the United
States Navy, had a four year career in
the Navy, that was absolutely incredible,
got a chance to be stationed in Pearl
(01:09):
Harbor, Hawaii, got a chance to go to
the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Cairo, Egypt,
just had an amazing four year career.
During that time, I decided I
wanted to go play football at the
University of Tennessee as a walk on.
Got over to UT in 96, graduated in 99.
And what an incredible two year
journey from 1997 and 1998.
(01:32):
Playing on the, uh, 97 SEC
Championship team with Peyton Manning.
Playing on the 1998 National
Championship team with a host
of Vols, Al Wilson, Jamal Lewis.
And, uh, uh, just a host of others.
From there, uh, started
my business career.
Got a chance to work four years
at Gettysview Country Club.
(01:53):
That was absolutely incredible.
Incredible opportunity to network,
meet a lot of people moving to the
Knoxville area during that time.
From there, I went to St.
Mary's Healthcare.
Got a chance to run a health and fitness
center, uh, off the Emory Road exit.
I got a chance to run a daycare,
do director of marketing and, uh,
facilities manager, uh, COO for
(02:15):
the hospital after 13 years there.
Uh, a GC hired me six years
ago to run this market.
Running the construction community
is absolutely incredible.
There's so many amazing people
in Knoxville to connect with.
Julia (02:28):
So what does a GC stand for, john?
John Ewart (02:31):
Associated
General contractors.
So, we are a nationwide organization.
The headquarters of AGC is on Capitol
Hill, literally on Capitol Hill.
They, of course, want favorable
outcomes in legislation, so construction
continue to happen and grow.
Obviously, the infrastructure of
America as a whole is very old.
(02:52):
Between roads and bridges and
dams and everything in between.
And then, of course, in the Knoxville
market, we really are looking at
your vertical GCE individuals.
The people that are building the
large buildings, Smith Wesson, Neyland
Stadium, College of Nursing on campus.
So that's really who we serve
here in the Knoxville market.
Julia (03:11):
So it's a pretty
big market to think about.
Uh, anybody that can get a collegiate
contract usually has a national
contract for large construction.
It's not something that's
really easy to understand.
It's not something
that's easy to get into.
It takes years to develop the
relationships to pull contracts like that.
You need subcontractors, you need all
kinds of different vendors, and you
(03:32):
manage relationships with all of those.
Uh, what does that membership look like?
What is it made up of?
John Ewart (03:38):
So right now we have roughly
200 members here in the Knoxville Market.
Everything from the largest GCs,
you've got subcontractors, you've got
suppliers, you have service providers.
And the way I look at it, it is,
what does our community look like?
And we want to be a makeup of all
of those levels in our community.
(03:59):
So a lot of people look at this and just
say, well, you're just construction.
We are not just construction.
You have financial investors here,
you've got real estate, You have
Insurance, but then you have all the
large subs, you've got all the large
GCs, but ultimately the Knoxville
market is built around a community.
(04:20):
And I think that's where we have
had so many levels of success here,
is because we are community driven,
uh, which includes construction.
Construction
Julia (04:29):
industry as a whole, especially
in the East Tennessee market right
now, especially in East Tennessee,
we, national blew up, right?
And it's just absolutely, you can't find
space, yet they continue to find space.
And they're coming this way, and there's
more and more opportunity every day.
But as you said, construction's
not just put on the hard
hat and go build something.
Construction is Supply.
(04:51):
Construction is employment.
Construction is management.
Construction is healthcare.
Construction is base.
What?
There are so many different facets to
the word construction and especially
the major amounts of construction
industries that you were helping manage.
What converse, what are conversations
like with all of those people in one room?
Like what is the benefit here?
John Ewart (05:11):
So the biggest thing
that you look at when we talk about
construction is you've got two major
things that you've got obstacles with.
The first one's going to be
Employment, um, Workforce Development.
Second one's going to be Supply Chain.
So, with AGC, one of the greatest benefits
that we offer Knox County, not only
the school system, but the employers,
is we have an Apprenticeship Program.
(05:33):
This Apprenticeship Program is
Electricians, Carpenters, and Masons.
This year was our largest group of
students we've had with 270 students
starting the 2023 school year.
It's a four year program
through the Department of Labor.
After four years in this program,
you get your journeyman's license
and workforce development in every
(05:55):
industry is vital to the growth and
continuing education, uh, for employers.
Julia (06:01):
Now, what's a journeyman?
John Ewart (06:04):
A journeyman is, uh, basically
when you get your real estate license.
You have to go through class, you've
got to go through the seminars,
you've got to go through all the
process to receive your license.
Well, a journeyman is a four year degree
as an electrician or as a carpenter.
So you go four years to school, you
do all the testing, you get all the
apprenticeship hours, which you have
(06:26):
to have 2, 000 work hours a year,
so basically a full time employee.
And after you test out after four
years, you are, you are a licensed
electrician or a licensed carpenter
that can practice throughout the U.
S.
Julia (06:38):
I have friends of mine that
own large scale businesses, like
the ones that belong to AT& T.
And we are told constantly that that is
a dying industry, that there are just not
enough people that, one, are interested
in it or understand why it's valuable.
I do want to go through that long of a
process to Gain that type of knowledge,
yet it is one of the most sought after.
(07:00):
Claymore, why that's relevant and what you
all are doing to partner with like Key,
Rhode State, uh, Walter State, and, and
how you're providing that to industry.
John Ewart (07:09):
So from what I understand,
the latest study that I saw when we had
an apprenticeship roundtable with Knox
County is it's about a five to one loss.
We're losing five people for
every one entering in, in these,
uh, journeyman type positions.
So for us, it comes down to education.
People just don't realize a starting wage
(07:31):
for a lot of these 18, 19, 20 year old
individuals could be 15 plus an hour.
Now a lot of places are paying 15 plus an
hour just to, you know, survive business.
But once you enter as your journeyman
after four years, you can make 25, 30,
35 an hour with that four year degree.
A lot of the college degrees that
(07:52):
people are receiving right now on
different campuses can't pay that much.
I know I didn't make that coming out.
No, I came out of college
25 plus years ago.
But we really want to, through the
865 Academy here in Knox County,
with Builders Exchange, with other
entities, we really want that.
education piece to say if you're not ready
(08:13):
for a four year degree at post, post high
school, if you want a job opportunity
where you're hired, you're employed,
and you're still doing education, uh,
becoming an electrician, carpenter,
mason is an incredible way to go.
Of course, my way, as soon as I've left
high school, I'm straight into boot camp.
You know, I'm four years military.
(08:34):
Then I go back to college
and get my degree.
I think the value of degrees
right now with the cost of them,
you can join the apprenticeship
program and a four year program.
I did a study for Knox County
last week and our average student
after four years graduating will
(08:54):
pay less than 1, 500 in tuition.
So again, we want to provide
that value back to our members.
Because they employ individuals, they send
them to our school, but it's also a great
value for each of those students who isn't
getting in a lifetime of debt to get a
four year, you know, journeyman's license.
Julia (09:13):
I know that there's
a show, uh, does something
called the Man Show every year.
And the IEBW, am I saying that properly?
The local IEBW is always there.
Really and truly, every person walks
through the door, they're like, Please
go and get your electrician's license.
Please, we need more electricians.
Please help us.
We need this.
This is a need that is being talked
(09:34):
about more and more and more.
How do you see this program bringing
these kids into this faster to be able
to that 5 to 1 ratio is a big loss.
Like, how are we How can we work as a, as
a community to bring more of that to you?
John Ewart (09:49):
I think with Knox
County School System starting the
865 Academy, getting their juniors
and seniors exposed into different
trades and different styles of work.
I think a lot of times it's people,
you know, have grown up and they
haven't had to work with their hands.
Uh, they haven't had to do manual
labor, yet when they get into the, uh,
(10:10):
workforce, I mean, that's the majority
of the jobs that's going to be out there.
And then the second thing is
you've got to educate them on pay.
The hourly wage for a journeyman or
the hourly wage for an apprentice.
is going to be greater than
a lot of the other jobs that
they're going to be seeking.
And the on the job
training is so important.
That's why being an apprentice and having
(10:31):
a mentor and having somebody who is
guiding you along the way is so important.
But I just don't think in today's Twitter
universe, you know, everything is built
on social media and clicks and likes.
I think a lot of people just miss it.
This is a great area to go into
business And you can start your
(10:52):
own business after four years.
It's incredible.
Julia (10:56):
AGC, you said there's 200
members in just the Knoxville chapter?
John Ewart (10:59):
Correct.
Julia (11:00):
I know that we've met, I've met a
few, um, the new female CEO, which is huge
of, and I'm going to mess it up, OYSK3.
John Ewart (11:08):
Kara, she's incredible.
Julia (11:14):
They're doing the
blueprints for Neyland Stadium.
They're a, they're a massive
blueprint company, right?
That's, that is a skill that takes
years of practice to be part, and that's
just one portion of what it takes to
put together construction as a, the
word construction means so much more.
What are some of the pieces?
Like, you have the women in construction.
(11:34):
Tell us about that offshoot
of the AGC specifically.
John Ewart (11:38):
So, I had a conversation with
my, at that time, 15 year old daughter.
And she was telling me all of this
stuff that she is growing up learning,
saying how women are at a disadvantage
in the workforce, whether it's through
pay, whether it's through promotions,
whether it's through opportunities.
And I don't want her
(11:58):
growing up believing that.
If it's true or not,
again, I, I don't know.
But that's what she already at
15 believes is she is already
taking a backseat to a man.
So two years ago, I created this
women and constructed show Megan that
at, you create your own self worth.
If somebody doesn't offer you what
you're worth, don't accept the job.
(12:19):
If you don't like the environment
of a workplace, create your own.
Create your own.
We got capital.
We can, we can do something.
You know, again, you gotta be creative
and you gotta have your own standards.
So, um, I wanted to show my daughter
powerful women at any level of
business, whether you're the admin
(12:40):
assistant or the CEO president.
Women create so much value.
The buying power for women, the
decision making ability, the
ability to create companies, and the
ability to mentor other young women.
So we created Women in Construction in
early 2023, and our goal for 2023 was
to average about 25 people at events.
(13:02):
2023, we averaged 87 people,
87 women, at these events.
So, this year, 2024, every six weeks,
we are hosting a free Lunch Learn.
Uh, we've got some incredible
speakers coming in.
And, again, it was a way to show my
daughter, who is now 16, what decision
(13:22):
making, what leadership, what mentoring,
but the buying power that women really do.
Run the world.
It is true.
You know, you just have to seek it out.
And I want, and I wanted
to show that to people.
Julia (13:36):
We all know that real estate
is location, location, location.
Our team at Just Homes Group
Realty Executives has the true
expertise pairing buyers and sellers
with the right opportunities.
Whether you're looking to buy or
sell a home right here in Knoxville,
Lenore City, Clinton, or Farragut.
(13:58):
We have the expertise throughout
every Knoxville surrounding area.
Call Just Homes Group
Realty Executives today.
We have all girls as well,
three girls in our home as well.
And as a female business owner who is
constantly prejudiced, towing that line
of, I know what people say and I know
(14:19):
exactly what you just said is true.
And both of those things have got to find,
The middle ground, there's always some,
you can turn on social media, no matter
what social media it is, and find 500
negative things and find the one positive
thing, you have to find it, you have to
look for it, you have to want to be part
of it, you have to create it, and you have
to work at it, and Reiterating that on a
(14:40):
consistent basis to our children, because
that's the next generation of leadership.
We're, I mean, that's another 20
years and I'm out of the game, right?
I'll be, well, I mean, hopefully
not, but I mean, 20 years,
technically I should be out of this
game and those kids are, are it.
That's the next conversation.
And if they're already going into
the conversation saying I can't do
something, there's a good chance that
they won't even try something to at
(15:01):
least show that if you try and make
this initiative, people will respond.
You've had eight, seven women per meeting.
in attendance and you're on waiting
lists for some of these things.
John Ewart (15:12):
Yes, we've got, we've
got some incredible, we had Karen
Weakley come out and speak, the head
coach of the Lady Ball Softball.
We've got Claudia with Centro
Hispano coming out to talk about
the Hispanic speaking community.
Our next one is Dana Hart, the CEO of
the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
You know, we just had the WNBA draft
last night, which was celebrated.
(15:33):
Uh, the Women's Hall of Fame has
their induction ceremony next week.
And then she's coming to talk to our
women's event, uh, women's group about
why it's so important to have the
Women's Hall of Fame here in Knoxville.
Why is it here?
Who does it serve?
The empowerment of women, and our
women's group was just a perfect
connector for our next speaker.
Julia (15:53):
My doubles tennis
partner's parents.
Um, her brother, we were all at their
beach house for vacation one spring
break, and her brother had said something.
He was a, he was a huge baseball player.
He was being recruited.
And, uh, he said, well, what if
something happened to me and all
I could be was a ditch digger?
And I remember, I mean,
it wasn't even a thought.
It came right out of his mom's mouth.
(16:14):
And she said, well, you better be the best
damn ditch digger this world's ever seen.
Because if you're not going to be the
best at your position, don't do it at all.
And that applies to everybody.
That applies to the person who has
to order the pencils, because if you
order the bad pencils, then nobody can
do the drawings, and then the drawings
don't get to be where they need to be.
It doesn't matter what your
position is, creating your value,
creating that opportunity for value
(16:36):
is important, and you're getting
that in one place for people.
Tell us about how, what, why
is that so heavy on your heart?
Like, what is this, you're very passionate
about it, you're really bringing it.
John Ewart (16:46):
I think, so, Going to St.
Mary's, which is now, it's
called Tenova Healthcare, but
when I started, the Sisters of
Mercy taught me a couple things.
I was 32, just taking over the
Health and Fitness Center, had
150 employees, had 6, 000 members.
And, you know, they really preach
being a servant leader, you know, as
(17:08):
we are here to serve the community.
But we're also here for business, and
one of the greatest business quotes
that I've heard from the sisters is you
can't feed the poor if you are the poor.
And to truly be a servant leader is yes,
you've got to have business principles
and business practices, and you do
have to watch out for your bottom line.
(17:28):
But at the end of the day, once
you get your bottom line right,
it's time to serve your community.
And, uh, that's really, before
then I hadn't really been part,
you know, Gettysburg Country Club.
I was working with lots of business
leaders, a lot of decision makers.
And, you know, we were bringing
people in and we were networking
and doing a great job.
But when I got to St.
(17:49):
Mary's and working for the Sisters of
Mercy, it just changed my perspective on
what, you know, My personal outlook on
life was going to be, and instead of just
chasing revenue, I was chasing quality.
And not just chasing quality,
but trying to serve a community,
and it just continues to
translate into what I do today.
Julia (18:08):
You're constantly working
on your ability to connect people.
You always make the connection.
And that is something that's super rare
and super relevant because connectors
are few and far between when you really
can just speak with someone and get
their vibe and be like, I know somebody
you need to know and know who they are.
They'll take your call.
You've built that relationship.
(18:29):
You have that ability and you
are using that to empower all the
people in the Knoxville market.
Tell us about.
What you're doing, maybe like in D.
C.
or Nashville, because you
have to be part of all of it.
You're national.
You're just, you're a part of that.
John Ewart (18:45):
Well, with legislation,
I really do sit on the sidelines
for the legislation part.
We've got a CEO out of Nashville.
We go to Nashville once a year at
an event called Day on the Hill, and
we go meet with local legislators.
And that's great to get a chance
to connect with our decision
makers in Nashville, extremely
important in all of that.
(19:05):
But I really do sit on the sidelines
because there's so many varying
opinions on the way the world
should work and the way the U.
S.
should work and the way the
state of Tennessee should work.
It's really hard for me to
be on one side or the other.
So I really just, really do remove
myself from that aspect because
(19:26):
Everybody's passionate about it, and
nobody's opinion is necessarily wrong.
There's just different
ways of getting there.
So, um, in that aspect, now that's
one thing I've done really well since
my time in the military, is when
people say, don't talk politics at
dinner, I don't talk politics ever.
I really don't.
I really just tell people, be passionate
(19:47):
about, I, I, I don't like indifference.
Like, be passionate one way or
the other, whether it Agrees with
the majority or the minority.
It really doesn't matter.
Just be passionate about it.
You know, as you know, I'm passionate
about the University of Tennessee.
You know, I'm passionate about it.
I'm an alumni.
I was a, you know, on the football team as
(20:08):
a walk on, which we have a specific role.
But I knew my role when I was a walk on.
I knew exactly why I was there with GPA.
I knew I wasn't going
to hurt other players.
I knew that I was going
to have a clean drug test.
I knew I was going to do all the
right things that you're supposed to
do, and that's one reason I stayed on
the football team as long as I did,
because a lot of walk ons would get cut.
(20:30):
You know, you just don't have the
right skill set to be a walk on.
When politics, I know my role, and my
role is, if you're passionate about
it and want to hear about it, it
doesn't necessarily have to agree or
disagree, I just want to hear about it.
Julia (20:43):
I think what I'm going to
sum this whole conversation up
with is one servant leadership.
I genuinely feel like that
is your passionate thing.
I feel it.
I see it.
Everybody knows it.
Anybody that meets you
can feel that from you.
You definitely want to give back.
You want to make sure everybody wins.
Everybody gets something from the benefit.
(21:04):
Everybody gets a connection.
Everybody has something that
they can offer and take.
It is win win or no deal with you.
And I love that.
Second thing that I already forgot
because I was super excited to talk
about the first one because I will,
I'll remember in a minute, but it
was what you literally just said.
And to sum that up is making sure
that you have a place to belong and
stay passionate about something.
(21:24):
And I think that you bring that out
in other people, just surround them
with your energy and your passion.
And you're so focused on doing what
you need to do to grow other people.
And as Knox will continue to grow and we
see more and more and more construction
in the commercial real estate industry.
We haven't, we don't have 300 cranes
in the air, but we're getting gosh
darn close to a few, you know, a few
(21:47):
more than we've ever seen before.
And as we can grow, your role
in that will be so important.
I think one thing that I have taken away
from just being around you in the short
amount of time that I've known you is
watching the way you work and network.
I had said something to our young
daughter over the weekend about
connecting to the community.
(22:07):
I'm part of this group.
You've got to know this guy.
You matter at the game.
And I said, there's a day that this
person is going to look to you like he
just became super popular in Knoxville.
Oh my gosh, he's so connected.
He's got all these things.
This guy's everywhere.
And you're not going to see the 30 years
of dedication, and passion, and work, and
(22:27):
relationship, and effort, and failure,
and success, and effort that went into
that, what you're going to see overnight.
John, you were to AGCS
taking over Knoxville.
You're just not gonna see that part.
And you share that story with
people and you make sure they know.
How could, how long it has been
of a journey for you to get here.
(22:47):
What advice would you give younger
people in Knoxville who want to start
building those relationships today?
John Ewart (22:53):
So we're about to start
a VFL Micro internship program.
We've got 25 current student athletes that
are gonna go work for 25 of our members.
And it's a three week program.
And this is what I will be, uh,
sitting on my soapbox, preaching,
whatever you want to call it.
Is, first off, in today's social
(23:14):
media world, you know everybody.
You're connected to everybody.
So it used to be, who do you know?
I don't really believe that anymore.
I believe, based on social
media, and LinkedIn, and uh,
everybody knows everybody.
So it's, now, who's gonna extend
goodwill to you, when you need something?
Thank you.
Because who you know really isn't going
(23:35):
to get you the needle moved anymore.
But who's going to extend goodwill when
you call on somebody and say, I need
help, I need something, I need advice.
The connectors of the world
compared to the users.
You know, it's vast different.
You might have 10 people in your
world that are true connectors and
the other hundred are users, you know?
(23:57):
So you've got to build up goodwill.
And that's where that sense
of community comes in.
I want everybody to know you can
ask me for anything and I literally
don't need anything in return.
So you want to build up that goodwill.
You need to find good mentors.
Again, in today's world, who's going to
give you the tough love, the tough advice?
(24:17):
The information you really don't
want to hear about yourself,
but you need to hear it.
And the people that's going
to pray over you and love on
you when you need it the most.
And so to find good mentors.
You know, one, two, three mentors
of people that will be there for you
to do the praying and the kicking.
(24:38):
And you need, you need both.
You need the praying and the kicking.
And if you find mentors, and then
the last thing we're going to
preach to this career development
program with these 20 is networking.
You have got to extend your network out.
So when you need something, your
network can make connections for you.
That's spiderweb effect.
(24:59):
Yes, that one on one relationship's
important, but it's more important when
you create that one on one relationship
that they help feather you out there
and really help get you connected.
And if these young people, whether in
high school, college, post college, if
they don't have mentors, if they don't
have true connectors in their life, It's
(25:20):
an uphill battle because you just don't
know where you're supposed to reach.
Where's that next foothold?
Where's that next?
You don't have it because you don't have
somebody that's been there guiding you.
And so that's what I would say that,
you know, as people get into any
industry is if they don't have those
people, it's hard to build them,
(25:42):
you know, and you got to start off
young and you got to be invested.
You know, when I went and talked to
the football team, I was like, just
be engaged, be invested, you know, if
you're sitting there playing on your
phone, if you're sitting there, you
know, just half listening to this three
week period, you're going to miss some
of the greatest opportunities that
could ever present themselves to you,
because they're going to love you,
(26:03):
not because of the tea on the helmet.
But the quality of your character.
Julia (26:07):
It is, it is truly a rare
opportunity to have a good mentor.
My mentor passed away and I had him
for a very short amount of time.
It was not until very late in life
that I found someone who I could
really connect with and that could
do the praying and the kicking.
And he did both very well, very well.
And then I learned what I was
missing and what I needed.
(26:28):
And until that light bulb came
on, I couldn't pass that on.
Had to fill my cup.
Had to learn how to fill it
properly so that everybody
else could have the overflow.
And until someone shows you how
to do that, you can't do that.
Part of it, I'm excited
to show who you are.
I need to share you as a person
to the world because it is, again,
very rare true connectors exist.
And you are one of them.
(26:49):
So I want to say thank you very
much for taking time for us today.
We're out of time.
We've literally got 30 minutes
and that was like the fastest
interview we've done all year.
So, everybody, I'm Julia Hurley.
This was our guest John Ewart with AGC.
Please look it up.
Please like it.
Connect with him on LinkedIn.
You can find him
everywhere on social media.
And if you would like to be part
of his program in 2025, go ahead
(27:10):
and send him a message because I
believe you're booked out for 2024.
Correct?
John Ewart (27:14):
We have been blessed.
Membership growth has been incredible.
Julia (27:17):
Wonderful.
Everybody, thank you so much for tuning
in to this episode of Connect the Knox.
I'm your host, Julia Hurley,
Connecting Knoxville.
To the nation.
Until next time.
for tuning into the show.
Make sure to like and subscribe.
Leave a five star review on
your podcast player of choice.
And if you would like information
(27:39):
on moving to Knoxville,
send me a private message.
As always, this is Julia Hurley
connecting Knoxville to the nation.
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