Building PA Podcast

In this week’s podcast episode, Jon and Chris chat about the evolution and impact of their long-running podcast, particularly their popular safety episodes. To keep the educational safety content from June’s National Safety Month going, the pair brought in Darren Rech to discuss even more safety resources. They emphasize the importance of toolbox talks and informal safety discussions covering a range of topics essential for maintai...

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Makenzie Daniel, a sophomore safety science major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Makenzie shares her journey into the construction industry, highlighting her experiences and successes, including making the Dean's list and obtaining her OSHA 30 card. She discusses her motivations for pursuing safety science, inspired by he...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Will Foret, co-host of the Building Scale podcast, renowned in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Will emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity, making it relevant and accessible to all. He breaks down the costs of cyber threats, stresses the need for proactive measures like risk assessments and emp...

The latest Building PA Podcast episode featured guest Jimmy Christianson, VP of Government Relations for AGC, who shared crucial legislative updates. They emphasized the urgent need for workforce development and immigration reform to address labor shortages in the construction industry. Additionally, innovative approaches like partnerships with community colleges and targeted digital recruiting campaigns were highlighted as effecti...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien sit down with Justin Neagle from the Building Scale podcast, exploring the keys to scaling businesses and fostering a strong organizational culture. 

Neagle emphasizes the importance of people, processes, and technology as the pillars of business growth. Drawing from his extensive interviews with industry leaders, Neagle highlights...

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Larissa Llewellyn from Pioneer Construction about trenching and excavation. Larissa shares insights into the importance of background checks before digging and discusses the challenges and safety measures involved in the industry. They delve into the evolving training and safety protocols over the years, highlighting the need for prev...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien sit down with Rich Barcaskey from the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania to discuss work zone safety awareness. 

The conversation touches on the implementation of automated work zone speed enforcement programs, highlighting effectiveness in reducing speeding and accidents in construction zones. Rich explains the impor...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien interview Frank Baxter from Construction Risk Partners, about taking safety programs to the next level. Baxter emphasizes the importance of top management's commitment to safety, highlighting the need for leaders to lead by example, engage in the process, and develop essential soft skills. He discusses the significance of culture, comm...

In the latest episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien engage in an insightful conversation with Christopher Smith from NFP brokerage insurance. They delve into the significance of project-based insurance coverage in commercial construction, particularly in Pennsylvania. Smith, drawing on over three decades of experience, elucidates how project-specific insurance offers owners greater control o...

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien sit down with Haggai Dror of Shikun & Binui to discuss the intricacies of fleet electrification. Dror explains that fleet electrification involves converting traditional internal combustion engine vehicles into electric vehicles, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach beyond just purchasing new vehicles. They talk about the chall...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin share a recording from their field trip to Sicklerville, New Jersey, to explore the training initiatives in the carpentry industry. 

Chris and Jon are joined by Phil Diaz, the training director for the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters located in New Jersey. Diaz shares insights into the leadership's foresight, the recently acquired G...

In today’s installment of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin continue their fascinating field trip to the Eastern Atlantic State's Regional Council of Carpenters Dive School in Sicklerville, New Jersey. Positioned on a serene lake, the hosts are joined by Dave Iannucci, the Special Projects Coordinator for the EAS Carpenters.

They delve into the school's unique offerings and recent certific...

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien take a field trip to Novinger's in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They are joined by Steve Powers, the Vice President of Sales at Novinger's, who is hailed as the cleanup hitter and the go-to person for all things related to panel construction and exterior panels. Steve shares insights into the evolution of prefabrication, from a curious con...

In this podcast episode, Brian Skripac, the Director for Virtual Design and Construction with the Design Build Institute of America, shares insights into the evolving landscape of construction technology.

Having transitioned from architecture to the realm of BIM leadership, Skripac discusses the excitement of leveraging new technologies to enhance productivity and efficiency in construction. He emphasizes the need for professionals...

Dive into the depths of underwater construction with the latest Building PA Podcast episode in our field trip series featuring guest Don Gibbons, a Commercial Dive Instructor at the EAS Commercial Dive School. 

 Explore the unique skillset of commercial divers who undertake tasks like underwater inspections, and learn about the extensive training and education opportunities at the EAS Commercial Dive School in Sicklerville, NJ. From...

In the latest installment of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin conclude their field trip series with a visit to Novinger's in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Accompanied by Jim Novinger, the owner of Novinger's, the hosts delve into the company's evolution and extensive expertise in panelization dating back to the 1920s. Jim shares captivating insights into Novinger's history, emphasi...

Join Chris and Jon as they welcome 2024 with a reflection of the past year. Our co-hosts discuss the impact Building PA Podcast has had within the PA construction community and beyond, and also touch on their favorite interviews of the year. No lookback would be complete without also looking ahead at the future, so listeners can expect to hear about plans for the upcoming year as well. 

Thank you for another exciting year at Buildi...

A lively discussion unfolds as they explore Novinger’s' shop, j...

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin bring the audience to Sicklerville, New Jersey, to explore the fascinating setting of the Carpenters Dive School. 

As they share insights from this unique location, including humorous moments and unexpected turns, they're joined by Ollie Olsen, the council rep for the Pile Drivers, Divers, and Dock Workers for the Eastern Atlantic States Ca...