Forward Construction: Recent Episodes
Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin
This podcast provides information about the commercial construction industry in Wisconsin. Discussion and interviews are presented by construction industry leaders, educators, and legislative, labor and legal experts of commercial construction in Wisconsin.
In this episode, Bob Barker sits down with Rick Andritsch, Partner at VJS Construction Services and President of the AGC of America.
Rick shares his journey into construction, the leadership path that led him to a national role, and what it takes to guide the industry through today’s biggest challenges. From workforce and advocacy to innovation and collaboration, this conversation offers valuable insights for contractors, leaders, and the next generation shaping construction’s future.
Ben Kossow, CEO at Riley Construction, joins Bob Barker to discuss his construction career journey and the mentors he's had along the way, youth apprenticeship, technology and innovation, industry challenges and trends, and the benefits of AGC participation and his time on the board.
John Huggett, Vice President & General Manager at The Boldt Company, joins Bob Barker to discuss his career path into the industry, workforce development and recruitment, technological change and opportunities, leadership in construction, and the benefits of AGC participation and his time on the board.
Mark Rudnicki, CEO & President of Stevens Construction Corp., joins Bob Barker to discuss his career path to Stevens and the work they perform, workforce development in the construction industry, and the benefits of AGC participation and his time on the board.
Bob Barker sits down with Kevin Renley, President & COO of Market & Johnson, to discuss Kevin's unique career path, his experience as an AGC Board Member, and the ongoing opportunities and challenges facing the industry, including technology, workforce development, and professional development.
Chris Berg, President of IEI General Contractors & AGC Board Member, joins Bob Barker to discuss his journey to IEI and the work they perform, and how AGC participation and his time on the board have benefited his career and company.
Jason Bollig, AGC of Wisconsin Board Member, joins Bob Barker to discuss his career path and role as President & CEO of Ideal Builders, Inc., the importance of workforce development in the construction industry, and how companies can adapt to ongoing disruption and uncertainty.
Dan Beatty, founder of Constructive Leadership Solutions, joins Bob Barker to discuss his journey to starting CLS, the services they provide, and the future of the construction industry.
George Cullen, President of the AGC of Wisconsin, joins Bob Barker to discuss his work as Co-President at JP Cullen, his time on the AGC Board, and the current challenges and opportunities facing the construction industry.
Listen in as Bob Barker talks with Kevin Kendellen, Construction Technology Manager at Riley Construction, about industry innovation, new field-facing technologies, and workforce opportunities and challenges that may come with.
Listen in as Bob Barker chats with Tanner Boson, Vice President of Construction of The Boson Company.
AGC Past President and Vice President of Tri-North Builders, Anna Stern joins the "Forward Construction" podcast again to discuss the many great initiatives Tri-North Builders has coming up for 2024.
Check out this episode featuring 2024 AGC of Wisconsin Chapter President, Brian Hornung of J.H. Findorff & Son.
In this episode, Bob Barker catches up with long time AGC of Wisconsin National Director, Pete Vogel (CEO & Presidnet ) of Vogel Bros. Building Co.
Listen as Bob Barker catches up with AGC of Wisconsin Past President Paul Martzke of Immel Construction.
Listen in as Sarah-Beth Janssen of McClone Insurance Group (AGC Associate Member) and Traci Tauferner of Advanced Physical Therapy highlight risk prevention measures that pertain to all contractors.
Listen in as Bob Barker interviews Matt Pletzer, CEO & Founder of Lift Consulting based in Madison. Lift Consulting, a new AGC Associate Member, provides an array of business services including strategic planning, recruiting, sales consulting and more.
Listen in as Bob Barker chats with Greg Markle and Steve Gardner of Operation Fresh Start as they discuss the great work OFS is doing to prepare young adults for construction careers.
In this first episode of 2022, we sit down with Anna Stern, Vice President of Tri-North Builders, to discuss her upcoming year as AGC Chapter President.
In this episode of "Forward Construction", Bob Barker interviews President & CEO of Bassett Mechanical, Kim Bassett. Listen in as they discuss Bassett Mechanical's 85 year history, new innovations and addressing workforce needs.
Listen in as Bob Barker interviews Derek Allen, AGC of Wisconsin General Counsel, to discuss project bidding, jobsite picketing and other legal issues facing contactors.
Listen in as Bob Barker interviews John Bartoszek, Executive Vice President of Zenith Tech, a heavy civil construction company and AGC of Wisconsin Specialty Contractor member.
Bob Barker interviews AGC of America's Vice President of Government Affairs, Jimmy Christianson to discuss the current state of regulatory issues related to construction at our nation's capital.
Listen in as globally recognized speaker and author Steve Farber previews his "Extreme Leadership" series which will be featured during the AGC of Wisconsin's Annual Membership Meeting in late January.
In this episode, Bob Barker is joined by three (3) surety professionals; Brian Krause of AON Wisconsin, Brad Babcock of Babcock Solutions and Brian O'Neill of Travelers Insurance; to discuss how the construction surety and bonding industry has changed over the past 6 months during COVID-19 since their last podcast.
Listen in as Bob Barker interviews Steve Lewis and Sheri Jehn of Lewis Construction, AGC Specialty Contractor.
Listen in as Bob Barker interviews Tripp and Tony Ahern of J. F. Ahern Co. who provide insight into Ahern's 140 years of serving the construction industry in Wisconsin and across the entire country.
Listen in as Bob Barker interviews AGC Specialty Contractor, Wall-tech. Wall-tech provides cold formed steel framing and drywall solutions that result in faster construction completion times.
Bob Barker, AGC Executive Vice President, provides an overview of AGC's current legislative initiatives with the State.
This episode of the "Forward Construction" podcast features an interview with Mark Breslin of Breslin Strategies who focuses on empowering and engaging future construction leaders. Mark also discusses the new partnership between Breslin Strategies and the AGC of Wisconsin Industry Advancement Program, which includes exclusive access to the Professional Construction Leader (PCL) video series.
This episode features Anthony Huey, crisis communications expert and International keynote speaker. Anthony provides insight into his upcoming programs with the AGC of Wisconsin on June 23rd and 30th, along with a new technology platform to help contractors better communicate during a crisis.
Listen in as Bob Barker interviews Isaac Bechen from M3 Insurance and Phil Hausmann of Hausmann-Johnson Insurance to discuss the current status of the commercial construction industry as it relates to the pandemic.
Steve Sandherr, AGC of America's Chief Executive Office, joins Bob Barker for a discussion on current legislative issues impacting the construction industry related to COVID-19 and the AGC of America's various resources for members.
In this episode, Bob Barker is joined by three (3) surety professionals; Brian Krause of AON Wisconsin, Brad Babcock of Babcock Solutions and Brian O'Neill of Travelers Insurance; to discuss the current status and future outlook of the construction surety and bonding industry.
Bob Barker from the AGC of Wisconsin interviews Dawn Crim, Secretary, and Dan Hereth, Assistant Deputy Secretary, of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to discuss the current status of plan review, best practices for contractors submitting plans and the overall impact of COVID-19 on the DSPS.
In this episode of "Forward Construction", Bob Barker interviews Tom Sheahan, Construction & Real Estate Partner at Baker Tilley; Josh Marron, Sr. Vice President of Chief Banking Officer at Park Bank; and Derek Allen, AGC of Wisconsin's General Counsel to discuss the details related to the Paycheck Protection Program, Payroll Tax Deferrals, Employee Retention Credits, Employee Paid Sick Leave, Extended Family & Medical Leave and Unemployment issues connected with FFCRA and the CARES Act.
In this episode of "Forward Construction", Bob Barker interviews Larry Kinsman, Owner & Founder, of ORIN Technologies based in Verona, WI. ORIN Technologies specializes in oxidation, bioremediation, reduction, and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to address specific issues in remediation and water treatment. Kinsman describes the ways contractors can prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the job site.
AGC of Wisconsin Legal Counsel, Derek Allen updates contractors on the latest legal, insurance and safety aspects of the COVID-19 outbreak and the state of Wiscosnin's "Safer at Home" Executive Order.
AGC Wisconsin's Executive Vice President, Bob Barker, hosts the inaugural episode for the Forward Construction podcast series, which in this episode provides perspectives on the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus.