The Future of Building is Here – and it Starts with People. In this episode, we sat down with Kirk Offel, CEO of Overwatch Mission Critical and founder of DCAC, to talk about the explosive growth of the data center industry and the workforce needed to power it. Kirk shares how his journey from U.S. Navy submariner to tech entrepreneur shaped his leadership philosophy and why he believes this is the best time in history to become a builder. From veterans finding purpose to AI reshaping how w...
Dale Jennings shares his journey from Navy nuclear operations to leading quality and commissioning services for hyperscale data centers at Fulcrum Reliability Systems. In this episode, Dale outlines how Fulcrum is addressing the modern construction environment’s biggest challenges: balancing speed and precision, bridging the workforce skills gap, and eliminating rework through training, culture, and smarter tools. Read our full show notes here: https://cumulusquality.com/building-it-r...
Jim Ellis joins our podcast and shares insights from his 40+ year career spanning industrial megaprojects, petrochemicals, and hyperscale data center construction. In this episode, Jim emphasizes the importance of planning with entitlement in mind—you can’t be held accountable for project outcomes unless you’re empowered with the right systems, team structures, and early engagement across the supply chain. Integrated project delivery, proactive QA/QC, and modularization are key enabler...
In this week's episode of the Work Done Right podcast, Amy Marks, SVP of Innovation at Compass Datacenters and Queen of Prefab, joins us to discuss her journey in the construction industry, particularly focusing on prefabrication and modularization in data center construction. Amy is helping Compass redefine how hyperscale and cloud data centers are built through customer-focused innovation and tightly integrated supply chains. This episode explores the importance of innovation, sustai...
On January 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines flight 1282 took off from Portland, Oregon and was scheduled to arrive in Ontario, California. Unfortunately, the flight never made it to its final destination. Shortly after takeoff, a massive hole in the side of the plane was created when a rear exit door was blown off. Luckily, the plane was able to land safely without the loss of any life. However, a boy seated near the hole in the plane had the shirt ripped off his back before the cabin pressure was ab...
In this week's episode of the Work Done Right podcast, Zach Scheel, CEO of Rhumbix, provided global insights into construction challenges drawn from his extensive experience working on projects across North America, Northeast Africa, and South America. Zach highlighted the cultural variations in construction practices, underscoring differences in safety standards, contracting structures, and workforce dynamics across continents. The discussion also explored the evolution of construction techn...
In today's episode of Work Done Right, we are thrilled to be joined by Brianne Stewart, the Construction Technology Manager at Milwaukee Tool. With a background in engineering and experience at renowned companies like John Deere and Procter and Gamble, Brianne brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. She holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa and is at the forefront of driving innovation at Milwaukee Tool, an industry leader in delivering cutting-edge solutions t...
Today we have a very special episode of the Work Done Right podcast. Cumulus CEO Matt Kleiman is joining us to read an excerpt from his brand new book: Work Done Right: Using Systems Thinking To Guide Your Digital Transformation The book is all about how companies operating in the industrial construction, manufacturing, and maintenance fields can leverage a tried-and-true tactic used successfully by the aviation and aerospace industries, systems thinking, to amplify personnel bandwidth and ...
In this episode of the Work Done Right podcast, Johannes Paefgen joins the conversation to explore Hilti's remarkable evolution from a renowned tool manufacturer into a multifaceted player in the construction technology landscape. The discussion underlines the pivotal importance of adaptability and evolution in today's rapidly changing industry. Johannes also delves into the transformative power of the Internet of Things (IoT) within construction, emphasizing its potential to provide i...
In this episode of the Work Done Right podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Romey Oulton, a leading force in the world of construction tech and diversity and inclusion. As the Senior Global ConTech Consultant and DEI Lead at LMRE, Romey is at the forefront of a prop tech recruitment company with a global reach. With a keen focus on construction tech and innovation within traditional real estate firms, Romey's work prioritizes diversity, particularly the inclusion of underrepresented groups, es...
In this episode of the Work Done Right podcast, we welcome Janis Pieterwas, the Construction Innovation Manager at GOLDBECK Group. Janis is dedicated to enhancing construction site efficiency by exploring cutting-edge technologies and ideas from startups, industry partners, and construction-focused VC's. The episode delves into Goldbeck's innovative approach to standardization, their impressive speed of construction, and the culture of innovation that sets them apart in the constructio...
How can the construction industry improve project outcomes by learning from the manufacturing sector? This week on the Work Done Right podcast, Gene Hodge, Mortenson’s VP of Innovation, joins to discuss the benefits of modular construction. Gene explains how Mortenson’s strategy, involving the pre-fabrication of construction components in a controlled environment, leads to waste reduction, enhanced quality, and the creation of safer and more predictable workspaces. Gene also dives into ...
Eric Whobrey, VP of Innovation at ARCO Construction, joins the Work Done Right podcast this week to discuss his interesting career path intro construction. In his role, Eric is responsible for solving some of ARCO’s biggest challenges by identifying and implementing creative, innovative solutions. Eric stresses the importance of optimizing processes by cutting out unnecessary steps, and more importantly, listening to understand the full context of a challenge before proposing a solution. &nb...
In this week’s episode of the Work Done Right podcast, we are joined by Eric Thomas, the host of Autodesk’s Digital Builder Podcast, to delve into the fascinating evolution of construction technology. Eric sheds light on the pivotal role of hardware advancements in revolutionizing the construction industry by facilitating the digitization of blueprints and documentation. Additionally, Eric underscores the importance of purpose-built technology tailored to the construction sector’s speci...
Richard Acton-Maher, the Director of Product at construction industry AI powerhouse OpenSpace, joins the Work Done Right podcast to discuss his role in driving the AI revolution in construction. Richard covers a number of interesting topics, including AI shortcomings, the importance of unconventional data sources, and challenges with hardware implementations. A central point that Richard emphasizes throughout the episode is that without well-structured and organized data, the full potential o...
Luke Kipfer joins the Work Done Right podcast this week to delve into the dynamic world of data center construction. One prominent theme highlighted was the industry's significant shift towards modular construction methods. Recognized for their speed, cost-efficiency, quality control, and safety enhancements compared to traditional stick-built approaches, modular designs are gaining traction, largely fueled by standardization, enabling the efficient deployment of infrastructure across diverse...
In this week’s episode of the Work Done Right podcast, we are joined by Brian Robinson, an industrial construction professional with decades of experience. A passionate advocate for helping new workers excel in the construction industry, Brian delves into three significant themes that he views as essential for the industry's evolution. First, he sheds light on the importance of on-the-job training, presenting it as an accessible means to bridge the competence gap, particularly f...
This week on the Work Done Right podcast we are joined by Julie Ferland, the Vice President of Innovation Excellence at Shell, to unravel the intricate thread of innovation in large companies. Julie delves into the intersection of operational readiness and lifecycle costs and explains the importance of collaborative innovation adoption. She also addresses the delicate equilibrium between processes and innovation, shedding light on how large companies can maintain efficiency while embrac...
Tune in for this thought-provoking episode with Jay Snyder, a military veteran, construction industry expert, and digitalization consultant, to delve into the dynamic landscape of technology in construction. Jay uncovers the pivotal role of AI in the construction sector, shedding light on the necessity of robust data sets for AI to truly transform the industry. As corporate mandates drive AI adoption, Jay also dissects the challenges posed by an array of technology options, illustrating the i...
Dr. Nina Dadlez, a renowned quality and patient safety leader in the medical industry, joins the Work Done Right podcast to delve into the intriguing world of quality. Dr. Dadlez shares valuable insights into the commonalities between the medical and industrial sectors when it comes to ensuring top-notch quality, detailing key learnings that can be applied to any industry. Join us as we explore the significance of conducting thorough root cause analyses to address quality mishap...