The CM Mentors Podcast

In Episode 38 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Eric Anderton, Founder of Construction Genius. Topics Include:* Favorite Sports* Making the Shift from Leading Projects to Leading Companies* The “E.A.R.” Framework for Communication* How to Teach Someone what you know Instinctually* Construction Genius the Book* How to Run a “Kick-Ass” Meeting* How to Lead the “Older” Generation* How to Lead your Old Peers After a Promotion* Top Skills to Develop Early in your Career* What is “Good Enough” and Who Defines it?* Advice for the Next GenerationWatch the interview on YouTube:About Eric:Eric Anderton teaches construction executives how to tackle the biggest challenge they face when they get promoted into leadership roles: shifting from project management to leading teams of people. Eric began working with construction companies in 2004 and founded his own company—Construction Genius—in 2013.His background includes over 25 years of public speaking, small group facilitation, and one-on-one mentoring experience.In addition to working with his clients that range from $25m-$1B+ in annual revenue, he is also the host of the top-rated podcast: Construction Genius And the bestselling book: Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction CompaniesWhen not helping his clients be better leaders, Eric likes spending time with family, deadlifting, reading, and attempting to play guitar.To Connect with Eric: https://www.constructiongenius.com/contactLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andertoneric/Podcast: https://www.constructiongenius.com/podcast/Book: Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies: https://amzn.to/3FynRkF Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 37 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Adeel Pirzada, CEO of Pircon Group. With a special guest appearance by Kevin Padillo.Topics Include:* The different “types” of Commercial Construction* Seft-Perform vs. Subcontract* Success with Design-Build Work* Differences Between Canadian and American Construction* Are Electricians the “smartest” trade?* Next Generation not interested in Construction?* How to be Successful in Commercial Construction* Ask the Stupid Question* Hire Fast, Fire Faster, Promote FastestThis week we even got wild up with 2 of Kyle’s meme games. So hang on til the end to see/ hear the second. Watch the interview on YouTube:About Adeel & Pircon Group:Experienced Project Manager in Land Development and 100 Commercial Construction Projects CompletedTo Connect: https://pircongroup.com/https://www.instagram.com/pircongrouphttps://www.linkedin.com/company/pircon-group/ Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 36 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Jack Rowe, Director of Land Entitlement and Development at Taylor Morrison. Topics Include:* What is Land Development?* The hardest part of the Job* How to be Successful with Utility Companies* spoiler: We wish we had better answers* What it was like entering the Industry* Working through the Bureaucracy of Cities* How to get started in Land DevelopmentWatch the interview on YouTube:About Jack:Jack is a family man, real estate development professional, and proud Aggie — an alumnus of Texas A&M University’s Master of Land and Property Development program. His educational background spans architecture and urban design, real estate finance, land development, management, and negotiation — all of which he uses day-to-day as real estate development professional. Jack is also the proud husband of an entrepreneur. When he’s not at work developing communities in North Texas, you’ll find him helping his wife, Kimberly, with her business, PWR WMN (pronounced “Power Woman”), reading about history, philosophy, or personal development, or spending time with his family and friends.Finally, Jack is an avid promoter of construction industry careers, giving back to the community via individual mentorship and his service to his alma mater as Vice President of Texas A&M’s Development Industry Advisory Council.To Connect with Jack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackrowehttps://www.pwrwmn.shop/ Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 35 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Jonathan Cor, President of Customer Growth. Topics Include:* The legit opportunity to build a Personal Brand RIGHT NOW* Why do it? Tangible benefits?* Meme Marketing* Using Opus Pro for turning long-form videos into short viral clips with AI* GC bashing posts? Good or bad?* Thoughts on using ChatGPT for marketing purposes* Using your perspective to stand out* Some tactical tipsWatch the interview on YouTube:About Jonathan:I grew up in construction. My dad was a commercial and residential painting contractor. Then I became an in-house marketer for a commercial construction company in Washington years later. And now I'm building a social media marketing agency helping commercial contractors build their brands online.To Connect with Jonathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-cor/https://www.customergrowth.co Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 34 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Evan Oates, Vice President at EOS Builders, LLC. Topics Include:* EOS Internship Program* What a Project Engineer can expect on Day 1* Teaching the Basics First* Concentrating on Soft Skills First* Kyle Bails on the Meme Game* Innovation Possibilities to Help the Workforce GapWatch the interview on YouTube:About Evan:Evan Oates is a seasoned construction manager with over 20 years of industry experience of successful project completion. Evan’s experience is diverse including the management of multi family, commercial, institutional and government projects. Evan has key experience in the administration of projects resulting from surety bond claims and expertise in all phases of project administration.To Connect with Evan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-oates-60b92a36/https://eosbuilders.com/Join 1,365 others and be notified of new CM Mentors Podcasts and receive the weekly Construction Curiosities Newsletter: Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 33 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Kyle Nitchen, Senior Project Manager at Layton Construction. Topics Include:* Getting Interested in Construction* Our Coolest Projects* Kyle Describes the Meme Game: Literal Cloud Revision* What defines an Influential Project Manager* 7 Archetypes of an Influential Project Manager* Communicator* Enforcer* Builder* Leader* Attorney* Accountant* Business DeveloperWatch the interview on YouTube:About Kyle: Kyle is a driven and disciplined professional, committed to delivering predictable outcomes through his expertise in managing large, complex projects. Utilizing lean thinking and principles, he has successfully executed over $300M+ in complex construction projects, unlocking additional benefits through Lean Construction, Last Planner System, Early Design Involvement, A3 Thinking, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Target Value Design, and Visual Management. Starting his career as a laborer, Kyle gained a comprehensive understanding of both working on and managing construction projects. His diverse project experience spans land development, commercial hospitality, and healthcare, with a focus on leading state-of-the-art HCAI projects on active campuses. Beyond construction, Kyle launched a brand, 'The Influential Project Manager', with a newsletter covering the principles, strategies, and frameworks of successful project leadership. To Connect with Kyle: 👋 Follow Kyle on LinkedIn for actionable Leadership, Project Management, & Lean construction insights. 🏗 Project Portfolio: https://kylenitchen.com/projects 📧 Newsletter: https://kylenitchen.substack.com/ 📗 Website: https://kylenitchen.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylenitchen/ Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 32 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Seth Gehle, Builder at David Weekley Homes. Topics Include:* The Power of LinkedIn* Helping Veterans* Hustling to Build a Network* Getting Giants on Your Resume* Tips for Being a Great Communicator* Running Your Own Race* Being the Best at EVERYTHING You Do* Blind Faith & Not Getting Caught Up in the Machine* Paying It ForwardWatch the interview on YouTube:About Seth: Born and raised in Ohio, I joined the Army at 17 and eventually got into the Infantry and in the 82nd Airborne Division. I have been all around the world and now that I am out of the Army, I have been in the residential construction industry for 3 years. I have spent a lot of my time training BJJ, mentoring veterans and anyone else who needs it while raising two kids, and winning construction awards at the same time.To Connect with Seth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethgehle/ Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 31 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Erin Khan, Founder & Sr. Consultant at Erin Khan Consulting.Topics Include:* Augmented Reality* Learning & Development via Technology* Construction is the New Cool* Tech Fatigue* With 1000s of Solutions, How do you Vet them? * ContechReviews.comWatch the interview on YouTube:About Erin: Erin Khan is an established AEC technology leader, with over a decade of combined experience in building operations, data and process analysis, and software implementation. She is passionate about empowering others to adopt technology to improve project outcomes using empathetic communication, team building, and collaboration skills. Prior to founding EKC, Erin served as the National Director of Construction Solutions for Suffolk Construction, overseeing national technology and innovation operations. Erin holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from USC, a certificate in Business Analytics from The Wharton School, and is EIT, LEED AP BD+C, and OSHA-10 certified.To Connect with Erin: Instagram: @erinkhanconsulting TikTok: @erinkhanconsultingYouTube: @erinkhanconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-khan-655a761a/https://erinkhanconsulting.com/ Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 30 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Chris Gutkes, President at Island Elevator.Topics Include:* What a Train Wreck* Kyle Describes the Meme Game: Meme Marketing* How Chris came into Running Island Elevator* The Worst Part of Running a Business* Self-Depreciation as a Leadership Skill* Elevators vs. The World: Why can’t we all get along?* AI in the Industry* People First CompanyWatch the interview on YouTube:About Chris: Autobiography:4th generation elevator mechanic, 2nd generation business owner, 1st generation awesome dudeTo Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgutkesIslandElevator.com Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 29 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Coty Fournier Professional Talent Development & Growth Strategist at Coty Fournier, Inc.Topics Include:* The Contractor who Doesn’t Bid on Work* Eliminate the Fear of Change Orders* Becoming a Company Executive* Importance of Subcontractors* Inside Commerical Construction’s MVPs* Adding Value to the Business Development Team * (Be a seller-doer Unicorn)* Kyle Describes the Meme Game: The Perfect Meme for the OccasionWatch the interview on YouTube:About Coty:Coty Fournier is an inspirational talent developer with 30+ years of complex design-build management, and business development experience, as both a corporate executive and entrepreneur in the commercial construction industry and related tech spaces. She leads with passion and an optimistic vision to consistently challenge the industry's status quo, foster requisite change, and inspire high-performance cultures.As a proven industry leader and motivational change agent, she is often tapped by construction companies and industry organizations for her exceptional training and talent development skills, business development expertise, and executive leadership advisory. As an insightful, thought-provoking management consultant, speaker, and best-selling author — Coty is leaving a well-marked trail of differentiating strategies along the fast-track to success at the top of the construction management industry.To Connect with Coty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cotyfournier/Get her book: Inside Commercial Construction's MVPs: 7 reasons why they get promoted faster, make more money, and enjoy a seemingly unfair advantage over everybody else Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 28 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Lance Furuyama, Vice President of Operations at Factor X.This was a fun chat and halfway through Lance took over asking us the questions. We chatted about:* What is Equipment Salvage & How Does it Work* The Value of LinkedIn* Advice for our Younger Selfs* Introduced a New Meme GameWatch the interview on YouTube:About Lance:I'm from Hawaii and moved to California six years ago to pursue this opportunity with Factor X. I got active on LinkedIn in June 2023 and have enjoyed getting to know professionals from around the world. Married with 5 kids (11 y/o to 23 y/o), living near Monterey, CA. Used to play golf religiously. Fell short of my goal of breaking 80 (ended up AT 80, six times). Now I can barely break 100 on my best day.To Connect with Lance: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lancefuruyama/https://factorx.com/ Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 27 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Andrew Brown, Co-founder & CEO of Toolfetch.comWe chat about:* What is the Skilled Trades Gap* Importance of a Mentor* What Companies can do to support/ recruit the trades* What we can do as individuals to helpWatch the interview on YouTube:About Andrew:Andrew Brown is a passionate entrepreneur, co-founder, and CEO of Toolfetch.com, driving the company's success for 23 years. His vision led to the creation of a groundbreaking e-commerce platform catering to skilled trades professionals after a life changing event on 9/11 2001. Beyond his role as a CEO, Andrew is a fervent advocate for skilled trades, supporting initiatives that empower tradespeople and raise awareness about their importance. His unwavering commitment continues to shape the industry and bring about lasting change in the lives of countless individuals.To Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-brown-b1736a5/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1J2pbcJFjz0-8qLx_k8FTQhttps://www.toolfetch.com/ Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 26 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Luke Hill (Senior Partner/Director of Veteran Talent Services at Joseph Chris Partners Executive Search) and Scott Friend (Superintendent at rand* Construction and The Construction Veteran Podcast host). We chat about:* How they both transitioned out of the Military and into the Construction Industry* How you can get started in the Construction Industry* How companies can support VeteransWatch the interview on YouTube:About Luke:Luke is a Marine Corps Veteran - turned Construction Industry recruiter. He’s spent five years placing construction talent at all levels across the industry, from running the recruiting department for a commercial and industrial construction apprenticeship program for Veterans, to placing executives in the residential and commercial construction industry. He has a passion for helping others, especially Veterans, and this industry allows him to do that on a broad scale.To Connect with Luke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukehillconstructionrecruiter/ https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/off-the-hook-with-erica-and-lukehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/joseph-chris-partners/https://www.josephchris.com/About Scott:Scott is a military veteran, construction professional, and podcast host who is currently starting a non-profit for vets and first responders. To Connect with Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-friend-a8a05723/https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-construction-veteranhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSqqCb8OAHei3r5OQFRUbUghttps://www.instagram.com/constructionvetpodcast/https://www.buzzsprout.com/2142888 Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 25 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Natassia Melendrez-Knutson, President & CEO at Project Support Services, Inc.We chat about:* Successful Closeout Tips* Who is the DSA?* Constructibility Reviews* Closing Out 20-Year-Old Projects* You’re Never Going to Know It AllListen on your Favorite Podcast platform orWatch the interview on YouTube.About Natassia:Natassia Melendrez-Knutson is the Owner and CEO of Project Support Services, a multifaceted organization specializing in DSA closeout, document archiving, and comprehensive project organization. PSS assists in certifying hundreds of projects for over eight years, working diligently to resolve problems, organizing document-keeping systems, and working directly with the Division of the State Architect to fulfill project needs and requirements.To Connect with Natassia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nmelendrez/https://psscert.com/ Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 24 of The CM Mentors Podcast, it’s just Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell on the mic.We chat about:* The Day in the Life of a CM* Night Work* Words of Wisdom for the CCM Exam (Certified Construction Manager)* An Innovation Solution for Email & Task Management Listen on your Favorite Podcast platform orWatch the interview on YouTube: Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 23 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with David Wolke, Vice President at Hill Electric. Back in Episode 20, John Farner joined us in “Advice from a GC to Empower Subcontractors.” We thought it would be great to have a Subcontractor on to flip the script and give advice to GCs from a sub’s perspective and David was a great choice to fill the role. We chat about:* Best Project Experiences* Proper Amount of Documentation* How to Help Submittal & RFI Processes* Bottlenecks* How to be a Good Subcontractor* Cashflow Tips* Training Programs* Trade ShortageListen on your Favorite Podcast platform orWatch the interview on YouTube:About David:Hill Electric’s safety extraordinaire, David Wolke, has been with Hill Electric for over a decade, beginning as a project manager and later moving into the role of operations manager. In 2021, David was promoted to Vice President. David is a competent trainer for industrial and construction safety as well as electrical theory and the National Electrical Code.David enjoys sharing his knowledge about safety with others through various courses and education. He has taught groups of high school students from Anderson I & II Career Technology Center about the practical side of lift safety and fall protection, giving them a sense of the “real world” and what contractors deal with on a daily basis.Prior to Hill Electric, David was a plant engineer for several locations at a local manufacturing company. This experience in manufacturing operations has given him an understanding of the expectations and requirements to operate as a contractor in the manufacturing sector.David and his wife are also involved in the children’s ministry at their local church. He loves spending time with his family and coaching his two children’s sports teams. David and his family enjoy traveling as much as possible and especially enjoy skiing and going to the beach. When asked where he likes to travel, David quickly said, “Wherever we can find and experience a new place and as often as we can, which is not often enough.”David also enjoys crossfit and occasionally competes in crossfit competitions.To Connect with David: david@hillelectric.nethttps://hillelectric.net/ Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 22 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Jerry Aliberti, Owner of Pro-Accel. Pro-Accel helps contractors create repeatable project success and profitability by improving their estimating and field operations, reducing overhead, and helping them build high-performing teams.We chat about:* Remote vs In-Person Team Building and Mentoring* Biggest Pain Points for Contractors* How to be an A-Player* Project Success Tips for the Next GenerationListen on your Favorite Podcast platform orWatch the interview on YouTube:About Jerry:Jerry Aliberti, owner of Pro-Accel, helps contractors create repeatable project success and profitability by improving their estimating and field operations, reducing overhead, and helping them build high-performing teams. For over 20 years, Jerry has helped some of NYC’s largest contractors to improve communication, delegation, and processes to successfully build over $300 MM in infrastructure and has estimated over $9 billion in projects, helping these contractors to increase margins and reduce risk. As a business owner himself, both with his prior concrete business and current business, Jerry fully understands the dedication and commitment required to build a thriving construction business.To Connect with Jerry: linkedin.com/in/jerry-alibertiwww.pro-accel.com Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 21 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Jennifer Lacy (Lean Practice Leader at Robins & Morton) and Jesse Hernandez (Member at Depth Builder LLC). In addition to all the other amazing things they are doing for the industry, they are the duo behind No BS with Jen & Jess. Where they Livestream every other Saturday morning to “break through the surface and discover depths of vulnerability” and invite the audience to participate in the conversation. Follow them on Linkedin for updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-bs-with-jen-jess/If you know anything about these two you know that you don’t know where the conversation is going to go, but the conversation is most definitely going to be real and raw. This podcast is no exception. We chat about:* The Jen & Jess Origin Story* The People Side of Work* Benefits of Being Vulnerable* Tips on How to Get Started Doing “Something”* Jesse’s Real-Life “Ripples of Impact” Story* “Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be” * Check out Jesse’s Second 1st book here: https://amzn.to/3CSwq8o* Women in the Construction IndustryListen on your Favorite Podcast platform orWatch the interview on YouTube:About Jennifer:Jennifer Lacy has been in the construction industry for 20 years and is Robins & Morton’s Building Forward® Lean Practice Leader. She is responsible for the continued advancement of the company’s Building Forward® approach, which is based on a culture of caring and Lean philosophies. Jennifer is committed to helping build relationships and elevate all people in our industry and bridge the gaps in our industry to help better serve every single person that impacts our work. She is a published author and illustrator, hosts a weekly YouTube livestream, No BS with Jen & Jess, with Jesse Hernandez, and is a frequent speaker at national conferences such as Lean Congress, Associated General Contractors’ Annual Conference, Healthcare Facilities Symposium and more. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management from Texas A&M University-Commerce.To Connect with Jen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlacy/About Jesse:Jesse was born and raised on the Southside of San Antonio Texas. The landscape of his Career ranges from grading ditches to counseling Executives. His trek through the Org Charts has helped him appreciate that we are more alike than we are different. Jesse is committed to Enhancing the Image of Careers in the Trades. His message is one of Contribution, Ownership, and Vulnerability. This message is visible in his podcast Learnings and Missteps, his book Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be, and the Live Stream experience known as No BS with Jen & Jess.To Connect with Jesse: https://www.depthbuilder.com/https://depthbuilder.bio.link/Check out their books and get a clip of Jesse’s Second 1st book here:https://www.depthbuilder.com/books Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 20 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with John Farner, Founder of Empowering Subcontractors.We chat about:* The Empowering Subcontractor Platform* Better Communication* Importance of Proper Documentation* Best Practices for Pay Applications* How GCs can Better Support Subcontractors* Advice John has for the Next Generation. Listen on your Favorite Podcast platform orWatch the interview on YouTube:About John:Construction Manager/General Contractor for over 40 years building projects with Subcontractors. Grew up in family-owned subcontracting business. Desire to help subcontractors with some valuable insights into the expectations and requirements of the GC/CM. With that, they become a stronger company giving them opportunities not just because they are low bid.To Connect with John:https://www.empoweringsubcontractors.com/John’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-farner-66601380/https://www.linkedin.com/company/empoweringsubcontractors/https://www.facebook.com/empoweringsubcontractors Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 19 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell are on the road so no video this week, but wanted to get on the mic to talk about Construction Project Kickoff Meetings, tips to make them great, and how important they are to set the culture of the project. As is the hot topic of the year, the conversation turns to AI and the conversation got short as we just may have offended the AI overlords.Listen on your Favorite Podcast platform or“Watch” the interview on YouTube (No video this week. Safety First!): Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe