The Preconstruction Podcast - Commercial Construction.

Gareth McGlynn sits down with Daniel Beatty, Founder of Constructive Leadership Solutions, to talk about leadership, management, and growth in construction. With 36 years in heavy civil infrastructure, Daniel brings a wealth of perspective on what it takes to strengthen organizations from the inside out.The critical role of middle management in construction and why it is often overlookedDefining great leadership and how it shapes recruitment, retention, and staff developmentTraits that set successful managers apart in today’s industryWhy everyone is a salesperson, from internal teams to external stakeholdersYou can connect with Dan via his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbeattycls/

Ben Evelsizer, Senior Preconstruction Manager at Poettker Construction, joined Gareth McGlynn for a conversation recorded at Advancing Preconstruction 2025 in San Diego. Ben shares his perspective on several core aspects of preconstruction, from logistics planning to engaging trade partners.Discussion Highlights:Site Logistics in Estimating: How much attention it requires during preconstruction.Project Focus: K-12, municipality, and federal government construction.Historical Data: Why it’s a major passion of Ben’s and how Poettker is using it.Artificial Intelligence: Views on its role in preconstruction.Trade Partner Engagement: Why bringing them in too early can actually frustrate the process.For further questions, you can connect with Ben via his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-evelsizer-262a6267/

Our host, Gareth McGlynn, sat down with Ben Neff, Director of Preconstruction at Motz, during Advancing Preconstruction 2025 in San Diego. Together, they discussed the complexities behind creating world-class sports turf systems.Discussion Highlights:Beginnings in Construction: From studying business at the University of Kentucky to a pivot into construction management and early hands-on fieldwork.Joining Motz: Transitioning from vertical construction to leading preconstruction at Motz.About Motz: A 100% employee-owned specialty contractor building natural grass and synthetic sports fields.Turf Systems: What it really takes to deliver a professional-quality field.Mechanics & Maintenance: The engineering and upkeep involved in maintaining top-level surfaces.Recent Project: Insights from Motz’s work on the Oakland A’s minor league ballpark.You can connect with Ben via his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-neff-14043214/

Gareth McGlynn catches up with Andrew Zukoski, CEO & Co-Founder of JOIN, at Advancing Preconstruction 2025 in San Diego.Andrew returns to The Preconstruction Podcast to share updates on JOIN’s progress since his last appearance, with discussion around:New features and market momentumFeedback from general contractorsFuture vision for JOINHis passion project book - his book Not All Builders Drive 'DozersYou can connect with Andrew via his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewzukoski

Matt Boeggeman, Senior Preconstruction Manager at Holder Construction, shares his wealth of experience in data center projects and HVAC. He discusses the challenges of inflation, supply chain, and electrical demands in construction. Boeggeman highlights the transformative impact of historical data and AI on project efficiency. He also reflects on his early HVAC experiences, combining technical expertise with a hands-on approach. The conversation emphasizes innovation in chip cooling technologies and calls for a mindset shift towards embracing technology in construction.

Gareth McGlynn sits down with Paul Christen, Preconstruction Director at McCarthy Building Companies in Los Angeles, for a live conversation recorded at Advancing Preconstruction in San Diego.This episode centres on culture and middle management -two areas that play a key role in building strong preconstruction teams.Discussion Highlights:The importance of middle management in selling preconstruction services, building successful teams and driving technology adoption.How company culture influences team performance.Personality assessments and DISC profiling.The onboarding process and its impact on culture.For any follow-up questions, connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-christen-59245a1a/

Bid leveling is handled differently in nearly every company, with plenty of confusion and no clear standard across the industry. After a recent pre-con roundtable webinar on the topic, Gareth McGlynn sat down with Dan Shaw, CEO & Co-Founder at Bridgeline, at Advancing Preconstruction in San Diego to get straight answers on how technology can simplify this essential step.Discussion Highlights:Automating Bid Leveling: How Bridgeline handles the data movement so teams can spot scope gaps faster.Real-World Impact: What Bridgeline’s traction at APC 2025 reveals about industry demand.AI Features: Where artificial intelligence fits into the process.Value for Owners and Subs: The benefits beyond just GCs.Looking Ahead: What's next for Bridgeline in preconstruction tech.To connect with Dan Shaw, You can check out his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danshaw1/For more conversations with innovators shaping the future of preconstruction, subscribe to The Preconstruction Podcast.

Sean Boyer, VP of Preconstruction at Pomerleau, joins Gareth McGlynn for a conversation recorded live at Advancing Preconstruction 2025 in San Diego. As the only GC to present on AI at the conference, Sean brings a unique perspective on how artificial intelligence is actively reshaping the preconstruction process.He shares:What it meant to be the only GC presenting about AI at the eventHis team’s preconstruction tech stack and the journey into AI adoptionHow they’re focused on developing internal intelligence and actively leveraging itThe ways AI is reshaping preconstruction - making it more efficient, data-driven, and transforming roles from technical to analyticalThe development of an internal AI roadmap designed to enhance decision-making, boost estimate accuracy, and increase team capacityFor follow-ups on the topics discussed, connect with him on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-boyer-eng-pqs-8552a617/

Gareth McGlynn sits down with Geoff Devlin, EVP – Head of Growth at SUSA International, to discuss how sustainability is becoming a strategic advantage in preconstruction.SUSA International may be new - just three years in - but they’re already making an impact. Specialising in sustainability, they step in during the decommissioning phase of a project to recycle materials and resell them, helping companies turn what’s usually a cost into a profit.Discussion Highlights:The business model behind SUSA International and how they generate revenue from recycled materials.Career Journey: From carpenter to estimator to executive - Geoff’s path through the industry.What it means to be at the forefront of sustainability in construction.A great conversation with someone who’s seen the industry from every angle.You can connect with Geoff via Linkedin.

Prama Kumar, the Vice President of Preconstruction at Hill & Wilkinson, brings over 20 years of experience to the table. She shares her transformative journey from estimator to leadership, highlighting the significance of mentorship and hard work. The conversation touches on the rise of artificial intelligence in preconstruction, revolutionizing processes and decision-making. Prama also addresses the vital role of women in the industry, advocating for visibility and opportunities, while balancing her career with personal passions like martial arts.