

Leadership Blueprints
BJ Kraemer, MCFA
Leadership Blueprints is a podcast dedicated to helping leaders align teams, navigate chaos, and accomplish the mission. Hosted by BJ Kraemer—West Point graduate, combat veteran, and President & CEO of MCFA—this show dives into the principles, stories, and strategies behind effective leadership.
With a background in military service and experience leading teams in business, infrastructure, and complex projects, BJ understands that success comes down to execution, adaptability, and leading people well. Through in-depth interviews with accomplished leaders across business, sports, the military, and beyond, Leadership Blueprints will help you bring your vision to reality on projects that shape communities and industries.
Whether you’re leading in the boardroom, on the field, in the military, or within your own organization, this podcast is designed to provide the tools and mindset needed to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Subscribe now and start building your Leadership Blueprint.
With a background in military service and experience leading teams in business, infrastructure, and complex projects, BJ understands that success comes down to execution, adaptability, and leading people well. Through in-depth interviews with accomplished leaders across business, sports, the military, and beyond, Leadership Blueprints will help you bring your vision to reality on projects that shape communities and industries.
Whether you’re leading in the boardroom, on the field, in the military, or within your own organization, this podcast is designed to provide the tools and mindset needed to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Subscribe now and start building your Leadership Blueprint.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 26, 2023 • 24min
What Got Us Here, Won’t Get Us There. The Time To Invest and Prepare For Growth Is Now with BJ Kraemer
On today’s solo episode, BJ builds off of last week’s episode with insight on how MCFA approaches growth, the mindset within leaders at MCFA currently, and what is top of mind for BJ as MCFA continues to grow. “Greater Than Yourself: The Ultimate Lesson of True Leadership” by Steve Farber: https://www.amazon.com/Greater-Than-Yourself-Ultimate-Leadership/dp/0385522614Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry articles of the week and give you a dose of inspiration as you head into the weekend! MCFA IS HIRING!! If you or anyone you know are looking to work in the Planning, Project Development, Project Management, or Construction Management field, contact us through our website. Interns to Executives...we need great people to help us innovate and inspire, plan, develop and build our nation's infrastructure. Check out our MUST FILL positions here https://mcfaglobal.com/careers/. We reward the bold and the action oriented so if you don’t see a position but think you are a fit...send us an email! Learn more at www.MCFAGlobal.com

Jul 19, 2023 • 36min
Looking Beyond The Scope To Find Solutions With Michael C. Fuhrman
In this special 101st episode of the Inspiring People & Places Podcast, BJ Kraemer sat down with his partner and co-founder of mcfa, Michael Fuhrman to talk about what they have learned and how the company has grown over the past 20 years. Michael discusses his journey into the A/E/C industry and what led him to the decision to start MCFA. Prior to MCFA, Michael worked in the hospitality industry which taught him the importance of listening to your customer and attention to detail. Today, MCFA has grown into a team of over 50 and has instilled both of these virtues as part of its Core Values. Resources mentioned: East of Eden by John Steinbeck: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BC5HXG?ref=KC_GS_GB_USThe Greatest Salesman in The World by Og Mandino: https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Salesman-World-Og-Mandino/dp/055327757XCalls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry articles of the week and give you a dose of inspiration as you head into the weekend! MCFA IS HIRING!! If you or anyone you know are looking to work in the Planning, Project Development, Project Management, or Construction Management field, contact us through our website. Interns to Executives...we need great people to help us innovate and inspire, plan, develop and build our nation's infrastructure. Check out our MUST FILL positions here https://mcfaglobal.com/careers/. We reward the bold and the action oriented so if you don’t see a position but think you are a fit...send us an email! Learn more at www.MCFAGlobal.comAuthor: BJ Kraemer, MCFAKeywords: MCFA, Architecture, Construction, Engineering, Public Engineers, Military Engineers, United States Military Academy, Veteran Affairs, Development, Veteran, Military, SEC

Jul 12, 2023 • 35min
Implementing Customer Experience Design In The Construction Industry With Barry Sutherland
On today’s episode, BJ talks with Barry Sutherland, Client Experience Director at Henderson Engineers. Barry talks about how he is trying to innovate in the realm of client experience, what it means to deliver high quality customer service, and how to think about improving the relationships aspect of the A/E/C industry. Resources mentioned: Leadership through adversity (resource mentioned by Barry, please follow up with MCFA/ guest to get this!)Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry articles of the week and give you a dose of inspiration as you head into the weekend! MCFA IS HIRING!! If you or anyone you know are looking to work in the Planning, Project Development, Project Management, or Construction Management field, contact us through our website. Interns to Executives...we need great people to help us innovate and inspire, plan, develop and build our nation's infrastructure. Check out our MUST FILL positions here https://mcfaglobal.com/careers/. We reward the bold and the action oriented so if you don’t see a position but think you are a fit...send us an email! Learn more at www.MCFAGlobal.comAuthor: BJ Kraemer, MCFAKeywords: MCFA, Architecture, Construction, Engineering, Public Engineers, Military Engineers, United States Military Academy, Veteran Affairs, Development, Veteran, Military, SEC

Jul 5, 2023 • 55min
Recruiting and Retaining Women Leaders in the Construction Industry with Kathryn Martinez
On today’s episode, BJ talks with Kathryn Martinez, Senior Director at MACRO. Kathryn discusses the many phases of her career journey, how she tackles management, and the importance of amplifying the visibility of women in the A/E/C industry. Resources mentioned: “May Cause Miracles” by Gabrielle Bernstein: https://www.amazon.com/May-Cause-Miracles-Guidebook-Unlimited/dp/0307986950Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry articles of the week and give you a dose of inspiration as you head into the weekend! MCFA IS HIRING!! If you or anyone you know are looking to work in the Planning, Project Development, Project Management, or Construction Management field, contact us through our website. Interns to Executives...we need great people to help us innovate and inspire, plan, develop and build our nation's infrastructure. Check out our MUST FILL positions here https://mcfaglobal.com/careers/. We reward the bold and the action oriented so if you don’t see a position but think you are a fit...send us an email! Learn more at www.MCFAGlobal.comAuthor: BJ Kraemer, MCFAKeywords: MCFA, Architecture, Construction, Engineering, Public Engineers, Military Engineers, United States Military Academy, Veteran Affairs, Development, Veteran, Military, SEC

Jun 28, 2023 • 36min
How Professional Associations Can Develop Your Career Network and Leadership Skills with Holly Bolton
On today’s episode, BJ talks with Holly Bolton, Owner of 3chord Marketing. Holly talks about how she found her way into the A/E/C industry, the specificities of the niche marketing she engages with at 3 Chord, and the importance of awareness building in the industry. Resources mentioned: “You Are Not So Smart” by David McRaney: https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Not-So-Smart/dp/1592407366“What Your Customer Wants and Can’t Tell You” by Melina Palmer: https://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Customer-Wants-Cant/dp/1642505625“The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias” by Dolly Chugh: https://www.amazon.com/Person-You-Mean-Be-People/dp/0062692143Find Holly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollybolton/Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry articles of the week and give you a dose of inspiration as you head into the weekend! MCFA IS HIRING!! If you or anyone you know are looking to work in the Planning, Project Development, Project Management, or Construction Management field, contact us through our website. Interns to Executives...we need great people to help us innovate and inspire, plan, develop and build our nation's infrastructure. Check out our MUST FILL positions here https://mcfaglobal.com/careers/. We reward the bold and the action oriented so if you don’t see a position but think you are a fit...send us an email! Learn more at www.MCFAGlobal.com

Jun 21, 2023 • 51min
Helping Leaders Create More Capacity With Caleb Campbell
On today’s episode, BJ sits down with Caleb Campbell, founder of COR Consulting, INC., Army veteran, and former NFL athlete. Caleb explores his journey and career from Texas to West Point, and from the Army to the NFL.Resources mentioned: Connect with Caleb at: https://www.calebcampbell.me/Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry articles of the week and give you a dose of inspiration as you head into the weekend! MCFA IS HIRING!! If you or anyone you know are looking to work in the Planning, Project Development, Project Management, or Construction Management field, contact us through our website. Interns to Executives...we need great people to help us innovate and inspire, plan, develop and build our nation's infrastructure. Check out our MUST FILL positions here https://mcfaglobal.com/careers/. We reward the bold and the action oriented so if you don’t see a position but think you are a fit...send us an email! Learn more at www.MCFAGlobal.comAuthor: BJ Kraemer, MCFAKeywords: MCFA, Architecture, Construction, Engineering, Public Engineers, Military Engineers, United States Military Academy, Veteran Affairs, Development, Veteran, Military, SEC

Jun 14, 2023 • 27min
How Public Infrastructure Agencies Can Be Thinking of Customer Service With Stephen F. Dougherty
On today’s episode, BJ talks with Stephen F. Dougherty, Executive Director at South Jersey Transportation Authority. Stephen talks about his entry into a public service career, his mentality about treating passengers like customers, and some exciting developments in the SJTA wheelhouse coming to the South Jersey area soon. Resources mentioned: John Maxwell books: https://store.maxwellleadership.com/All-Books_c_237.htmlCalls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry articles of the week and give you a dose of inspiration as you head into the weekend! MCFA IS HIRING!! If you or anyone you know are looking to work in the Planning, Project Development, Project Management, or Construction Management field, contact us through our website. Interns to Executives...we need great people to help us innovate and inspire, plan, develop and build our nation's infrastructure. Check out our MUST FILL positions here https://mcfaglobal.com/careers/. We reward the bold and the action oriented so if you don’t see a position but think you are a fit...send us an email! Learn more at www.MCFAGlobal.comAuthor: BJ Kraemer, MCFAKeywords: MCFA, Architecture, Construction, Engineering, Public Engineers, Military Engineers, United States Military Academy, Veteran Affairs, Development, Veteran, Military, SEC

Jun 7, 2023 • 50min
Exploring Why Mental Health is a Leadership Issue in the Workplace and Beyond with Val Peterson
On today’s episode, BJ talks with Valerie Peterson, Licenced Mental Health Counselor at Destin Counseling Center. Valerie breaks down the stress associated with multitasking, the importance of prioritizing quality family time with our partners and children, and how technology has changed how we interact with our places of employment, our children, and mental health as a whole. Resources mentioned: Visit Valerie’s website at: http://valeriepeterson.org/Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry articles of the week and give you a dose of inspiration as you head into the weekend! MCFA IS HIRING!! If you or anyone you know are looking to work in the Planning, Project Development, Project Management, or Construction Management field, contact us through our website. Interns to Executives...we need great people to help us innovate and inspire, plan, develop and build our nation's infrastructure. Check out our MUST FILL positions here https://mcfaglobal.com/careers/. We reward the bold and the action oriented so if you don’t see a position but think you are a fit...send us an email! Learn more at www.MCFAGlobal.comAuthor: BJ Kraemer, MCFAKeywords: MCFA, Architecture, Construction, Engineering, Public Engineers, Military Engineers, United States Military Academy, Veteran Affairs, Development, Veteran, Military, SEC

May 31, 2023 • 33min
Raising Your Value In The A/E/C World With June Jewell
On today’s episode, BJ sits down with June Jewell, Author and President and CEO of AEC Business Solutions. June talks about her framework at AEC Business Solutions, how they help firms get tighter and more efficient, and how she has created a business training that is guaranteed to increase your utilization rate, cash flow and project profits.Resources mentioned: Find out more about June and AEC Business Solutions at: https://aecbusiness.com/June’s book, “RAISE Your Value”: https://www.amazon.com/RAISE-Your-Value-Architecture-Engineering/dp/098838244XJune’s book, “Find the Lost Dollars: 6 Steps to Increase Profits in Architecture, Engineering and Environmental Firms”: https://www.amazon.com/Find-Lost-Dollars-Architecture-Environmental/dp/0988382407/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=“Peaks and Valleys: Making Good And Bad Times Work For You--At Work And In Life” by Spencer Johnson: https://www.amazon.com/Peaks-Valleys-Making-Times-You-At/dp/1501108085“Predictable Revenue: Turn Your Business Into a Sales Machine with the $100 Million Best Practices of Salesforce.com” by Aaron Ross & Marylou Tyler: https://www.amazon.com/Predictable-Revenue-Business-Practices-Salesforce-com/dp/0984380213Calls-to-action: Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry articles of the week and give you a dose of inspiration as you head into the weekend! MCFA IS HIRING!! If you or anyone you know are looking to work in the Planning, Project Development, Project Management, or Construction Management field, contact us through our website. Interns to Executives...we need great people to help us innovate and inspire, plan, develop and build our nation's infrastructure. Check out our MUST FILL positions here https://mcfaglobal.com/careers/. We reward the bold and the action oriented so if you don’t see a position but think you are a fit...send us an email! Learn more at www.MCFAGlobal.comAuthor: BJ Kraemer, MCFAKeywords: MCFA, Architecture, Construction, Engineering, Public Engineers, Military Engineers, United States Military Academy, Veteran Affairs, Development, Veteran, Military, SEC

May 24, 2023 • 59min
The Knock at the Door: Honoring Dennis Zilinski's Legacy of Love with Marion Zilinski
Today’s episode is a Memorial Day special honoring 1LT Dennis W. Zilinski, II. Dennis was Killed in Action in Bayji, Iraq on November 19,2005. Dennis was BJ’s West Point Classmate, Swim Teammate and best friend. This is an intimate and heartfelt conversation with Dennis’s mother, Marion Zilinski, or Mama Z as BJ calls her. They reflect on Dennis’s life and death, the legacy Dennis has left behind and how his family and friends are honoring his sacrifice and dedication to service to this day.Mission Statement: Our mission is to honor the life and memory of U.S. Army Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II. We provide support to improve the morale and welfare of members of the United States Armed Forces and their families. Additionally, by providing scholarships, the Fund invests in the future of high school students who embody the leadership qualities and community spirit of Lt. ZilinskiFind out more about the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II memorial fund at,Website: http://runwithdennis.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zilinskimemorialfund/Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA – A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small business specializing in leading projects and solving problems in the built environment. MCFA serves public agencies, private sector clients and anyone responsible for large scale operations or capital projects in the built environment.Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry articles of the week and give you a dose of inspiration as you head into the weekend!MCFA IS ALWAYS INVESTING IN TALENT HIRING!! If you or anyone you know are looking to work in the Planning, Project Development, Project Management, or Construction Management/Inspection field, contact us through our website. Interns to Executives...we need great people to help us innovate and inspire, plan, develop and build our nation's infrastructure. Check out our MUST FILL positions here https://mcfaglobal.com/careers/. We reward the bold and the action oriented so if you don’t see a position but think you are a fit...send us an email!Learn more at www.MCFAGlobal.com