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
Apr 20, 2022 • 44min
Understanding and Refining Your Perspective with Kyle Majchrowski, Founder of Ripple Intent
On this week’s episode, BJ sits down with Kyle Majchrowski, Founder of Ripple Intent. They discuss how to utilize good leadership to inject fun into new projects, the importance of keeping everyone on the same page, and what a better workflow can do for you and your team.
Find Kyle here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylemajchrowski/
Ripple Intent can be found on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rippleintent/
Or on their official website: https://rippleintent.org/
The Road to Character: https://www.amazon.com/Road-Character-David-Brooks/dp/0812983416
The Premonition: A Pandemic Story: https://www.amazon.com/Premonition-Pandemic-Story-Michael-Lewis/dp/1324035536/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HAW68E6CM123&keywords=the+premonition+michael+lewis&qid=1649947989&s=books&sprefix=THE+PREMONITION%2Cstripbooks%2C89&sr=1-1
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
Apr 8, 2022 • 41min
Finding Your Path as You Climb with Lucian Niemeyer, CEO of Building Cyber Security
On today's episode of Inspiring People & Places, BJ talks with Lucian Neimeyer, former Air Force Officer and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment. Now working in non-profit, Lucian discusses his path to his career, his priorities, and how the work he does now encapsulates his journey.
Get involved with Building Cyber Security: https://buildingcybersecurity.org/
Find Lucian here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucian-niemeyer-307aa65/ or at lucian@buildingcybersecurity.org
UCAN Power: https://ucanpower.org/
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
Apr 1, 2022 • 47min
From the Navy to Construction Owners Association of America with Howie Ferguson
On this week's episode, BJ chats with Howie Ferguson, Executive Director at Construction Owners Association of America. They discuss the importance of leadership and connecting with your team, along with other leaders.
COAA Connect Spring information can be found at: https://www.coaa.org/events/2022-spring-coaa-connect
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
Mar 25, 2022 • 50min
Confronting and Taking Advantage of The Discomfort Of Selling With Mark Wainwright
On this week’s episode, BJ sits down with Mark Wainwright, a part time sales manager that manages and coaches sales teams of independent firms. Mark breaks down why firms should shy away from using the word “sales”, the root of empowering sales teams, and how to understand the clients needs.
More information about Mark can be found at: https://www.wainwrightinsight.com/
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
Mar 18, 2022 • 35min
How To Start Up & Follow Through With Colin Mottola
In today's interview, BJ talks with Colin Mottola, a Penn State Grad and Civil Engineer at MCFA. Colin discusses his internship at MCFA, how that landed him a job as the first ever intern to be officially hired, and the lessons he's learned along the way, ranging from self management to finding what you love to do. Together, BJ and Colin discuss a wide range of topics surrounding the AEC industry.
Let us know what you think of today’s episode by messaging BJ on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bj-kraemer-9a0855b/
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
Mar 4, 2022 • 53min
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence
In today’s jam packed episode, BJ talks with Brent Darnell, an educator within the construction industry that stresses the importance of emotional and interpersonal skills. Focusing on peak levels of mental, physical and emotional performance, they discuss the significance of understanding oneself, working with others effectively, and how improving culture begins with understanding the people, not only the process.
Let us know what you think of today’s episode by messaging BJ on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bj-kraemer-9a0855b/
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
Feb 4, 2022 • 28min
Identifying Agency Entrepreneurs
In today’s solo episode, BJ discusses the concept of the agency entrepreneur, and how necessary effective stewardship is when working within the S/E/C industry.
Let us know what you think of today’s episode by messaging BJ on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bj-kraemer-9a0855b/
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
Jan 28, 2022 • 34min
Wading in the Unfamiliar Waters of Innovation
In today’s solo episode, BJ discusses the importance of innovation in the A/E/C industry, and the roadblocks many in the public sector are facing. BJ dissects his own experiences, as well as reflecting on the trends of the industry as a whole.
Let us know what you think of today’s episode by messaging BJ on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bj-kraemer-9a0855b/
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
Jan 14, 2022 • 1h 14min
How Great Leadership Shapes Culture with Army Veteran, COL (Ret.) Mike Ellicott, Founder & Professional EOS Implementer at Castle6 Group Inc.
BJ sits down with Army Veteran COL (Ret) Mike Ellicott, to discuss his journey from the Army to helping leaders shape culture in the AEC industry, as a professional EOS implementer.
Let us know what you think of today’s episode by messaging BJ on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bj-kraemer-9a0855b/
Learn more about Mike here: https://www.eosworldwide.com/mike-ellicott
Book Recommendations:
Knowledge & Decisions by Thomas Sowell: https://amzn.to/3GGRZtb
Books By Victor David Hanson: https://amzn.to/33wrRT4
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
Dec 10, 2021 • 56min
Help Everybody Everyday with Matt Handal, A/E/C Proposal and Marketing Expert
BJ sits down with Matt Handal, Proposal Expert and Founder & Editor of “Help Everybody Everyday,” where he provides A/E/C marketing, training, and support advice.
Let us know what you think of today’s episode by messaging BJ on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bj-kraemer-9a0855b/
Visit Matt’s website here: https://helpeverybody.wpengine.com/
Purchase Matt’s book, “Proposal Development Secrets: Win More, Work Smarter, and Get Home on Time,” here: https://amzn.to/3ICF1Og
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!
