Beyond Prequalification

How do you manage subcontractor risk when everything can change mid-project?In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, Shayne Gaffney, VP of Product Transformation and Delivery at Veriforce, is joined by Rob Wagoner, Vice President of Operations, and Haley Russell, Safety and Prequalification Coordinator at Howard Shockey & Sons, to discuss their shift from an annual subcontractor evaluation to project-based prequalification.With greater visibility into subcontractor capacity, backlog, and financial health, their team has moved beyond static, once-a-year evaluations to a more dynamic, real-time approach. They share how this shift has improved decision-making, uncovered hidden risks, and strengthened accountability across projects. Haley and Rob also discuss how their prequalification process supports Shockey’s subcontractor default insurance (SDI) program and the practical steps they take to mitigate risk. Whether you’re refining your prequalification strategy or considering an SDI program, this episode offers practical insights into building a more proactive, transparent, and resilient approach to subcontractor risk management.Learn more at highwire.com. 

How do you turn millions in wrap-up losses into a model that transforms contractor risk management across the industry?In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, David Tibbetts sits down with Garrett Burke, former Associate Director of Occupational and Construction Safety at Harvard University, to share the origin story behind Harvard’s owner-controlled insurance program (OCIP) turnaround and the creation of what would become ConstructSecure, now Highwire.Facing significant financial losses and rising risk under its OCIP, Harvard needed a new approach. Garrett explains how he built a construction safety standard from the ground up, implemented stronger performance requirements, and developed a data-driven contractor prequalification platform to identify and target risk before it impacted projects.What began as an internal solution to improve OCIP performance quickly gained traction beyond campus. As other owners and general contractors saw the results, the platform spun out of Harvard as ConstructSecure and ultimately evolved into Highwire.Whether you are evaluating contractors, managing a wrap-up program, or strengthening your safety culture, this episode offers practical insight into how leadership, engagement, and proactive prequalification can drive measurable results.Learn more at highwire.com.

What separates inspection programs that truly prevent serious injuries from those that simply generate paperwork?In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, Highwire’s Chief Safety Officer, David Tibbetts, is joined by Caitlin Bergin of BSI and Corey Silverman of Highwire to explore how organizations can turn their safety inspection programs into one of the most powerful leading indicators in their safety management system.They discuss why inspection volume doesn’t equal inspection quality, how misaligned goals and low-risk “easy” findings dilute impact, and why leadership engagement is essential to driving meaningful improvement. The conversation also highlights practical applications of AI in the field and how these tools can reduce friction, improve data quality, and help teams focus on high-risk activities.Whether you’re an asset owner, general contractor, or trade partner, this episode offers practical guidance on using inspection data to strengthen partnerships, surface emerging risk, and drive continuous safety improvement.Learn more at highwire.com.

In this episode, hosts David Tibbetts and Shayne Gaffney break down risk mitigation plans and why they’re a critical part of managing both safety and financial risk. Using real-world examples, they discuss when corrective action plans, exception management plans, and other mitigation strategies are necessary, and how they should function as active tools, not paperwork that sits on a shelf.They explore how to set the right tone when engaging contractors, what effective plans should include, and why follow-through and performance monitoring are essential to preventing serious incidents or project disruption.Whether you’re evaluating contractors or managing active projects, this episode offers practical guidance on turning identified risks into meaningful action.Learn more at highwire.com.

In this episode, Shayne Gaffney, VP of Product & Engineering at Highwire, speaks with Heather O'Neill, VP of Construction Specialty Products, and Jen Chadd, AVP of Senior Commercial Line Underwriter at Arch Insurance, about how strong prequalification practices can reduce risk and boost profitability.With deep experience in subcontractor default insurance (SDI), Heather and Jen explain why subcontractor evaluation must be an ongoing process, not a one-time event, and how it helps uncover hidden risks.They discuss the evolution of SDI, the need for financial transparency, and the importance of aligning finance, ops, and risk teams. The episode also explores how tech can streamline prequal workflows and what’s next for the industry.Whether you’re new to SDI or refining your approach, this episode offers practical insights to build a more resilient business.Learn more at highwire.com.

How do trust and leadership influence performance in construction?In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, David Tibbetts, CSP, sits down with Tony Iannessa, Founder and CEO, and Chris Farrington, President, both of BIG Construction, to explore their career journeys and the values shaping BIG’s growth in the Chicago market.Tony and Chris discuss how early experiences in the trades shaped their leadership philosophies and why BIG focuses on long-term relationships rather than transactional work. They explore how trust with trade partners, clear communication, and consistent follow-through create safer, more efficient projects, and how building emotionally safe teams allows people to learn, grow, and perform at a higher level across the organization.Whether you’re a contractor, safety leader, or industry professional, this episode offers thoughtful insights on how trust, culture, and partnership drive safer projects, stronger teams, and long-term growth in construction.Learn more at highwire.com.

How do you educate and prepare the next generation of safety professionals for an industry that’s evolving faster than ever?In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, David Tibbetts, CSP, sits down with Brady Keene of Keene State College and Corey Silverman of Highwire to explore Keene State’s unique position as one of the only institutions in the country offering dedicated degrees in safety, construction safety, and construction management.Brady discusses the growth of these programs, the industry partnerships shaping their curriculum, and why integrating safety and operations is essential for real-world readiness. He also highlights how AI, hands-on internships, and soft-skill development are transforming what effective safety education looks like today. Corey adds perspective from the field, sharing how his Keene State experience prepared him for roles in manufacturing, construction, and safety technology.Whether you’re an educator, safety leader, or an employer seeking emerging talent, this episode offers a clear look at how Keene State is building a future-ready safety workforce.Learn more at highwire.com.

In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, Shayne Gaffney, VP of Product and Engineering at Highwire, sits down with Chris Hillyer, Senior Vice President and Regional Director of Pre-Construction Services at Skanska USA Building. Chris shares his nearly 30-year journey in the industry and offers an inside look at Skanska’s central U.S. portfolio from higher education and healthcare to mission-critical, multifamily, and developer-led projects that are reshaping skylines.Chris explains how his teams are navigating today’s market forces, from tariffs and cost volatility to labor shortages and specialized trade capacity, while still delivering predictable outcomes for clients. He also emphasizes the importance of the use of AI in pre-construction to help improve efficiency and create a more seamless work experience, where everyone can work in the same place at the same timeWhether you’re a preconstruction leader, operations leader, or trade partner, this episode is valuable to see how a major general contractor like Skanska is using data, technology, and relationships to navigate a changing construction landscape.Learn more at highwire.com.

How do proactive planning and strong relationships create safer, more successful projects?In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, David Tibbetts, CSP, Chief Safety Officer at Highwire, talks with Robert Pieters, Safety Manager at Riley Construction, about how engagement, empathy, and planning form the foundation of Riley’s safety approach.Robert shares how six-week lookaheads help identify and plan for high-risk work, how leadership walks strengthen trust across teams, and why training moments in the field often make the biggest impact. He also discusses Riley’s commitment to developing the next generation through pre-apprenticeship programs and hands-on learning experiences.Whether you’re leading crews or managing programs, this episode offers practical ways to improve communication, elevate performance, and build safer projects through partnership.Learn more at highwire.com.

What does it look like when a general contractor places relationships and hospitality at the core of project delivery?In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, David Tibbetts, CSP, interviews Barry Stoffel of Gardner Builders to explore how a “green and growing” mindset promotes people-first construction.Barry shares his career journey, from childhood curiosity to leading with empathy at Gardner. He discusses why "safety is empathy,” how language influences company culture, and what it means to be comfortable with discomfort. You’ll learn how Gardner Builders ensures successful project execution across different markets and how they strategically expand into new industries without sacrificing their culture.Whether you’re involved in safety, operations, or executive leadership, this episode provides clear, practical ways to “see the human” in every project.Learn more at highwire.com.

How can safety and operations leaders align to deliver safer, more successful projects?In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, David Tibbetts, CSP, Chief Safety Officer at Highwire, talks with Michael Brakefield, Director of EHS and Risk Management, and Jon Wood, CHC, General Superintendent at Frampton Construction.They share how Frampton’s “Future First” mindset shapes a culture of collaboration between superintendents and EHS, where early planning prevents serious incidents and keeps projects on schedule. The conversation explores the power of a unified safety message, supporting trade partners for success, and investing in people, the current and future builders, driving the industry forward.This episode offers actionable insights for safety and operations leaders seeking to build alignment, enhance performance, and strengthen trust across every project.Learn more at highwire.com.

Traditional safety metrics like Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) don’t always reflect the risks that lead to the most serious outcomes on construction sites. In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, hosts Dave Tibbetts and Shayne Gaffney explore why tracking Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIFs) and SIF-potential events provides a more accurate view of jobsite safety.They define SIFs and SIF-potential events, explain how to identify high-risk exposures, and share insights from Highwire’s SIF working group on categorizing events, uncovering root causes, and avoiding over-reliance on recordable rates.Whether you’re a construction owner, general contractor, or safety professional, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of SIFs and learn practical strategies for implementing SIF-potential tracking. Learn more at highwire.com.

In this episode, Highwire's Chief Safety Officer, David Tibbetts, talks with Joshua Rogove, President, and Trevor Casey, New Business Development Leader at Consolidated Risk Solutions, about how to improve the effectiveness and profitability of wrap-up insurance programs (OCIPs and CCIPs).They share lessons from years of experience, covering key risk factors during bidding, managing claims mid-project, and boosting safety performance. The conversation highlights the importance of early team buy-in, strong communication, and using technology to drive results.Whether you're an owner, GC, or administrator, this episode offers practical tips to strengthen your wrap-up strategy.Learn more at highwire.com

What does it take to manage contractors safely and effectively in mission-critical construction? David Tibbetts and Adam Board, Senior Vice President of EHS at T5 Data Centers, break it down in this episode. Adam shares how T5’s unique role as developer, builder, and operator shapes their safety culture, and why leadership visibility and trust are non-negotiables. The conversation explores the challenges of labor shortages, onboarding new workers, and partnering with contractors who may be new to data center work.Whether you’re a GC, trade contractor, or owner, this episode offers practical insights on how to strengthen safety culture while meeting the demands of a rapidly expanding industry.Learn more at highwire.com.

In this episode, Shayne and Dave discuss how the role of safety manuals is shifting and how AI is helping teams review and apply them more effectively. They reflect on the old days of binders stacked in jobsite trailers and talk about how modern tools now make it possible to extract key insights from those documents in seconds.The conversation looks at what makes a safety manual useful, the difference between compliance and true risk management, and how AI gives safety professionals more time to engage with contractors and improve field execution.Whether you're managing programs or working on site, this episode offers clear takeaways on building smarter and safer project environments.Learn more at highwire.com

Join Matt Buzzetta, Safety Director at NOVO Construction, for a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the Bay Area’s leading GCs uses Highwire to understand subcontractor risk and build a stronger safety culture.Matt shares a unique perspective as both a Highwire contractor and hiring client, offering insights into how Safety Scores are evaluated by safety and prequalification teams. You’ll learn how NOVO uses both lagging and leading indicators to make informed decisions, and how they are working with their subs to improve safety outcomes across their projects.To learn more about Highwire, visit highwire.com.

Highwire’s Chief Safety Officer, David Tibbetts talks with Mike Hennebery, Vice President of EH&S at Torcon, about building inspection programs that do more than check a box. They explore how thoughtful, quality-driven inspections can improve jobsite conditions, uncover meaningful trends, and drive faster hazard correction.Mike shares lessons from his 30+ years in construction safety, discussing how data can shape internal improvements and build stronger trade contractor relationships. He explains why the value of an inspection program isn’t measured by the number of inspections but by how you use the insights to protect workers and improve project outcomes.To learn more about Highwire, visit highwire.com.

Join Highwire’s Chief Safety Officer, David Tibbetts, as he speaks with Jason Edic, VP of Risk Management at Lee Kennedy, and Ryan Rohleder, Director of EHS at Fortis Construction. Together, they explore why falls remain the leading cause of fatalities in construction and what it takes to change that.You’ll hear honest stories from the field, strategies for spotting and addressing fall risks, and insights on building a culture that empowers teams, drives accountability, and challenges complacency.Whether you're a safety professional, contractor, or executive, this episode offers practical takeaways for eliminating fall risks and making safety a non-negotiable.Learn more at highwire.com.

In this kickoff episode, hosts Dave Tibbetts, Chief Safety Officer, and Shayne Gaffney, VP of Product and Engineering at Highwire, introduce the Beyond Prequalification podcast. They share their personal journeys into construction, safety, and tech, and explain why prequalification must evolve into a continuous, insight-driven process focused on Contractor Success.The hosts also preview future topics like AI, inspection strategies, and common contractor pitfalls, and invite listeners to join the conversation.Learn more or get in touch at highwire.com.