CAM Building Michigan Podcast

In Season 5, Episode 2 of the Building Michigan podcast, we delve into the crafting of Detroit Catholic Central’s new George and Mary Turek Hall of Science, which received CAM’s 2025 Project of the Year Award. The $51 million, 57,000-square-foot STEM facility was designed and built, respectively, by CAM members Integrated Design Solutions and J.S. Vig Construction.

Season 5, Episode 1 of the Building Michigan podcast, hosted by Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan, features Fan-Yu Kuo, Senior Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), for a discussion on the economic outlook for 2026 and beyond. Fan-Yu Kuo will also headline the February 3rd CAM/HBA Economic Forecast Breakfast, held during the 2026 Great Lakes Design and Construction EXPO.The episode explores today’s economic landscape, covering inflation trends, labor market shifts, and housing’s pivotal role in driving growth. Fan-Yu weighs in on challenges such as skilled labor shortages and rising material costs, while offering insights on monetary policy, changes at the Federal Reserve, and how AI is shaping construction efficiency.

In Season 4, Episode 3 of the Building Michigan podcast, we dive deep into the monumental restoration of Michigan Central Station, the recipient of the 2024 CAM Project of the Year Award. Once a stark symbol of Detroit's industrial decline, this iconic landmark has been meticulously brought back to life and now stands as the vibrant heart of Corktown’s new Innovation District. Hosted by CAM President Kevin Koehler, this episode features:Larry Brinker Jr., CEO of The Brinker Group, a leader in Detroit's construction industry who brings a wealth of experience in revitalizing the city and mentoring future leaders.Ron Staley, founder of Christman's Historic Preservation Group, a national expert in historic preservation with over 40 years of experience.Austin Giesey, Senior Project Manager from The Christman Company, who has a background in engineering and played a crucial role in coordinating the renovation.Their collective expertise and dedication helped transform the dilapidated train station into a beacon of Detroit's renaissance. If you enjoy this episode, you can purchase the book Ruin to Revival: Restoring Michigan Central Station: The Builders Journey, authored by Ron, Austin, and Rob Yallop, documenting each step of the Rehabilitation. 

In our 20th episode of the “Building Michigan” podcast, we're introducing you to the team behind CAMPRO—a new level-funded healthcare insurance product designed specifically for small businesses in Michigan’s construction sector. Hosted by CAM President Kevin Koehler, the podcast features insights from:Tina Pelland, President of Varipro, who brings decades of experience in auditing and health insurance administration, ensuring that CAMPRO’s processes are robust and efficient.Tom Mittelbrun, T3 Advisory, with a background in managing multi-employer trust funds and association benefits, underscores the importance of transparency and flexibility for employers.Lisa Hierlwimmer, Business Development and Financial Analyst at Varipro, highlights the operational and client service strengths of the program.Their collective expertise ensures that CAMPRO is not just another insurance product, but a thoughtfully designed solution for Michigan’s construction community.

In this episode of CAM's "Building Michigan" podcast, host Kevin Koehler speaks with Eric Lynch, a Certified Business Economist (CBE) from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), about the economic outlook for 2025 and beyond. Lynch provides valuable insights into the US economy and the construction industry, emphasizing the themes of moderation and "wait and see."

This episode of the Building Michigan podcast, hosted by Kevin Koehler, president of the Construction Association of Michigan, shines a spotlight on the monumental renovation of Detroit’s historic Book Tower, CAM Magazine's 2023 Project of the Year. Koehler converses with key figures from the construction project team: Larry Brinker, Jr., CEO and President of Brinker Group, and Paul Yambor, Project Executive for The Christman Company. The two companies established a joint venture to manage Book Tower’s construction, successfully transforming this iconic structure.

In this episode of the Building Michigan podcast, hosted by Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan, features a conversation with Alex Calderone and Patrick Bero of Calderone Advisory Group, a boutique financial advisory and litigation support consultancy based in Birmingham, Michigan.

In this episode of the Building Michigan podcast, hosted by Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan, recruiters Adam Cosola and Jason Epstein from CTC Talent Partners discuss the best ways to attract, hire, and retain the right employees.

Hosted by Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan, this episode features a conversation about business succession planning with Brian Van Riper, Managing Director at MassMutual Great Lakes.

Hosted by Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan, this episode features a conversation about employee stock ownership plans, or ESOPs, with Jeremy Garrett and Jeffrey Jamerino from Lazear Capital Partners.

Join Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan and host of the Building Michigan podcast, and Sean McCoy, Operations Manager, DTE Energy Efficiency Program for Business, to examine how commercial businesses can capture significant rebate dollars through DTE's Energy Efficiency Program for Business.

Join Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan and host of the Building Michigan podcast, for an interview with Jim Bitterle, author of Unquittable and Managing Partner at EDSI. Kevin and Jim talk about the challenges facing employers in today's job market. With 10 million available positions and only 5 million job seekers, Jim shares the strategies companies can adopt to win this war for talent.

Join Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan and host of the Building Michigan podcast, for an in-depth discussion about trends in employment, workplace culture, and challenges to recruiting qualified staff. His guests include Kristopher Powell, CEO of HRPro/BenePro, and Mary Ann Fisher, Vice President Of Human Capital Services at HRPro.

Two top construction industry professionals discuss the ACE Mentor Program. Founded in 1984 the ACE Mentor Program of America (ACE) is a free, award-winning, afterschool program designed to attract high school students into pursuing careers in the Architecture, Construction and Engineering industry, including skilled trades. Join Jeff Chandler, President of VTC Insurance Group, Vince DeLeonardis, CEO of AUCH Construction, and Kevin Koehler, President of CAM, for an in-depth discussion about how ACE is developing our next generation of industry leaders.

The ninth episode of the Construction Association of Michigan’s Building Michigan podcast welcomes CAMComp, CAM’s self-insured workers’ compensation program, represented by Janice Shaver, Administrator, and Juan Ramirez, Marketing Representative. Hosted by Kevin Koehler, the President of CAM, this episode explores the relationship between CAM and CAMComp, as well as the various tools offered and the many ways in which CAMComp offers superior service to their participating members.

Episode #8 of the Construction Association of Michigan’s “Building Michigan” podcast series features an interview with Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, NAHB Assistant Vice President for Forecasting and Analysis, and featured speaker for the upcoming February 16th Economic Forecast Breakfast. Labor shortages, inflation, material costs, and other headwinds are dramatically impacting the residential and commercial construction markets in Michigan and nationwide.

CAM President Kevin Koehler, Tom Thompson from RS Dale and Brian Stanley from United Rentals, talk about the value of exhibiting at the show and way it has benefited their sales teams. Tracey McLenon, CAM Vice President of Operations, and Ron Riegel, CAM Manger of Expositions, provide details about the 2022 EXPO, including booth information and a rundown of the day’s planned meetings and events.

Join host Kevin Koehler as he examines the three key elements that create transferrable value with insight from the team at The Q5 Experience, including John Carter, CEO of Absolute Succession, Chris Cousins, President and Co-Owner of Financial Architects, and Chris Meso, Owner and Founder of T-Rex Advisory.

Kevin Koehler, CAM President, discusses technology trends in construction and ways to achieve efficiency with SPARK Business Works, represented by their President and CEO Bob Armbrister and Vice President and Director of Marketing Brad Wilson.

Join Kevin Koehler, CAM President, and Tom Spring, MS, Director of Wellness and Wellbeing for Priority Health Employer Solutions, and Rob Walter, Sales and Client Services with Priority Health, as they discuss insurance plan options, tools for addressing employee wellness, and ways in which employers can get the most out of their health insurance plan.

Part 2: CAM examines rising material costs and expectations with Bill Gutherie of Gutherie Lumber, and Robb Hoffman of Wimsatt Building Materials.

Part 1: CAM examining the rising material costs and future expectations with Jay Hults of Progressive Plumbing Supply Co., and Doug Bemis of Caniff Electric Supply.

CAM President Kevin Koehler chats with Jim Baird, Partner and Chief Investment Officer with Plante Moran Financial Advisors. Jim shares his insight on the overall economy, Michigan's trajectory, the impact of the proposed infrastructure plan, cost of building materials, and more. For the full story, join us for the Mid Year Economic Forecast and State of the Industry Webinar on June 9, 2021.

Episode 1: CAM President Kevin Koehler interviews Sam Ruegsegger, Project Executive at The Christman Company, Gordon Graham, P.E., Manager of Construction for Henry Ford Health Systems, and Mike Willaert, Senior Vice President of Facilities and Construction for the Detroit Pistons, and learns more about the state-of-the-art and Special Issue Project of the Year winner, the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center.