Life in Construction

Send us Fan MailMeet our co-host Rick Montani, Senior Advisor with 38 years at Sika. Listen to hear more about Rick's experience with the industry and learn what led him to Sika!

Send us Fan MailMeet our co-host Suzanne Lianopoulos, Senior Director of Marketing & Product Management for our Concrete division. Listen to learn about Suzanne's experience with the industry and get to know how she made her journey to Sika!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Life in Construction podcast, host Suzanne  Lianopoulos is joined by co-host Rick Montani, Senior Advisor at Sika, to explore one of the most pressing challenges facing the construction sector today: attracting and retaining talent within the concrete industry with special guest Julie Garbini!The conversation dives into the ongoing labor shortage impacting the industry and examines the underlying causes, from shifting workforce demographics to evolving career expectations. Suzanne and Rick discuss what makes the concrete sector unique, the misconceptions that may deter new entrants, and the opportunities available for those considering a career in construction.Listeners will gain insights into practical strategies companies can use to build stronger talent pipelines, improve employee engagement, and create workplaces that support long-term career growth. The episode also highlights the importance of industry-wide collaboration, modernizing the perception of construction careers, and investing in the next generation of skilled professionals.Whether you're an industry leader, hiring manager, or someone interested in the future of construction, this episode offers valuable perspectives on how to strengthen and sustain the workforce in a rapidly changing landscape.For more information visit: https://www.concreteadvancement.org/https://www.skate4concrete.com/https://cshub.mit.edu/

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Life in Construction, co-hosts Suzanne and Rick sit down with commercial roofing professionals Brian Whelan and Dan Murphy for an inside look at the current realities of the industry with the market developments, the people, the challenges, and the future opportunities.Looking back to 2025 and now forward into 2026, Brian and Dan discuss the key factors impacting the commercial roofing market.  Key trends in labor, supply chain, product technology, and sustainability are explored.  In addition, consolidation of manufacturers, distributors and (increasingly) contractors, are changing the industry dynamics in ways that will shape the future of commercial roofing.Whether you're exploring opportunities in roofing or simply want to better understand this large and important portion of the overall construction market, this conversation with two leading industry experts will surely bring key insights into focus!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Life in Construction, new co-hosts Suzanne Lianopoulos and Rick Montani welcome industry leaders Peter Emmons (President/CEO/Founder of Structural Group Inc.) and David Whitmore (President and Chief Innovation Officer, Vector Corrosion Technologies) to introduce P+Ex — the Center of Excellence for the Preservation and Service Life Extension of Concrete Structures.With a combined 100 years of experience in concrete repair, protection, and strengthening, Peter and David share how P+Ex was founded, why extending the life of existing structures is one of the most powerful sustainability actions the construction industry can take, and how preservation shifts the mindset from “break and fix” to long-term asset management.The conversation explores P+Ex’s six strategic goals, its collaborative working groups, and real-world examples showing how concrete preservation reduces CO₂ emissions, conserves resources, and delivers financial value. This episode offers a practical, forward-looking perspective on sustainability that's focused not on building more, but on preserving what we already have.

Send us Fan MailFor this special switch-around episode, Angela Echols is the guest host, and John Manning (ALIC's usual host) is in the hot seat. Angela asks John how he prepares for success in his role in technical services.  He talks about going to job sites and training contractors. A favorite phrase by John, "one is none and two is one," emphasizes the importance of having a backup plan. 

Send us Fan MailALIC host John Manning meets with Watson Bowman Acme's, part of Sika Corporation, Jason Gray, Head Welder, Fitter and Supervisor and Colin Mason, Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and Quality Control Supervisor. The trio talks about welding, inspections and fittings. They share their experience with welding as both a trade and an art form.

Send us Fan MailYour host John Manning, returns with Watson Bowman Acme's, part of Sika Corporation, Jeremy Childers, in an interview with Mike Grey, Vice President & Chief Business Officer of United Infrastructure Group, a bridge and heavy highway builder of the Southeast. They talk in great detail about the planning and execution throughout the project life cycle of design-builds in construction. This podcast was originally recorded in Salem, Virginia.

Send us Fan MailALIC host John Manning meets with Watson Bowman Acme's Jason Gray, Head Welder, Fitter and Supervisor and Colin Mason, Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and Quality Control Supervisor. The trio talks about welding, inspections and fittings. They share their experience with welding as both a trade and an art form.

Send us Fan MailOur host, John Manning and co-host Angela Echols interview our featured guest Katie Burbee,  Program Director, Horizon Health Services. Burbee talks about the importance of focusing on your mental health and how to talk about it and seek help if necessary. This is a special episode for May, Mental Health Awareness month.

Send us Fan MailOur special Earth Month Special is about Sustainability. Our host, John Manning sat down with our Product Manager Heather Gifford and our featured guest Suzanne Lianopoulos, Architectural Marketing Manager for Master Builders Solutions. Lianopoulos talked about the importance of sustainability in the commercial construction industry and where she sees it heading in the future. 

Send us Fan MailHosts John Manning and Angela Echols welcome guest Stephanie Duncan, Owner of Crossroads Highway Products. They start season three off with an episode on Women in Construction. Duncan shares her unique perspective on having a woman-owned business and how we need to encourage other women into the construction community.This episode was originally recorded during World of Concrete in Las Vegas, NV

Send us Fan MailYour host John Manning is joined by Angela Echols and Randy Siegmann to interview Heather Gifford, Product Manager and newest addition to the WBA marketing team. They talk about product innovation,  and how new ideas must align with the market. The topic builds from Heather's 20 years in product management across several industries and her experience with pricing, market research and product launches. This was recorded following an FTA training with Glenrock in Elmhurst, IL

Send us Fan MailFor this special switch-around episode Angela Echols is the guest host and John Manning (ALIC's usual host) is in the hot seat. Angela asks John how he prepares for success in his role in technical services.  He talks about going to job sites and  training contractors. A favorite phrase by John, "one is none and two is one," emphasizes the importance of having a backup plan. 

Send us Fan MailYour host John Manning interviews Jeanne Asquith, Owner of 3rd Rock, LLC. 3rd Rock is a full service soil, aggregate and material testing laboratory accredited by AASHTO since 2001 for soil testing. They offer permeability, compressive strength, tensile strength and many other tests. 

Send us Fan MailYour host John Manning and WBA's Nick Graziani interview Drew Storey,  Bridge and Structures Account Executive at The Kercher Group, Inc. a Mott MacDonald company. His company provides strategic infrastructure and transportation asset management services.  The funding given to infrastructure systems is growing. They discuss asset management, where you create a plan for how to use resources based on long-term needs. Storey also talks about his experience as a city councilman and within the AASHTO Bridge Preservation Partnership organization. This podcast was originally recorded in Indianapolis, IN.

Send us Fan MailYour host John Manning returns with WBA's Jeremy Childers in an interview with Mike Grey, Vice President & Chief Business Officer of United Infrastructure Group, a bridge and heavy highway builder of the Southeast. They talk in great detail about the planning and execution throughout the project life cycle of design-builds in construction. This podcast was originally recorded in Salem, Virginia.

Send us Fan MailThis episode was originally recorded live from the tradeshow floor at World of Concrete conference (worldofconcrete.com) back in January. Join your host John Manning and WBA's Chris Smyth in an interview with Ty Conner, Owner of Austin Enterprise. His company has 30 years of experience with concrete cutting and joint sealing for highways, airports and waterways. They discuss how a mentor can help a mentee face challenges in the industry. He leads by example and inspires the next generation in this ever-evolving workforce.

Send us Fan MailJohn Manning and Angela Echols interview Chad Bolton, Owner at DD Reconstruction.  They discuss the topic of cold weather construction work just as a snow storm rolls in off the mountains in Salt Lake City, UT. It is always going to get cold, especially in certain places. They discuss how to work all year long, and how to prepare your workers and equipment for the conditions.

Send us Fan MailTo kickoff Season Two of A Life In Construction, this is recorded LIVE from the ICRI booth at World of Concrete construction conference in Las Vegas, NV. Your host John Manning is back with WBA's Angela Echols and Master Builders Solutions Dan Wald to interview special guest David Fuller, Technical Director of ICRI. As proud members of the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) we are join together as a group of stakeholders in the concrete industry. For more information about membership and  your local chapter visit https://www.icri.org/ 

Send us Fan MailThis roundtable discussion features WBA's John Manning, Angela Echols, Randy Siegmann and Chris Smyth. It focuses on training department of transportation (DoT) employees. By training at the source, we can help ensure the expansion joints are installed correctly. 

Send us Fan MailWBA's John Manning and Angela Echols are joined by special guest Mark Morley, Owner of Express Logistics Solutions, Inc. There is a a reason that truck drivers should be appreciated. Morley talks about the challenges within the industry and emphasizes the importance of safety for truck drivers on the road.

Send us Fan MailWatson Bowman Acme's John Manning and Angela Echols meet in Phoenix, AZ and interview Helen Madden-Weiss, President & CEO of NPW Contracting, Inc.  As a leader of a woman-owned construction company, Helen models how to carry yourself with confidence, even if you are the only woman in the room. The episode highlights various opportunities for women to be part of the construction industry. 

Send us Fan MailLive from Denver, CO host John Manning is joined by a panel of guests: Angela Echols (Watson Bowman Acme), David Flores (A+ Waterproofing and Sealants) and Kyle Marston (Smalley & Company). They discuss how effective training can improve the skills and knowledge of installers within the construction industry.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode host John Manning has a discussion with David Fuller, Technical Service Lead for Masters Builders Solutions about new technologies in the construction industry. This is part two of two.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode host John Manning has a discussion with David Fuller, Technical Service Lead for Masters Builders Solutions about new technologies in the construction industry. This is part one of two.

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with our resident BIM expert and Product Marketing Specialist, Jeff Kuchta, to discuss the importance of building information modeling – or BIM - as it pertains to design and construction.

Send us Fan MailJuly 2, 2021 - As the world begins to open back up, how do commercial construction firms and manufacturers feel about topics such as travel, supply, and just seeing customers face to face again?  Host John Manning, Technical Specialist for Watson Bowman Acme is joined by Angela Echols, Business Development Manager in charge of Distribution for Watson Bowman Acme.  Listen as the two discuss the "re-opening".

Send us Fan MailThe Greater Toronto Area is booming and competition for construction jobs is at an all-time high.  Host John Manning is joined by Canadian Construction experts Paul and Dave from Excel Construction in Ontario, Canada.  They discuss topics such as searching for and bidding on jobs, and what sets construction firms apart from one another.This episode was recorded in February 2020.

Send us Fan MailWhat good are laborers and installers if they have no idea what they are doing?  In this episode, host John Manning discusses the need for contractor training in the Commercial Construction industry.  Joined once again by Dave and Paul from Excel Construction in Ontario, Canada, the three have a lively conversation about the pros of properly training contractors.This episode was recorded in February 2020.

Send us Fan MailJohn Manning welcomes guests Paul and Dave from Excel Construction in Ontario Canada as they sit and discuss how industry rules and regulations have evolved overtime, and what that means for businesses keeping up.This episode was recorded in February 2020.

Send us Fan MailJohn Manning is back with guests Paul and Dave from Excel Construction in Ontario Canada.  In this episode they discuss  the need for Inspections on commercial structures.  Learn about how the rules and regulations are changing and how to adapt to them.This episode was recorded in February 2020.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, John Manning sits with guests Paul and Dave from Excel Construction in Ontario Canada where they discuss the worldwide shortage of skilled labor for the commercial construction market.This episode was recorded pre-pandemic in February 2020.