AEC GrowthCast

In this episode, Christopher Parsons, Founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture, offers a vision for transforming your AEC firm into a Modern Learning Organization—one that continuously captures, shares, and scales expertise even as projects grow more complex, experienced professionals retire, and AI reshapes the field.Christopher joins host and PSMJ President Gregory Hart with real-world examples of how leading AEC firms are accelerating knowledge transfer through curated learning paths, expert-led video, modular content, hybrid instructional models, and AI-powered search. You'll discover practical patterns for blending on-demand education, social learning, and emerging AI agents into a system that makes your entire organization smarter and more adaptive.Whether you're facing a wave of retirements, siloed expertise, generational shifts, or wondering how AI will change your firm, this session delivers concrete next steps—and helps leaders walk away with clarity on where to start and how to design an organization that keeps learning no matter what the future brings.Learn more about Christopher Parsons and Knowledge Architecture: https://www.knowledge-architecture.com Learn more about PSMJ's AEC TalentMAX Conference: https://www.psmj.com/talentmaxBook of the Month: https://go.psmj.com/the-value-pricing-imperative-for-design-firmsNot a PSMJ PRO member? Learn more: http://www.psmj.com/psmjpromembershipChapters1:11 Metric of the Month5:27 Who is Christopher Parsons?6:57 The History of Knowledge Management9:41 The Hourglass Org Chart11:47 The Evolution of Knowledge Management15:00 AI's Role in Knowledge Management16:47 Learning and Development in AEC Firms20:05 Project Management and Knowledge Transfer22:29 Generational Shifts and Business Design24:11 Strategies for Effective Knowledge Transfer29:05 The Role of Operations in Knowledge Management 31:15 AEC TalentMAX 202632:42 The Future of Knowledge Management and AI Integration35:52 Anthropic Spider Plot36:46 Five Minute Fix43:38 Book of the MonthTakeawaysAI is the primary catalyst driving the renaissance in AEC knowledge management.The "missing middle" generation lost during the dot-com crash and 2008 crisis is creating a critical knowledge transfer gap.The traditional AEC apprenticeship model is broken; firms must get intentional about accelerating skill development.KM has evolved through three eras: digitization (KM 1.0), social sharing (KM 2.0), and AI-powered retrieval (KM 3.0).Onboarding, design technology fluency, and project management are the top LMS use cases.KM is increasingly reporting through operations, signaling its strategic importance.KM strategy should start with core business challenges—scaling expertise, M&A integration, quality, retention—and work backward.AI agents will soon be central to AEC operations, with employees managing agents before they manage people.Host: Gregory HartProducers: Gregory Hart, Pete McPherson, Molly McElaneyEditor: Molly McElaneySpecial thanks to Riverside FM!

What will tomorrow’s most successful architecture and engineering firms look like - and what steps must leaders do differently starting now? In this episode, Heather Polinsky, CEO nominee of global multidisciplinary firm Arcadis, joins the conversation to explore how AEC firms can build future-ready organizations through being bold in areas such as stronger leadership development, smarter innovation, and evolving business models. From preparing next-generation leaders to rethinking how work gets delivered, this discussion offers practical insight for CEOs focused on long-term competitiveness. Learn more about Heather Polinsky and Arcadis here: https://www.arcadis.com/en/news/global/2025/12/arcadis-announces-heather-polinsky-as-new-ceo Not a PSMJ PRO member? Learn more here: http://www.psmj.com/psmjpromembership Check out Greg’s Book of the Month here: amazon.com/gp/product/B0GPSRHDPH Chapters1:38 Metric of the Month5:49 Who is Heather Polinsky?6:33 Polinsky’s Career Journey12:06 Navigating Ownership Transition and Leadership Gaps14:34 Emerging Traits for Future Leaders18:15 Embracing Change in the AEC Industry20:38 The Impact of Technology on AEC24:25 Fostering a Culture of Innovation31:44 Future Trends in the AEC Industry34:56 Five Minute Fix40:01 Book of the Month TakeawaysHeather Polinsky's career path emphasizes the importance of curiosity and taking risks.Leadership requires a different skill set than technical expertise.Assessing leadership potential involves understanding both interpersonal and intellectual capacities.Emerging leaders need commercial fluency and digital judgment.Technology, especially AI, is transforming the AEC industry.Creating a culture of innovation requires clarity and guardrails for experimentation.The industry must move from transactional to relational models with clients.Future leaders must understand the interconnectedness of various sectors.The gig economy is reshaping workforce expectations in the AEC industry.Structural changes in the industry will require agility and systems thinking. Host: Gregory HartProducers: Gregory Hart, Pete McPherson, Molly McElaney, Nadia Drozario, Daniel CochlinEditor: Molly McElaneySpecial thanks to Arcadis CEO Nominee Heather Polinsky and Riverside FM!

In this conversation, Joe Viscuso, the Director of Strategic Growth at Pennoni, discusses his career journey, the role of technology in the AEC industry, and the challenges firms face in adopting new technologies. He highlights the importance of innovative solutions, particularly in road analytics, and emphasizes the need for the industry to adapt to a data-driven future. The discussion also touches on the competitive landscape of mergers and acquisitions and the evolving value proposition in the AEC sector.Not a PSMJ PRO member? Learn more here: www.psmj.com/psmjpromembership Order the Quarterly Market Forecast here: https://www.psmj.com/surveys/quarterly-market-forecast-2/ Check out Greg’s Book of the Month here:https://www.amazon.com/Company-We-Keep-Reinventing-Community/dp/1931498733 Chapters1:12 Metric of the Month5:58 Who is Joe Viscuso?9:01 Joe’s Career Journey & M&A Experience10:44 The Role of Technology and Innovation in AEC12:32 Challenges in Technology Adoption13:53 Is Every AI Tool a Fit for Your Firm?15:21 Case Study: AI for Road Analytics18:39 The Future of Data and Predictive Analytics22:01 Using AI for Data and How AEC Can Evolve25:12 2026 Projections (Just for Fun)26:06 M&A Activity & PSMJ’s M&A Summit28:46 Five Minute Fix34:45 Book of the MonthTakeaways Joe Viscuso's role focuses on growing the top line of Pennoni.Pennoni is 100% employee-owned and has grown significantly.Technology plays a crucial role in client offerings and project delivery.Adoption of technology is influenced by generational changes in the workforce.Public sector clients are often more resistant to adopting new technologies than private clients.Innovative road analytics technology improves objectivity in road condition assessments.Data is a valuable asset that the AEC industry has yet to fully monetize.Predictive analytics will play a significant role in the future of the industry.M&A activity remains competitive, with firms needing to be forward-looking.The industry must shift from selling hours to providing value-based solutions.Host: Gregory HartProducers: Gregory Hart, Pete McPherson, Molly McElaneyEditor: Molly McElaneySpecial thanks to Riverside FM!

In 2025, the fastest-growing civil engineering firm Pape-Dawson acquired 6 firms and promoted 19 employees. President Trey Dawson joins PSMJ Resources President Gregory Hart to explore how his Pape-Dawson has achieved growth and success. Pape-Dawson has been listed on PSMJ’s coveted Circle of Excellence for 13 of the past 14 years. This award recognizes superior financial and operating performance across 8 key performance metrics. Additionally, Pape-Dawson earned the No. 69 slot on Engineering-News Record’s ENR 500 list of the largest engineering firms, up from No. 93 on the list in 2024. So, how do they do it? How does Pape-Dawson achieve industry-leading results year after year? They’ve navigated generational change, private equity investment, geographic expansion, and more…yet they still continue to deliver consistent results and stand out on so many dimensions. In this wide-ranging discussion, Greg and Trey touch on everything from strategic planning to project management to growth through acquisition to give you new ideas to start 2026 strong. Complete the AE Financial Performance Survey for a chance to join the AEC Circle of Excellence 2026 here: www.psmj.com/SurveyParticipate Register for the AEC M&A Summit 2026 here: www.psmj.com/aecmasummit Not a PSMJ PRO member? Learn more here: www.psmj.com/psmjpromembership 00:00 Introduction to Pape Dawson Engineers03:01 Growth Trajectory and Achievements06:10 Family Legacy and Leadership Transition09:06 Company History and Expansion Strategy12:01 Diversification and Market Strategy15:11 Future Growth and Acquisition Plans18:03 Company Culture and Talent Management20:10 Talent Acquisition and Retention Strategies22:06 The Value of Mergers and Acquisitions23:58 Client Relationships and Responsiveness27:36 Operational Discipline in Growth37:34 Preserving Company Culture During Expansion TakeawaysPape Dawson has experienced significant growth, moving from a regional firm to a national player.The firm has been recognized in PSMJ's Circle of Excellence for 13 out of the last 14 years.Family legacy plays a crucial role in the leadership and culture of Pape Dawson.Expansion strategies include both organic growth and mergers and acquisitions.Talent acquisition and retention are critical for sustaining growth and stability.Responsiveness to clients is a core value that sets Pape Dawson apart.Operational focus and execution are key to managing growth effectively.Maintaining a strong company culture is essential during periods of rapid expansion.Assessing cultural fit is vital when considering acquisitions.Communication and engagement with employees help preserve the company's culture.Host: Gregory HartProducers: Gregory Hart, Pete McPherson, Molly McElaneyEditor: Molly McElaneySpecial thanks to Riverside FM!