Behind the Barricade

Tomomi Marzan, Director of Retail Design at Belmont Park Village, shares a behind-the-scenes look at delivering high-performance retail construction projects. From starting work before leases are finalized to aligning landlords, tenants, and contractors, she breaks down what actually drives successful outcomes. The conversation highlights a critical shift in the industry: speed isn’t the problem, reliability is. With insights on labor challenges, communication breakdowns, and the power of early collaboration, this episode reveals what it really takes to deliver projects on time and make them work in the real world.

In this insightful interview, Charles Stark, CEO of Stark Engineering, shares his journey from childhood influences to leading a successful engineering firm. He discusses the importance of relationships, design challenges, and the future of construction technology, emphasizing human connection and innovative problem-solving.

In this episode of Behind the Barricade, Jim Christian sits down with Meri Gregg, Senior Project Manager at Avon Design Group, to explore what really drives performance in retail construction projects.With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Meri shares how she found her way into retail design, why she thrives in fast-paced project environments, and what Avon Design Group brings to the table across both commercial and retail architecture.The conversation dives into the behind-the-scenes realities of project performance — from the importance of upfront planning and clear communication to the systems, forms, and processes that help projects stay on budget and on schedule. Meri also shares practical insight into site surveys, as-builts, MEP coordination, and where collaboration tends to break down when projects go off track.They also explore what the industry should be paying attention to moving forward, including the pressure to move faster, the risks of sacrificing quality for speed, and why some parts of construction simply can’t be rushed without consequences.This episode is packed with practical insight for project managers, architects, contractors, and anyone involved in delivering successful retail construction projects.Key Themes Throughout the EpisodeWhy strong processes and planning create better-performing projectsHow real estate, design, and permitting all impact project successThe role of clear communication in preventing costly mistakesWhy surveys and site documentation are game changers in modern constructionHow better MEP coordination improves field executionWhat causes projects to break down and how to avoid itWhy the push for faster timelines often creates bigger downstream problems 

The conversation covers Jenny Kim's career transition from architecture to retail, her experience in real estate development, strategic growth and rollouts in retail, and performance breakthroughs in construction projects. It explores the challenges and successes encountered in these areas, providing valuable insights into the industry. The conversation covers the importance of accountability and communication in project management, as well as the significance of team cohesion and effective project management strategies. Jenny Kim emphasizes the need for upfront communication and accountability with partners, as well as the implementation of a cohesive project management team to ensure successful project outcomes.TakeawaysCareer transition from architecture to retailChallenges and breakthroughs in construction projectsStrategic growth and real estate development in retail Accountability and CommunicationProject Management and Team CohesionChapters00:00 Performance Breakthroughs in Construction Projects17:10 Accountability and Communication

The conversation delves into the construction industry, covering early career experiences, retail store construction, partnership and collaboration, project setbacks, pre-construction planning, supply chain challenges, field work, and industry challenges. Key takeaways include insights into construction industry trends and productivity breakthroughs.TakeawaysConstruction industry trendsProductivity breakthroughsChapters00:00 Introduction to Construction Experience05:25 Retail and Grocery Store Construction14:09 Building Trust and Communication21:26 Pre-Construction and Project Planning27:23 Field Work and Site Management

The conversation delves into Roy Barberi's journey in the construction industry, from early exposure to technology to overcoming challenges and achieving significant growth. Roy shares personal stories of failure and success, emphasizing the importance of people-first leadership and continuous improvement. Additionally, he discusses trends and productivity in the construction industry, as well as his passion for education and music.TakeawaysPeople-first leadership is crucial for achieving productivity gains and success in the construction industry.Continuous improvement and investment in future progress are essential for personal and professional growth.Chapters00:00 Exploring the Construction Industry06:13 Innovative Solutions and Market Growth16:44 Overcoming Failure and Learning26:21 Trends and Productivity in Construction32:39 Passion for Education and Music

The conversation delves into the world of retail construction, highlighting the importance of early involvement, transparency, and communication in project success. It explores challenges, productivity, and the impact of design changes, emphasizing the role of people in construction. The discussion also addresses the future of construction performance, industry challenges, and the impact of tariffs on the supply chain. Throughout, the theme of early involvement and transparent communication emerges as crucial for project success.

Adam Hirsch from Hirsch Construction shares insights on construction performance breakthroughs, including a sense of urgency, strong communication, and sustainability. He also discusses the importance of attracting young talent to the industry through internships and technology adoption.TakeawaysSense of urgencyStrong communicationAttracting young talent to the industryTechnology adoption

In this episode of "Behind the Barricades," host Jim Christian sits down with Rachel Zsembery, President and CEO of Bergmeyer, to explore the evolving landscape of the construction industry. Rachel shares insights from her 23-year journey at Bergmeyer, discussing the importance of holistic design, strategic partnerships, and early collaboration with construction teams. The conversation delves into the challenges and breakthroughs in project delivery, highlighting a significant project with Dick's Sporting Goods. Tune in to discover how Rachel's approach to design and construction fosters innovation and success.

In the final episode of 2025, Jim Christian, founder and CEO, shares his insights on performance breakthroughs in the construction industry. He emphasizes the importance of controlling one's calendar, the power of deep work, and the necessity of having a clear vision for progress. Jim also discusses the impact of AI, the need for resilience in turbulent environments, and the irreplaceable value of human leadership. As we look forward to 2026, Jim encourages leaders to protect future time, bring leadership instead of blame, and use technology to enhance productivity. Tune in to "Behind the Barricade" for a thoughtful reflection on the past year and a hopeful outlook for the future.

In this episode of "Behind the Barricade," host Jim Christian welcomes Tim Patrie, an expert in the construction industry, to discuss the nuances of value engineering. Tim shares his journey from working on construction sites as a kid to leading global store development for major brands. The conversation delves into the importance of relationships in construction, the impact of tariffs, and strategies for improving productivity. Tune in for insights on how to navigate the evolving landscape of construction and make the most of value engineering.

In this episode of "Behind the Barricade," host Jim Christian sits down with Virginia Grant, Vice President of Store Development for Luxottica. Virginia shares her inspiring journey from a teaching background to leading major construction projects for iconic brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. Discover how Virginia navigated challenges, embraced opportunities, and leveraged AI to enhance productivity in the construction industry. Tune in to explore the importance of fundamentals, sustainability, and the evolving role of technology in retail development. Don't miss this insightful conversation on performance breakthroughs and the future of construction.