Building Connections

In this episode of Building Connections, Laura Nee sits down with Andrea Rutledge, the current President and CEO of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). They dive into the current state of the industry, which Andrea calls the most exciting time she has seen in almost 30 years. From reframing construction management as a high-tech career to the crucial need for a "human in the loop" when dealing with AI, this conversation covers the people and processes driving our infrastructure forward.What you’ll learn:-- How to attract talent by reframing construction as managing the delivery of the built environment.-- How CMAA's stackable credentials are solving training and education problems for project owners.-- The critical role of human decision-making as AI, drones, and digital cameras enter the job site.-- How the culture of construction has shifted toward greater diversity, inclusivity, and collaboration over the last decade.00:00 Introduction to Building Connections02:22 Andrea’s Unconventional Path: Theater to the White House08:35 How the Built Environment Saves and Changes Lives13:03 The Most Exciting Time in the Construction Industry17:52 Reframing Construction as a High-Tech Career20:54 Program Management vs. Construction Management26:19 How CMAA Helps Owners Solve Training Problems32:23 Building Careers with CMAA’s Stackable Credentials40:46 Developing Emerging Leaders and Young Professionals43:52 Technology, AI, and the "Human in the Loop"50:49 Breaking Down Data Silos Across Project Teams55:30 Andrea’s Legacy and Modernizing the Standards of Practice1:02:51 Advice for the Next Generation of CMAA Leadership1:08:47 Retirement Plans: Lake Michigan and Fly FishingIf you’re serious about building better connections and improving your project management skills, hit subscribe and join the VPO community.VPO is a cloud-based collaboration platform built just for construction project teams. Easily configurable and user-friendly, VPO is designed to enhance efficiency and productivity while minimizing risk. We partner with each customer to meet their team's unique project management needs.VPO is a certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), and we've been improving construction project management through tech since 1984. In a world of start-ups, we're a stay-up.

In this episode of Building Connections, Laura Nee sits down with Paul Buckley to unpack the intense story behind the Signal Hill Police Station and Emergency Operations Center. Paul shares his 6-year journey overseeing this highly complex, seismically secure facility in Southern California. From early site selection and navigating strict public contract codes to mitigating a massive crisis when the lowest-bidding contractor went bankrupt, Paul's experience is a masterclass in construction management. What you’ll learn in this episode:-- Managing strict requirements for an emergency operations center and jail-- Why ignoring a contractor's litigation history can derail your project-- How to handle mechanics liens, stop notices, and bonding companies-- The critical importance of soft skills, communication, and integrity00:00 Introduction to the Signal Hill Project03:31 Outdated Facilities & Emergency Operations Needs06:12 Getting Involved Early & Selecting the Right Architect10:18 Navigating an $18M Budget & Long Project Durations14:11 Lesson Learned: LEED Certification Struggles16:26 The Pre-Qualification Process for Public Projects20:59 Red Flags: High Litigation History & Lowest Bidders26:58 Warning Signs: Stop Notices and Financial Trouble34:23 The Day the Contractor Walked Off the Job38:40 The Value of Accurate Auditing and Risk Mitigation40:59 Dealing with Contaminated Soil and Strict Regulations43:28 Why Soft Skills are a Construction Manager's Best Tool49:25 The Slow Adoption of Technology in Construction52:12 The Future: Drones, Smart Glasses, and Embedded Sensor59:36 Final Career Advice: Protect Your Reputation and IntegrityIf you’re serious about building better connections and improving your project management skills, hit subscribe and join the VPO community.VPO is a cloud-based collaboration platform built just for construction project teams. Easily configurable and user-friendly, VPO is designed to enhance efficiency and productivity while minimizing risk. We partner with each customer to meet their team's unique project management needs.VPO is a certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), and we've been improving construction project management through tech since 1984. In a world of start-ups, we're a stay-up.

In this launch episode of VPO's Building Connections podcast, we sit down with Justina Hyland to break down the Reimagine Adobe project. We dive into the intense realities of managing a $60 million renovation while employees are still actively working in the building.What you’ll learn-- How to effectively communicate with stakeholders and navigate severe construction disruptions.-- The importance of selecting an architect and general contractor who intimately know your buildings.-- Why having clear roles and creating a RACI chart is critical for complex builds.-- Why it's perfectly okay for project managers (especially those early in their careers) to admit when they don't know something.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest02:08 Transitioning to High-Tech Facilities Management03:16 The Challenge of Modifying 3,000 Closed Offices06:25 Iteration and the "Take Five" Strategy08:46 Handling a Modest $60 Million Budget12:09 Choosing the Right Architect and Contractor16:38 Delivering Budget News to Executives20:47 Fostering Collaboration and Trust on Site25:02 Managing Severe Construction Disruptions31:37 Building Culture and Community Spaces36:12 Navigating Unforeseen Exhaust Risks40:26 The Need for Better Upfront Planning 42:59 Advice for Women in Project Management46:23 Creating a RACI Chart for Clear Roles 48:27 Taking Control of Your Schedule and Celebrating WinsIf you’re serious about building better connections and improving your project management skills, hit subscribe and join the VPO community.VPO is a cloud-based collaboration platform built just for construction project teams. Easily configurable and user-friendly, VPO is designed to enhance efficiency and productivity while minimizing risk. We partner with each customer to meet their team's unique project management needs.VPO is a certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), and we've been improving construction project management through tech since 1984. In a world of start-ups, we're a stay-up.