Conversations Around the Corner Conversation Around the Corner

Bart Ricketts is the CEO of Lease Crutcher Lewis. In our conversation today, we talk about growing up with parents as teachers, making company values intrinsic, the most engaging podcasts, and the value of diversity of thought.

Ryan Maibach is the President and CEO of Barton Malow, a general contractor based in Southfield, Michigan. In our conversation today, we talk about developing your emotional intelligence, construction theory vs. practice, the best Will Ferrell movie, and how technology will reshape the built environment.

Dirk Elsperman is the COO of Tarlton Corporation, a St. Louis-based construction company started by his grandfather in 1946. This year, Dirk has also been serving as President of the Associated General Contractors of America. In our conversation today, we talk about running a business with your sibling, competing in adventure races, the child-like instinct to build, and the number one highlight of Dirk’s AGC term so far.

Kevin McClain is the President and CEO of The Weitz Company, one of the oldest architectural/engineering/construction firms in the United States. Kevin, who graduated from Iowa State with a B.S. in Construction Engineering, held numerous positions within Weitz before becoming CEO in 2017. The company ranks in the Top 100 of ENR's Top 400 Contractors List.In our conversation today, we talk about running a cross country meet barefoot, the value of a liberal arts education, the best routes to bike in Colorado, and moving from employee to public ownership.

In this episode, Matt and Eric sit down with Bill Abromitis, CEO of Clune Construction Company, at Clune's Chicago headquarters. A Chicago native himself, Bill graduated from Northern Illinois University and has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry. Clune repeatedly ranks on ENR's Top 400 Contractors List.In our conversation today, we talk about growing up on the South Side of Chicago, working during the 1992 Chicago River floor, hunting for pheasants in South Dakota, and being in the right place at the right time.

Dave Layton is the President and CEO of Layton Construction Company, a business started by his father in 1953 in which he took over in 2004. Layton ranks as #44 on ENR's Top 400 Contractor's List. Dave graduated from Brigham Young University and has attended the OPM Program at Harvard Business School. In our conversation today, we talk about building for the Winter Olympics, creating trust with clients, wake boarding on Lake Powell, and the uses of drone technology for construction.