Word On The Street

Morrissey Goodale

The podcast version of real-time market and industry intelligence from Morrissey Goodale firm leaders.

  1. Sep 21

    People First: The Weston & Sampson Story with Frank Ricciardi, CEO

    In this episode of the Word on the Street Podcast, Mick Morrissey, Mark Goodale, and Katharine Van Leer sit down with Frank Ricciardi, CEO of Weston & Sampson, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected employee-owned engineering firms. Founded in 1899, Weston & Sampson has spent more than 125 years building a legacy of service, innovation, and community impact. Frank shares what it means to lead a firm with such deep roots while preparing it for the future through strategic growth, technology investment, and a commitment to employee ownership. The conversation explores succession planning, leadership transitions, ESOP culture, AI adoption, organic growth, and the challenge of balancing long-term stewardship with the demands of a rapidly changing industry. Frank also discusses Weston & Sampson’s mission-driven approach to infrastructure, giving back through global community projects, and why people remain the most important investment any firm can make. Whether you're leading an organization through growth, preparing the next generation of leaders, or navigating the future of engineering and infrastructure, this episode is packed with practical lessons on leadership, culture, and long-term success. 0:00 Introduction and welcome 1:15 Leading a 125-year-old engineering firm 3:50 Stewardship, legacy, and accountability 5:20 Why people are at the center of Weston & Sampson 6:30 Preserving culture while embracing growth 7:30 How Frank uses AI as a CEO 10:15 Becoming CEO during the pandemic 12:00 Succession planning done right 14:40 Creating an authentic leadership style 16:30 From engineer to CEO: learning to make decisions 17:45 Leadership lessons from ACEC SEI 19:10 The journey to 100% ESOP ownership 21:15 Using employee ownership to attract talent 22:20 Rewarding top performers in an ESOP 23:30 Building the next generation of leaders 26:00 Strategic planning through multiple horizons 27:30 Investments that will pay off years from now 28:45 Organizational changes to support future growth 31:20 Lessons learned from an MWRA internship 32:45 Why technology has always been a differentiator 35:00 Expanding beyond the East Coast 36:00 Critical infrastructure and cybersecurity 37:15 Mission, vision, and sustainable growth 39:30 FICA and building infrastructure that changes lives 41:15 Why younger generations are redefining success 41:50 Word to the Wise Subscribe to the WOTS Podcast: https://www.morrisseygoodale.com/word-on-the-street-podcast/

    People First: The Weston & Sampson Story with Frank Ricciardi, CEO

  2. Sep 21

    The Unconventional CEO: Chad Brown's Leadership Journey

    In this episode of Word on the Street, Mick Morrissey, Mark Goodale, and Katharine Van Leer sit down with Chad Brown, CEO of Thompson Holdings. Unlike many leaders in the AEC industry, Chad did not come up through engineering or architecture. Trained as an attorney, he spent more than two decades helping shape Thompson's governance, ownership structure, employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), acquisitions, and long-term strategy before becoming CEO in 2025. The conversation explores what leadership looks like from a nontraditional path, how employee ownership changes culture and decision-making, and why governance, patience, and long-term thinking are critical to sustainable growth. Chad also shares lessons learned from acquisitions, succession planning, community leadership, and growing a business from a regional engineering firm into a diversified family of companies. Whether you're navigating leadership transitions, considering growth through acquisition, or looking to build a stronger ownership culture, this episode offers practical insights from a leader focused on creating lasting value for employees, clients, and communities. 0:00 Introduction and welcome 1:30 Chad Brown's path from attorney to CEO 4:10 Thinking like a lawyer vs. thinking like a leader 7:20 The value of outside boards and governance 10:15 Building a family of businesses beyond engineering 13:00 Source Toad and technology-driven growth 16:20 Eight-state strategy and regional expansion 18:30 What makes acquisitions successful 22:00 Governance as a growth tool 25:30 The power of employee ownership 29:00 Culture, ESOPs, and creating owners 33:00 Growth through recessions and economic cycles 36:00 Lessons from M&A integration 39:00 Why patience matters in leadership 41:30 Community impact and giving back 44:30 Building a culture of "Best Job Ever" 47:00 Word to the Wise: embracing unexpected opportunities Subscribe to the WOTS Podcast: https://www.morrisseygoodale.com/word-on-the-street-podcast/

  3. May 31

    From Architect to CEO: Building a Global Design Firm: DLR Group CEO Steve McKay

    In this episode of the Word on the Street Podcast, Mick Morrissey, Mark Goodale, and Katharine Van Leer sit down with Steve McKay, CEO of DLR Group, to explore what it takes to lead one of the most respected employee-owned design firms in the industry. Steve shares his journey from growing up in Scotland and playing competitive rugby to building a 30-year career at DLR Group—culminating in his role as CEO. Along the way, he breaks down how teamwork, resilience, and leadership lessons from rugby shaped his approach to business, culture, and growth. The conversation dives into how DLR Group has successfully scaled while staying true to its employee-owned model, why global thinking is essential for modern design firms, and how leadership can create alignment across a distributed organization. Steve also offers thoughtful insights on the evolving role of AI in design, the importance of storytelling in architecture, and why human judgment and creativity will remain the ultimate differentiators. Whether you’re an industry leader or early in your career, this episode delivers practical perspective on building a meaningful, long-term career—not just a job. 0:00 Opening + guest introduction 1:30 Rugby, teamwork, and early lessons in leadership 4:20 From Scotland to the U.S. — a global journey 8:30 Joining DLR Group and early career growth 11:00 Understanding employee ownership 14:00 Becoming CEO and shaping firm-wide aspiration 18:20 The “rock band” leadership model 21:00 Scaling without losing culture 24:00 What employee ownership really looks like in practice 28:30 ESOP vs private equity — industry shifts 33:00 Talent, compensation, and changing workforce expectations 37:30 Global expansion and building a truly global firm 41:30 Why design still matters (more than ever) 45:00 AI in design — hype vs reality 49:30 The future of architecture firms and technology 53:00 Career advice: visibility and participation 56:00 Final thoughts and closing

  4. Apr 24

    From Endurance Sports to Engineering Leadership: Verdantas CEO Jesse Kropelnicki

    What does it take to scale an engineering firm from a few hundred to nearly 2,000 people—without losing culture, performance, or purpose? In this episode of the Word on the Street Podcast, we’re joined by Jesse Kropelnicki, CEO of Verdantas (ENR #73), one of the fastest‑growing environmental and infrastructure consulting firms in the U.S. Jesse shares his unique journey from structural engineer to elite endurance sports coach—and how those experiences shaped his leadership philosophy. This wide‑ranging conversation explores how lessons from elite athletics apply directly to engineering leadership, including managing growth, building trust, giving effective feedback, navigating private equity, and preparing firms for AI and data transformation. Jesse also dives deep into culture, emotional intelligence, and why human skills—not technical knowledge alone—will define the future of AEC firms. Whether you’re leading a growing firm, managing teams, or thinking about the future of engineering work, this episode is packed with insight you can apply immediately.

  5. Mar 27

    Morrissey Goodale's Katharine Van Leer Joins The WOTS Podcast Team: M&A Trends, AI, & Leadership

    In this episode of the Word on the Street Podcast, Mick Morrissey and Mark Goodale are joined by Katharine Van Leer, Senior Consultant at Morrissey Goodale, as she makes her debut as the newest member of the podcast team. Together, they discuss the forces shaping the AE industry today—from M&A activity and valuation trends to the growing influence of AI and private equity. The conversation explores market uncertainty, leadership transition, and why CEO‑only forums and peer connections are more important than ever as firms navigate rapid change.

    Morrissey Goodale's Katharine Van Leer Joins The WOTS Podcast Team: M&A Trends, AI, & Leadership

  6. Feb 25

    Word on the Street Podcast: Bob Belitz

    Word On The Street

  7. Feb 6

    Word on the Street Podcast: 2026 Kickoff

    The podcast version of real-time market and industry intelligence from Morrissey Goodale firm leaders.

  8. Jan 14

    OHM Advisors President Jon Kramer

    Mark and Mick welcome Jon Kramer, CEO of OHM Advisors. The discussion covers a range of topics including OHM's growth trajectory, Kramer's personal journey from intern to CEO, the importance of culture, innovation, and AI in the architecture, engineering, and planning field. Kramer highlights OHM's recent acquisitions, strategies for managing hybrid work environments, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptability. The episode concludes with insights into Kramer's leadership philosophy and his vision for OHM Advisors' future.   Topics 01:04 Guest Introduction: Jon Kramer, CEO of OHM Advisors 02:35 Jon's Early Career and Intern Program 05:23 OHM's Growth and Culture 09:22 Challenges and Strategies in AE Industry 16:21 Acquisitions and Strategic Growth 21:59 Engineering vs. Architecture: A Complex Integration 22:13 Challenges of Leading a Multi-Disciplinary Firm 23:25 Personal Journey: From Engineer to CEO 24:12 Balancing Diverse Teams and Cultures 24:39 Learning from Peers and External Advisors 26:37 Daily Operations and Team Dynamics 29:15 Strategic Growth and Future Plans 30:58 Artificial Intelligence and Innovation 40:21 Leadership Advice and Reflections 43:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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About

The podcast version of real-time market and industry intelligence from Morrissey Goodale firm leaders.

Information

  • Creator
    Morrissey Goodale
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Morrissey Goodale. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Word On The Street

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