On The Surface with Delta

Delta Companies Inc.

On The Surface is the go-to podcast for leaders, innovators, and professionals in the world of construction and materials. Each episode dives deep into the strategies, stories, and insights that drive success in the industry—covering everything from business development and operational leadership to fostering team growth and cultivating a winning culture. Join us as we explore the people and processes that shape the built environment, featuring conversations with experts, thought leaders, and trailblazers who are transforming the way we design, build, and lead. Whether you’re a construction executive, materials specialist, or aspiring industry leader, On The Surface delivers the knowledge and inspiration you need to elevate your career and your business.

  1. Sep 4

    The End of a Season...

    As we wrap up Season 1 of On The Surface, host Seth Stevens shares an important update on the podcast and reflects on the journey so far. Over the course of this season, we've had the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, share valuable insights, and engage with listeners who have made this podcast possible. In this special episode, Seth discusses what's ahead for the show, how we're focusing our efforts moving forward, and the exciting possibilities we're exploring for future content. To everyone who has listened, shared, and supported On The Surface, thank you for being part of Season 1. We couldn't have done it without you. Until next time, thanks for joining us on the surface. 🎙️ Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    The End of a Season...

  2. Aug 26

    Developing Others Starts with Developing Yourself | Nick Cullura

    What happens when a leader spends 22 years in the military, transitions into the private sector, and discovers that developing people can be just as important as completing the mission? In this episode of On The Surface, Seth Stevens, Brad Marotti, and Andrew Sapienza sit down with Nick Cullura, Learning & Development Manager for Reeves, to discuss his journey from the U.S. Army to the construction industry, the challenges of transitioning into civilian life, and why understanding your strengths can transform the way you lead. Nick shares how 9/11 influenced his decision to enlist, lessons learned through deployments and leadership roles in Iraq, and how his definition of success evolved from accomplishing tasks to developing people. The conversation also takes a deep dive into the CliftonStrengths Assessment and how self-awareness, coaching, and intentional leadership can help individuals and teams perform at their best. They explore: How 9/11 inspired Nick to join the U.S. Army and begin a 22-year military careerLeadership lessons learned through deployments, command roles, and military serviceThe challenges of transitioning from military life to a civilian careerHow success shifts from mission execution to people developmentWhy intentional leadership is critical for building future leadersHow Reeves approaches leadership development and employee growthThe structure behind programs like the Frontline Supervisor Academy and Leadership Development ProgramWhat the CliftonStrengths Assessment is and how it helps people understand their natural talentsWhy great leaders focus on strengths instead of obsessing over weaknessesHow self-awareness can improve communication, teamwork, and decision-makingThe role coaching plays in helping employees maximize their potentialHow strengths-based leadership can help build stronger, more effective teamsCommon misconceptions about CliftonStrengths and personality assessmentsWhy understanding yourself is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your careerHow organizations can create development pathways that prepare future leaders for successThis conversation highlights an important leadership lesson: when you understand your strengths and invest in the development of others, you create opportunities for both individual and organizational growth. If you're interested in leadership, career development, team building, military-to-civilian transitions, or becoming more self-aware as a professional, this episode offers practical insights you can apply right away. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    Developing Others Starts with Developing Yourself | Nick Cullura

  3. Aug 19

    We've Always Done It This Way: The Most Dangerous Phrase in Business | Todd Quigg

    Why do some people keep growing throughout their careers while others stop learning and settle for the status quo? In this episode of On The Surface, Seth Stevens, Brad Marotti, and Andrew Sapienza sit down with Todd Quigg, Vice President of Operations for Reeves South Carolina, to discuss his unconventional path into the construction industry and the leadership lessons he's learned along the way. Todd shares how a failed first college experience, military service during Operation Desert Storm, and a chance opportunity in construction shaped his perspective on leadership, continuous improvement, and personal growth. From becoming a company president just ten years into his career to overcoming career setbacks and embracing change, Todd reflects on the experiences that taught him some of his most valuable lessons. They explore: How failure can become a foundation for future successThe leadership lessons Todd learned from military serviceWhy curiosity is one of the most important traits for career growthThe dangers of "We've Always Done It This Way" thinkingHow continuous improvement helps individuals and organizations stay competitiveWhy eliminating waste creates opportunities for growth and efficiencyThe role data, technology, and AI will play in the future of constructionHow strong relationships can shape an entire careerThe importance of resilience during unexpected career challengesWhy wellness, mental health, and lifelong learning matter as much as professional successFrom Army drill sergeant lessons and process improvement strategies to leadership development and personal resilience, this conversation highlights a simple truth: growth happens when you stay curious, embrace change, and never stop looking for a better way. If you're leading a team, building your career, navigating change, or looking for ways to improve both personally and professionally, this episode offers practical insights you can apply right away. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    We've Always Done It This Way: The Most Dangerous Phrase in Business | Todd Quigg

  4. Aug 12

    Inside the World of Liquid Asphalt | Eric Bowen

    Why is the liquid asphalt business so critical to every road we drive on, yet so few people understand how it works? In this episode of On The Surface, Seth Stevens and Brad Marotti sit down with Eric Bowen, Vice President of Terminal Operations at Reeves, to explore the business behind liquid asphalt and the career journey that unexpectedly led him into the industry nearly four decades ago. Eric shares how a chance job placement after college launched a career spanning refinery operations, asphalt terminals, marine shipping, sales, and leadership. Along the way, he offers insights into the complex supply chain that keeps road construction moving and the lessons he's learned managing risk, leading teams, and adapting to change. They explore: How Eric accidentally found his way into the liquid asphalt industryWhat liquid asphalt is and why it's the "glue" that holds roads togetherHow liquid asphalt is sourced, transported, stored, and deliveredThe role of ships, barges, railcars, and terminals in the asphalt supply chainWhy oil prices and market volatility create unique challenges for the businessHow managing risk impacts pricing, inventory, and profitabilityThe value of gaining experience across different regions and marketsWhy face-to-face relationships still matter in an increasingly digital worldLeadership lessons learned from nearly 40 years in the industryHow technology, automation, and AI are shaping the future of terminal operationsFrom international asphalt shipments and market intelligence to customer service and career growth, this conversation highlights a simple truth: the roads we rely on every day depend on a complex network of people, products, and decisions working behind the scenes. If you're interested in supply chains, construction, leadership, energy markets, or the asphalt industry itself, this episode offers a fascinating look at a part of the business most people never see. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    Inside the World of Liquid Asphalt | Eric Bowen

  5. Aug 5

    People Don't Leave Companies. They Leave Managers. | Andrew Sapienza

    Why do employees stay with a company for decades while others leave after just a few years? In this episode of On The Surface, Seth Stevens and Brad Marotti sit down with Andrew Sapienza, Senior Director of HR at Reeves, to discuss leadership, employee engagement, workforce development, and what it takes to build a culture where people want to stay and grow. Andrew shares his unique journey from serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and working as an electrician, to teaching construction management and eventually leading HR teams for some of the largest construction organizations in North America. Along the way, he learned a powerful lesson: great leadership is less about having all the answers and more about helping others succeed. They explore: Why employees often leave managers, not companiesWhat today's workforce expects from employers beyond a paycheckHow leadership responsibilities change when you're managing peopleThe role employee development plays in retention and engagementWhy listening is one of the most important leadership skillsHow empathy helps leaders build trust and stronger teamsThe importance of timely feedback and difficult conversationsWhy strengths-based leadership creates more effective teamsHow training and development can prepare future leaders for successFrom Coast Guard stories and career pivots to leadership development and workforce trends, this conversation highlights a simple truth: people thrive when leaders invest in their growth, listen to their perspectives, and create opportunities for them to succeed. If you're leading a team, developing employees, navigating the challenges of management, or looking to become a better leader, this episode offers practical insights you can apply right away. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    People Don't Leave Companies. They Leave Managers. | Andrew Sapienza

  6. Jul 29

    Jeff Glenn on Leadership, Mentorship, and High-Performing Teams

    Why do some leaders consistently build high-performing teams, while others struggle to unlock their team's full potential? In this episode of On The Surface, Seth Stevens and Jordan Janet sit down with Jeff Glenn, owner of Glenview Strategies, leadership consultant, and strategic planning expert, to discuss what separates good leaders from great ones and how organizations can close the gap between their potential and their performance. Jeff shares his unique career journey from working odd jobs and riding the back of a trash truck to serving in government, working at Delta Companies, and eventually building a business dedicated to leadership development. Along the way, he shares the lessons, mentors, and experiences that shaped his approach to leadership. They explore: Why leadership starts with leading yourself firstThe importance of intentional personal growth and developmentHow great leaders build trust with their teamsWhy focusing on strengths creates better results than fixing weaknessesThe role mentors play in accelerating growth and successHow to identify and develop high-performing teamsWhy evaluated experience is more valuable than experience aloneCommon mistakes leaders make when managing people and cultureHow organizations can close the gap between what they want to be known for and what they're actually known forFrom leadership lessons and team dynamics to strategic planning and organizational growth, this conversation highlights a simple truth: the most effective leaders never stop learning, growing, and investing in the people around them. If you're leading a team, managing people, growing into a leadership role, or looking to become a more effective leader, this episode offers practical insights you can apply right away. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    Jeff Glenn on Leadership, Mentorship, and High-Performing Teams

  7. Jul 22

    Christine Ostendorf on Career Changes, Purpose, and Starting Over

    Why do some people thrive in a career they never planned to pursue, while others struggle to find work that truly fits them? In this episode of On The Surface, Seth Stevens sits down with Christine Ostendorf, Market Developer at Thrivent Financial and former Catholic school teacher and principal, to discuss career transitions, discovering your strengths, and finding work that gives you energy instead of draining it. Christine shares her journey from teaching theology and leading a Catholic grade school to building a career in financial services. Along the way, she reflects on transferable skills, leadership lessons, personal growth, and the importance of understanding what motivates and fulfills you. They explore: How to identify the work that energizes you versus the work that drains youWhy career changes can be uncomfortable, but often lead to growthThe importance of self-awareness when making professional decisionsHow transferable skills can create opportunities in unexpected industriesWhy your identity should be bigger than your job titlePractical ways to evaluate whether you're in the right roleFinancial tips for seasonal and irregular-income workersThe value of creating a plan for your money and your futureFrom leadership and personal development to financial habits and career planning, this conversation highlights a simple truth: meaningful work happens when your strengths, values, and purpose align. If you're considering a career change, trying to discover your strengths, or looking for practical financial advice, this episode offers insights you can apply right away. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    Christine Ostendorf on Career Changes, Purpose, and Starting Over

  8. Jul 15

    The Real Work Behind Economic Development | Shad Burner & Lucas Presson

    Why do some communities grow, attract investment, and create opportunity—while others struggle to keep people and jobs? In this episode of On The Surface, Seth Stevens sits down with Shad Burner, CEO of SEMO REDI, and Lucas Presson, Business Development Director at SEMO REDI, to break down what economic development really is and why it matters to the future of Southeast Missouri. Shad and Lucas share their unique career journeys into economic development before diving into the challenges and opportunities facing the region. From workforce development and site selection to regional collaboration and population growth, they explain the work happening behind the scenes to help communities thrive. They explore: What economic development actually means and how it's measuredWhy population growth and GDP are key indicators of a healthy regionHow communities attract new businesses and support existing employersThe role workforce development plays in long-term economic successWhy regional collaboration is critical for competing on a larger stageWhat site selectors look for when evaluating locations for new investmentsHow Southeast Missouri can differentiate itself and compete for future growthThe leadership challenges of bringing diverse organizations together around a common goalFrom attracting businesses and developing talent pipelines to building stronger communities, this conversation highlights a simple truth: economic growth doesn't happen by accident—it requires vision, collaboration, and consistent effort. If you're interested in business, leadership, workforce development, or the future of Southeast Missouri, this episode offers valuable insights into what it takes to build a region where people and businesses want to stay, grow, and invest. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    The Real Work Behind Economic Development | Shad Burner & Lucas Presson
See All (44)

4.8
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

On The Surface is the go-to podcast for leaders, innovators, and professionals in the world of construction and materials. Each episode dives deep into the strategies, stories, and insights that drive success in the industry—covering everything from business development and operational leadership to fostering team growth and cultivating a winning culture. Join us as we explore the people and processes that shape the built environment, featuring conversations with experts, thought leaders, and trailblazers who are transforming the way we design, build, and lead. Whether you’re a construction executive, materials specialist, or aspiring industry leader, On The Surface delivers the knowledge and inspiration you need to elevate your career and your business.

Information

  • Creator
    Delta Companies Inc.
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 On The Surface with Delta
  • Show Website
    On The Surface with Delta

You Might Also Like