On The Surface with Delta

Delta Companies Inc.
  • 4.8 (17)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. People, Planning and Production: Inside the Paving Foreman Role

    3D AGO

    People, Planning and Production: Inside the Paving Foreman Role

    On this week’s On the Surface, host Seth Stevens and co-host Brad Marotti welcome Shane Moody, Paving Superintendent at Delta, for an inside look at what it really takes to lead a paving crew and build high quality roads across Arkansas. Shane walks through his journey from flagging in Missouri to running full paving crews and eventually stepping into the superintendent role. He explains what a paving foreman does each day, including planning tons, coordinating with the asphalt plant, managing trucks, handling traffic control, and staying ahead of challenges in the field. You will also hear how lead men, equipment choices, and strong communication help crews stay productive and hit their targets. We cover the technical side too, including how mix types, slopes, driveway tie-ins, and road conditions affect tonnage, smoothness, and ride quality. Shane also shares the human side of the job, from developing young operators to building crews that trust each other and hold each other accountable. Safety moments, close calls, leadership lessons, and real-world examples give listeners a clear picture of the responsibility that comes with the foreman role. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    44 min
  2. Snow Day Special

    JAN 28

    Snow Day Special

    School’s out, schedules are on pause, and we’re breaking from our usual programming for something a little different. Thanks to snow days at home, this episode flips the script and hands the microphone to the kids. From what they love most about unexpected days off to how much knowledge they have about their dad's job, this candid, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful conversation captures the energy of a snow day through their eyes. No lesson plans, no bells—just real voices, big opinions, and the kind of moments you only get when winter changes the plan. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    8 min

  3. JAN 21

    How GPS & AI Are Rewriting the Paving Playbook

    On this week’s On the Surface, host Seth Stevens and co-hosts Brad Marotti and Jordan Janet welcome back Patrick Lemley, Construction Technologies Manager at Delta, for a deep dive into how paving has evolved—and where it’s headed next. Patrick maps the journey from labor‑intensive stringline control to today’s full‑GPS model-based paving that can auto-steer the paver, control end-gates, and hold grade. You’ll get a clear, practical breakdown of the paving train and why process specifics matter for ride quality and smoothness. We cover the front end of the workflow too: high‑speed road scanning and rapid model building that lets teams predict leveling quantities and have better conversations with DOTs before the first ton is laid. Patrick also explains critical safety fail-safes, the workforce shift from hot, repetitive tasks to fewer, higher-skill technician roles, and why regulatory readiness will be key for autonomous equipment on public highways. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    38 min
  4. A Project Manager's Playbook: Schedules, Change Orders, and Traffic Swaps

    JAN 14

    A Project Manager's Playbook: Schedules, Change Orders, and Traffic Swaps

    In this episode of On the Surface, we unpack what project managers actually do—from planning and coordinating crews and subs to managing schedules, change orders, and milestones like traffic swaps. Patrick Lemley brings a surveyor’s eye and tech‑forward mindset to working smarter in the field. We cover the rhythm of the job, finishing without a punch list, and what success looks like. Plus: week‑one advice for any role and a question for the next guest. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    39 min
  5. Revenue Isn’t Cash: The Lifecycle of Money in Business

    JAN 7

    Revenue Isn’t Cash: The Lifecycle of Money in Business

    In this On The Surface conversation, Seth Stevens and Jordan Janet break down the one metric that keeps every business alive: cash. Using plain‑spoken examples—from quarry rock to multi‑month construction projects—they map the full journey from opportunity → revenue → cash in the bank, and explain why profit on paper can hide real cash risk. You’ll hear how front‑end decisions (quotes, terms, creditworthiness, and relationship building) connect to back‑end realities (billing accuracy, aging reports, finance charges, and collections), and why collaboration across sales, operations, shared services, and accounting is the only way to protect liquidity. The duo digs into milestones and pay estimates, credit checks and insurance, pausing accounts when needed, and forecasting cash needs for payroll, parts, and projects—plus the role site managers play in controlling costs to reduce cash burn. If you’ve ever wondered why your income statement looks great while your bank balance doesn’t, this episode will help you see—and manage—the difference. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    29 min
  6. Step Up Without Stumbling: How to Succeed in Role Transitions

    12/31/2025

    Step Up Without Stumbling: How to Succeed in Role Transitions

    In this episode of On The Surface, hosts Seth Stevens and Jordan Janet dig into what it takes to transition roles successfully. Drawing on recent role changes and real-world examples, they unpack why leadership transitions matter, how “sink-or-swim” cultures set people up to fail, and what smart companies do instead: build structured support, training, and clear timeline plans. Seth and Jordan cover the tricky shift from peer to manager, the value of functional mobility, and the mindset pivot from “doing the work” to leading the work. They also explore imposter syndrome, why emotional intelligence is becoming the decisive edge in the age of AI, and how focusing on your strengths (think CliftonStrengths) helps you lead with confidence. You’ll hear practical tactics you can use today: intentional 1:1s, regular team cadences, purposeful performance reviews, and creating trust through listening first and changing later. The takeaway? Own your career—speak your ambitions out loud, map your first wins, and communicate, communicate, communicate. If you’re prepping for a promotion or guiding one on your team, this conversation will help you make the transition seamless—for you, your people, and the business. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    31 min
  7. The Challenges and Vision of a Regional Manager

    12/24/2025

    The Challenges and Vision of a Regional Manager

    What does it take to lead more than 100 people, manage complex operations, and shape the future of a construction division? In this episode of On the Surface, Seth Stevens and Jordan Janet talk with Daryl Masingale, Regional Manager of Construction, about the realities of high-level leadership and the vision required to succeed. You’ll learn:  ✅ How Daryl transitioned from hands-on roles to leading at scale  ✅ The biggest challenges of managing people, strategy, and performance  ✅ Why culture, collaboration, and efficiency matter more than ever  ✅ How future-focused thinking drives growth in a competitive market If you want an inside look at what leadership at scale really means—and how to balance day-to-day operations with long-term vision—this episode is packed with insights for aspiring leaders. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    38 min
  8. From Jobsite to Strategy: The Role of an Operations Manager in Construction

    12/17/2025

    From Jobsite to Strategy: The Role of an Operations Manager in Construction

    Running a successful construction operation takes more than managing projects—it requires vision, strategy, and relentless focus on efficiency. In this episode of On the Surface, Seth Stevens and Jordan Janet talk with Brian Kelso, Delta’s Operations Manager for Construction, about what it takes to lead large-scale operations in today’s competitive market. You’ll learn:  ✅ How operations management differs from project management—and why it matters  ✅ The KPIs that drive profitability, from trucking costs to tons-per-hour  ✅ Why customer relationships and collaboration are key to growth  ✅ How technology and process improvements shape the future of construction If you want to understand the big-picture role of operations in heavy construction—or how to move from jobsite execution to strategic leadership—this episode is packed with actionable insights. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com Instragram LinkedIn

    35 min
See All (14)

4.8
out of 5
17 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
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 On The Surface with Delta
  • Show Website
    On The Surface with Delta