Under the Hard Hat

Allied Construction Industries Young Professionals
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Under the Hard Hat - Lessons Learned with ACI Young Professionals This podcast features a series of honest conversations with leaders from across the commercial construction industry. Each episode explores guests' candid career journeys, lessons learned the hard way, and insights you won’t find in a textbook. Whether you’re early in your career or simply curious about the built environment, this series offers practical takeaways and perspectives from the people shaping the industry.

Episodes

  1. Jun 25

    Under the Hard Hat #04 - Steve Bestard, Messer Construction Co.

    In this episode of Under the Hard Hat, ACI Young Professionals Committee Vice-Chair Dylan Lyon sits down with Steve Bestard, Sr. Vice President & COO at Messer Construction Co., for a candid conversation about leadership, workforce development, technology, company culture, and the future of construction.Steve reflects on his 34-year career with Messer, discusses the company's investment in workforce development and craft professional training, and shares his perspective on leadership, company culture, and the future of the construction industry. The conversation also explores AI and emerging technology, work-life balance, career growth, and the lessons Steve believes every young professional should learn early in their career.Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable insights on leadership, resilience, and the importance of investing in people. About Under the Hard Hat:Under the Hard Hat: Lessons Learned with ACI Young Professionals is a live event and podcast series designed to capture the knowledge, experiences, and lessons learned from leaders across the commercial construction industry and pass them on to the next generation. Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:15 Steve's construction journey and why he chose Messer04:15 Building the workforce pipeline through craft development programs07:00 Expanding company culture across new markets08:45 AI, technology, and the future of construction12:30 Leadership qualities and building strong teams15:00 Handling challenges and learning from mistakes17:45 Career growth and professional advice20:15 Work-life balance and family decisions24:00 Communication, technology, and industry changes26:00 The evolving relationship between contractors and trade partners28:00 Fast questions and closing thoughts Learn more about Allied Construction Industries: www.aci-web.comSubscribe for future episodes and industry insights.

  2. Jun 2

    Under the Hard Hat #03 - Women in Construction Panel with Michele O'Rourke, Stephanie Hall & Kate Holden

    In this special Women in Construction edition of Under the Hard Hat, we bring together three accomplished construction industry leaders for their insights on leadership, career growth, workforce development, and the future of construction. Moderator Amber Stiens (Skanska USA Building Inc.) is joined by  Stephanie Hall, CEO of J & D Rack Co., Inc.Michele O’Rourke, CEO of O’Rourke Wrecking CompanyKate Holden, President of KT Holden ConstructionTogether, they discuss their unique paths into the industry, the lessons they learned along the way, their definitions of work-life balance, how they mentor the next generation and create opportunities for women in construction. Whether you're a young professional, industry veteran, project manager, executive, or student exploring construction careers, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring perspectives from women blazing their own paths the industry. Topics include: Leadership and career developmentWomen in constructionConstruction workforce developmentMentorship and professional growthCompany culture and team buildingWork-life balance in constructionBuilding the next generation of industry leaders Under the Hard Hat is a live conversation series and podcast created by the Allied Construction Industries Young Professionals, dedicated to sharing real-world insights and preserving lessons learned from the people shaping our industry's future. To learn more about ACI, visit ACI-web.com.

  3. Mar 10

    Under the Hard Hat #02 - Jeff Smoker & Jeff Smoker II, Skanska

    In Episode 2 of Under the Hard Hat: Lessons Learned with ACI Young Professionals, Jeff Smoker, Vice President of Preconstruction at Skanska, and Jeff Smoker II, Preconstruction Manager at Skanska, sat down to discuss building a career in construction across generations with our YP host Claire Duncan, Project Manager at Messer Construction.During the conversation, Jeff “Senior” and JD shared how a family legacy in construction shaped their paths into the industry, what it’s like working in the same field—and sometimes the same company—and how leadership and mentorship continue to evolve in today’s construction industry.If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, comment, and share the episode with someone who would benefit from these lessons.

  4. Feb 2

    Under the Hard Hat Podcast Introduction

    What is Under the Hard Hat - Lessons Learned with ACI Young Professionals? What is Allied Construction Industries (ACI)? Why did we create this podcast? What can you expect from each episode? This short introduction will answer those questions and more before you dive into our first episode.

  5. Jan 28

    Under the Hard Hat #01 - Erin Mignano, Turner Construction

    For our very first episode, we welcomed Erin Mignano,Vice President and General Manager at Turner Construction Company, for a conversation with Maya Middlebrook, Turner’s Community Engagement Strategist and ACI YP Committee Vice-Chairman. Erin brought everything we hoped for in a kickoff guest: honesty, humor, and more than 20 years of insight spanning the field to the boardroom. She shares the biggest wins and toughest challenges that shaped her career, the importance of relationship-building, and the impact of advocating forherself. If you are in the greater Cincinnati area and interested in attending an upcoming Under the Hard Hat episode recording and networking event, head to ACI-web.com/events

Trailer

About

Under the Hard Hat - Lessons Learned with ACI Young Professionals This podcast features a series of honest conversations with leaders from across the commercial construction industry. Each episode explores guests' candid career journeys, lessons learned the hard way, and insights you won’t find in a textbook. Whether you’re early in your career or simply curious about the built environment, this series offers practical takeaways and perspectives from the people shaping the industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Allied Construction Industries Young Professionals
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Allied Construction Industries Young Professionals
  • Show Website
    Under the Hard Hat