This Is Concrete Chad Gill

Douglas(Doug) Krause is the President of RUTE Foundation Systems, LLC, an industry-leading construction firm producing efficient, sustainable structural foundations for wind and solar industries. RUTE designs its modular concrete prefabricated structures to minimize the cost of clean energy and reduce CO2 for wind farms and cattle ranches. A construction industry pioneer, Doug specialized in precast concrete in the 2000s and introduced the first precast post-tensioned wind tower foundation to the industry in 2018. His experience cuts across senior engineering roles in various firms, shoreline restoration, dredging, and wind and solar plant design.
In this episode… Thanks to their abundance, cleanliness, and sustainability, wind and solar power have emerged as clear winners in the renewable energy sector. But how is the construction industry innovating to shape the future of sustainable energy? 
Let's face it — behind the sleek rows of solar panels and wind energy turbine towers lies a complex web of civil engineering expertise that plays a pivotal role in successfully implementing sustainable power projects. According to construction expert Doug Krause, the secret lies in land- and lifecycle-efficient support structures. Doug and his team at RUTE create precast, post-tensioned wind turbine foundations with a focus on durability. In addition, RUTE SunTracker, a high-clearance, cable-stayed solar for cattle ranches, deploys solar without the need to remove vital farmland. These solutions have been instrumental in increasing structural performance, reducing construction costs, and improving sustainability for wind farms and cattle pastures. 
In this episode of This is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Doug Krause, the President of RUTE Foundation Systems, LLC, to discuss efficient and sustainable structural support systems for wind and solar industries. Doug unpacks the technology behind RUTE’s wind and solar energy foundation systems, explains the intricacies of renewable energy and grid management, and highlights wind and solar energy industry trends and challenges.

Alejandro Gomez Rivera is the Co-founder of binni, a construction technology startup focused on simplifying concrete and tunnel construction workflows through technology. With 15 years of experience delivering complex hydraulic transportation and energy infrastructure projects in North and Latin America, he is passionate about civil infrastructure. A Fulbright Scholar and technology enthusiast, Alejandro is revolutionizing the construction industry through software solutions to accelerate the adoption of technology and infrastructure systems, emphasizing cast-in-place concrete and mechanized tunneling construction processes.
In this episode… Despite being the world's largest industry, research shows that the construction sector lags in adapting to new technologies and processes. As a result, productivity has stagnated over the past decades. How are industry innovators providing solutions to accelerate technology adoption and improve existing systems?
For construction technology expert Alejandro Gomez Rivera and his team at binni, simplifying communication between construction teams, suppliers, and partners is critical to enhancing efficiency. The company designed its project management software to create communication channels for construction technology platforms, enabling contractors to collaborate with multiple parties, including ready-mix plants and structural engineers. The platform helps simplify field team reporting on operations, streamlining information acquisition for swift decision-making.
In this episode of This is Concrete, Chad Gill hosts Alejandro Gomez Rivera, the Co-founder of binni, to discuss binni’s goal of improving communication and data sharing across the concrete construction process. Alejandro highlights how contractors can leverage technology in concrete construction, the challenges hindering innovation in the industry, and how his company’s project management software creates communication channels for construction technology platforms.

Alex Iannessa is the Founder and CEO of EnRoads Paving LLC, a full-service commercial paving company founded to simplify site construction needs. Serving the Chicagoland area and national verticals, EnRoads specializes in a diverse range of services, including due diligence, parking lot maintenance, asphalt and concrete paving, and asset acquisitions and dispositions. With over 10 years of construction experience, Alex has completed over 800 projects before founding EnRoads Paving in 2022. He leverages his operational background to manage the company's vision and long-term goals. 
Joe O’Brien is the COO and Partner at EnRoads Paving LLC. Before EnRoads Paving, Joe honed his skills as a project manager on diverse commercial real estate teams. With an educational background in business administration and management, he manages the company’s day-to-day operations, fostering and growing a long-term portfolio of clients.
In this episode… In the commercial construction business, a successful project starts with trust. How can contractors build trust with customers before and during projects?
For industry experts Alex Iannessa and Joe O'Brien, maintaining relationships is vital for business. By fostering transparency, trust, and communication, you can create an effective work environment for employees and ongoing business transactions and partnerships. Reflecting on the early days of their construction company, Alex and Joe emphasize how building trust with reliable partners is key to their success in the construction industry. In addition, the company’s full-service approach and ability to understand clients’ perspectives help them deliver accountable and enjoyable customer interaction with successful project delivery.
In this episode of This is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Alex Iannessa, Founder and CEO at EnRoads Paving LLC, and Joe O'Brien, COO and Partner at EnRoads Paving LLC. They discuss the importance of trust building in commercial paving contracting and reflect on construction industry trends. Alex and Joe provide insight into EnRoads’ services and processes, the effects of market fluctuations on concrete prices and demand, and how to navigate the challenge of seasonal fluctuations in workload.

Don Ajamian is the CEO of Emergent 3D, a California construction company providing affordable workforce housing solutions with 3D printing technology. With 38 years of experience as a licensed general contractor, Don transitioned to the 3D construction printing industry following the 2018 Carr Fire in Northern California. His objective is to captivate the listening audience's interest by showcasing the vast possibilities that 3D printing technology holds for the construction industry today.
In this episode… 3D printing is poised to revolutionize the construction industry, offering significant social implications. How can contractors leverage 3D printing in disaster recovery, workforce development, and creative design in construction?
Veteran contractor Don Ajamian discovered the potential of 3D printing in construction following the Carr Fire in Shasta County, California, which destroyed over 1400 homes and numerous structures. Reiterating the need for innovation in construction, he emphasizes the potential of concrete 3D printing to lower building costs and address the workforce shortage. In addition, research shows that 3D printing for construction could be efficient in disaster recovery, offering advantages such as rapid construction, unlike traditional construction methods that can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.
In this episode of This Is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Don Ajamian, the CEO of Emergent 3D, to discuss Don’s company’s work in 3D printing construction and the potential benefits and applications. Don shares his experience using 3D printing for post-fire construction and how the innovation can improve the industry’s workforce and ease the housing crisis.

Karen Keyes is the President and Owner of The Art of Concrete LLC, a Denver concrete company renowned for its expertise in exterior decorative concrete. Karen has deeply entrenched roots in concrete, from learning the creative side of the industry at her family’s business to holding leadership roles across industry verticals, including business development, marketing, and consultancy. Karen is LEED BD + C AP certified and holds a master's degree in organizational leadership from the University of Denver. A thought leader in her field, she writes for various industry publications, including Concrete Decor, and has authored the book Designing with Concrete.
In this episode… Every ambitious leader has growth goals, but is your business prepared to handle growing pains? While business growth is positive, how do you balance being committed to your vision and making the necessary changes to scale your company?
Karen Keyes is a seasoned decorative concrete expert who’s created a niche for herself in decorative concrete, distinguishing her career on the philosophy that “concrete is a medium that can bridge the gaps in design and harmonize with its surroundings." However, running a rapidly growing decorative concrete company comes with challenges. Her company has doubled in size from last year and is experiencing “growing pains.” According to Karen, business owners wear many hats and navigate the challenges of finding talent, particularly in project management and industry knowledge. In addition, a growing company can put added stress on managers and teams. 
Join Chad Gill in this installment of This Is Concrete as he welcomes Karen Keyes, the President and Owner of The Art of Concrete LLC. Karen discusses the intricacies of the decorative concrete industry and how to overcome growing pains while building a thriving business. She highlights the importance of work-life balance for concrete finishers, the benefits of growing a crew from within, and how to price intricate projects.

Nick Dedmon is the Founder of ElectroLink Chargers, a California-based EV car charging solution with advanced software and hardware management. A seasoned construction industry professional, Nick's expertise has been instrumental in revolutionizing the field for over a decade. Before ElectroLink Chargers, he worked as a commercial contractor specializing in TI (tenant improvements).
In this episode… The electric vehicle (EV) market has witnessed massive growth in recent years, with an increased choice of models, reduced prices, and improved features. As more drivers switch to EVs, the need for viable and accessible electric charging infrastructures becomes increasingly critical. How are challenges in the growing EV market being addressed to reshape the future of electric mobility?
One of the challenges mitigating the EV market is the lack of charging points. Nick Dedmon, a construction industry veteran turned EV expert, advocates implementing solutions such as incentivizing electrical vendors and building owners to fix units faster. His company, ElectroLink Chargers, sells charging stations to building owners and manages software for reimbursement checks, which the building owners can use to pay their electric bills. Nick emphasizes the importance of addressing customers’ concerns about grid stability and infrastructure to create a mindset shift toward EV charging.
In this episode of This Is Concrete, host Chad Gill interviews Nick Dedmon, Founder of ElectroLink Chargers, to address the innovations in EV charging. Nick reflects on his pivot to the EV industry from construction, his company’s infrastructure and business model, and the importance of addressing customers’ concerns about grid stability and infrastructure.