Building Connections

VPO
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  • Management

Welcome to Building Connections, a podcast about the people shaping construction. Hosted by Laura Nee, CEO of VPO, this show explores the real stories, career journeys, and lessons learned from industry leaders. We aren't here for software or sales pitches; we're here for genuine curiosity about what people have built and where the industry is headed. Whether we are discussing complex project stories, navigating a career in construction, or looking at future trends, our goal is to build better, together.

Episodes

  1. Apr 21

    CMAA President: What's Next for the Construction Industry in the Next 25 Years? | Andrea Rutledge

    In this episode of Building Connections, Laura Nee sits down with Andrea Rutledge, the current President and CEO of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). They dive into the current state of the industry, which Andrea calls the most exciting time she has seen in almost 30 years. From reframing construction management as a high-tech career to the crucial need for a "human in the loop" when dealing with AI, this conversation covers the people and processes driving our infrastructure forward. What you’ll learn: -- How to attract talent by reframing construction as managing the delivery of the built environment. -- How CMAA's stackable credentials are solving training and education problems for project owners. -- The critical role of human decision-making as AI, drones, and digital cameras enter the job site. -- How the culture of construction has shifted toward greater diversity, inclusivity, and collaboration over the last decade. 00:00 Introduction to Building Connections 02:22 Andrea’s Unconventional Path: Theater to the White House 08:35 How the Built Environment Saves and Changes Lives 13:03 The Most Exciting Time in the Construction Industry 17:52 Reframing Construction as a High-Tech Career 20:54 Program Management vs. Construction Management 26:19 How CMAA Helps Owners Solve Training Problems 32:23 Building Careers with CMAA’s Stackable Credentials 40:46 Developing Emerging Leaders and Young Professionals 43:52 Technology, AI, and the "Human in the Loop" 50:49 Breaking Down Data Silos Across Project Teams 55:30 Andrea’s Legacy and Modernizing the Standards of Practice 1:02:51 Advice for the Next Generation of CMAA Leadership 1:08:47 Retirement Plans: Lake Michigan and Fly Fishing If you’re serious about building better connections and improving your project management skills, hit subscribe and join the VPO community. VPO is a cloud-based collaboration platform built just for construction project teams. Easily configurable and user-friendly, VPO is designed to enhance efficiency and productivity while minimizing risk. We partner with each customer to meet their team's unique project management needs. VPO is a certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), and we've been improving construction project management through tech since 1984. In a world of start-ups, we're a stay-up.

    1h 11m

  2. Apr 7

    Lessons Learned from Managing an $18M Police Station Build | Paul Buckley

    In this episode of Building Connections, Laura Nee sits down with Paul Buckley to unpack the intense story behind the Signal Hill Police Station and Emergency Operations Center. Paul shares his 6-year journey overseeing this highly complex, seismically secure facility in Southern California. From early site selection and navigating strict public contract codes to mitigating a massive crisis when the lowest-bidding contractor went bankrupt, Paul's experience is a masterclass in construction management. What you’ll learn in this episode: -- Managing strict requirements for an emergency operations center and jail -- Why ignoring a contractor's litigation history can derail your project -- How to handle mechanics liens, stop notices, and bonding companies -- The critical importance of soft skills, communication, and integrity 00:00 Introduction to the Signal Hill Project 03:31 Outdated Facilities & Emergency Operations Needs 06:12 Getting Involved Early & Selecting the Right Architect 10:18 Navigating an $18M Budget & Long Project Durations 14:11 Lesson Learned: LEED Certification Struggles 16:26 The Pre-Qualification Process for Public Projects 20:59 Red Flags: High Litigation History & Lowest Bidders 26:58 Warning Signs: Stop Notices and Financial Trouble 34:23 The Day the Contractor Walked Off the Job 38:40 The Value of Accurate Auditing and Risk Mitigation 40:59 Dealing with Contaminated Soil and Strict Regulations 43:28 Why Soft Skills are a Construction Manager's Best Tool 49:25 The Slow Adoption of Technology in Construction 52:12 The Future: Drones, Smart Glasses, and Embedded Sensor 59:36 Final Career Advice: Protect Your Reputation and Integrity If you’re serious about building better connections and improving your project management skills, hit subscribe and join the VPO community. VPO is a cloud-based collaboration platform built just for construction project teams. Easily configurable and user-friendly, VPO is designed to enhance efficiency and productivity while minimizing risk. We partner with each customer to meet their team's unique project management needs. VPO is a certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), and we've been improving construction project management through tech since 1984. In a world of start-ups, we're a stay-up.

    1h 6m

  3. Mar 24

    How She Reimagined Adobe and Managed a $60 Million Headquarters Renovation

    In this launch episode of VPO's Building Connections podcast, we sit down with Justina Hyland to break down the Reimagine Adobe project. We dive into the intense realities of managing a $60 million renovation while employees are still actively working in the building. What you’ll learn -- How to effectively communicate with stakeholders and navigate severe construction disruptions. -- The importance of selecting an architect and general contractor who intimately know your buildings. -- Why having clear roles and creating a RACI chart is critical for complex builds. -- Why it's perfectly okay for project managers (especially those early in their careers) to admit when they don't know something. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:08 Transitioning to High-Tech Facilities Management 03:16 The Challenge of Modifying 3,000 Closed Offices 06:25 Iteration and the "Take Five" Strategy 08:46 Handling a Modest $60 Million Budget 12:09 Choosing the Right Architect and Contractor 16:38 Delivering Budget News to Executives 20:47 Fostering Collaboration and Trust on Site 25:02 Managing Severe Construction Disruptions 31:37 Building Culture and Community Spaces 36:12 Navigating Unforeseen Exhaust Risks 40:26 The Need for Better Upfront Planning 42:59 Advice for Women in Project Management 46:23 Creating a RACI Chart for Clear Roles 48:27 Taking Control of Your Schedule and Celebrating Wins If you’re serious about building better connections and improving your project management skills, hit subscribe and join the VPO community. VPO is a cloud-based collaboration platform built just for construction project teams. Easily configurable and user-friendly, VPO is designed to enhance efficiency and productivity while minimizing risk. We partner with each customer to meet their team's unique project management needs. VPO is a certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), and we've been improving construction project management through tech since 1984. In a world of start-ups, we're a stay-up.

    55 min
  • 3 Episodes

About

Welcome to Building Connections, a podcast about the people shaping construction. Hosted by Laura Nee, CEO of VPO, this show explores the real stories, career journeys, and lessons learned from industry leaders. We aren't here for software or sales pitches; we're here for genuine curiosity about what people have built and where the industry is headed. Whether we are discussing complex project stories, navigating a career in construction, or looking at future trends, our goal is to build better, together.

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