What does it take to go from union glazier to CEO? Paul Robinson, CEO of Pioneer Cladding & Glazing Systems and ACI board member, sits down with ACI Young Professionals Committee Past Chairman John Westerkamp, Pre-Construction Manager at Pioneer, in the first of two episodes from their candid conversation about building a career through the trades. While college is often seen as the traditional route to leadership, Paul completed an apprenticeship program, became a union glazier in 1998, and worked his way to the CEO's office. In episode 5, he shares how Pioneer pairs a union field workforce with a nonunion (open shop) fabrication shop, why neither path is better than the other, and the lessons he's learned about mentorship, employee ownership, and servant leadership. He closes with advice every young professional can use: be curious, ask questions, and listen. Episodes 5 and 6 were both recorded during the same live Under the Hard Hat event, and each can be enjoyed on its own or in either order. Episode 6 will explore another side of this conversation: curtain wall construction, design-assist, fabrication, and the collaboration behind complex facade systems. Episode 6 will explore another side of this conversation, going inside curtain wall construction, design-assist, fabrication, and the collaboration behind complex facade systems. Plus more on managing vs. leading, technology, and lessons learned from nearly three decades in the construction industry.Be sure to subscribe so you'll be notified when Episode 6 is released! Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Under the Hard Hat 02:03 Why Paul chose construction and the trades 03:00 Curtain wall 101 and "bringing visions to life" 05:22 Union field workforce + nonunion fabrication shop 07:47 Partnering with local unions and hiring for curiosity 09:25 Union or nonunion: choosing your career path 10:21 Mentorship and training on the shop floor 12:06 Employee ownership and the ESOP model 13:36 Why companies should invest in leadership development 14:20 From the field to managing engineers: learning servant leadership 15:40 Inside Pioneer's co-op program 18:09 Advice for young professionals: be curious 19:29 Sponsor thank-you + quickfire round 21:50 Audience Q&A: field lessons and what's next for Pioneer 24:32 Closing thoughts: many pathways into construction 25:22 Coming up in Episode 6 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. Thank you to our streaming sponsor, Pioneer Cladding & Glazing Systems, and supporting sponsors Beacon Electrical Contractors, Blue & Co., MSP Design, Turner Construction, and Skanska. Have suggestions for future episodes, feedback, or an interest in sponsoring Under the Hard Hat? Email marketing@aci-construction.org Learn more about Allied Construction Industries: ACI-web.com
