People-First Builders Podcast

Fletcher Wimbush
  • 4.6 (5)
  • Careers
  • Updated Semimonthly

At People-First Builders, we shine a spotlight on the leaders who shape the construction industry by building more than projects—they build teams, culture, and legacy. This podcast is your gateway to the stories of exceptional CEOs and visionaries who prioritize their people, achieve remarkable success, and redefine what it means to lead in construction. Discover how family-owned businesses, niche projects, and innovative leadership styles are driving progress in steel erection, bridge rebar, and infrastructure installation. Each episode celebrates leaders who have spent decades honing their craft, advancing their operations, and achieving results that inspire their teams and peers alike. Whether you're a construction professional, a leader looking for inspiration, or simply someone fascinated by people-centered success stories, People-First Builders offers valuable insights and actionable takeaways from industry's best. While People-First Builders is a new podcast, it's backed by years of experience. Host Fletcher Wimbush is a seasoned podcaster with over seven years behind the mic, having built a dedicated audience with The Hire Talent—a show focused on optimizing hiring and leadership in the industry. Now, he's bringing that expertise to People-First Builders, highlighting the construction leaders who are shaping the future through culture, innovation, and operational excellence.

  1. Jul 1

    Retaining Top Talent Through Flexibility and Trust with Tania Van Herle

    Tania Van Herle, Co-CEO of HED, shares how one of the nation's leading architecture and engineering firms has built a people-first culture that drives innovation, attracts exceptional talent, and retains employees through trust and flexibility. Drawing from her 30-year journey with HED, Tania discusses how integrating architecture and engineering creates stronger collaboration, why "kindness" has become a defining characteristic of the firm's culture, and how embracing remote work expanded access to top talent nationwide. She also explains how intentional leadership, transparent communication, mentorship, and employee flexibility have helped HED grow while maintaining the close-knit culture of a much smaller firm. Whether you're leading a construction company, engineering firm, or any growing organization, this conversation offers practical lessons on building a workplace where people thrive—and business follows. In this episode, you'll learn: Why HED believes a culture of trust and kindness is a competitive advantage How flexible work policies helped attract and retain top engineering talent Strategies for maintaining culture across remote and hybrid teams Why intentional communication matters more than ever in distributed organizations How mergers and acquisitions can strengthen both talent and company culture The importance of mentorship for developing the next generation of AEC professionals Leadership practices that keep employees engaged during periods of rapid growth and change

    33 min

  2. Jun 16

    Building Trust First on Complex Construction Projects with Melissa Drew

    What does it take to successfully launch a construction management company and immediately take on a $53 million project? In this episode of People-First Builders, Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Melissa Drew, Founder & CEO of InSite Build, to discuss how strong relationships, trust, and people-first leadership can transform complex construction projects. Melissa shares her journey from spending 20 years with a national contractor to building her own company focused on commercial and state government projects. She explains how InSite Build creates alignment between owners, subcontractors, and project teams through intentional communication, collaboration, and culture-building practices that improve both project outcomes and team morale. From building interconnected jobsite trailer communities to bringing hot chocolate and snow cones to crews in the field, Melissa reveals how small human-centered actions can create massive impacts on trust, productivity, and project success. The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship, hiring strategies, leveraging relationships, managing large-scale government work, and creating successful partnerships in the construction industry. If you're interested in leadership, construction management, company culture, and building stronger teams in the trades, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world lessons. 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: How Melissa launched InSite Build with a $53M project from day one Why relationships and trust are critical in construction success Strategies for improving communication on complex projects How to create stronger collaboration between owners and subcontractors Practical ways to support and appreciate field teams Lessons learned transitioning from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship

    29 min

  3. Jun 2

    How Great Operators Build Better Roofing Teams with Brad Strawbridge

    What does it really take to build a high-performing roofing company in today's construction landscape? In this episode of the People-First Builders Podcast, Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Brad Strawbridge — Founder & CEO of Capital City Roofing, Chief Strategy Officer at Builderlync, and founder of Feeding the Future Project — to discuss how operational systems, leadership development, and people-first values are transforming the roofing industry. Brad shares his journey from driving delivery trucks at Lowe's to leading multimillion-dollar operations, launching his own roofing company, and building technology solutions that help contractors scale smarter. Together, they explore the importance of SOPs, EOS implementation, hiring through relationships, overcoming fear-based leadership decisions, and why slowing down to build systems is often the fastest path to growth. This conversation is packed with practical insights for contractors, entrepreneurs, and construction leaders looking to scale sustainably while building strong teams and lasting culture. In this episode, you'll learn: How Brad transitioned from corporate leadership at Lowe's into entrepreneurship Why roofing and construction businesses need systems before scaling The role EOS and SOPs play in operational success How referrals and relationships drive high-quality hiring Why fear keeps many leaders stuck — and how to move forward anyway The biggest growth bottlenecks in commercial construction businesses How Builderlync is helping contractors streamline operations through technology

    37 min

  4. May 18

    How Decentralized Leadership Builds Better Communities with Richard Douglass

    In this episode of the People-First Builders Podcast, Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Richard Douglass, President of TruMark Homes and Communities, to explore how decentralized leadership creates stronger teams, better projects, and thriving company cultures in the homebuilding industry. Richard shares lessons from decades of navigating California's complex building environment, why construction is the ultimate "team sport," and how empowering people at every level leads to better decision-making and stronger communities. From hiring strategies and leadership development to trust, mission alignment, and creating opportunities for growth, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to build organizations where people truly flourish. Richard also explains how TruMark approaches collaboration with trades, develops future leaders, and maintains a culture where teammates support each other both professionally and personally. If you're interested in leadership, culture, hiring, or the future of construction and development, this episode delivers practical insights from a seasoned industry leader who believes that great communities start with great people.

    30 min

  5. May 5

    Creating Career Paths That Keep Engineers Growing with Carrie Stokes

    In this episode of People-First Builders, Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Carrie Stokes, CEO and President of Barge Design Solutions, to explore what it truly means to build a people-first engineering firm. Carrie's journey—from student intern to becoming the first woman to lead a 70-year-old, employee-owned company—is a powerful example of long-term growth, intentional leadership, and investing in people. With nearly three decades in the architecture and engineering industry, she shares how Barge is redefining career paths, leadership development, and talent retention in a highly competitive market. They dive into how creating flexible career tracks—where engineers can grow without being forced into management—helps retain top talent and build stronger teams. Carrie also breaks down how employee ownership, internal mobility, and leadership transparency are shaping a culture where people stay, grow, and thrive. If you're a leader navigating the "war for talent" or looking to build a company where people actually want to stay, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. In this episode, you'll learn: Why forcing engineers into management is a mistake How to create multiple career paths that retain top talent The role of employee ownership in engagement and performance Why internal mobility ("climbing the rock wall") drives long-term growth How leadership transparency builds future executives

    31 min

  6. Apr 20

    Developing Future Leaders Faster in Engineering with Russ Seamon

    On this episode of the People-First Builders Podcast, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Russ Seamon, President of Seamon Whiteside, a fast-growing civil engineering and landscape architecture firm in the Southeast. Russ shares how his firm transformed from a small, family-founded business into a 250-person, multi-office organization—without losing its culture. At the core of their growth? A deliberate decision to scale for their people, not just for profit. From implementing leadership training and mentorship programs to building structured onboarding, project management boot camps, and a culture of intentional development, Russ breaks down how Seamon Whiteside is accelerating the growth of its people while maintaining excellence across the organization. He also dives into: Why growth is essential for creating opportunity and retaining top talent How to develop future leaders faster through intentional delegation and training The power of culture in attracting and retaining experienced professionals Why organic growth can outperform acquisitions when building a people-first company Practical strategies for balancing accountability and empowerment in leadership If you're a leader in construction, engineering, or any service-based business looking to grow without sacrificing culture—this episode is a must-listen.

    35 min

  7. Apr 13

    Building Culture Fast in a Growing Trade Business with Uri Pearl

    In this episode of People-First Builders, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Uri Pearl, owner of Nealon Insulation, a fast-growing home services company in Connecticut built on a powerful people-first philosophy. Uri's journey into construction is anything but traditional. With a background in capital markets, startups, and even serving as a First Sergeant in the Israeli Defense Forces, Uri entered the trades through entrepreneurship via acquisition—taking over a 50-year-old insulation business and transforming it into a rapidly scaling, culture-driven company. Together, Fletcher and Uri dive deep into what it really takes to build culture fast in a growing trade business. Uri shares how focusing on intangibles like integrity, ambition, and attitude—rather than just experience—has helped him recruit, train, and retain top talent in a competitive labor market. They also explore: Why hiring for character beats hiring for experience How to create a high-performance culture in blue-collar industries The importance of investing in people—even when it impacts short-term margins Practical strategies for attracting, filtering, and retaining the right team members How growth creates opportunity—and why it's a responsibility of leadership Uri's perspective is a refreshing reminder that great businesses aren't built on systems alone—they're built on people who care, grow, and take pride in their work. If you're a leader in construction, home services, or any growing business, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building a team that drives long-term success.

    36 min

  8. Mar 24

    Outcome-Based Roles and Lean Standards of Work with Clark Lowe

    In this episode of the People-First Builders Podcast, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Clark Lowe, President & CEO of O'Connor Company, to explore how leadership, culture, and innovation are reshaping the construction industry. Clark shares his journey from the United States Marine Corps to leading a national, fully remote construction firm—bringing with him a powerful philosophy rooted in discipline, emotional intelligence, and people-first leadership. Together, Fletcher and Clark dive into: Why only a small percentage of construction projects finish on time—and how to change that The rise of remote work in construction and what it takes to succeed in it The concept of self-regulated individual contributors (SRICs) as the future of leadership How outcome-based roles and Lean "standards of work" are redefining performance Why hiring for intangibles like self-regulation, empathy, and communication beats experience alone How intentional leadership development and coaching can transform company culture Clark also breaks down how O'Connor Company is attracting top global talent, building a high-performance culture, and achieving remarkable employee retention—all while operating fully remote. If you're a leader in construction, engineering, or any people-driven business, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, hiring, and the future of work.

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

At People-First Builders, we shine a spotlight on the leaders who shape the construction industry by building more than projects—they build teams, culture, and legacy. This podcast is your gateway to the stories of exceptional CEOs and visionaries who prioritize their people, achieve remarkable success, and redefine what it means to lead in construction. Discover how family-owned businesses, niche projects, and innovative leadership styles are driving progress in steel erection, bridge rebar, and infrastructure installation. Each episode celebrates leaders who have spent decades honing their craft, advancing their operations, and achieving results that inspire their teams and peers alike. Whether you're a construction professional, a leader looking for inspiration, or simply someone fascinated by people-centered success stories, People-First Builders offers valuable insights and actionable takeaways from industry's best. While People-First Builders is a new podcast, it's backed by years of experience. Host Fletcher Wimbush is a seasoned podcaster with over seven years behind the mic, having built a dedicated audience with The Hire Talent—a show focused on optimizing hiring and leadership in the industry. Now, he's bringing that expertise to People-First Builders, highlighting the construction leaders who are shaping the future through culture, innovation, and operational excellence.

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