“I hope you continue to be extremely intentional in choosing to be exactly where your feet are every moment that you are.”

Episode Summary:

In this keynote episode from Zweig Group's ElevateAEC2025 Conference, Lynn Wong delivers a powerful talk on what it takes to thrive—both personally and collectively—in the architecture, engineering, and construction world. Drawing from her global leadership experience and some transformative moments along the way, Lynn explores where well-being, conscious leadership, and innovation meet.

She opens up about her own story: climbing the ladder across three continen...

“ If you're going to be an entrepreneur and you're going to accomplish anything and you're going to grow your business in spite of a lot of negative things happening, you've got to be positive. So it's absolutely essential.”

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Mark Zweig for a candid conversation about leadership, optimism, and embracing change in the AEC industry. Drawing from decades of experience and stories from the design trenches, Mark unpacks how leaders can break with outdated thin...

“Vernacular is what you do when you can’t afford to get it wrong.”

Episode Summary:

This episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast, hosted by Randy Wilburn and joined by marketing co-host Luke Carothers, traces Carley Chastain's unique path through the architecture profession. Carley, an emerging architectural professional at Marlon Blackwell Architects in Northwest Arkansas, shares how she was drawn to architecture not by tradition, but by curiosity, community, and a keen desire to make the built environment serve real people.

From Auburn University's Rural Studio—where students design and build fo...

“Whatever is the hardest path is probably the path we should be on. The hardest path is also the least traveled.”

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast, host Randy Wilburn is joined by Robert Yuen of Monograph and Mark Zweig of Zweig Group for a candid conversation around the future of A/E firm management. Together, they explore the recent industry benchmarks released by Monograph, unpack persistent pain points for design firm leaders, and discuss how technology is reshaping project visibility, profitability, and firm culture.

ElevateAEC 2025 Preview: Growth, Innovation, and Networking Opportunities in San Antonio

“Proximity is a place of power. If you are a design firm leader or design firm owner and you’re trying to take your firm to the next level, sometimes it means you need to get around other people that have actually already done it.”

Episode Summary:

Randy Wilburn and Luke Carothers deliver an exclusive preview of the 2025 Elevate AEC Conference, September 9–11 in San Antonio, Texas. Drawing on extensive industry experience and insights from previous events, they explore...

“I think the employee experience—and we've seen over the last five years how important the employee experience has been with how tight the labor market has been and how everybody is competing for the same people… To ensure good retention, you must survey your employees to see what they think of your firm.”

About our Guests:

Keith Sequeira serves as Senior Director of Analytics and Technology at Zweig Group, where he leads research, analytics, and technological innovation, driving new approaches in data collection and delivery for the AEC sector. Kyle Ahern, Manager...

"Mistakes are not fatal, but don't keep them to yourself.”

About our Guests:

Originally from Washington, Duncan Robertson has spent the past six years honing his marketing and public relations expertise and now brings those skills to the design industry. After earning a Communication degree with a business emphasis from Boise State University, he dove straight into his career, channeling his versatile communication background to connect with diverse audiences. Duncan’s passion and creativity in marketing and PR continue to shine, fulfilling his early aspirations in this dynamic field. Go Broncos!

M...

"Every time we give an award to someone, there is one of our six values that's tied in with the citation."

In this episode of the Zweig Letter Podcast, we share a panel session from the Zweig Group's 2024 ElevateAEC event. We delve into the evolving landscape of modern work environments and the importance of maintaining a thriving culture in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Host Chad Coldiron is joined by industry leaders Joseph Campos, Don Young, and Shelby Harvey, who share their insights on what it means to be...

From Specs to Stories: Cherise Lakeside's Podcasting Adventure!

"A lot of architects are rather introverted as well, so it takes some work to pull that out. And for me, my win is, did I get you out of your shell to share your passion for what you do for a living and what you create?"

About the Guest:

Cherise Lakeside is a seasoned Senior Spec Writer at RDH Building Science. With a rich career path spanning construction, architecture, and building science, Cherise has acquired a profound understanding...

ElevateAEC - How we Inspire and Transition Ownership to the Next Generation

"The ownership transition is not just about percentages; it's about value and creating a legacy."

About the Guest:

John R. McAdams is the founder of McAdams, a leading engineering, planning, and design firm that has shaped communities for over 40 years. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation, John has led transformative projects in land development and infrastructure. In this episode, he shares his journey as an industry leader, offering valuable insights into business growth, leadership...

"You never know where you are going to learn information that is going to potentially be game-changing for you."

About the Moderator:

Justin Smith is a renowned expert in project management strategies and tactics, providing strategic consulting and training for the Zweig Group. With an impressive track record in business growth and leadership, Justin brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion.

Episode Summary:

Join us as Justin Smith moderates a panel of esteemed experts, including Aaron Lauinger, Tiara Marcus, and Brian Sielaff, representing firms excelling in client...

Bridging Design and Construction: A M King's Collaborative Success Story

"25 years ago when I graduated the term design build, it wasn't unheard of, but it certainly wasn't something that we talked about."

About the Guest:

Dan Crist is the President of A M King, a prominent design, construction, facility services, and property consulting firm based in North Carolina. With a background in Construction Management from Purdue University, Dan has been a pivotal leader at A M King since its inception in 2004. Transitioning from his initial role as...

Exploring Avail's Impact on AEC Content Management with Randall Stevens

"I've really spent the last 25 years building software technology products that are being used in the architecture engineering construction market."

About the Guest:

Randall Stevens is a long-time veteran in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, boasting over three decades of experience. He studied architecture but found his calling in software development, founding ArcVision in 1991 and later Avail. As the CEO of Avail, Randall focuses on developing innovative software solutions that address content management challenges faced by AEC professionals...

Riding the AI Wave: From Fear to Opportunities

"AI is evolving every single second. I am begging you to start to use it today, just to see what it's like."

Download the Presentation to Follow Along

About the Guest:

Kristin Kautz is a seasoned SMPS Fellow and AI enthusiast who specializes in integrating marketing and artificial intelligence into business strategies. Known for her dynamic presentations and educational sessions, Kristin leverages her extensive experience marketing and AI to design firms maximize their return on investment. She is currently working...

AI Transforming AEC: From Design to Recruitment and Beyond

"So I think AI will give an opportunity for people that maybe are less technical to use these tools to really execute more work."

About the Guest:

KP Reddy is the founder and CEO of Shadow Ventures, a visionary venture capital firm specializing in tech startups within the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) and real estate sectors. He has successfully founded and exited three tech companies, authored influential books on Building Information Modeling (BIM) and AI, and has extensive...

Innovative Startup Pirros Revolutionizes Detail Management for Design Firms

"We saw a lack of new software being developed for the design industry specifically."

Randy Wilburn sits down with Peter Johann, COO of Pirros, on the Zweig Letter podcast to explore the innovative intersection of technology and the design industry. Peter reflects on his career path that transitioned from structural engineering at KPFF to launching Pirros, a software company aimed at solving the prevalent issue of managing design details across projects. The discussion highlights the tedious and inefficient processes that design professionals often...

Reg Prentice on Simplifying Data Management for Design Firms

"The two most valuable things people have a design firm has is its people, number one. Right. That's obviously always going to be the case, but number two is really its history and its institutional knowledge, which primarily exists in the form of the information that's stored."

About the Guest:

Reg Prentice is the CEO of TonicDM, a cloud-based information management system designed for the AEP and environmental consulting industries. Reg holds a background in architecture, graduating from...

We’re thrilled to bring back one of our most downloaded episodes on the Zweig Letter Podcast! In this popular episode, Scott Harvey-Lewis, a seasoned professional in the AEC industry, shares his unique perspective on leadership, innovation, and the power of resilience.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Scott delves into his career journey, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to overcoming challenges in the ever-evolving landscape of architecture, engineering, and construction. His insights into leadership are particularly impactful, offering listeners practical strategies for leading teams through change and uncertainty.

Originally aired on...

We’re thrilled to bring back one of our most downloaded episodes on the Zweig Letter Podcast! In this popular episode, Justin Smith, a distinguished leader in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, joins the Zweig Letter Podcast to share his profound expertise on leadership and business development.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Justin dives deep into the key strategies that have shaped his career, emphasizing the significance of strong leadership in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the AEC industry. His insights offer a valuable perspective for both emerging and established professionals looking to ho...

We're thrilled to bring back one of our most downloaded episodes on The Zweig Letter Podcast! In this popular episode, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Burke Pemberton, the Chief Financial Officer of Stok, a company dedicated to integrating sustainability into the built environment.In this episode, Burke shares invaluable insights on Stok's innovative approach to "Working Out Loud," a practice that fosters transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement. He explains how this methodology has transformed their team dynamics and project management, leading to greater efficiency and innovation.Originally aired on March 27, 2020, this episode delves into Stok’s unique culture an...

Mastering Recruitment in the Design Industry: Strategies and Insights

"Being progressive and open-minded in how you define the roles that you need is critical to successful recruiting."

About the Guest:

Jeremy Clarke: Jeremy Clarke is the Director of Recruiting and Retention at Zweig Group. He boasts a rich background as a combat veteran in the U.S. Air Force, followed by significant roles in recruiting at Rockwell Collins Aerospace and Walmart Corporate. Jeremy's extensive experience also includes founding and successfully running his recruiting firm, Emissary, for over a decade. He...

Exploring The Knowledge Management Evolution in AEC with Christopher Parsons

"What was the most important opportunity? And we heard two things. We heard learning management...and AI."

About the Guest:

Christopher Parsons is the founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture, a firm based in San Francisco specializing in knowledge management solutions for the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. With a history degree and a political science major, Christopher transitioned from a technology consulting background to the AEC industry, where he became a specialist in developing intranet platforms and knowledge...

Adapting to the Future: Josh Fowler on Leadership, AI, and Engineering Excellence in the Palmetto State

"You really need to work on building your network and working your network because you never know what kind of doors are going to be open for you."

About the Show

Josh Fowler, President of Davis & Floyd, a multi-disciplinary civil engineering firm in South Carolina, brings a dynamic blend of experience in engineering, construction, and manufacturing to the table. With an impressive track record of driving growth and fostering innovation, Josh's...

We had a little glitch in the matrix yesterday evening and we dropped an episode that is actually not part of the Zweig Letter Podcast.

We apologize for any confusion that this caused. First time in 8 years this has happened to us. The good thing is that the topic of the other podcast is totally germane to the Design Industry space so there is that! ;-).

If you listened to it already and enjoyed the episode that is great. If you didn't hear it but want to feel free to download it HERE. It's from...

About the Show:

"Cities are the vanguard of problem-solving in the modern world."

About the Guest:

Bruce Katz, a renowned urban policy expert and the founding director of the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University, joins us to share his deep insights on the transformative power of cities. With a rich background that includes advising urban leaders globally and authoring the pivotal book "The New Localism," Bruce brings a wealth of knowledge on how cities can flourish amidst the challenges of our time.

Episode Summary:

...

Small Design Firms Face Challenges in Talent Acquisition and Consolidation

"The dynamic shift since post-COVID has started an all-out war on talent. Smaller firms like ours... we're getting marginalized trying to acquire that talent and to hold on to it."

About the Show

Scott Erricson is a principal and the founding owner of e2 Engineers, a consulting engineering firm specializing in the building space. With their offices based in New London, Connecticut, Concord, and Massachusetts, they extend their services across New England and beyond. Scott's expertise lies...

Luke Carothers on the Exciting Stories and Projects in the AEC Industry

“I’m very excited for the future of where the AEC industry is heading."

About the Show

Luke Carothers is the Senior Content Manager for Zweig Group and also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine. Specializing in content rooted in the architectural, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting industries, Luke boasts over five years of experience immersing himself in the AEC world. His background in English and cultural studies has equipped him with the...

About the Show

"Having a good strategy enables good organic growth, both revenue and people.”

About the Guest:

Dave Witsken is the CEO of UES, a company widely recognized in the architectural, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting spaces for its exceptional growth and industry impact. UES, under Dave's leadership, has notably achieved the status of a three-time "Hot Firm" winner, identifying them as the number one firm in the Hot Firm awards for three consecutive years. Dave's tenure has been marked by strategic expansion, including a substantial number of successful ac...

Building the Future: Kyle Cheerangie's Blueprint for Young Engineers

"You have to practice designing... You have to know what it feels like to load that information into your brain."

- Kyle Cheerangie

Summary:

In this insightful episode of the Zweig Letter podcast, host Randy Wilburn sits down with the brilliant Kyle Cheerangie, a department manager in South Florida whose expertise in roadway and highway design is shaping the future of infrastructure. Kyle's passion for engineering and his dedication to the profession shines through as he discusses the critical path from technical...

"You have to be like Superman; you're a risk-taker. But once you've attained success and you have a larger entity, it's important to shift your mindset to that of a risk manager. " 

Summary:

In this special episode of the TZL podcast, we feature an enlightening keynote speech by Harry Clark, delivered at the Zweig Group's 2023 Elevate AEC Conference. Known for his exceptional track record as a serial entrepreneur and business advisor, Harry Clark shares his wealth of experience and insights, offering a treasure trove of knowledge for our listeners.

Key H...

"The ability to access decades worth of industry data in seconds is a game-changer. It's time to leverage this knowledge and stay ahead of the competition." 

Keith Sequeira, Zweig Group

🎙️ In our latest TZL Podcast episode, we dive into an enlightening chat with Zweig Group's data analytics guru, Keith Sequeira. We unpack how data is revolutionizing decision-making in design firms.

🌟 Key Highlights:

"In this day and age, storytelling is a powerful tool for design professionals to amplify their brand and foster collaborative relationships." 

- Carey Balogh, Brand Groupies

In this episode of The Zweig Letter Podcast, Randy Wilburn welcomes Carey Balogh and Lauren Genest, founders of Brand Groupies. With backgrounds in fashion PR, they've carved out a niche in social media management, public relations, and personal branding specifically for the design industry.

The episode dives into the importance of storytelling. Carey and Lauren emphasize that a consistent narrative is crucial for brand identity. They offer e...

About the Show:

"People want to work for firms that have a great vision and a mission. How are we going to get there? What's your purpose in terms of culture, can you rattle it off?" 

- Bill McConnell, Vertex

In this special episode of the TZL Podcast, recorded live at the 2023 Elevate AEC Conference in Frisco, TX, host R Wilburn brings you an enlightening conversation with Chad Clinehens, CEO of Zweig Group, and Bill McConnell, co-founder and CEO of Vertex. 

The episode dives right into the pressing economic questions facing th...

About the Show:

"We recognized that if we were going to take it to the next level, we're going to have to really develop a brand. Your people deserve a brand that's as great as them." 

- Jerrod Hogan, OWN, Inc.

Jerrod Hogan's path to leadership is anything but conventional. He grew up learning the virtues of empathy and service from a devoted Baptist pastor. A pivotal moment came when his family moved to Missouri due to his mother's cancer diagnosis. Following her passing, Jerrod decided to make Missouri his permanent home, raising h...

"You have to have some level of grace in the ability to deflect certain things that come your way and not necessarily lose your cool if things don't go right.” 

-Anna Finley

Summary: 

Join host Randy Wilburn for an enlightening conversation with Anna Finley, Director of Operations at Zweig Group. 

In this episode, Anna unpacks the power of recognizing and celebrating workplace achievements to foster a positive culture. She stresses the importance of grace and kindness in cultivating strong relationships with both clients and colleagues. Beyond just good manners, Anna reveals how t...

AI and how it will impact the Design Industry

"Every role and every person in your firm is going to be impacted by AI. It's not just for the marketing or IT department, it's pervasive throughout your organization.” 

- Kristin Kautz

Summary: 

In this episode of the TZL Podcast, we are joined by guest Kristin Kautz, an AI consultant, to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the design industry.

Kristin shares her expertise in implementing AI to improve efficiency and productivity in design workflows. She emphasizes the value...

About the Show:

"The most diverse companies are the most successful companies, period." 

- Melvalean MacLemore

Summary: 

In this enlightening episode of the TZL podcast, Melvalean MacLemore and Zhetique Gunn, dedicated committee members of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and key players in the HBCU Professional Development Program (PDP), sit down to discuss the multifaceted approach they're taking to bring diversity into the architecture industry.

Key Topics:

1. HBCU Professional Development Program: MacLemore and Gunn delve into the mission and impact of the program, which focuses on...

"Communication is everything. It was the lifeblood for the success that we had on this project." 

- Bill Mandara, Mancini

Visualize the hustle and bustle of Times Square, the pulsing core of New York City. Now, imagine elevating an entire structure in the midst of one of the busiest intersections in North America if not the World. This is the scale of the TSX Broadway undertaking to which Bill Mandara, Benjamin Alper, and Joe Levi have dedicated their expertise. 

Last year, the renowned Palace Theatre, which has hosted performances by legends like Judy Ga...

Preview the Elevate AEC Conference: Inspiring Leadership and Industry-wide Progress With Zweig Group CEO Chad Clinehens

"There are very few rooms that you can be in where you can connect with that many people and gain that much insight and understanding." 

- Chad Clinehens

Do you want to enhance your professional network and gain valuable industry insights? Are you looking for a solution to connect with like-minded professionals in the AEC industry? 

Look no further!

In this special TZL podcast episode, our guest is Zweig Group CE...

Empowering the Next Generation of Sustainable Designers with AECOM’s Ross Wimer

"We're helping our clients trim their portfolios and make their buildings more efficient." 

- Ross Wimer

Ross Wimer is an accomplished architect and Global Head of Architecture at AECOM, who has dedicated his career to sustainable design. Ross's extensive experience working on projects worldwide has equipped him with a deep understanding of the environmental challenges architects face and how to overcome them. His commitment to creating energy-efficient, high-performing buildings has led him to become a passionate advocate for sustainability in the des...