Inspiring People & Places

In this episode, BJ interviews fellow West Point Graduate and Army Veteran Brian Zickefoose, Founder & CEO of the Valiant Group, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small that provides general contracting and construction management services for commercial, healthcare, utility, and government clients throughout the eastern United States. Brian earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy. After spending six and half years on active duty, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Brian spent time in the private sector before founding Valiant group in 2017, focusing on a relentless commitment to building a better homefront, community, and customer...

In part 2 to last week's episode of Inspiring People & Places, Producer and Marine Corps Veteran “IRON” Mike Steadman, continues his interview with MCFA President & CEO, BJ Kreamer to discuss the importance of cultivating an intentional company culture, the roadblocks of building out a trusted team, and the challenges of running a successful professional service firm in the AEC industry. Resources mentioned in this episode: Og Mandino- The Greatest Salesman In The World Purchase here: https://amzn.to/3cg1KBo Robert T. Kiyosaki- Rich Dad Poor Dad Purchase here: https://amzn.to/3inAvbA Napoleon Hill- Think and Grow Rich Purchase here: http...

In this episode, Inspiring People & Places Producer and Marine Corps Veteran “IRON” Mike Steadman, interviews MCFA President & CEO, BJ Kreamer, to shed some transparency on why he decided to start a podcast, his journey from the battlefield to MCFA, and the challenges of running a successful professional service firm in the AEC industry. Resources mentioned in this episode: Dan Sullivan- Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork Purchase here: https://amzn.to/3p0XFGo Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our week...

In this episode, BJ sits down with MCFA’s Director of Marketing, Christen Sheppard. Christen shares her journey from college and working at a juice bar, to entering the A/E/C industry, where for the last six years she’s led MCFA’s marketing and customer service efforts. Resources mentioned in this episode: “Everything in moderation, including moderation”- Cristen’s Grandfather Patrick Lencioni- Getting Naked: A Business Fable About Shedding The Three Fears That Sabotage Client Loyalty Purchase Here: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Naked-Business-Shedding-Sabotage/dp/0787976393/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=getting+naked&qid=1621614788&sr=8-1 Inspiring People and Places is brought t...

In the following episode, BJ sits down with Jilian Breeden, the Founder and President of Engage Federal LLC (Engage), a woman-owned small business (WOSB) located in the Washington DC area specializing in data-driven, results-focused facilities planning services. Jilian has two decades of planning and programming experience, primarily supporting federal government clients, including DoD, GSA, DOT, NOAA, EPA, FBI, and AOC. Resources mentioned in this episode: “There’s no change in the comfort zone and no comfort in the change zone.” - Unknown “One step at a time, one day at a time, just today, just this day to get through.”- Linda Su...

In the following episode, BJ sits down with MCFA’s Chief Operations Officer, Brian Pieplow. In addition to serving as the COO, Brian’s the Senior Program Manager and Principal Planner, responsible for leading a team of highly collaborative and innovative specialists in integrating resiliency in planning and design, and developing public-private ventures for aviation, transit, transportation, and military facilities and master planning projects. He brings over 35 years of diversified experience across the U.S. and internationally. Resources mentioned in this episode: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsucc...

In the following interview, BJ sits down with Jill Jamieson, President & CEO of Illuminati Infrastructure Advisors. They discuss Jill’s amazing path to becoming an internationally recognized expert on Infrastructure Finance & Public Private Partnerships. Resources mentioned in this episode: Benjamin Hoff: “The Tao of Pooh” https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/31/fact-sheet-the-american-jobs-plan/ Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter where we curate some of the top industry articles of the week and give you a dose of inspiration as you head into the weekend! MCFA I...

In the following interview, BJ sits down with his friend and mentor, Wes Guckert. Wes is the Founder & CEO of The Traffic Group, one of the nation's leading traffic engineering, transit, and transportation planning firms. He is an expert in traffic engineering and transportation planning – a technical adviser in traffic analysis, traffic signal design, traffic circulation, access studies, automated and robotic parking systems, and transit planning. Since founding TTG, Wes has played a major role in more than 8,000 projects; directing the design and implementation of traffic access systems throughout the United States and internationally, from Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas, to...

In this episode, BJ sits down with James Haggerty, SVP of VIVAMEE Hospitality. James’ career focuses on construction management, design, and architecture, primarily in the hospitality market. Notably, he served as Director, Design + Construction of Choice Hotels, and managed the design and development of their segment-redefining upscale brand properties – Cambria Hotels and the Ascend Hotel Collection. Resources mentioned in this episode: Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography by Walter Isaacson Phil Knight: Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign...

In part two of our inaugural episode of Inspiring People & Places, we continue our conservation with Brigadier General (Ret.) Peter A. “Duke” DeLuca. If you haven't listened to part one yet, we strongly encourage you to do so. General DeLuca has 32 years of experience working in the U.S Army at all levels, from platoon to combatant command – having commanded an engineer battalion, a multi-service engineer brigade in combat, as well as two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Divisions. General DeLuca specializes in architectural engineering and construction, logistics, and engineering technical services. If you enjoy this show, do us a favo...

In this inaugural episode of Inspiring People & Places, we sat down with Brigadier General (Ret.) Peter A. “Duke” DeLuca. General DeLuca has 32 years of experience working in the U.S Army at all levels, from platoon to combatant command – having commanded an engineer battalion, a multi-service engineer brigade in combat, as well as two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Divisions. General DeLuca specializes in architectural engineering and construction, logistics, and engineering technical services. Be sure to visit our website ww.MCFAglobal.com, sign up for our newsletter. If you want to learn more about the MCFA DNA, view our case s...

Welcome to inspiring people and places where we interview national leaders in the A/E/C industry in an effort to educate, innovate and inspire industry professionals to disrupt the status quo, improve their project teams, and steward taxpayer investments more effectively.