Leadership Blueprints

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What do football, combat deployments, and dress shirts have in common? For Ryan Kent, they’ve all played a role in shaping his evolution as a leader.

In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, BJ Kramer sits down with Ryan, a West Point graduate, former Army Ranger, and current CEO of menswear brand Mizzen+Main, to unpack the lessons he learned on his way from the locker room to the boardroom. 

From his journey as a sma...

In this 4th of July special edition of Leadership Blueprints, BJ Kraemer sits down with Marine Corps veteran, educator, and operations leader Fred Conner for a conversation about legacy, leadership, and renewal. This episode explores the transformation of the historic 75-acre Valley Forge campus- home to Founding Forward, a national civic education nonprofit founded by the Union League of Philadelphia and Freedom’s Foundation.

Fred shares his journey from military service to international project management to teaching at Temple University. Along the way, he reveals how landscapes, memory, and mission-based leadership shape how we build -and remember- ou...

What if your next big leadership breakthrough started with booking a vacation?  

In this solo episode of Leadership Blueprints, BJ Kraemer dives into a powerful and often overlooked leadership lesson: the transformative value of R&R. With summer in full swing and the midpoint of the year approaching, BJ challenges leaders to rethink their relationship with rest, reframing time off as a strategic imperative for sustained impact, clarity, and growth.  

From redefining “busy” to modeling a culture that celebrates vacation time and drawing inspiration from military leadership models and Bill Gates’s Think We...

What if the future of leadership in construction isn’t about command and control, but about trust and curiosity? 

In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we’re joined by Andrea Janzen, founder of Ambition Theory, a professional development company that specializes in the research, education, and advancement of women in construction. 

Andrea shares her unexpected journey from corporate marketing to coaching executives in the construction industry. She unpacks the power of transformational leadership versus transactional leadership, a model based on collaboration, curiosity, and vision, and why it resonates more with women than tra...

Leadership is a never-ending journey with infinite checkpoints for growth and self-discovery. Today, we are joined by Greg Kelly, the CEO of STV, a national, infrastructure-focused professional services firm that exists to make communities better through innovative solutions that connect people, places, and the present to the future. 

Greg begins by meticulously detailing his professional journey and how he found his feet in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) before explaining why learning never stops for anyone, specifically as a leader. We learn about his role as STV CEO, the work the company is currently e...

The lessons learned on the sports field teach us so much about leadership on the battlefield and in life. 

This episode marks the launch of a special segment highlighting the power of youth sports in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Joining us on this episode is Head Men’s Swimming and Diving Coach at Princeton University, Matt Crispino, a key player in shaping leadership and character development through sports at the Military Academy. 

Matt shares success tactics, core team values, and why he believes that there truly is no one-size-fits-all approach to lea...

What happens when engineering leaders prioritize people over profit and community over convenience? 

In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we’re joined by Phil Wursta, a seasoned strategist with over 40 years of experience in municipal agency and private sector engineering. He’s also the founding partner of WK2 Consulting, a woman-owned civil engineering and public management firm serving Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 

From his early days as an archaeology-obsessed teen to his leadership role building resilient infrastructure and compassionate teams, Phil shares how clear communication, community engagement, and employee-first values have guided h...

Memorial Day isn't just the start of summer—it's a time to honor those who gave their lives for our freedom. Every Memorial Day, BJ has decided to play an episode he recorded two years ago to honor his late friend and everyone who has given their lives to service. 

In this tribute episode, we speak with Marion Zilinski, known as Mama Z, about the true meaning of Memorial Day through the eyes of someone who lost a loved one in service. She shares the story of her son Dennis, his journey to West Point, the impact of...

If education is executed correctly, it can be one of the best ways to inspire people to change the world! 

Today’s guest on Leadership Blueprints, John Abraham, is a professor of thermal sciences at the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about John’s career, what led him to academia, how he connects with this generation of students, and so much more! 

We delve into his focus on ocean warming before discussing his work on sustainable energy through his company LEMA. John even removes th...

Joining us is Carey Kight, producer, advertiser, and owner of Veteran Made. He shares a series of pivotal choices that have shaped his career and his life’s journey, from the military to film school, advertising, production, and beyond. Pulling from his experiences, we discuss the frameworks that translate from the military to other fields. 

Carey shares how Veteran Made embodies this, highlighting key skills that veterans can bring to the working world. We touch on managing your own expectations, the ideas that underpin Carey’s leadership decisions, and reveal more about his rich background and lo...

What does it take to lead a software company at the forefront of the architecture and engineering (A&E) world? 

Joining us today is the CEO of BQE Software, Matt Cooper, to discuss his incredible career and his company’s work in the architecture and engineering space. Tuning in, you’ll hear about Matt’s time consulting, what led him to BQE Software, how he transitioned into a leadership position, and so much more! 

We delve into what it means to produce ‘client-worthy’ work before discussing how BQE expanded into A&E. You’ll even...

In celebration of our 200th episode, this conversation highlights 20 key lessons we've learned over the past five years of hosting this podcast. Join us as we take a deep dive into leadership philosophy, drawing from insights we've gathered since the very beginning. 

You'll hear what it means to lead from the front, why going viral isn't necessary to make an impact, and how building character shapes everything you do. We also unpack the recent drop-off rate in the real estate world and explore how a strong sense of purpose can fuel perseverance. 

As we reflect on...

What does real leadership transformation look like, and how do you go from managing projects to leading people? 

In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we sit down with Coty Fournier to discuss leadership transformation and creating a company-focused impact. Coty is an industry veteran, speaker, author, and senior consultant with Well Built Construction Consulting. She is known for fast-tracking construction managers into high-impact leaders through keynote speaking, leadership training, and strategy consulting.

In our conversation, we delve into scaling businesses, developing talent, and shifting from project-focused execution to company-focused impact. We unp...

There is growing concern around the post-service health of veterans and first responders as it’s easy to fall into destructive patterns when liberated from the forced discipline of being in active duty. Today we are joined by John New, an Army veteran and serial entrepreneur who’s made it his life’s purpose to help curate healthier life habits for former service members. 

We begin with John’s background as he explains who he is, and what he does before learning about CYTO (previously The Hub), and what the organization hopes to achieve. Then, we compare...

In business, your aim should be to lead with your skills and let your certifications be the ‘icing on the cake’! 

Today, we welcome federal contracting expert and founder of Federal Subcontracting Solutions, Shauna Weatherly, to pass on her wealth of knowledge about the federal contracting space.  

Tuning in, you’ll hear about Shauna’s extensive career, the pendulum swing and balancing act Shauna has witnessed throughout her career, the policy side of contracting, creating efficiency in her business, and much more! We delve into one of Shauna’s professional war stories before...

Innovation is an essential part of business and those who do not innovate, eventually fail. 

In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, BJ is outlining the importance of innovation. Tuning in, you’ll hear about the biggest win BJ has ever had in business, the importance of discipline, what he thinks ‘the language of business is’, and more! 

BJ goes on to explain that the more we can understand how to communicate expected investment against expected outcomes, the better everyone will get at deploying innovation and research and development investment. We even talk about...

Making the jump from military service to the private sector can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. 

In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we sit down with project consultant and veteran David Ciurzynski, founder of Ciurzynski Consulting, to explore how veterans can leverage their hard-earned skills in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. 

David shares his journey from the Air Force to becoming a respected owner's representative, emphasizing the power of mentorship, adaptability, and faith-driven servant leadership. He also unpacks the importance of recognizing your self-worth, how to bui...

Culture and growth are very special topics here on the Leadership Blueprints Podcast, and today’s guest, award-winning social psychologist, author, speaker, and organizational consultant, Professor Mary Murphy, certainly speaks our love language! 

Mary is a trailblazer in equity and inclusion, illuminating the dynamics of mindset and culture and empowering organizations to foster environments of growth and innovation. In this episode, Mary describes how we can distinguish a fixed mindset from a growth mindset before explaining how her multicultural background kindled her passion for academic research, particularly culture and growth. 

Using Mary’s...

What can be done to attract more women to construction? 

Today, on the Leadership Blueprints podcast, we welcome Barb Allen, a renowned construction industry keynote speaker and host of the Constructive Behaviors Podcast. In honor of Women in Construction Week, we talked with Barb about her construction career and how she is helping more women find success in the industry. 

From stumbling on a degree in construction management – and immediately realizing it was what she wanted to do – to spending over twenty years in the field, Barb recounts how she moved through...

If you want to be successful in your career, you need to find your unique ability and have a maniacal focus on it! 

Joining us today is the incredible CEO of ICONA Resorts and managing director of Achristavest, Eustace Mita to share his wisdom about business. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about Eustace’s incredible career, his businesses, his construction projects, and how his relationship with faith has changed him as a businessman. 

We delve into our guest’s philosophy in life and business before discussing the importance of focusing o...

Ronald J. Bennett has an impressive track record of achievements, including serving as the Founding Dean and Professor Emeritus at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He began his career in the industry, spending over 20 years in executive roles at BMC Industries, CPI (now Boston Scientific), Teltech, and several entrepreneurial organizations. 

Beyond his industry experience, Ron is also a dedicated educator and author, specializing in materials engineering, innovation, strategy, technology transfer, leadership, and engineering education. 

Join the conversation as BJ and Ron dive into his inspiring story and remarkable career jou...

Joining BJ on the show today is Bill Mandara, the CEO and Owner of Mancini Duffy. With over 25 years of experience in architectural design, Bill has applied his expertise to a wide range of projects, including industrial facilities, corporate offices, residential housing, retail spaces, and educational buildings. 

 Deeply involved in every stage of project development, from initial design to construction, Bill brings a comprehensive perspective to his work. His hands-on experience in the construction field has further enriched his understanding of all aspects of the building process, making him a well-rounded leader in the industry. 

Joi...

True leadership isn’t just about personal achievement; it’s about empowering others and driving meaningful impact. In this solo episode of The Leadership Blueprints Podcast, host BJ Kraemer dives into the heart of leadership transformation. 

Tuning in, you’ll hear BJ unpack the concept of “leadership as leverage” and how leaders act as levers for those they are leading. He expands on this concept by sharing his insights on what the army taught him about leadership, like how to balance mission execution with taking care of the people who accomplish that mission. To end, BJ encourage...

Some of the best examples of good leadership come from the military. Today on Leadership Blueprints we are joined by veteran and CEO of HCPA Construction, Heath Sanders. 

Tuning in, you’ll hear all about who Heath is today, his career journey from the Naval Academy to construction, his vision for his business in the future, and so much more! Heath discusses some of the most important leadership lessons he learned from the military and how he’s made use of them in his construction and entrepreneurial career. 

He touches on the para...

Capital is the cornerstone of healthcare infrastructure, and building large-scale projects without it is impossible. 

Joining us today is Gail W. Kosyla, Executive Vice President and CFO at Yale New Haven Health System, to explore the intersection of healthcare, finance, and infrastructure. With over 38 years of experience, Gail has navigated the complexities of mergers, capital allocation, and strategic planning in a not-for-profit healthcare model, overseeing $6 billion in annual operations. 

In this engaging discussion, Gail shares how her team balances immediate needs with long-term investments, including a billion-dollar neurosciences tower project adapted in t...

Ever wonder what it takes to fix the people problem in the industries that quite literally build our world? 

In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we sit down with Dan Briscoe, President of BuildWitt, a company on a mission to transform the "dirt world,” from heavy civil construction to infrastructure and more. 

Join us as we unpack the leadership, recruitment, and retention challenges facing the construction industry and explore how BuildWitt is innovating with creative solutions like microlearning platforms and leadership summits. Dan also shares invaluable insights from his journey through the Ma...

Engineers should leave the world a better place than they found it! 

Today, we are joined by the executive director of the National Engineering Foundation, Pat Natale. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about Pat’s incredible career, why he always prioritizes people in business, the power of marketing and diversification, and so much more! 

We go on to discuss how the public’s awareness and understanding of infrastructure investment has changed and why it should not be political. We also dive into his experience at PSEG and  some leadership lessons he...

How can today’s leaders best empower the new generation? 

Melissa Smith is a Leadership and Innovation Consultant for a boutique firm in Michigan called Innovatrium, and she joins us today to share her career journey, and key insights she has learned along the way. Join us as Melissa unpacks the four personality categories that guide her as she builds international teams. 

We discuss the five things that an idea needs to succeed, which include a birthday, and Melissa shares what she loves most about the new generation and how we can be...

In the final episode of Leadership Blueprints for 2024, BJ Kraemer focuses on Christmas gratitude, reflecting on the year, and planning for a successful 2025. The episode emphasizes the importance of annual reflection as a tool for growth, acknowledging wins and losses, and setting clear, actionable goals for the coming year.

Key Points From This Episode:

·       The significance of the movie It's a Wonderful Life as a lens to understand gratitude and perspective.

·       Kraemer’s personal annual reflection process, which includes reviewing his calendar and photos, identifying wins, losses, and  lessons learned.

·       Pla...

What does it take to excel in architecture and engineering leadership? 

Andrew Lewis, principal architect at NK Architects and manager of their Philadelphia office, shares his journey from an ambitious architecture student to leading in one of the industry’s most respected firms. Reflecting on his formative years, Andrew highlights how serendipity and initiative shaped his career, from pivotal moments like building connections at unexpected places to spearheading large-scale projects early in his tenure. 

Andrew also discusses the importance of curiosity, a willingness to step outside comfort zones, and fostering a workpl...

 While military strategy often looks to the past, the future demands adaptability and innovation. 

At West Point, the Cyber Engineering & Academic Center (CEAC) is designed to prepare cadets for the technological and military challenges of tomorrow. In this episode, Dr. Led Klosky, Professor of Civil Engineering and the Dean’s Executive Agent for Design and Construction, takes us behind the scenes of the $200 million CEAC project. 

He reveals how its design balances tradition with modern needs, creating flexible, future-proof spaces that are ready for anything (even the potential for giant fighting robots...

Long-time listeners of the show may have noticed that we have a new name! Welcome to another episode of Leadership Blueprints – formerly Inspiring People and Places. Today, BJ is discussing the podcast’s recent rebrand and the exciting changes we can expect. 

Tuning in, you’ll hear about why we decided to rebrand the show, why the intention and mission haven’t changed, an overview of what will be different, and why we will have a sharper focus on leadership. In closing, BJ tells listeners what he hopes this podcast will give to them and shares his...

If you want to be a leader, you have to own your career and do it with humility. 

Today’s guest is self-proclaimed practitioner-scholar, Tedd Wheeler. With a background in the military and a career in AEC, Tedd uses his incredible skills to mentor and coach the next generation. 

Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Tedd’s career, his time in the military, his passion for teaching, and the importance of Individual Development Planning. Tedd goes on to share how he balances his mentees’ expectations before discussing how military principles like MDMP ca...

There is a destructive yet persistent American culture that sees people elevated to leadership positions without the required training or coaching. Today’s guest aims to ease this particular pain point by bringing military-style leadership to the civilian world. 

John Gronski is a former Major General who's pivoted to being a motivational speaker and life coach. He begins our conversation by describing everything that happens at the coaching and consulting company he founded: Leader Grove. We learn about John’s journey from rural Pennsylvania to coaching and via the Army before honing in on the challe...

What does it take to redefine leadership beyond the battlefield? 

In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, former CH-53E helicopter pilot, Marine Corps veteran, and MCFA Project Leader Steve Kempa sheds light on his transformative journey from Marine to mentor. 

Steve shares how his time in the military helped shape his understanding of leadership and how transitioning to the civilian world pushed him to embrace empathy, emotional intelligence, and the power of collaboration. He also offers insight into the “mission first, people always” mantra that he learned during his career as a Marine...

What if your personal challenges could inspire a business that changes lives? 

In this episode, we delve into the power of transformative leadership and impact-driven entrepreneurship. We uncovered the inspiring journey of Brett and Mary Elaine Baker as they built VAUSA, a remarkable virtual assistant company dedicated to empowering military families while supporting faith- and mission-driven businesses. 

Join us as Brett and Mary Elaine share their journey from military life to entrepreneurship, detailing the growth of their business, their integration of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and the unique dynamics of thei...

What does it take to redefine leadership beyond the battlefield? 

In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, former CH-53E helicopter pilot, Marine Corps veteran, and MCFA Project Leader Steve Kempa sheds light on his transformative journey from Marine to mentor. 

Steve shares how his time in the military helped shape his understanding of leadership and how transitioning to the civilian world pushed him to embrace empathy, emotional intelligence, and the power of collaboration. He also offers insight into the “mission first, people always” mantra that he learned during his career as a Marine...

What if your personal challenges could inspire a business that changes lives? 

In this episode, we delve into the power of transformative leadership and impact-driven entrepreneurship. We uncovered the inspiring journey of Brett and Mary Elaine Baker as they built VAUSA, a remarkable virtual assistant company dedicated to empowering military families while supporting faith- and mission-driven businesses. 

Join us as Brett and Mary Elaine share their journey from military life to entrepreneurship, detailing the growth of their business, their integration of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and the unique dynamics of thei...

From military precision to civilian construction, today’s guest offers a powerful blueprint for transformative leadership. Pete Anzovino recently joined MCFA after retiring from the US Army, coming to us through the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program. This program helps former service members and veterans transition into fulfilling careers in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. 

In this episode, Pete shares how the SkillBridge Program eased his transition and highlighted the surprising parallels between military operations and project management. He discussed the benefits of certifications like Project Management Professional (PMP) to lessons on navigating mult...

Being coached in leadership is one thing, but without actionable steps to turn those lessons into reality, that coaching becomes redundant. Welcome back to our rebranded podcast, Leadership Blueprints! Today we are very excited to introduce Wally Adamchik, former US marine, President of Firestarter Consulting, and leadership coach. 

He joins us to discuss all things leadership! Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Wally’s career, what inspired him to become a leadership coach, what Firestarter Consulting does, who their target audience is, and so much more! We delve into some of the issues in the co...