In this episode of Get the kNACk, host Sue Steele is joined by Michael Loose, the 2024 recipient of the Ted C. Kennedy Award, to discuss leadership in construction. Mike was honored with the Ted C. Kennedy Award for outstanding career achievement that has measurably improved the design and construction industry. He is a retired Vice Admiral and former Deputy Chief of Naval Operations in the U.S. Navy, as well as a former executive in the infrastructure construction sector. Mike shares key lessons learned throughout his career, offers thoughtful advice to young professionals, and discusses how to foster meaningful...

Host Sue Steele welcomes back Lucian Niemeyer, CEO of the nonprofit Building Cyber Security, for the second episode of a three-part series on cybersecurity in the built environment. In the first episode, Lucian emphasized the importance of taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity threats. Now, he builds on that foundation by exploring how the engineering industry can reduce risk during the design and planning stages. He outlines six key strategies, including the appointment of a technologist of record, the use of digital twins, and the integration of cybersecurity into engineering decisions from the very beginning of project development. The...

In this episode, host Jerry Eyink welcomes Lillian Borrone to share valuable insights on career choices and lessons learned in the construction industry. Lillian retired from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as Assistant Executive Director and served over 12 years as Director of the Port Commerce Department, overseeing the New York and New Jersey Marine Terminals. She also served as a political appointee at the U.S. Department of Transportation and remains active on industry boards, including the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Public Administration, and the Maritime Association Hall of Fame. Lillian...

In this episode, host William O’Brien welcomes Doug Omichinski for a discussion on leading change within project organizations in the construction industry. Doug recently retired as a Principal Vice President and Corporate Manager of Construction for Bechtel. He has an extensive background in implementing best practices and technological innovations on projects and within organizations. In addition, he has conducted significant research with the Construction Industry Institute on Advanced Work Packaging. Doug shares real-world examples from his career, offering effective strategies for driving change across complex project environments. He discusses how evidence-based groundwork can enhance execution methods, foster innovation, an...

This week is Women in Construction week, and host Jerry Eyink welcomes Gretchen Gagel to discuss building women leaders in the construction industry. Gretchen shares her extensive journey in the industry and discusses the significance of inclusivity, allyship, and strong relationships. She describes the leadership qualities of successful women leaders, emphasizing authenticity and staying grounded in purpose and values. Gretchen offers her advice to women in the industry on navigating conflict and shares how men can proactively support women leaders. Additionally, she introduces the new global institute she founded, Women Thriving in Construction, which aims to grow collaboration and...

Proactively managing and mediating construction disputes is essential to minimize risks and keep projects on track. In this episode, host Jerry Eyink is joined by Mike Loulakis, president and CEO of Capital Project Strategies, LLC, to discuss the root causes of construction disputes and strategies for effective resolution. With over 45 years of experience advising public and private sector owners on project delivery, procurement, and contracting, Mike provides expert insights into risk management, the responsibilities of owners, and how different delivery methods influence disputes. The conversation covers key topics such as contractual ambiguities, subcontractor coordination, and the importance of change management...

Host Sue Steele welcomes Lucian Niemeyer, CEO of the nonprofit organization Building Cyber Security and former Assistant Secretary of Defense, for the first episode of a three-part series on cyber security. In this episode, Lucian lays the foundation by discussing the evolving landscape of cyber threats to U.S. national infrastructure, and the critical need for a proactive response from the engineering community. He introduces the concept of a "cyber standard of care" and describes the necessity for specialized education in cyber safety, as well as the integration of artificial intelligence within the design process. Lucian sets the stage for...

A career in ironworking offers women valuable opportunities while helping to grow the skilled labor workforce. In this episode of Get the kNACk, hosts Sue Steele and Kevin Hilton sit down with Vicki O'Leary, Director of Diversity for the Ironworkers International Union, to discuss efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable construction industry. Vicki shares her journey into ironworking and the impactful initiatives she has led. She discusses progressive maternity leave policies designed to better support tradeswomen and the development of the “Be That One Guy” program, which empowers ironworkers to address and prevent workplace bullying and harassment. Addit...

Host Jerry Eyink welcomes Dr. Bill O'Brien and Fernando Espana to discuss research by the Construction Industry Institute focused on understanding and enhancing project culture. The discussion addresses the challenges of fostering a high-performance culture and strategically aligning industry practices with cultural norms to ensure sustainable and productive teamwork. Fernando shares the findings from his research, revealing a significant real-life statistical correlation between project success and cultural factors within organizations. He highlights the importance of leadership, psychological safety, and strategic communication in cultivating a culture that not only meets but exceeds project goals. Demonstrating how the measurement and refinement of...

Culture is at the core of project success, as Host Jerry Eyink and NAC CEO and President Edd Gibson discuss in their exploration of the critical intersection between technology and people in the construction industry. They share their evolving understanding of balancing technical expertise with the human element and how this balance enhances project outcomes. Edd shares the importance of front-end planning and the development of the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) to integrate technical and people-oriented aspects of project management. He also gives insight into a recent effort to build an integrated project/program management (IP2M) tool at t...