Podcast
People-First Builders Podcast
Hosted by Fletcher Wimbush · EN
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.
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Creating Career Paths That Keep Engineers Growing with Carrie Stokes
1w ago00:30:39Tap to summarizeIn 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
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Developing Future Leaders Faster in Engineering with Russ Seamon
3w ago00:34:37Tap to summarizeOn 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.
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Building Culture Fast in a Growing Trade Business with Uri Pearl
Apr 1300:36:07Tap to summarizeIn 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.
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Outcome-Based Roles and Lean Standards of Work with Clark Lowe
Mar 2400:38:41Tap to summarizeIn 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.
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Hiring Quality Over Quantity in Hypergrowth with Angelica Connor
Mar 1000:38:05Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a construction company grows from a small operation to a national firm in just a few years? In this episode of the People-First Builders Podcast, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Angelica Connor, CEO of Stansell Construction, to discuss the leadership lessons behind scaling a people-focused company across more than 20 states. Angelica shares how Stansell Construction evolved from a small Florida contractor with a single client into a nationally recognized, woman-owned general contracting firm serving major brands across the United States. Along the way, she learned firsthand that rapid growth can expose weaknesses in hiring, systems, and leadership—and that prioritizing quality people over sheer hiring volume is essential for sustainable success. In this conversation, Angelica and Fletcher explore the realities of hypergrowth, the emotional challenges of leadership decisions, and the systems required to build a strong culture in a distributed workforce. From improving recruiting and onboarding to leveraging technology and intentional communication, Angelica explains how her team transformed their people strategy to support long-term growth. In this episode, you'll learn: Why hiring for quality over quantity is critical during rapid growth How Stansell Construction scaled from a small team to 130+ employees across 20+ states The leadership challenges of letting go of the wrong hires How intentional recruiting, onboarding, and culture-building drive company performance Strategies for maintaining strong communication and culture in a remote workforce If you're a leader in construction, engineering, or any growing organization, this episode offers practical insights on building a company where people, culture, and performance grow together.
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The Systems Behind High Performing Franchise Growth with Chris Bue
Feb 2300:28:48Tap to summarizeWhat does it really take to scale a franchise organization without losing your culture? In this episode of People-First Builders, Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Chris Bue to unpack the systems, leadership discipline, and people-first infrastructure required to drive high-performing franchise growth. Chris shares the behind-the-scenes framework that allows franchise organizations to expand strategically — while maintaining operational excellence, accountability, and alignment across locations. From leadership development and performance standards to building scalable systems that empower teams, this conversation breaks down what sustainable growth actually looks like in practice. You'll learn: The foundational systems required before scaling How to balance autonomy and accountability in franchise models Why culture must be operationalized — not just talked about The leadership mindset needed to grow without chaos How high-performing organizations align vision with execution If you're a builder, operator, or leader looking to scale without sacrificing your people or standards, this episode delivers practical insight you can apply immediately.
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Building Scalable Roofing Teams Through Structured Training with Michael Feazel
Dec 2900:29:05Tap to summarizeIn this episode of People-First Builders, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Michael Feazel, Co-Founder and CEO of Roof Maxx, to explore how structured training, intentional leadership, and innovative business models are reshaping the roofing industry. With decades of experience as a roofing contractor and industry thought leader, Michael shares his journey from climbing roofs in the 1980s to building one of the fastest-growing roofing service networks in the country. He explains how Roof Maxx created an entirely new category—roof rejuvenation—and how simplifying the work has opened the door to scalable teams, broader talent pools, and more sustainable careers in the trades. The conversation dives deep into workforce challenges in construction, the importance of always recruiting, and why training and onboarding are not optional—but foundational—for long-term success. Michael also breaks down how systems, peer learning, and clear expectations help small operators grow beyond the one-man-band stage. In this episode, you'll learn: How structured training enables scalable roofing teams Why simplifying work expands access to talent in the trades Best practices for recruiting, onboarding, and retention Lessons from building a national dealer network and training platform How people-first leadership supports growth without sacrificing culture This episode is a must-listen for roofing contractors, trade business owners, and construction leaders looking to build stronger teams, extend asset life for customers, and grow with intention. 🎧 Subscribe to People-First Builders for more conversations with leaders who build lasting businesses by investing in their people.
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Developing Future Talent by Making Trades Attractive with Chad Raymond
Dec 2200:30:18Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the People-First Builders Podcast, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Chad Raymond, General Manager and Head of Sales at Henry Company, a subsidiary of Carlisle Weatherproofing Technologies. Chad brings a unique perspective from the supply-side of the construction industry, working daily with builders, contractors, architects, and developers across residential and light commercial markets. Chad shares what he's seeing firsthand on the front lines of today's labor shortage—how skilled trade shortages are impacting project timelines, business growth, and quality, and why the challenge extends far beyond any single segment of the construction supply chain. Together, Fletcher and Chad explore why attracting younger talent to the trades has become one of the industry's most urgent priorities. The conversation dives into: Why labor availability—not demand—is limiting growth in construction How builders are adapting to retain skilled trades and reduce work stoppages The real opportunity in skilled trades as a viable, high-earning alternative to traditional college paths The importance of career perseverance, long-term skill development, and "failing forward" Why construction, at its core, is still a people business—and always will be Chad also reflects on his own career journey, sharing insights on leadership, discomfort as a catalyst for growth, and how serving customers well creates meaningful, mission-driven work. This episode is a must-listen for builders, suppliers, and leaders who care deeply about developing people, strengthening the workforce, and building a more sustainable future for the construction industry. 🎧 Tune in to hear how making the trades more attractive starts with leadership, planning, and putting people first.
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Why Paying Top Talent Pays Off Scaling in Tough Markets with Scott Menard
Dec 1700:28:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode of People-First Builders, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Scott Menard, President & Chief Operating Officer of Homes Built For America, to discuss how strong leadership, accountability, and purpose-driven culture shape successful construction organizations. Scott shares his perspective on leading teams in the residential construction space, the importance of operational excellence, and how aligning people, process, and mission creates long-term stability and growth. Drawing from his experience overseeing large-scale operations, he offers practical insights into building trust, developing leaders, and sustaining performance in a demanding industry. In this episode, you'll learn: What people-first leadership looks like in residential construction How operational discipline supports team success and scalability The role of accountability and clarity in building strong cultures Lessons learned from leading through growth and complexity This conversation is a must-listen for construction executives, operations leaders, and business owners who want to build resilient teams and organizations that last. 🎧 Subscribe to People-First Builders for more conversations with leaders who build lasting success by investing in their people.
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Turning Burnout Into Culture Change in Construction with Chad Abernethy
Dec 100:38:54Tap to summarizeIn this powerful episode of People-First Builders, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Chad Abernethy, CEO of Abernethy Contracting, for one of the most honest conversations we've had about leadership, burnout, culture, and what it really takes to transform a construction company from the inside out. Chad opens up about: • Leaving his family's business after burnout and how it reshaped everything he believed about leadership • Scaling a civil contracting company from 0 to $45M — and the personal cost behind the growth • How a merger forced a complete culture reset • Building a people-first organization in an industry not known for warm fuzzies • Why accountability, vulnerability, and transparency must be non-negotiable for leaders • The measurable impact of shifting from "bid-build-bill" to "develop people first" Whether you're a construction leader, a builder of people, or someone navigating the challenges of company growth, Chad's story offers a blueprint for real, sustainable culture change.
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