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.
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How Great Operators Build Better Roofing Teams with Brad Strawbridge
5d ago00:37:19Tap to summarizeWhat does it really take to build a high-performing roofing company in today's construction landscape? In this episode of the People-First Builders Podcast, Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Brad Strawbridge — Founder & CEO of Capital City Roofing, Chief Strategy Officer at Builderlync, and founder of Feeding the Future Project — to discuss how operational systems, leadership development, and people-first values are transforming the roofing industry. Brad shares his journey from driving delivery trucks at Lowe's to leading multimillion-dollar operations, launching his own roofing company, and building technology solutions that help contractors scale smarter. Together, they explore the importance of SOPs, EOS implementation, hiring through relationships, overcoming fear-based leadership decisions, and why slowing down to build systems is often the fastest path to growth. This conversation is packed with practical insights for contractors, entrepreneurs, and construction leaders looking to scale sustainably while building strong teams and lasting culture. In this episode, you'll learn: How Brad transitioned from corporate leadership at Lowe's into entrepreneurship Why roofing and construction businesses need systems before scaling The role EOS and SOPs play in operational success How referrals and relationships drive high-quality hiring Why fear keeps many leaders stuck — and how to move forward anyway The biggest growth bottlenecks in commercial construction businesses How Builderlync is helping contractors streamline operations through technology
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How Decentralized Leadership Builds Better Communities with Richard Douglass
3w ago00:29:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the People-First Builders Podcast, Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Richard Douglass, President of TruMark Homes and Communities, to explore how decentralized leadership creates stronger teams, better projects, and thriving company cultures in the homebuilding industry. Richard shares lessons from decades of navigating California's complex building environment, why construction is the ultimate "team sport," and how empowering people at every level leads to better decision-making and stronger communities. From hiring strategies and leadership development to trust, mission alignment, and creating opportunities for growth, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to build organizations where people truly flourish. Richard also explains how TruMark approaches collaboration with trades, develops future leaders, and maintains a culture where teammates support each other both professionally and personally. If you're interested in leadership, culture, hiring, or the future of construction and development, this episode delivers practical insights from a seasoned industry leader who believes that great communities start with great people.
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Creating Career Paths That Keep Engineers Growing with Carrie Stokes
May 500:30:39Tap 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
Apr 2000:34:37Tap 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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