Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

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Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

National Academy of Construction

99 episodes

1 day ago

Host Kevin Hilton welcomes back Cal Beyer, Senior Director of SAFE Workplaces for SAFE Project (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic), to continue their powerful conversation on mental health and suicide in the construction industry. In this episode, they explore the intersection of substance use, mental health, and suicide to raise awareness of how these issues deeply impact individuals and communities across the industry. Together, Kevin and Cal discuss the urgent need to break the stigma s...

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Host Kevin Hilton welcomes back Cal Beyer, Senior Director of SAFE Workplaces for SAFE Project (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic), to continue their powerful conversation on mental health and suicide in the construction industry. In this episode, they explore the intersection of substance use, mental health, and suicide to raise awareness of how these issues deeply impact individuals and communities across the industry. Together, Kevin and Cal discuss the urgent need to break the stigma s...

Show more...

Episodes (20/99)

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

The Intersection of Substance Use, Mental Health, Suicide, and Overdoses with Cal Beyer

Host Kevin Hilton welcomes back Cal Beyer, Senior Director of SAFE Workplaces for SAFE Project (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic), to continue their powerful conversation on mental health and suicide in the construction industry. In this episode, they explore the intersection of substance use, mental health, and suicide to raise awareness of how these issues deeply impact individuals and communities across the industry. Together, Kevin and Cal discuss the urgent need to break the stigma s...

1 month ago

29 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Beating the Odds, Starting and Sustaining a Construction Company with Jeff Ehret

In the construction industry, half of all companies don’t make it past five years. In this episode of Get the Knack, host Jerry Eyink welcomes Jeff Ehret, founder and chairman of PENTA Building Group, to discuss starting and sustaining a construction company. Jeff shares his personal experience starting his own company and the lessons he learned along the way that allowed him to turn challenges into opportunities. He explains the leading causes of contractor failure, outlines different types ...

1 month ago

39 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry with Cal Beyer

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, host Kevin Hilton welcomes Cal Beyer, Senior Director of SAFE Workplaces for SAFE Project (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic), for an important conversation on mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry. They discuss the severity of this issue and the urgent need for action to combat this growing epidemic. Cal discusses the initiatives he has been involved with to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote open dialogue ar...

2 months ago

30 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Cyber Security and Safety in the Construction Industry with Lucian Niemeyer – Part Three

Host Sue Steele welcomes back Lucian Niemeyer, CEO of Building Cyber Security and former Assistant Secretary of Defense, for the final episode of a three-part series on cybersecurity in construction. In the previous episodes, Lucian discussed the importance of establishing a cybersecurity standard of care and integrating cyber safety considerations into the design phase. In this final installment, he expands on those concepts with techniques and actionable tips to enhance cyber safety in cons...

2 months ago

35 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

AI in Construction with Dr. Burcin Kaplanoglu

Artificial intelligence is transforming the construction industry. In this episode of Get the kNACk, host William O’Brien is joined by Dr. Burcin Kaplanoglu, Vice President of Oracle’s Industry Lab, to explore the evolving role of AI in construction. Burcin shares insights on where AI is delivering value, its current and future applications, and how emerging technologies are reshaping the industry. He also discusses how professionals can navigate challenges by adapting best practices, embraci...

3 months ago

45 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

“All in Together” Construction Safety Week 2025 Recap with Mike Choutka

Construction Safety Week brings the industry together to promote safety, celebrate its importance, and strengthen safety culture across all jobsites. In this episode of Get the Knack, host Jerry Eyink is joined by Mike Choutka, CEO of Hensel Phelps and 2025 Chair of Construction Safety Week, to recap the week’s impact and share key takeaways. Mike discusses how the focus has expanded beyond compliance to embrace total human health, including mental wellness, psychological safety, and holistic...

3 months ago

28 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Why Choose a Technical Education - with Jerry Eyink and Don Pohl from Ranken Technical College

Careers in the skilled trades not only address critical workforce gaps but also provide long-term opportunities for growth, stability, and impact within the construction industry. In this episode of Get the Knack, hosts Sue Steele and Jerry Eyink are joined by Don Pohl, President of Ranken Technical College, for an insightful discussion on the value of technical education. Don shares why a student might choose a path in technical education, highlighting benefits such as faster entry into the...

4 months ago

44 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Trends in Project Delivery and Risk with Keith Molenaar

In this episode, host Bill O’Brien is joined by Keith Molenaar, Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, for a conversation on the evolving landscape of project delivery and risk management in the construction industry. Drawing on decades of experience, Keith reflects on how industry values have shifted and how modern delivery methods are helping build trust and confidence among stakeholders. Additionally, Keith emphasizes the role of conti...

4 months ago

29 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Value of Student Internships - Student and University Perspectives with Sam Ariaratnam and Mackenzie Schmader

In this episode of Get the Knack, host Jerry Eyink is joined by Dr. Sam Ariaratnam, professor and program chair at the Del E. Webb School of Construction at Arizona State University, and Mackenzie Schmader, a 2024 NAC Scholarship recipient and the 2025 Outstanding Graduate of ASU’s School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. Together, they share valuable insights on the impact of student internship programs. Mackenzie reflects on completing four internships during her time at...

5 months ago

37 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Leadership in Construction – A Fireside Chat with Ted C. Kennedy Award Winner Michael Loose

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 les...

6 months ago

47 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Cyber Security and Safety in the Construction Industry with Lucian Niemeyer – Part Two

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 technolog...

7 months ago

38 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Career Choices and Lessons Learned Along the Way with Lillian Borrone

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 boar...

7 months ago

38 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Leading Change in Project Organizations with Doug Omichinski

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 Wor...

8 months ago

43 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Building Women Leaders in the Construction Industry with Gretchen Gagel

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 conflic...

8 months ago

40 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Leading Causes of Construction Disputes with Mike Loulakis

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 manage...

9 months ago

49 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Cyber Security and Safety in the Construction Industry with Lucian Niemeyer - Part One

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 necess...

9 months ago

41 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Women in Construction with Vicki O’Leary

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 de...

10 months ago

26 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Culture for Project Success with Bill O’Brien and Fernando Espana

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 succ...

11 months ago

37 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Technology is important and so are people… with Edd Gibson

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 int...

11 months ago

40 minutes

Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Answering the Call: Manning Mega Projects During a Skills Shortage with Bill Brown and Eric Dean

In this episode, host Kevin Hilton, CEO of the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT), sits down with IMPACT General President Eric Dean and Bill Brown, Executive Director of Ideal Contracting, to discuss how the Union Ironworker model consistently succeeds in staffing mega projects. Amid today’s skilled labor shortage, they explore the union’s unique ability to provide a trained workforce that meets project requirements safely and efficiently. Eric and Bill share...

1 year ago

28 minutes