Building Scale

Hosted by Will Foret, Justin Neagle

Business EntrepreneurshipInterviews guests

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Episodes

197

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

We interview successful Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) business leaders to learn how they use people, processes, and technology to scale their businesses.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 20, 2026Episode 16955 min

Family Legacy Building: Adapt to Embrace Your Full Potential with Mahsa Poorak, Southern Electric Company

Why chase a revenue target if quality and experience are not the goal? Mahsa Poorak, CEO and second-generation owner of Southern Electric Company, shares how she moved from public defense into the family business and helped double its revenue. She explains why scalable leadership means reducing dependence on one person, developing talent through apprenticeships and career paths, and pairing technology with field experience and adaptability.

October 13, 202645 min

Brewing Up Business: Relationships and Real Estate Development with Stefan Claar, 1222 Development

What keeps a development deal moving when one missed detail can stall the entire machine? Tennessee developer Stefan Claar shares why he relies on face-to-face relationship building and backward planning to uncover intent, establish trust and stay ahead of critical path items. Claar and Justin Neagle dig into project demand, builder fit, leverage and debt exposure, along with lessons from the 2008 market cycle. They also examine the drive behind the work, and why money and notoriety can be “a pretty empty” motivator.

October 6, 2026Episode 16856 min

Elevated Office Culture: Assessments Build Stronger Teams with Gary McCoy, Blink Energy Services

Gary McCoy shares how Blink Energy Services grew from a side hustle into a full-time business built around energy compliance and building code work. He talks about spotting a hard-to-find market need, hiring early, and shaping culture with a four-day workweek and personality tools like Enneagram and Working Genius. The conversation covers training, reducing rework on site, expanding into commissioning and retrocommissioning, and the lessons learned from moving too fast in Austin. Gary also discusses the value of a fractional CFO, building science, HVAC-driven testing, and using data to guide upgrades.

September 29, 2026Episode 1671 hr 3 min

Apprentice to President: Soft Skills + Mindset Makes a Champion with Angela Drexel, BlackRock Construction

Angela Drexel shares her path to BlackRock Construction and how LiveWire evolved into a broader company with ambitious growth goals. She discusses hiring for curiosity, transferable skills, and culture fit, along with building career paths and leadership development frameworks inspired. Angela also covers addressing negative behavior quickly, deciding when to coach or let someone go, and using performance improvement plans as a coaching tool. The conversation moves into drawing inspiration from the Chicago Bulls to technology adoption, AI, system unification, and how a holdco structure supports growth, shared services, and M&A.

September 22, 202638 min

Scaling Then Selling: The Discipline of Letting Go to Grow with Rebecca Wood, Superior Traffic Control

Rebecca Wood shares her journey of founding and scaling Superior Traffic Control. She discusses the competitive nature of the business, overcoming challenges, and experiencing the hardest seasons of growth. Rebecca highlights the role of advocacy, notably in passing the Distracted Driving Bill, and its benefits for leadership and relationship building. She delves into her expansion strategy during a government shutdown and the impact of selling the business on employees. The episode emphasizes the importance of management teams and implementing a management training program. Rebecca reflects on life after selling the business, offering insights into her continued connection with the industry.

September 15, 2026Episode 1661 hr 0 min

Playing Your Cards Right: The Future of Hospitality and Gaming Design with Matthew Kosednar, Allen + Philp Partners

Matt Kosednar shares his journey into architecture and his role at Allen + Philp Partners, emphasizing the firm's specialization in casino design. He delves into the technical and operational nuances of casino projects, discussing scale, cost, and economic considerations. Matt highlights the integration of architecture and interiors and the importance of detail in high-end projects. He explores relationship dynamics with general contractors and the unique challenges of working on tribal land. The episode also touches on AI's impact in architecture, the significance of storytelling, and offers advice on career and personal growth.

September 1, 2026Episode 16557 min

From Estimating to COO: Growth Through Emotional Intelligence with Mike Wood, Jarrett Companies

Mike Wood, COO at Jarrett Companies, shares his journey in the construction industry, highlighting the growth and structuring of the company, including its expansion into full-service MEP and new divisions. He discusses building successful teams, leadership evolution, and fostering self-awareness to avoid burnout. Mike emphasizes the importance of honesty, respect, and trust in leadership, as well as navigating difficult conversations. He outlines the benefits of a double check system, enhancing client relationships, and the significance of clear communication and documentation. The episode also covers investing in technology, such as CRM implementation, and reflects on two decades of business experience.

August 25, 2026Episode 1641 hr 14 min

Global Market Dynamics: The "Concrete" Evidence of Brand Value with Rich Szecsy, Big Town Concrete

Rich Szecsy, CEO of Big Town Concrete, discusses his journey in the concrete industry and the impact of Texas's population growth on concrete consumption. He explores the competitive landscape and benefits of private companies, sharing insights from his experience with mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Using a pizza vs. tacos analogy, Rich explains modern M&A strategies, emphasizing technology and AI. He highlights the importance of mindset, preparation, and economic awareness in selling a business. The episode also covers AI's role in the AEC industry, focusing on labor augmentation and shared data, with advice on embracing risks and valuing field experience.

August 11, 2026Episode 1631 hr 8 min

Driving Positive Accountability: From Blame to Collaboration with Rob Frost, NexGen Contracting

Rob Frost discusses his journey from the military to the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of structured processes in a growing company. He explains the benefits of a self-perform strategy. Rob shares insights on integrating culture with labor partners and the role of vision in strategic planning. He highlights positive accountability and calculating ROI beyond finances, considering risk and efficiency. The episode covers building an operating system to reduce risk, challenges of deploying QMOS, tech investments like Smart Barrel, organizing digital architecture, and offers advice on empathy and people skills.

July 28, 2026Episode 16254 min

Interest Rates & Market Moves: Trends in Commodities and Construction with Jeffrey Wagner, AZ Construction and Renovation

Jeff Wagner shares his journey from molecular biology to the construction industry, detailing the growth and evolution of Arizona Construction and Renovation. He highlights the importance of prompt payments to employees and subcontractors, while discussing challenges like client bankruptcy and the impact of COVID-19. Jeff delves into his transition from international to domestic projects and the role of private equity in single-family homes. He explains interest rate futures, diversification into insurance, and the use of futures contracts for lumber. Jeff emphasizes the significance of technology, maintaining happy employees, and offers advice to his younger self.