BUILD America

In this episode of BUILD AMERICA, host Kerry Smith Buck interviews Michael E. Cox, president of Horizontal Base Studs and inventor of StepStuds. Michael, a journeyman carpenter, developed StepStuds in 2018 after witnessing extensive flood damage in healthcare settings, seeking a "better way" to perform repairs. StepStuds are the world's first patented horizontal base stud, designed to lift drywall off the floor, hidden behind cove base, to prevent water damage. This innovation dramatically cuts repair costs by 75% and reduces room downtime by half after water intrusion. While initially focused on healthcare, StepStuds have also been successfully used in schools.

In this episode of BUILD America, Kerry Smith Buck sits down with Daniel Conaway, VP of Operations, and Lea Ann Dies, Director of People and Culture at Russell, to talk about what it really takes to hire for culture fit in the construction industry. They share how Russell uses tools like Predictive Index, emotional intelligence assessments, and team referrals to go beyond resumes—focusing on soft skills, core values, and team chemistry. From panel interviews to team assimilations, this episode is packed with practical insights on building people-first construction teams.

Is your construction company's brand attracting the talent you need? Host Kerry Smith Buck and branding expert Liz Campbell from the Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association reveal why strong organizational branding is critical for recruitment and retention. Discover how to combat industry stigma, appeal to Gen Z's demand for authenticity, and successfully rebrand for a massive boost in apprenticeship applications and overall success. Learn practical tips, proving it's about "ownership," not just big budgets, to transform your company's future!

In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith sits down with Amelia Dicks, Director of Business Development at Wind River Built, to unpack the urgent issue of America’s housing shortage and why diversifying housing stock is a critical part of the solution. From the rise of single and two-person households to outdated zoning regulations, Amelia explores how offsite modular construction could pave the way for more financially viable small homes. The conversation challenges conventional building practices and advocates for smarter housing options that better reflect today’s market needs and life stages.

In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck talks with safety experts Joe Shyrock and Drake Zappia about top construction hazards, including OSHA’s “Fatal Four” and the rising concern of mental health in the industry. They share real-world prevention strategies, the role of safety tech, and how their work with the Southern Illinois Builders Association helps promote a stronger, more supportive safety culture.

In this episode, Kerry Smith sits down with Adam Stark, a Special Forces veteran and host of "The Veterans Who Build Show" - a podcast dedicated to sharing stories of veterans transitioning from military service to the construction industry.The conversation explores the natural synergies between military experience and construction careers, highlighting how the team-based environment, physical demands, and need for adaptability make construction an excellent fit for veterans.

In this episode, Kerry Smith Buck interviews Patrick McKeehan from O'Fallon, Missouri about effective city marketing. Director of Economic Development McKeehan shares his city's successful strategy of early stakeholder engagement and discusses three core principles: certainty, simplicity and speed. The conversation covers how manufacturing projects prioritize workforce availability, while retail development focuses on demographics and location. Drawing from McKeehan’s experience, the episode offers key insights into modern urban development approaches.

In this episode of BUILD America, host Kerry Smith Buck welcomes Dr. Suhash Harwani, Senior Director of Science for Workforce Health Solutions at Quest Diagnostics. Together, they explore a revealing survey on drug testing tampering and rising positivity rates in sectors such as construction. Dr. Harwani shares insights from the extensive drug testing index, which includes over 8 million tests, highlighting alarming trends like a 633% increase in substituted urine specimens. They discuss the implications for employers, the benefits of oral fluid testing, and the importance of well-crafted drug testing policies. Tune in to understand the critical data that could shape the future of workplace safety and wellness. For more information, visit www.informationworks.org and www.mycnr.com/