FMI Built-In Podcast

What does it take to grow a construction company from $27M to over $1.5 billion — without losing your culture along the way? In this episode, Scott Winstead sits down with Tim Paulson, Co-CEO of ESS Companies, to unpack the philosophy, decisions, and hard lessons behind one of the industry's most remarkable growth stories.Tim shares how becoming an ESOP in 1999 unleashed an ownership mentality across the organization, his "3D diversification" framework for sustainable growth, and why ESS invests 70% of its marketing budget internally — on its own people. He also gets candid about the growing pains of tripling in size through three simultaneous acquisitions in 2019, and what he'd tell his 30-year-old self about staying through the hard seasons.If you're thinking about culture at scale, leadership development, or what it really means to build a company where people have a genuine stake in the outcome, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of FMI’s Built-In Podcast, host Scott Winstead welcomes back Jay Bowman, senior partner and head of FMI’s market research practice, for a grounded and strategic look at the U.S. construction market heading into 2026.After several years of broad-based growth, Jay explains why the conversation is shifting from chasing volume to making smarter, more disciplined decisions in a market defined by concentration, constraint and structural uncertainty. Rather than offering predictions for their own sake, the discussion focuses on what the data is really signaling and why headline numbers alone are no longer enough to guide strategy.

As 2025 wraps up, we're revisiting the standout insights that shaped this year’s conversations about leading and growing in the built environment. From turning talent strategy into a business imperative to understanding why project management still fails, our guests shared practical lessons for building stronger, more resilient organizations.We explored how leaders can drive real change, navigate succession, foster meaningful career pathways and stay competitive in today’s construction market. We also spotlighted powerful examples of strategy, culture, and innovation at work.Enjoy this year-end recap as you reflect on 2025 and prepare for the opportunities ahead.

What does it take to scale a $3 billion construction company without losing its soul? In this episode, FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead sits down with Rob Fallow, President and CEO of Fortis Construction, Inc., to uncover how Fortis balances entrepreneurial agility with disciplined strategy—and why culture is their ultimate competitive edge. Rob shares insights on guarding against cultural and operational drift, empowering teams through decentralization, and building enduring organizations through purpose-driven leadership and thoughtful succession. Whether you’re a contractor, builder or business leader, this conversation delivers powerful lessons on growth, stewardship and staying true to your values as you scale. Listen in for a masterclass on leadership, culture and purpose in the built environment.

Operational excellence doesn’t happen by accident. Yet in today’s construction environment, many firms continue to leave it up to chance. That’s one of the central takeaways from our forthcoming industry study on project management and a key message from this episode of the FMI Built-In podcast.Led by FMI’s Gregg Schoppman and Nelson Newman, this three-part survey reveals where project management is breaking down, what separates top-performing firms, and how executives can position their teams for predictability, profitability and long-term success.Listen now for a preview of our findings and discover perspectives from both executives and project managers.

Succession planning isn’t just about ownership or leadership — it’s about aligning both.In this episode, Jake Appelman and Matt Godwin of FMI sit down with host Scott Winstead to explore:The evolving landscape of exit strategies.What great looks like — and where firms often get stuck.How to build leadership readiness in advance.Strategies for mitigating financial risk and safeguarding the business.Whether you’re years away from transition or actively navigating succession, this conversation offers insights you don’t want to miss.

After retiring from the Air Force, Chris Stricklin found his calling as founding president of Dunn University, a division of the Dunn Family of Businesses.Dunn University exists to recruit, train, develop and retain the best skilled workforce possible, while improving [their] communities and industries in pursuit of achieving both [their] corporate and individual true potential.As a result of his workforce efforts, Chris was appointed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to the Alabama Workforce Board and testified before Congress in 2024 on initiatives to pioneer revolutionary methods of training Alabamians in new careers with livable wages and career progression pathways.In this episode of the FMI Built-In Podcast, Chris sits down with host Scott Winstead to talk about these initiatives as well as:Building an innovative and agile businessDeveloping and retaining talentLessons learned throughout his careerDon’t miss this insightful and inspiring episode.

The built environment is entering a transformative era.Connecting the dots between evolving trends, market forecasts and what they mean for your business is crucial in today's landscape.In this episode of FMI's Built-In Podcast, Partner and leader of FMI's Research and Analytics Practice Jay Bowman joins host Scott Winstead to share his perspective on the Overview.They talk about sector-specific insights, key themes in the industry and how leaders are prioritizing strategic focus, technological adoption and resilience.

We had such an incredible year, that we decided to share some of the key insights from our 2024 guests. Leadership isn't just about solving today's problems. It's about building an organization that can thrive long into the future and through any type of transition. Discover some of the best advice and practices from top leaders in the built environment. Enjoy this year-end wrap-up as you start planning for 2025.

Tom Gilbane, Jr., joins host Scott Winstead to discuss the origin and evolution of Construction Inclusion Week.Construction Inclusion Week unites the built environment to create a more welcoming and inclusive industry. Tom talks about how companies can get involved to solve problems, attract and retain talent, and innovate with more people.Don’t miss this special episode of the FMI Built-In podcast.

In this episode of the FMI Built-In podcast, host Scott Winstead, President of FMI Consulting, sits down with Les Snyder, Executive Vice President of Development and Infrastructure Construction for Brightline West.With more than 40 years of experience across all sectors of the construction industry, Les' background uniquely positions him as an exceptional leader. During this conversation, he dives into how to create consistent, sustainable and profitable growth for the business, touching on:Strategy and VisionFuture Leaning Systems and ProcessesHuman Capital and LeadershipMarkets and SectorsCompany CultureDon't miss these valuable insights—tune in now!

In this episode of the FMI Built-In podcast, host Scott Winstead, President of FMI Consulting, sits down with Bob Murray, former President of BOND Brothers, Inc.Bob delves into the challenges and triumphs of leading a growing construction firm, touching on topics like talent development, maintaining core values and navigating strategic shifts. His commentary on leadership and building a team are particularly relevant in today's environment. Listen to the full conversation now.

Private equity investment across the engineering and construction industry has vastly increased in recent years. In this episode, Consulting President Scott Winstead talks to Paul Giovannoni and Jayson Post about how private equity is reshaping the built environment and how FMI is working with investors.Giovannoni's consulting practice mainly focuses on buy-side market studies and due diligence, while Post's work in investment banking helps private equity investors buy and sell assets. Learn more about the trends shaping the landscape for private equity and how FMI can help private equity firms make informed decisions and understand market nuances.