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Leadership Blueprints is the podcast where leaders in the built environment learn to disrupt the status quo, improve their project teams, and steward public and private investments more effectively. Your host is BJ Kraemer. As the President and CEO of MCFA, BJ has navigated the complexities of the architecture, engineering, construction, and development industry. With a blend of interviews with national industry leaders and solo episodes filled with stories, tips, and lessons, Leadership Blu ...
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Ronald J. Bennett has an impressive track record of achievements, including serving as the Founding Dean and Professor Emeritus at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He began his career in the industry, spending over 20 years in executive roles at BMC Industries, CPI (now Boston Scientific), Teltech, and several entrepreneurial or…
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Joining BJ on the show today is Bill Mandara, the CEO and Owner of Mancini Duffy. With over 25 years of experience in architectural design, Bill has applied his expertise to a wide range of projects, including industrial facilities, corporate offices, residential housing, retail spaces, and educational buildings. Deeply involved in every stage of p…
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True leadership isn’t just about personal achievement; it’s about empowering others and driving meaningful impact. In this solo episode of The Leadership Blueprints Podcast, host BJ Kraemer dives into the heart of leadership transformation. Tuning in, you’ll hear BJ unpack the concept of “leadership as leverage” and how leaders act as levers for th…
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Some of the best examples of good leadership come from the military. Today on Leadership Blueprints we are joined by veteran and CEO of HCPA Construction, Heath Sanders. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about who Heath is today, his career journey from the Naval Academy to construction, his vision for his business in the future, and so much more! Heath d…
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Capital is the cornerstone of healthcare infrastructure, and building large-scale projects without it is impossible. Joining us today is Gail W. Kosyla, Executive Vice President and CFO at Yale New Haven Health System, to explore the intersection of healthcare, finance, and infrastructure. With over 38 years of experience, Gail has navigated the co…
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Ever wonder what it takes to fix the people problem in the industries that quite literally build our world? In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we sit down with Dan Briscoe, President of BuildWitt, a company on a mission to transform the "dirt world,” from heavy civil construction to infrastructure and more. Join us as we unpack the leadershi…
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Engineers should leave the world a better place than they found it! Today, we are joined by the executive director of the National Engineering Foundation, Pat Natale. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about Pat’s incredible career, why he always prioritizes people in business, the power of marketing and diversification, and so much more! We go …
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How can today’s leaders best empower the new generation? Melissa Smith is a Leadership and Innovation Consultant for a boutique firm in Michigan called Innovatrium, and she joins us today to share her career journey, and key insights she has learned along the way. Join us as Melissa unpacks the four personality categories that guide her as she buil…
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In the final episode of Leadership Blueprints for 2024, BJ Kraemer focuses on Christmas gratitude, reflecting on the year, and planning for a successful 2025. The episode emphasizes the importance of annual reflection as a tool for growth, acknowledging wins and losses, and setting clear, actionable goals for the coming year. Key Points From This E…
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What does it take to excel in architecture and engineering leadership? Andrew Lewis, principal architect at NK Architects and manager of their Philadelphia office, shares his journey from an ambitious architecture student to leading in one of the industry’s most respected firms. Reflecting on his formative years, Andrew highlights how serendipity a…
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While military strategy often looks to the past, the future demands adaptability and innovation. At West Point, the Cyber Engineering & Academic Center (CEAC) is designed to prepare cadets for the technological and military challenges of tomorrow. In this episode, Dr. Led Klosky, Professor of Civil Engineering and the Dean’s Executive Agent for Des…
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Long-time listeners of the show may have noticed that we have a new name! Welcome to another episode of Leadership Blueprints – formerly Inspiring People and Places. Today, BJ is discussing the podcast’s recent rebrand and the exciting changes we can expect. Tuning in, you’ll hear about why we decided to rebrand the show, why the intention and miss…
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If you want to be a leader, you have to own your career and do it with humility. Today’s guest is self-proclaimed practitioner-scholar, Tedd Wheeler. With a background in the military and a career in AEC, Tedd uses his incredible skills to mentor and coach the next generation. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Tedd’s career, his time in the military…
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There is a destructive yet persistent American culture that sees people elevated to leadership positions without the required training or coaching. Today’s guest aims to ease this particular pain point by bringing military-style leadership to the civilian world. John Gronski is a former Major General who's pivoted to being a motivational speaker an…
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What does it take to redefine leadership beyond the battlefield? In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, former CH-53E helicopter pilot, Marine Corps veteran, and MCFA Project Leader Steve Kempa sheds light on his transformative journey from Marine to mentor. Steve shares how his time in the military helped shape his understanding of leadership a…
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What if your personal challenges could inspire a business that changes lives? In this episode, we delve into the power of transformative leadership and impact-driven entrepreneurship. We uncovered the inspiring journey of Brett and Mary Elaine Baker as they built VAUSA, a remarkable virtual assistant company dedicated to empowering military familie…
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From military precision to civilian construction, today’s guest offers a powerful blueprint for transformative leadership. Pete Anzovino recently joined MCFA after retiring from the US Army, coming to us through the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program. This program helps former service members and veterans transition into fulfilling careers i…
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Being coached in leadership is one thing, but without actionable steps to turn those lessons into reality, that coaching becomes redundant. Welcome back to our rebranded podcast, Leadership Blueprints! Today we are very excited to introduce Wally Adamchik, former US marine, President of Firestarter Consulting, and leadership coach. He joins us to d…
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Joining BJ on the debut episode of our newly rebranded podcast, Leadership Blueprints, formerly Inspiring People & Places, is Katie Kilker, Senior Project Director for Federal Facilities in the Engineering, Design, and Infrastructure Group at AtkinsRéalis. In honor of November's Veteran Salute, DOD to AEC, we’re spotlighting Katie’s recent transiti…
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What does it take to turn big ideas into lasting infrastructure? In this episode, we sit down with two MCFA team members, Michael Fuhrman and Brian Pieplow, to dig into their new book, Make No Little Plans: A Planning as a Project Development Approach to Building Infrastructure. Michael, Co-Founder of MCFA, and Brian, Chief Project Development Offi…
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Entering a new career after your military service can be a tough transition, but there are plenty of transferrable skills that can help you on your journey. Joining us today is Paul Garvey, Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield, to talk about his time in the Navy and the transition into corporate real estate. Tuning in, you’ll learn ab…
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Many veterans struggle to find their place in a world different from the one in active service. However, many skills learned on the military base are valuable and transferable to civilian life. For sales, your military background may even serve you better than someone with a more traditional career trajectory. Today we are joined by Navy Veteran, A…
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Committing to candid quarterly conversations is one of the most powerful organizational levers you can tap into. These discussions are beneficial to everyone, driving growth for both individuals and the organization. As we head into the fourth quarter of the year, BJ Kraemer shares his thoughts on why annual feedback isn’t enough. Why formalizing a…
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What makes or breaks a multi-million-dollar capital project? In today’s episode, we sat down with Jim Brill, Managing Director of the Construction and Real Estate Practice at EY to uncover what it takes to be successful in large-scale investment projects. With over 30 years of experience, Jim has advised a variety of stakeholders on capital project…
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"If not me, then who?” First Lt. Travis Manion, USMC, made this simple yet powerful statement before his final deployment, reflecting the profound sense of duty experienced by service members and their families. Today on the podcast, BJ is joined by Ryan Manion, CEO of the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), one of the nation’s leading veteran service …
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Have you ever tried leading or managing someone but struggled with communication? Effective communication is the backbone of every successful training program. In this solo episode of Inspiring People & Places, BJ dives into how the correct communication techniques can elevate your training methods. He unpacks the concept of training in the context…
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At its core, leadership is about inspiring and influencing behavior to help people to achieve a common goal. But how are great leaders shaped? Join us for a compelling conversation with Brian Stann, a former mixed martial artist and U.S. Marine who competed in the UFC’s middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. In this discussion, we explore wh…
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Veterans have the potential to be exceptional business leaders if they can prioritize and balance their values, wellness, and financial goals. Joining us today is the founder of Richard Group LLC, Jed Richard to discuss his incredible career and the difference he is making within his company. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Jed’s upbringing, how h…
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Anyone can build an average business, but who wants to be average when you can be excellent? Today on Inspiring People & Places, we are joined by the founder and managing partner of Scare the Bear Capital, Matthew Dean. In this conversation, we hear all about Matt’s background, what led him to his current leadership role, and where he is in his car…
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In any partnership, trust is a key player; both the trust you find in your partner and the trust you knowingly have in yourself. Joining BJ on this episode of Inspiring People & Places is John Grady, who serves as the Northeast Region Executive and Senior Vice President of Development at Wexford Science & Technology in Philadelphia. As a seasoned e…
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We are inspired by the leadership, passion, and mission-focus that veterans bring to the built environment. However, figuring out what your next steps are after serving can be challenging. During this episode, we welcome Arpan Patel, Director of Operations at the US Air Force Reserve. He shares his story, from growing up with immigrant parents, to …
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Being able to inspire change is key to being a good leader. But more importantly, a leader needs to have the humility to reflect on when their capacity for driving that change has expired. Joining us today is the former CEO of the Society of Women Engineers and former AVP of admin and operations at DePaul University, Betty Shanahan to discuss her r…
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The built environment offers vast potential to impact those who live, work, and thrive in these spaces. Today’s guest on Inspiring People & Places is Joe Reagan, the Executive Vice President of Development at Wexford Science and Technology. Join us as we explore the diverse aspects of his career journey, including how his understanding of deal-maki…
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“When we value women, then we begin to value everyone.” These are the wise words of today’s guest; women’s advocate, international speaker, and author, Jill Tietjen. In this conversation, you’ll hear about Jill’s early life and interest in math, her passion for encouraging women to pursue STEM careers, her incredible career, and so much more! We de…
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We're going to do things a little differently and speak to the younger generation: Avery Kraemer, Trey Kraemer, and Daniel Wits - BJ's daughter, son, and nephew. Avery, Trey, and Daniel all describe what their parents do for work before giving us their own definitions of leadership and what it means to be a good leader. We discover what they like a…
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Great leaders are constantly making balanced decisions based on risks and rewards. Today on Inspiring People & Places, we discuss how leadership affects project outcomes. In this solo episode, you’ll hear all about how the late Irv Richter and Hill International inspired BJ to think about what leaders do to drive successful project outcomes. We dis…
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Your career path doesn’t need to be linear for you to fulfill your dreams. Today’s guest brings an amazing journey to our conversation. Former NASA Astronaut and retired US Air Force Colonel with more than 180 days in space, Cady Coleman is a popular Public Speaker and Media Consultant, Research Affiliate to MIT’s media lab, and much more. During t…
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We are all limitless, even in our mortal human forms, and it’s time you realize that! Don’t miss out on this epic conversation with the one and only Christiana Cioffi, empowerment ambassador, leadership coach, and speaker. A West Point graduate and former marketing VP, Christiana brings a wealth of experience to the table. Join us as we explore her…
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Imagine it’s New Year’s Eve; you’re toasting champagne with your friends and family, but for the first time in a long time, you’re not discussing next year’s resolutions. Instead, you’re celebrating the incredible feeling of having accomplished this year’s goals. By the end of today’s episode, you’ll be inspired to revisit your past resolutions and…
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In honor of Father’s Day, BJ’s dad, Brian Kraemer Sr, joins us for this episode of Inspiring People and Places to discuss all things life and leadership! Mr. Kraemer always knew he wanted to get married, coach, and serve his country. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about his family, his career in the military, and what inspired him to join th…
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In this episode, we welcome back Kyle Majchrowski to the show as we delve into implementing a human-centric approach to workplace environments. Kyle is a Senior Project Executive at Banner Health, where he provides support for teams managing new construction projects. He is also a founding member of Ripple Intent, a non-profit organization focused …
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Are you looking for a way to foster focus, accountability, and discipline within your team? Curious about implementing a process that can ultimately lead to entrepreneurial freedom? Then don’t miss out on today’s Inspiring People & Places episode. Joining BJ today is Mark O’Donnell. Mark is a Professional EOS® Implementer, coach, facilitator, seaso…
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Welcome to this Memorial Day tribute episode where we sit down with Marion Zilinski, otherwise known as Mama Z, to discuss what Memorial Day means to people who have lost their loved ones in service. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Marion’s late son, Dennis, why he decided to join West Point, and what 9/11 meant to him. Marion goes on to explain h…
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Are you managing a large team to reach your vision but feel like team members are not aligning correctly with the overall goal? Do you need help getting all team members on the same page? In this solo episode, BJ unpacks the role of what we at MCFA regard as the meaning of KPI: keeping people interested. It is not your typical MBA academic term but…
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As we continue to edge toward graduation and internship season, we felt there could not be a more fitting guest to join BJ on the podcast than our latest co-op, Isabella Damasceno. Isabella is currently a third-year student at Drexel University, pursuing a dual major in marketing and business analytics. Join us as we dive into details surrounding I…
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As we continue to move closer to graduation and internship season, we delve further into the talent equation. Today on the podcast BJ is joined by a repeat guest, Colin Mottola. Colin is one of our Construction Managers and engineers at MCFA. He also happens to be one of our very first interns. Join the conversation as we explore Colin’s experience…
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As graduation and intern season approach, we want to dive into a topic we all have faced—just-in-time talent. Join BJ as he discusses the talent equation, including why we should always be recruiting, regardless of whether we are hiring or not. BJ addresses the debate between sourcing external talent and developing internal talent, his perspective …
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It’s time to wake up to your life. It’s time to count your Mondays. Here to tell us more about it is Jodi Wellman. Jodi is a motivational speaker, author, and Founder of Four Thousand Mondays. Her upcoming book called, You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets is a “live like you mean it” book. Join the conversation as we dive in…
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As vital as it is for peace and transformation, the importance of leadership (and leadership itself) is still widely misunderstood. When leaders fail to fulfill their roles (after not understanding what they entail in the first place), it creates a space for trauma to thrive. Today we are joined by Larry Yatch, a Navy SEAL-turned-education and busi…
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We occasionally feature guests on our show who specialize in the transition from the Department of Defense to Architectural Engineering and Construction (DoD to AEC). In the industry, there are notable talent and leadership gaps that persist, and the DoD to AEC program aims to address these by tapping into the skills of military personnel who trans…
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