The Future is Built: Hosted by Construction Technology Entrepreneur James Benham @JamesMBenham . Discussing innovation and all things construction tech including hardware, software, devices, apps and the strategies for applying them on construction...
Disclaimer: This episode is a rerun of a previously aired conversation, but the insights remain as relevant and powerful as ever. Enjoy this timeless discussion on the evolution of construction and the role of technology in shaping its future.
In this episode of The ConTech Crew, host Jeff Sample sits down with Tooey Courtemanche, CEO of Procore Technologies, for an enlightening discussion on the construction industry's transformation over the past decade. Tooey offers a unique perspective on how technology has reshaped the sector, the role of leadership in driving innovation, and the growing importance of mental health awareness within the industry.
Tooey also shares the story behind Procore's journey, reflecting on key trends that have impacted construction and giving a sneak peek into what the future holds. The episode is packed with valuable knowledge and forward-thinking ideas for seasoned construction professionals.
[00:29] – Setting the Stage
[06:55] – Leadership Lessons from Reagan’s White House
[11:35] – Embracing Competition to Drive Innovation
[16:29] – The Evolution of Construction Technology
[27:02] – Leveraging AI for Predictive Insights
[40:32] – Mental Health Awareness in Construction
[46:04] – Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead
In this holiday special of The ConTech Crew, host Jeff Sample returns with the construction dorks for a hosts-only episode to share their favorite tech and wellness gift ideas for the construction dorks in your life. From wearables and recovery tools to retro gaming consoles and DIY robot arms, this fun-filled episode looks into a wide range of geeky, practical, and wellness-focused gifts that blend construction life with tech enthusiasm. The crew also reflects on the importance of rest, play, and giving time during the holiday season.
This episode features the full lineup: Jeff Sample, Jonathan Marsh, Travis Voss, and Nathan Wood. These construction technology veterans and self-proclaimed dorks bring their personal favorites and gadget obsessions to the table, each offering a mix of insight, humor, and holiday spirit rooted in years of experience in the construction tech industry.
[00:32] – Host Introductions and Holiday Rants
[05:04] – Wearables for Health and Recovery
[10:43] – Cold Plunge and Sauna Gift Ideas
[15:10] – Affordable Tech Stocking Stuffers
[18:31] – Noise-Canceling Headphones and Travel Tech
[23:45] – Robot Arms and DIY Tech Toys
[26:31] – Retro Gaming Consoles and Play at Work
[29:35] – Novelty Gifts and Bourbon Dispensers
[32:08] – Wellness Subscriptions and Mental Health
[34:57] – Final Reflections: Rest, Time, and Play
In this episode of The ConTech Crew, host Jeff Sample sits down with industry experts Ross Helleberg and Alex Belkofer from McCarthy Building Company. They discuss how their teams are pushing the boundaries of scheduling, planning, and virtual design and construction (VDC). They also explore the integration of advanced scheduling methodologies like Takt and Last Planner, the value of visual planning, and how these practices contribute to smoother project delivery and stronger collaboration between the office and the field.
Ross Helleberg has been with McCarthy Building Company for 14 years, starting his career in the field and moving into a leadership role in scheduling. Alex Belkofer is McCarthy's Senior Director of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), where he plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between the pre-construction and operations phases.
[01:46] - Ross’s background and role at McCarthy
[04:36] - Alex introduces his role in VDC
[05:54] - Why schedulers need to be on-site
[10:08] - Integrating Takt and Last Planner systems
[11:58] - Visual planning and 4D scheduling
[16:04] - Success story of first visual planning project
[24:20] - Leadership support and planning time
[30:11] - Evolving with digital tools and virtual planning
[34:21] - Spreading innovation beyond McCarthy
[40:02] - Final thoughts on planning and scheduling evolution
In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the hosts Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood are joined by Scott Kaplan of Jerry's Kitchen, a mobile catering service that specializes in feeding large-scale construction projects, including data centers and remote job sites. Scott shares the journey of how Jerry's Kitchen evolved from a traditional food truck to a high-efficiency, mobile catering solution for industries that require food service at scale, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
With a unique focus on feeding construction crews efficiently and at scale, Jerry's Kitchen has become a game-changer for companies looking to keep their workforce nourished and productive. Scott talks about the challenges of feeding 1,500 people in 30 minutes and how they use technology to predict and plan their catering operations.
[00:43] - Introduction to Scott Kaplan and Jerry's Kitchen
[02:50] - Scott shares his background and how Jerry's Kitchen started
[04:47] - Transitioning from food truck to catering and the importance of efficiency
[08:51] - Focusing on large construction projects and the data center sector
[11:40] - Feeding 1,500 people in 30 minutes: logistics and planning
[15:52] - The importance of predictability in food service and construction
[17:40] - Parallel between food service and construction operations
[19:56] - How Jerry’s Kitchen improves employee culture and community impact
[27:25] - Scott discusses the impact of data centers on local economies and education
[31:17] - Scott's pitch: national presence and custom catering for construction sites
In this special re-release of The ConTech Crew Podcast, we're revisiting a powerful crossover episode from FreeTo CTO series, where hosts Jeff Sample and Trent Leinenbach are joined by Jen Clark, Project Integration Manager at General Sheet Metal. This conversation remains just as relevant today, diving into how unconventional career paths and curiosity-driven problem-solving can foster a new wave of construction technology leaders.
Jen Clark is the Project Integration Manager at General Sheet Metal, a Portland-based mechanical contractor with nearly 100 years in business. With a background in civil engineering, Jen carved her own path from software support to field engineering, eventually stepping into a self-defined tech leadership role. Whether you missed it the first time or want to revisit Jen’s inspiring journey, this episode offers timeless insights into low-code innovation, managing shadow IT, and bridging the divide between operations and IT in the construction industry.
[00:00] - Introduction
[01:21] - FreeTO Series by Construction Dorks
[04:40] - Jen’s Unconventional Career Path
[06:49] - Building a Role from Curiosity: Project Integration Manager
[15:22] - Lessons from Low-Code App Development
[19:01] - Jen Outlines Her Decision-Making Framework
[26:57] - Collaboration and Strategic Growth
[32:09] - Digital Transformation in the Fabrication Shop
[37:22] - Selling Vision to Leadership
[41:06] - Final Thoughts
In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the hosts Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood sit down with Nitin Bhandari, Co-founder of Planera, to discuss the transformative impact of technology on construction scheduling. Nitin shares how his journey from hardware engineering to software entrepreneurship led him to tackle one of the industry's biggest pain points: scheduling inefficiencies. The discussion covers the vision behind Planera, how they are revolutionizing scheduling, and the future of construction planning with AI and data-driven insights.
Nitin Bhandari is the Co-founder and CEO of Planera, a platform designed to transform how construction projects are scheduled. Nitin started his career as an electrical engineer and later moved into software entrepreneurship, co-founding two successful software companies before diving into the construction tech world. Partnering with a general contractor, Nitin identified a massive scheduling gap in construction and built Planera to solve this issue.
[00:00] - Episode Introduction
[02:04] - Nitin’s background and journey into construction tech
[04:33] - The challenge of scheduling in construction and how Planera is solving it
[08:14] - How Planera is democratizing scheduling for more stakeholders
[10:15] - Connecting field schedules with office schedules for seamless data flow
[15:21] - The cultural shift from compliance to business decision-making
[18:03] - The impact of mission-critical projects like data centers on scheduling
[26:07] - The role of AI and natural language processing in scheduling optimization
[33:59] - Planera’s portfolio-level planning for better resource management
[37:55] - Connect with Nitin and Planera
In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the hosts Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood chat with Tyler Williams from DPR Construction. He returns to discuss the latest advancements in robotics on construction sites, how they're being integrated into the field, and their potential to revolutionize the industry. Tyler shares insights on the challenges and opportunities robotics presents, particularly in reducing risks, improving efficiency, and enhancing the experience for frontline workers.
Tyler Williams is a part of the Corporate Innovation team at DPR Construction, where he focuses on field innovation and robotics. With a background as a union carpenter and superintendent, Tyler is deeply connected with the field workforce and works to bring innovative technologies to improve their safety and efficiency.
[00:00] - Episode Introduction
[01:38] - Tyler’s role at DPR Construction
[05:08] - Working with the self-perform work group at DPR
[06:44] - Examples of robotic solutions, like Hardhat Robotics and its applications
[12:22] - Insights on the potential of material movers
[15:10] - The focus on safety and how robots are reducing high-risk tasks
[19:46] - Ergo Robotics and interior construction planning
[29:57] - Discussing the future of AI in construction management
[38:12] - Closing thoughts and final message
In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the host Jeff Sample talks with Don Tiefenbrunn and Steve Botz from RMOne about why current ERPs overlook pre-construction needs and how RMOne was born out of real-world challenges faced by construction professionals. They explore the fundamental shift in how construction companies approach technology, starting with pre-construction.
Don Tiefenbrunn is a seasoned architect turned construction leader who co-founded RMOne after decades in the industry. His firsthand frustrations with fragmented data systems led him to build a unified ERP that starts at the very beginning: pre-construction. Steve Botz brings a tech-centric perspective, having worked in real estate and construction tech. He joined RMOne to help scale the solution and bring its grounded, craftsman-built approach to more companies.
[00:15] - Episode Kickoff & Guest Introductions
[02:49] - Don’s Journey: From Architect to ERP Innovator
[08:21] - Steve’s Background and Career Journey
[10:25] - Iterating the Product: Feedback, Testing, and Rollouts
[13:08] - Building Software from Real Construction Experience
[15:53] - Going Commercial: Why RMOne Was Taken to Market
[20:17] - Philosophy Behind RMOne: No VC Money, Just Mission
[26:01] - Why Pre-Con Matters: Real-Life Scenarios & ROI
[32:09] - Final Thoughts & How to Learn More About RMOne
In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the host Jeff Sample sits down with Thomas Santos and Shaabini Alford to explore the ongoing challenges and opportunities within construction operations, especially as they relate to process inefficiencies, technology adoption, and leadership. With decades of combined experience, the guests unpack how value stream mapping and lean practices can significantly improve how construction projects are delivered.
Thomas Santos is a mechanical engineer, Six Sigma practitioner, and seasoned manufacturing and construction consultant with over 40 years of global experience. He brings a structured, lean-manufacturing mindset to the construction world. Shaabini Alford is a well-known figure in the MEP and MCAA community with over 20 years of industry experience. A former mechanical contractor turned consultant, she now leads peer groups and training initiatives at Maxim Consulting.
[00:00] - Introduction and Setup
[01:23] - Thomas Santos' Background
[04:17] - Shaabini Alford’s Industry Journey
[05:31] - What Is Maxim Consulting?
[07:48] - Defining the Core Problem
[10:03] - Software Misuse and Process Gaps
[13:02] - The Real Power of Value Stream Mapping
[16:42] - From Departments to Full Project Flow
[19:53] - Measuring Efficiency Gains
[23:17] - Debunking “Every Job is Unique”
[26:23] - The Handoff Bottleneck
[37:04] - Final Takeaways
In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the host Jeff Sample sits down with Tooey Courtemanche from Procore to discuss exciting innovations in the construction industry, particularly the role of AI in improving project management and work-life balance. Tooey shares insights into Procore's latest advancements, including AI-driven tools and the integration of structured data. They explore how these developments are empowering field workers, improving efficiency, and setting the stage for a new era in construction technology.
Tooey Courtemanche is the founder and CEO of Procore Technologies, a leading construction management software company. Tooey has played a central role in transforming how construction projects are managed by leveraging technology to improve efficiency, safety, and communication.
[00:52] - Groundbreak Event & Industry Evolution
[02:23] - Procore’s Vision for Empowering Construction Workers
[03:42] - AI and the Future of Construction
[06:11] - The Role of Data in Construction
[07:56] - Agent Builder and Developer Studio
[15:58] - The Importance of Process Mapping
[19:17] - The Importance of Codifying Business Processes
[23:27] - Bridging Knowledge Gaps with AI
[27:58] - The Resilience of the Construction Industry
[29:55] - Leadership and Vision for Procore’s Future
[34:01] - Final Thoughts on Leadership and the Industry
In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the host Jeff Sample talks with Jonathan Marsh to reflect on their recent experiences at the 2025 MCAA Fabrication Conference. They discuss key takeaways from the event, including industry shifts in prefabrication, innovation in service and maintenance strategies, and the accelerating influence of AI and robotics on construction. With their trademark insight and candor, Jeff and Jonathan paint a dynamic picture of a rapidly evolving construction landscape.
Jonathan Marsh is a respected construction technologist and thought leader known for driving digital transformation in the MEP space. He brings practical experience and sharp industry analysis, making him a regular voice on The ConTech Crew.
[00:00] - Episode Introduction
[02:08] - Polling the Room: Data from the Fab Floor
[03:52] - Innovation in Action: Binsky's Prefab Strategy
[05:55] - Key Takeaways From The Event
[07:57] - Disparities in Market Demand & the Labor Crisis
[13:06] - Remote Work, AI, and Post-COVID Collaboration Shifts
[17:12] - Adapting to Market Changes: Maintenance as a Growth Area
[22:59] - Technology Consulting & Monetizing Innovation
[28:33] - News Segment: Modular LNG Refineries & Robotics
[37:29] - Leadership Shift: Procore Names New CEO