Contechtrio - Talking Construction Tech

In this special year-end episode of The ConTech Crew, host Jeff Sample gathers the crew Jonathan Marsh, Travis Voss, and Nathan Wood. Together, they reflect on the events, challenges, and advancements in the construction technology industry throughout 2025. From AI's growing dominance to the evolution of prefab construction, the team discusses key trends, frustrations, and the industry's trajectory toward 2026. They also talk about mergers and acquisitions, data-driven innovations, and shifting labor dynamics.The crew is cautiously optimistic about 2026, with a focus on how construction technology will mature and how companies can better harness data and AI for future success. There’s a call for more collaboration and understanding between trades, along with the importance of innovation in scaling prefab construction.Key TakeawaysThe team discusses how the year felt like "a dumpster fire", but also a time for growth and transition.They highlight the increasing role of AI and data in constructi

Disclaimer: This episode is a rerun of a previously aired conversation, but the insights on AI and technology’s role in construction remain timely and incredibly relevant.In this exciting episode of The ConTech Crew, host Jeff Sample is joined by Usman Shuja, CEO of Bluebeam, to explore how AI and technology are transforming the construction industry. With extensive experience in AI development across high-stakes industries, Usman shares his unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities that digital transformation brings to construction. The conversation explores the importance of respecting domain expertise, managing change effectively, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI. Usman also provides a sneak peek into Bluebeam’s 2025 strategy and discusses how AI can improve construction productivity, all while navigating the potential risks of unregulated AI in the industry.Key TakeawaysUnderstanding how AI is reshaping the construction industry and the potential it holds for the future.The need

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. Key TakeawaysCelebrating ten years of innovation in construction and what's on

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.Key TakeawaysThe best wearables for health tracking, including Oura Ring, WHOOP, and Google Pixel Watch.The benefits of cold plunge

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.Key TakeawaysThe integration of advanced scheduling methods to improve efficiency on large-scale projects.How McCarthy uses 4D scheduling to visualize pro

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.Key TakeawaysHow Scott transitioned from a traditional food truck to providing large-scale, mobile catering solutionsWhy predictability and efficiency are key in delivering high-quality meals for constr

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.Expect to LearnHow Jen tran

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.Key TakeawaysThe challen

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. Key TakeawaysThe role of robotics in reducing ergonomic strain on construction workers and improving their experience on-site.How teleoperated robots are being used for high-risk tasks, such as electrical shutdowns

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.Key TakeawaysWhy pre-construction is the most overlooked yet critical phase in project planning.How RMOne was built from scratch to solve real construction pain points.What "eating

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.Key TakeawaysWhy the "magic bullet" for construction inefficiencies is often hidden in plain sight.

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. Key TakeawaysThe significance of Procore’s Groundbreak event to showcase innovations and foster collaboration.How Procore is embracing generative AI to automate repetitive tasks while improving project outcomes.A di

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. Key TakeawaysWhy more contractors are sending new people to MCAA Fab and what that means for industry engagement.How Binsky and other innovators are pushing prefab practices closer to manufacturing standards.The role of innovation hubs like Conovate and Duggan Innovative Solutions in

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the hosts Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood chat with Or Lakritz. Or shares the journey of StructShare, from its inception to its recent acquisition by Trimble. They discuss how this acquisition is reshaping procurement in the construction industry, the role of AI in construction technology, and how contractors and founders can innovate and solve real problems within the industry.Or Lakritz is the Co-founder of StructShare, a digital procurement platform built to solve procurement inefficiencies for contractors. Or has recently moved to Boulder, Colorado, after StructShare was acquired by Trimble. In this episode, he shares his entrepreneurial journey, the reasons behind the acquisition, and how Trimble’s platform is evolving to connect the digital and physical world in construction.Key TakeawaysHow StructShare streamlines procurement processes through digital solutions.Insights on why StructShare was acquired by Trimble and what it means for the company's future.How the con

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, host Jeff Sample interviews Michael Pink, CEO of SmartPM, to discuss the importance of time management in construction projects. Michael, a seasoned professional in construction technology, shares his journey from consulting to creating SmartPM, a platform that helps businesses manage risk, stay on schedule, and make better-informed decisions. The conversation covers everything from the challenges of data integrity in construction to how predictive analytics can transform project management.Michael Pink is the CEO of SmartPM, a platform that uses predictive analytics to help construction companies optimize their project schedules and manage risk. He started his career in consulting, focusing on dispute resolution and project controls, which eventually led him to create SmartPM in 2019 to address the inefficiencies in construction scheduling.Key TakeawaysMichael’s transition from consulting to launching SmartPMThe role of time in construction and its impact on project costM

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the hosts Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood discuss the challenges and opportunities in prefabrication (prefab) in the construction industry. They explore how constraints in labor, logistics, and scalability can be overcome through a smarter, more distributed approach. The focus is on leveraging marketplaces and data to unlock unused capacity in fabrication shops and redefine collaboration in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) trades.Britton Langdon, founder of BuildFactory and a veteran in the construction technology space, returns to the podcast to discuss his latest venture. With prior roles at Snaptrude and M-Suite and roots at Modern Piping and Victaulic, Britton brings a seasoned perspective to the evolving world of construction automation and offsite fabrication. BuildFactory is his response to the demand for a scalable, user-friendly platform that optimizes prefab capacity and marketplace coordination.Key TakeawaysWhy traditional prefab workflows are facing s

This episode of The ConTech Crew is a special crossover with Morning Coffee Review (MCR), bringing together two influential voices in construction tech. Host Jeff Sample sits down with Jason Artley and Michael Echave of ATG USA to discuss the evolution of their podcast, the power of community-driven learning, and their unique approach to live software demonstrations. The conversation also shifts to the upcoming Unbound conference and the transformative impact of AI on Bluebeam, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal moment in the AEC industry.Jason Artley is Director of Civil Services at ATG, with over 30 years of experience spanning from swinging hammers to building Civil 3D templates and training systems. Michael Echave is the Structural Services Manager at ATG. Together, Jason and Michael host Morning Coffee Review, a dynamic live podcast that focuses on solving business challenges in the AEC space, particularly around Bluebeam and beyond.Key Learnings:How MCR was born from a dislike of traditional

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, host Jeff Sample is joined by Travis Voss and Matthew Cole from Wings Testing and Balancing Co., Inc. to discuss the world of Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) and its importance in the construction and HVAC industries. Matthew shares his journey into the industry, explains the crucial role of TAB technicians in building systems, and highlights the significance of proper indoor air quality, particularly in schools and healthcare facilities. From the technical side of balancing HVAC systems to ensuring fire life safety in buildings, Matthew sheds light on the unseen work that keeps buildings safe and operational.Matthew Cole, based in Hamden, CT, US, is currently a Field Operations Manager at Wing's Testing & Balancing Co., Inc. With a deep passion for ensuring optimal building systems, Matthew now leads a team that specializes in testing and balancing HVAC systems to ensure they meet the design specifications, improving air quality and efficiency in various e

In this episode of The ConTech Crew Podcast, part of a crossover with FreeTo CTO series, hosts Jeff Sample and Trent Leinenbach sit down with Jen Clark, Project Integration Manager at General Sheet Metal. They explore how non-traditional career paths and curiosity-driven problem-solving can shape a new generation of construction technology leaders. This conversation shines a light on Jen's unique route into tech leadership, her approach to low-code app development, managing shadow IT, and driving digital transformation in construction.Jen Clark is the Project Integration Manager at General Sheet Metal, a Portland-based mechanical contractor with nearly a century of operations. Originally trained in civil engineering, Jen's journey has taken her from software support to field engineering and eventually into a self-defined technology leadership role. Her work spans app development, ERP integration, and digital strategy which have all been aimed at bridging the gap between operations, finance, and IT in

The second half of this episode continues the crew Jonathan Marsh, CEO of Steel Toe Consulting and a technology strategist, Nathan Wood, Founder & Chief Enabling Officer At SpectrumAEC, Travis Voss, Director of Innovative Technology and Fabrication at SMACNA and Jacob D’Albora, Director of Digital Building Operations at VIATechnik gets into how policy, planning, and finance are reshaping construction’s landscape. They unpack the risks of short-term thinking in materials sourcing, renewable energy setbacks, and how permitting reform could change how we build.Things also get financial as the group discusses M&A trends, private equity’s growing interest in construction, and the precarious position of mid-sized contractors. Is the middle tier hollowing out? And how might public policy like environmental mandates and tax incentives speed up or stall that process?Key Learnings:Permitting reform could speed up projects but raises accountability questions.Federal moves may unintentionally weaken environmental