The Building PA Podcast serves the construction industry throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in brief, downloadable segments. Hosted by Chris Martin, President of Atlas Marketing, and Jon O’Brien, Executive Director for the Keystone Contractors Association, the Building PA Podcast covers topics such as safety, workforce development, insurance, legal, legislation, business development and much more.
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Electric construction equipment is already hitting jobsites across Pennsylvania. In this episode, we explore how contractors are testing electric and alternative-fuel equipment, what it means for fleet operations, and why the future of construction may be closer than you think. Plus, learn about available funding, real-world pilot projects, and practical steps for getting started.
In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin delve into a critical and timely topic: mental health in the construction industry. Joined by two esteemed guests from Minnesota, Tim Worke from AGC Minnesota and Cheri Quinn from Mercury Creative Group, the discussion centers around the innovative Minnesota Construction Mental Health Alliance. We kick off the…
In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin dive into an inspiring conversation with Marcus Vega, the 2026 KCA Labor Champion and recipient of the Thomas George Memorial Community Service Award. Recorded live from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the episode highlights Marcus's remarkable journey in the construction industry, spanning nearly 35 years. We kick off the…
In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien welcome Ben Connors, the president of the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA), to discuss the current trends and challenges in the construction industry, particularly in the Philadelphia market. We kick off the episode with a warm introduction, highlighting the exciting atmosphere in Philadelphia as the…
We’re back with another one—and this time, we’re talking all things building the next generation of the construction workforce. In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, Jon and Chris sit down with Amanda McIsaac from Slippery Rock University to dig into SRU’s brand-new Construction Management program. But first… a little catch-up (yes, Chris finally took a vacation, and yes, we had to give him…
In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin dive into the world of metal construction with special guest Lee Ann Slattery, the first female board president of the Metal Construction Association (MCA) and a leader at ATAS International. Lee Ann shares her journey within the MCA, highlighting the importance of metal as a sustainable building material and its…
In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome back Michael Metz-Topodas, a familiar voice from the early days of the podcast. As they celebrate six years and nearly 300 episodes, the trio dives into significant updates regarding OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and its evolving role in the construction industry. Michael begins by…
In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin delve into the critical topic of crisis communications within the construction industry. As they navigate the often tumultuous landscape of construction-related incidents, they emphasize the importance of preparedness and effective communication strategies when faced with emergencies. The episode opens with a somber…
In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome Jessica Warren, the Environmental Health and Safety Training Manager at Pennoni. Jessica shares her insights on the critical connection between psychological safety and physical safety in the workplace. The conversation delves into the importance of fostering open communication and building relationships…
In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien take a heartfelt dive into a topic that resonates deeply within the construction industry: mental health and suicide prevention. We focus on the upcoming second annual Pennsylvania Construction Hike for Hope, organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Chris opens the episode by introducing the…
In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin welcome Monique Lewis, the founder and CEO of Next2Native Inc. Monique specializes in language learning and risk mitigation in the construction industry. The discussion focuses on the importance of effective communication on job sites, especially in light of the growing number of Spanish-speaking workers. Monique…