How do you turn millions in wrap-up losses into a model that transforms contractor risk management across the industry? In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, David Tibbetts sits down with Garrett Burke, former Associate Director of Occupational and Construction Safety at Harvard University, to share the origin story behind Harvard’s owner-controlled insurance program (OCIP) turnaround and the creation of what would become ConstructSecure, now Highwire. Facing significant financial losse...
Mar 18
33 min
What separates inspection programs that truly prevent serious injuries from those that simply generate paperwork? In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, Highwire’s Chief Safety Officer, David Tibbetts, is joined by Caitlin Bergin of BSI and Corey Silverman of Highwire to explore how organizations can turn their safety inspection programs into one of the most powerful leading indicators in their safety management system. They discuss why inspection volume doesn’t equal inspection quality,...
Feb 18
40 min
In this episode, hosts David Tibbetts and Shayne Gaffney break down risk mitigation plans and why they’re a critical part of managing both safety and financial risk. Using real-world examples, they discuss when corrective action plans, exception management plans, and other mitigation strategies are necessary, and how they should function as active tools, not paperwork that sits on a shelf. They explore how to set the right tone when engaging contractors, what effective plans should include, a...
Jan 28
26 min
In this episode, Shayne Gaffney, VP of Product & Engineering at Highwire, speaks with Heather O'Neill, VP of Construction Specialty Products, and Jen Chadd, AVP of Senior Commercial Line Underwriter at Arch Insurance, about how strong prequalification practices can reduce risk and boost profitability. With deep experience in subcontractor default insurance (SDI), Heather and Jen explain why subcontractor evaluation must be an ongoing process, not a one-time event, and how it helps uncover...
Jan 7
31 min
How do trust and leadership influence performance in construction? In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, David Tibbetts, CSP, sits down with Tony Iannessa, Founder and CEO, and Chris Farrington, President, both of BIG Construction, to explore their career journeys and the values shaping BIG’s growth in the Chicago market. Tony and Chris discuss how early experiences in the trades shaped their leadership philosophies and why BIG focuses on long-term relationships rather than transactiona...
Dec 17, 2025
33 min
How do you educate and prepare the next generation of safety professionals for an industry that’s evolving faster than ever? In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, David Tibbetts, CSP, sits down with Brady Keene of Keene State College and Corey Silverman of Highwire to explore Keene State’s unique position as one of the only institutions in the country offering dedicated degrees in safety, construction safety, and construction management. Brady discusses the growth of these programs, the...
Dec 10, 2025
38 min
In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, Shayne Gaffney, VP of Product and Engineering at Highwire, sits down with Chris Hillyer, Senior Vice President and Regional Director of Pre-Construction Services at Skanska USA Building. Chris shares his nearly 30-year journey in the industry and offers an inside look at Skanska’s central U.S. portfolio from higher education and healthcare to mission-critical, multifamily, and developer-led projects that are reshaping skylines. Chris explains how hi...
Dec 3, 2025
28 min
How do proactive planning and strong relationships create safer, more successful projects? In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, David Tibbetts, CSP, Chief Safety Officer at Highwire, talks with Robert Pieters, Safety Manager at Riley Construction, about how engagement, empathy, and planning form the foundation of Riley’s safety approach. Robert shares how six-week lookaheads help identify and plan for high-risk work, how leadership walks strengthen trust across teams, and why training ...
Nov 19, 2025
28 min
What does it look like when a general contractor places relationships and hospitality at the core of project delivery? In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, David Tibbetts, CSP, interviews Barry Stoffel of Gardner Builders to explore how a “green and growing” mindset promotes people-first construction. Barry shares his career journey, from childhood curiosity to leading with empathy at Gardner. He discusses why "safety is empathy,” how language influences company culture, and what it me...
Nov 12, 2025
33 min
How can safety and operations leaders align to deliver safer, more successful projects? In this episode of Beyond Prequalification, David Tibbetts, CSP, Chief Safety Officer at Highwire, talks with Michael Brakefield, Director of EHS and Risk Management, and Jon Wood, CHC, General Superintendent at Frampton Construction. They share how Frampton’s “Future First” mindset shapes a culture of collaboration between superintendents and EHS, where early planning prevents serious incidents and keeps ...
Nov 3, 2025
34 min
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