Don Ajamian is the CEO of Emergent 3D, a California construction company providing affordable workforce housing solutions with 3D printing technology. With 38 years of experience as a licensed general contractor, Don transitioned to the 3D construction printing industry following the 2018 Carr Fire in Northern California. His objective is to captivate the listening audience's interest by showcasing the vast possibilities that 3D printing technology holds for the construction industry today. In this episode… 3D printing is poised to revolutionize the construction industry, offering significant social implications. How can contractors leverage 3D printing in disaster recovery, workforce development, and creative design in construction? Veteran contractor Don Ajamian discovered the potential of 3D printing in construction following the Carr Fire in Shasta County, California, which destroyed over 1400 homes and numerous structures. Reiterating the need for innovation in construction, he emphasizes the potential of concrete 3D printing to lower building costs and address the workforce shortage. In addition, research shows that 3D printing for construction could be efficient in disaster recovery, offering advantages such as rapid construction, unlike traditional construction methods that can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this episode of This Is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Don Ajamian, the CEO of Emergent 3D, to discuss Don’s company’s work in 3D printing construction and the potential benefits and applications. Don shares his experience using 3D printing for post-fire construction and how the innovation can improve the industry’s workforce and ease the housing crisis.

Karen Keyes is the President and Owner of The Art of Concrete LLC, a Denver concrete company renowned for its expertise in exterior decorative concrete. Karen has deeply entrenched roots in concrete, from learning the creative side of the industry at her family’s business to holding leadership roles across industry verticals, including business development, marketing, and consultancy. Karen is LEED BD + C AP certified and holds a master's degree in organizational leadership from the University of Denver. A thought leader in her field, she writes for various industry publications, including Concrete Decor, and has authored the book Designing with Concrete. In this episode… Every ambitious leader has growth goals, but is your business prepared to handle growing pains? While business growth is positive, how do you balance being committed to your vision and making the necessary changes to scale your company? Karen Keyes is a seasoned decorative concrete expert who’s created a niche for herself in decorative concrete, distinguishing her career on the philosophy that “concrete is a medium that can bridge the gaps in design and harmonize with its surroundings." However, running a rapidly growing decorative concrete company comes with challenges. Her company has doubled in size from last year and is experiencing “growing pains.” According to Karen, business owners wear many hats and navigate the challenges of finding talent, particularly in project management and industry knowledge. In addition, a growing company can put added stress on managers and teams.  Join Chad Gill in this installment of This Is Concrete as he welcomes Karen Keyes, the President and Owner of The Art of Concrete LLC. Karen discusses the intricacies of the decorative concrete industry and how to overcome growing pains while building a thriving business. She highlights the importance of work-life balance for concrete finishers, the benefits of growing a crew from within, and how to price intricate projects.

Nick Dedmon is the Founder of ElectroLink Chargers, a California-based EV car charging solution with advanced software and hardware management. A seasoned construction industry professional, Nick's expertise has been instrumental in revolutionizing the field for over a decade. Before ElectroLink Chargers, he worked as a commercial contractor specializing in TI (tenant improvements). In this episode… The electric vehicle (EV) market has witnessed massive growth in recent years, with an increased choice of models, reduced prices, and improved features. As more drivers switch to EVs, the need for viable and accessible electric charging infrastructures becomes increasingly critical. How are challenges in the growing EV market being addressed to reshape the future of electric mobility? One of the challenges mitigating the EV market is the lack of charging points. Nick Dedmon, a construction industry veteran turned EV expert, advocates implementing solutions such as incentivizing electrical vendors and building owners to fix units faster. His company, ElectroLink Chargers, sells charging stations to building owners and manages software for reimbursement checks, which the building owners can use to pay their electric bills. Nick emphasizes the importance of addressing customers’ concerns about grid stability and infrastructure to create a mindset shift toward EV charging. In this episode of This Is Concrete, host Chad Gill interviews Nick Dedmon, Founder of ElectroLink Chargers, to address the innovations in EV charging. Nick reflects on his pivot to the EV industry from construction, his company’s infrastructure and business model, and the importance of addressing customers’ concerns about grid stability and infrastructure.

Mike Murray is the President of Mike Murray Concrete Solutions and the Marketing Director of Concrete Cares, a nonprofit helping families and children facing the challenges of cancer through donations and sponsorship. Having spent more than 25 years in the industry, Mike, a seasoned veteran, sold his construction company in 2012 and started Concrete Cares to raise awareness of cancer’s impact on families. As a pioneer in the ACI Decorative Concrete certification program, he shares his expertise at workshops on concrete curing. Mike’s work has won multiple accolades, including being a Fellow of the American Concrete Institute in 2013 and one of the Most Influential People in Decorative Concrete in 2015. He is also a 2015 inductee into the Concrete Decor Hall of Fame. In this episode… Our careers receive much of our time and attention and are often a fulfilling and purpose-giving aspect of our lives. But at some point in life, we may need to figure out how to find fulfillment in a cause. How do we navigate this turning point in life and make an impact? Concrete industry veteran Mike Murray started his career in the construction industry at an early age and worked toward finding career fulfillment. After shifting his mindset, Mike realized he could fill a gap in his community by creating awareness of the impact of cancer on families. His determination allowed him to expand Concrete Cares into a renowned nonprofit. However, despite the accomplishments arising from Mike's enthusiasm, he discovered that success in inspiring others requires harnessing his creativity and exploring new avenues. Join us in this episode of This is Concrete as host Chad Gill chats with Mike Murray, the President of Mike Murray Concrete Solutions and the Marketing Director of Concrete Cares, about his inspiring story. They discuss Mike's transition from construction work to leading the fight against cancer and how he combines his passion for concrete with cancer awareness. Mike also shares his construction industry experience and how to navigate the challenges of concrete technology.

Sven Bilén is the Professor of Engineering Design, Electrical Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering at Penn State University. He has over three decades of experience designing, building and fielding innovative systems for harsh and demanding environments. Sven has used his unique skill set to build satellites and their systems, wireless sensor networks, cognitive and software-defined radio systems, and robotic concrete printing systems. Sven is also the Co-founder and Lead Systems Engineer of X-Hab 3D, a manufacturer and seller of expeditionary-grade 3D concrete printing (3DCP) systems, a senior member of IEEE, an associate fellow of AIAA, and a member of AGU, ASEE, INCOSE, and Sigma Xi. In this episode… 3D printing enhances manufacturing processes by minimizing waste and decreasing production costs. It's also an environmentally friendly option compared to traditional production methods. The technology was adopted by multiple industries, testing the boundaries of its capabilities. How can 3D printing be used to advance concrete production? Combining his interdisciplinary work in electrical, aerospace, and civil engineering, Sven Bilén is leading the charge in designing technology to make concrete 3D printing available for construction projects — on Earth and in space. Access to a concrete 3D printer reduces waste, allows contractors to build complex infrastructures, and permits multiple types of concrete to be used depending on the characteristics necessary to complete the infrastructure. On this episode of This Is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Sven Bilén, Professor of Engineering Design, Electrical Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering at Penn State University, to discuss X-HAB 3D’s technology design for concrete 3D printing and its implications on the engineering and construction industry. Sven also divulges how lunar concrete can be used for space infrastructure and repurposed as a structural component on Earth.

James Baty is the Executive Director at the Concrete Foundations Association, providing promotional materials, educational seminars, networking opportunities, and technical and informative meetings for members. As a technical specialist with over three decades in the industry, James has managed, taught, and certified concrete contractors, fulfilling his passion for developing industry-skilled leaders. He is also the Manager for Regulatory and Technical Affairs at the Tilt-Up Concrete Association, improving the tilt-up construction method by providing education and resources to enhance quality and performance. In this episode… Business owners anticipate working unceasingly during the early days of launching their company and refrain from handing off responsibilities to team members until the business is steady and consistent. Owners tend to overextend themselves and become so comfortable working for their business that they miss the opportunity to work on it. After working tirelessly to gain traction, it’s challenging to entrust someone else to carry out your vision with the same passion you embody. But working for your business is not the same as having the freedom to work on your business. James Baty encourages business owners to delegate routine tasks, allowing them to focus on other business aspects, like developing workplace culture. Investing in your teams builds trust and loyalty within your organization, making it easier to cede responsibilities. On this episode of This Is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes James Baty, Executive Director of Concrete Foundations Association, to discuss how to go from working in your business to working on your business. James explains the importance of task delegation, shares how to build trust and cultivate community, and discusses how technological advancements have improved the concrete industry.

Jerry Green is the Founder, CEO, and President of Prestige Concrete, a full-service concrete and masonry contracting, restoration, and repair company known for its decorative concrete flatwork and hardscape. Jerry is an experienced estimator, project manager, and sales representative who has contributed to intimate and popular projects, including SeaWorld and Petco Park. Throughout his career, he’s relied on innovation, determination, and mentorship and practices integrity and honesty with his clients.  In this episode… Communication is vital when working on a construction project. Regardless of a project’s size, every department involved should be briefed on expectations to avoid misunderstandings. What is the most effective way to streamline communication when multiple departments are required for a project? Construction projects utilize numerous departments to fulfill a contract. The more team members are involved in a project, the easier it is for miscommunication to occur. Handoff meetings are an asset, allowing all parties to be informed on the processes expected for the project’s completion. By implementing handoff meetings in his own business, Jerry Green has discovered his teams are better prepared to see the projects come to fruition.  On this episode of This Is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Jerry Green, Founder, CEO, and President of Prestige Concrete, to discuss how to move a project from the estimation stage to the field. Jerry shares which questions to ask before bidding on a project, how to convey expectations across departments, how much time to allot to preparation, and why prioritizing processes is crucial for business and customer satisfaction.

Daniel Bigman is the President and CEO of Bigman Geophysical, a consulting firm offering specialty training and support solutions to engineers, contractors, and government agencies responsible for scanning and testing concrete infrastructure. Daniel is also the Founder of LearnGPR.com, which provides ground-penetrating radar (GPR) training to environmental, engineering, and agricultural professionals across four continents. He received his PhD in philosophy from The University of Georgia and is an expert in nondestructive testing, remote sensing, and 3D modeling. Daniel’s research on concrete testing has been published in internationally recognized journals, including Water, First Break, and Case Studies in Construction Materials. In this episode… Technology is vital to the evolution of the construction industry. The previous century has provided time for concrete infrastructures to improve their structural integrity and longevity. Due to technological advancements, it is possible to monitor concrete’s durability and be informed when repairs are necessary. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a non-intrusive surveying technique that uses electromagnetic radar pulses to capture two-dimensional cross-section images of subsurface materials. GPR’s ability to monitor infrastructure improves industry standards and civilian safety. Daniel Bigman, an expert in nondestructive testing and remote sensing, emphasizes the impact of GPR technology in the construction industry and how you can benefit from incorporating it into your services. On this episode of This Is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Daniel Bigman, President and CEO of Bigman Geophysical, to discuss the implications of applying GPR technology in construction businesses. Daniel shares the importance of technicians taking responsibility for educating customers on the benefits of GPR, the differences between nondestructive testing and remote sensing, the cost of GPR testing, and the training services offered through LearnGPR. Tune in to learn how GPR is transforming the industry.

Dave Epp is the President of Epp Foundation Repair, a family-owned construction company specializing in residential and commercial concrete leveling, foundation repair, foundation settlement, and waterproofing. As a second-generation contractor, Dave is passionate about empowering his employees to succeed in the construction industry. His 30 years of industry experience have provided the business and product knowledge necessary to exceed customer expectations. Beyond his professional endeavors, Dave's involvement in civic and church organizations highlights his dedication to community engagement and service. He finds fulfillment in coaching youth sports, including football, and indulges in outdoor pursuits like golfing and elk hunting. In this episode… With a new generation entering the workforce, companies struggle to recruit and retain employees, beckoning for change throughout various industries. The construction industry, known for being labor-intensive, is not exempt from this reality. While many companies grapple with attracting qualified candidates, one industry leader dominates the competition with his business model.  Adopting a novel business approach has proven effective for experienced contractor Dave Epp. Recognizing that employees want to feel empowered in their occupation, he opted against traditional leadership strategies and instead led with transparency, allowing employees to learn the value of ownership. While some find his leadership tactics extreme, his response to the culture climate has improved the leadership abilities of his employees and boosted the company's employee retention rate. On this episode of This Is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Dave Epp, President of Epp Foundation Repair, to discuss why the construction industry struggles to recruit new employees and how he empowers his crew. Dave shares how transparency impacts his company and the value of coaching teams on extreme ownership. 

Nick Small is the Founder and CEO of U.S. Pave, a paving company specializing in commercial parking lot maintenance. Since 2013, Nick has committed himself to improving the industry through exceptional service and attention to detail. Before becoming a business owner, he gained valuable experience working for his family’s painting company. Nick also dutifully served six years in the United States Army Reserves as military police. In this episode… Entrepreneurs must understand their responsibility to cultivate and maintain honor and integrity in their business. Without attention to detail, their reputable standing can fall by the wayside. What can you implement to maintain the reputation you’ve worked hard to establish?  The construction industry holds notoriety for being an unclean industry. Nick Small, a construction business owner, was vehement about changing the public’s perception by strategizing how to make his grimy job more attractive to customers. While many construction companies have a reputation for being disorganized, Nick established systems and routines that supported his crew, contributing to better working conditions and satisfying customer expectations.  On this episode of This Is Concrete, Chad Gill welcomes Nick Small, Founder and CEO of U.S. Pave, to discuss implementing strategies to maintain his highly regarded business reputation. Nick highlights the importance for business owners to take ownership of their company, the value of developing a system to organize business procedures, and how to address weaknesses in individual crew members.