Author: Jeanie Clapp

A detailed reality capture dataset serves as a common language, bridging gaps in perception and understanding among diverse project teams. By Bryan Williams, TrimbleAn AGC of America Capstone Supporter In today’s environment of rising costs and shrinking margins, efficiently managing and coordinating critical activities and data within complex construction projects is a major challenge. The adoption of automated tools and digital workflows to create a precise 3D representation of the project can help. This shared visual and data-driven narrative is essential in aligning everyone’s efforts toward a common goal, thereby enhancing collective efficiency and reducing conflicts and rework. With scan…

Kiewit’s Michael Svoboda wins inaugural  Bowen Prize for Great Builders BY NICK FORTUNA Bob Bowen was looking at a museum exhibit recognizing doctors who had won the Nobel Prize for medicine when a thought occurred to him. For all the construction industry’s rich history and accomplishments, it lacked a signature award honoring its most talented and dedicated boots-on-the-ground leaders – the project managers who shepherd large projects from start to finish. Driven by a desire to give back to the industry, Bowen worked with the AGC Education & Research Foundation to establish the Bowen Prize for Great Builders. The annual…

Skanska won big at the Build America Awards, its years-long Lynnwood Link L300 Extension taking home the grand award. But, says its project executive, it was the faces behind the impressive facts and figures, those who prioritized the community that would benefit, who made it all possible. BY AMY DREW THOMPSON The adjectives and modifiers and numbers, come fast and furious as one tries to summarize the grand award-winner at this year’s Build America Awards, sponsored by The Baldwin Group: the Lynnwood Link L300 Extension. It is a dual-track light rail project, nearly 3.8 miles long, that meanders through three…

Hensel Phelps wins the safety grand prize for the second time BY JENNIFER KLING As AGC members know, the construction industry is among the most dangerous industries in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 5,283 fatal work injuries in the United States in 2023. Among those reported, construction had the most among all other industry sectors with 1,075 fatalities. To help address this recurring issue, AGC of America, WTW | Willis and Starr Insurance have made a concerted effort to annually recognize construction companies that go above and beyond to keep their employees…

BY ANNE HUNT, DIRECTOR OF DATA & ANALYTICS, TRIMBLE Technology has transformed construction accounting practices, streamlining processes that were once time-consuming and error-prone and helping companies navigate tight profit margins amid economic and market uncertainties. With the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly Generative AI, construction businesses have a tremendous opportunity to unlock new levels of efficiency and automation. Despite concerns that AI will replace humans, the reality is that those who use AI will replace those who don’t. The technology is more accessible than ever, making now the time to lean into it. Understanding the Fundamentals of AI AI…

A mother-son bond in construction Mother’s Day is on May 11, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate the women who inspire us — especially the moms, grandmas, and mentors who help shape our paths in life and work. In the construction world, women continue to make big moves, leading businesses, managing projects, and showing the next generation what’s possible. Family businesses play a huge role in the industry, and more and more, women are at the heart of those legacies. In this Q&A, Constructor catches up with a mother-son duo who are building more than just structures — they’re…

AGC brings the dark corners of a delicate topic into the light BY A.D. THOMPSON In some of Brandon Anderson’s presentations, which can be before a crowd of a thousand or more, he asks for a small amount of audience participation. “If you’re willing to share,” he will preface, “please raise your hand if you have been impacted by overdose or suicide.” And when what he guesses is 90 percent of the room raises their hands, he says, they find meaning in the title of the presentation: You Are Not Alone. Anderson, vice president of safety for AGC of Missouri…

How industry partnerships are creating the next generation of construction professionals BY ELSBETH RUSSELL The construction industry’s workforce shortage isn’t just looming — it’s here. As contractors navigate growing project backlogs, one solution gaining momentum is the intentional partnership between industry and education. Programs that embed construction professionals into classrooms — whether at universities, apprenticeships or adult education centers — are proving to be powerful pipelines for talent, mentorship and leadership. The need for skilled workers is undeniable, but solving the problem requires more than recruitment. Increasingly, companies are finding success when they help shape education programs, offering their people…

BY JACQUELINE DUDLEY, ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE LEADER, AUSTIN OFFICE, THE BECK GROUP, A MEMBER OF MULTIPLE AGC CHAPTERS Many building owners and tenants are upgrading offices and building amenities to make Return-To-Office (RTO) mandates more amenable for employees wary of abandoning a COVID-era remote work lifestyle. Employers favoring full-time in-person or hybrid work practices contend that office settings boost employee productivity and well-being, increase collaboration and mentoring and strengthen corporate culture. According to a Resume Builder survey, 87% of companies will have RTO in 2025, while 64% said they have already implemented this policy. The survey also noted that many companies…

How to navigate hiring challenges in construction BY KEYAN ZANDY, CEO, SKILES GROUP In an industry where the margin for error is slim and the stakes are high, talent is everything. Our projects are so much more than blueprints on paper — they’re complex, high-pressure endeavors that demand skilled, reliable and motivated individuals working together toward a common goal. Labor shortages and an aging workforce have heightened the need to hire the right people. According to industry data, construction employment has struggled to keep pace with demand, creating significant challenges for project delivery. A single misstep in the hiring process…