From military precision to civilian construction, today’s guest offers a powerful blueprint for transformative leadership. Pete Anzovino recently joined MCFA after retiring from the US Army, coming to us through the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program. This program helps former service members and veterans transition into fulfilling careers in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.

In this episode, Pete shares how the SkillBridge Program eased his transition and highlighted the surprising parallels between military operations and project management. He discussed the benefits of certifications like Project Management Professional (PMP) to lessons on navigating multiple stakeholders and maintaining clear communication. Pete provides invaluable insights on leveraging military experience in new, impactful ways.

Whether you’re a veteran or simply curious about project leadership, this episode is full of practical guidance and actionable advice for making a meaningful transition! To discover how to lead with purpose, manage with precision, and create impact in any field, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Key similarities between military roles and project management in construction.

• Insight into SkillBridge and Hiring Our Heroes, assisting veterans in entering civilian careers.

• The importance of certifications like OSHA-30, ESP, and PMP in the transition process.

• Leadership lessons from the military that apply to managing projects, people, and teams.

Quotes:

“The skills that we use as military officers, whether you're an engineer, [infantry officer, or an armor officer], everything you're doing relates to project management. You're managing people, time, funds, resources in general to accomplish a mission.” — Pete Anzovino

“When we were going through the [SkillBridge] program, whether we ended up employed with MCFA or not, – [it] was a great opportunity to gain exposure to industry but also walk away with three certifications that – would look great on a resume.” — Pete Anzovino

“Do the best you can with what you have right now.” — Pete Anzovino

“If you're in a [SkillBridge program], definitely leverage your fellow SkillBridge fellows because everyone's having a different experience and you can learn something from everybody.” — Pete Anzovino

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Pete Anzovino on LinkedIn

DoD SkillBridge

Hiring Our Heroes

OSHA 30-Hour Training

Envision Sustainability Professional (ESP) Training

Project Management Professional (PMP) Training

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Being coached in leadership is one thing, but without actionable steps to turn those lessons into reality, that coaching becomes redundant. Welcome back to our rebranded podcast, Leadership Blueprints! Today we are very excited to introduce Wally Adamchik, former US marine, President of Firestarter Consulting, and leadership coach.

He joins us to discuss all things leadership! Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Wally’s career, what inspired him to become a leadership coach, what Firestarter Consulting does, who their target audience is, and so much more! We delve into some of the issues in the construction industry before Wally shares what he thinks makes for a great workplace.

He even talks us through some of the action steps he teaches his clients in his leadership courses; including the histories, heroes, heartaches, and hopes exercise. Finally, Wally shares his favorite quotes and books and tells us who his dream dinner guests would be. Thanks for listening in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What led Wally to do what he does today and what Firestarter Consulting does.

• How Wally approaches the problems in the construction industry as a leader.

• The histories, heroes, heartaches, and hopes exercise Wally teaches.

Quotes:

“What is a great place to work? Well, it’s trust, pride, and camaraderie.” — Wally Adamchik

“You can tell me what your values are but you can’t tell me why your values are. And until you can tell me why your values are, you don’t have a solid foundation. And if you don’t have a solid foundation – you will not have stability.” — Wally Adamchik

“Self-awareness – may take you to some dark places, it may take you to some scary places within you but it’s worth it because you come out better on the other side.” — Wally Adamchik

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Wally Adamchik on LinkedIn

Wally Adamchik on X

Wally Adamchik on Instagram

Firestarter Speaking and Consulting

Construction Leadership

The Lost Art of Listening

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff… And It's All Small Stuff

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Joining BJ on the debut episode of our newly rebranded podcast, Leadership Blueprints, formerly Inspiring People & Places, is Katie Kilker, Senior Project Director for Federal Facilities in the Engineering, Design, and Infrastructure Group at AtkinsRéalis. In honor of November's Veteran Salute, DOD to AEC, we’re spotlighting Katie’s recent transition from active duty in the Air Force to her current role in the built environment.

Tune in to hear Katie discuss her journey to the Air Force, her formative experiences, what an Air Force career can look like, and her role at AtkinsRéalis. She also shares insights from “taking off the Colonel Kilker uniform” and stepping into civilian life, key elements for a smooth and successful transition, and valuable resources for those planning to transition.

Don’t miss the first episode under our new name, enjoy!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Where her career started and how she ended up in the Air Force.

• What started the process of transitioning out of active duty.

• How she started her transition early and figured out her must-haves and no-compromises.

• Key elements to a successful transition and her experience so far.

Quotes:

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Start your [transition] plan early, be inquisitive, and learn about what you want to do and don’t just feel like you need to do what other people want you to do.” — Katie Kilker

“Being a leader, you kind of need to be extroverted for people to see who you are. You can’t just hide in the shadows, assess, and write notes and stuff.” — Katie Kilker

“Civilians — are the bedrock of the Air Force.” — Katie Kilker

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Katie Kilker on LinkedIn

AtkinsRéalis

SAME Career Transition Workshop

Georgia Tech

Beale Air Force Base

The COMMIT Foundation

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

Military Retirement on Google Play

Military Retirement on Apple iStore

American Corporate Partners

Theodore Roosevelt Quote

Daring Greatly

Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

What does it take to turn big ideas into lasting infrastructure?

In this episode, we sit down with two MCFA team members, Michael Fuhrman and Brian Pieplow, to dig into their new book, Make No Little Plans: A Planning as a Project Development Approach to Building Infrastructure. Michael, Co-Founder of MCFA, and Brian, Chief Project Development Officer, bring a combined wealth of expertise to MCFA.

Michael’s extensive background in environmental permitting, land use planning, and regulatory compliance aligns projects with sustainable standards. Brian’s leadership is in professional growth and skill-building strategies. This combination keeps MCFA’s talent at the forefront of industry best practices.

In our conversation, we discuss what they hope readers will take away from it. Learn about their discover, navigate, accelerate (D-N-A) process described in the book and how it benefits professionals in the industry. Explore common misconceptions around urban planning, what it takes to be an agency champion, and why the time is now for public infrastructure and planning.

They also discuss the power of curiosity in urban planning, share recommendations for budding urban planners, unpack the policy shifts needed, and explore what it takes to be successful in the industry. Join us to discover how big projects and outcomes start with small plans and the steps to get there with Michael Fuhrman and Brian Pieplow.

Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The meaning behind the title 'Make No Little Plans' and what inspired it.

• Unpack the "planning as a project development approach" concept.

• Hear real-world examples of applying the D-N-A approach to planning.

• Their passion for urban planning and what got them interested in it.

• Challenging the status quo of urban planning and what needs to change.

• Brian and Michael share the impact they are hoping to achieve with the book.

Quotes:

“Big projects and big outcomes start with small plans.” — Brian Pieplow

“When you see things like a bridge, road, or building, it all started with a plan and an idea.” — Michael Fuhrman

“Every project is going to die a thousand deaths along its journey that is worthwhile and complex.” — Brian Pieplow

“I hope for young professionals to really grasp what we are saying, and there is a way to get things done. There is light at the end of the tunnel.” — Michael Fuhrman

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Michael Fuhrman

Michael Fuhrman on LinkedIn

Brian Pieplow

Brian Pieplow on LinkedIn

Arlington National Cemetery

Inspiring People & Places Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Entering a new career after your military service can be a tough transition, but there are plenty of transferrable skills that can help you on your journey. Joining us today is Paul Garvey, Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield, to talk about his time in the Navy and the transition into corporate real estate.

Tuning in, you’ll learn about key skills and experiences from his military career, and how they have served him in his new business environment. We unpack what it’s like working your way up in real estate brokerage today, and how to make sure you have the right support in place so that you can give it your all and get the best possible outcome.

He also shares his advice for other veterans who want to enter a new career and how to make sure they are adequately prepared for their exit. To learn more about the fascinating world of international real estate and the path to a career transition for veterans, be sure to tune in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Development and consulting in international corporate real estate.

• Military career skills that have served him well in the corporate real estate world.

• What it’s like working your way up in real estate brokerage today.

• Everything you need to know about The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation in Philadelphia.

• Advice on transitioning out of the military and going toward something new.

Quotes:

“[With real estate brokerage] when things get going, things get tough. You've just got to put your nose to the grindstone and work hard. That's one of the beauties of the things [is that] you can you can change that outcome.” — Paul Garvey

“We can't create peace in the Middle East. We have no ability to change that. – What we can do is make a change right around us to the people we touch every day.” — Paul Garvey

“If you're transitioning out [of the military], don’t just leave, go [toward] something.” — Paul Garvey

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Paul Garvey

Paul Garvey on LinkedIn

Cushman & Wakefield

Steven Covey Books

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
Thinking, Fast and Slow

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation

Inspiring People & Places Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Many veterans struggle to find their place in a world different from the one in active service. However, many skills learned on the military base are valuable and transferable to civilian life. For sales, your military background may even serve you better than someone with a more traditional career trajectory.

Today we are joined by Navy Veteran, Alex Archawski, whose impressive business acumen led to him founding two companies—Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network and Veteran Shark Tank—including being the President of Sales Evolution.

We begin with Alex’s work and home life before learning about the three titles he currently holds and what each role entails. Then, we uncover important sales facts that every business leader needs to know, why there’s a common disconnect between sales and revenue in the industry, skills that easily transfer from military to business, and the importance of teaching the youth about leadership from a young age.

To end, Alex describes how he can maintain consistent levels of high performance, why his life is centered on helping others, and he lays down a (very doable) challenge for all veterans who want to improve their lives.

Key Points From This Episode:

• The ins and outs of the Veteran Shark Tank and the Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network.

• Why a disconnect between sales and revenue is a common industry occurrence.

• Transferable skills that one should lean on when transitioning from the Military to sales.

• Sales tips and tricks to keep in your locker.

Quotes:

“[The Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network] is really about empowering the community to work collectively together in different ways.” — Alex Archawski

“Everybody likes to make more money; I would 100% agree with you. But philosophically, I run into people that are not willing to make the effort.” — Alex Archawski

“Your signature moment [in sales] is influencing somebody to change the way they do things for the better of their business. That’s powerful.” — Alex Archawski

“That’s my motto, ‘So others may live.’ When people say, ‘What do you do for a living?’ I’m always like, ‘I’m a glorified facilitator.’” — Alex Archawski

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Alex Archawski on LinkedIn

Veteran Shark Tank

Sales Evolution

Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network

West Point Society of Philadelphia

11th Annual Veteran Shark Tank – December 9, 2024

Atomic Habits

Inspiring People & Places Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Committing to candid quarterly conversations is one of the most powerful organizational levers you can tap into. These discussions are beneficial to everyone, driving growth for both individuals and the organization.

As we head into the fourth quarter of the year, BJ Kraemer shares his thoughts on why annual feedback isn’t enough. Why formalizing a process for these quarterly conversations is essential for successful growth. What these conversations should entail, and the impact of avoiding difficult discussions.

He also breaks down the key elements that make these conversations truly effective. To learn how to implement effective quarterly conversations, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Reasons that annual feedback is just not enough.

• Why formalizing a process into quarterly conversations is a big lever to tap into.

• What a quarterly conversation should cover.

• Processes for having effective and candid quarterly conversations.

• How finishing this year strong enables you to start next year with increased momentum.

Quotes:

“I want my employees [to understand] their role, their responsibilities, and [advocate] for how their growth is tied to our growth and our growth is tied to their growth. I want my managers to be engaged in helping them think through that.” — BJ Kraemer

“Formalizing a process into quarterly conversations is one of the biggest organizational levers you can tap.” — BJ Kraemer

“Having consistent, candid conversations with employees is to everybody’s benefit.” — BJ Kraemer

“Feedback the breakfast of champions.” — BJ Kraemer

“You cannot be afraid of having hard conversations because the more you let that hard conversation linger, the harder that conversation is to have.” — BJ Kraemer

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Jack Welch on LinkedIn

EOS: The Quarterly Conversation

Inspiring People & Places Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

What makes or breaks a multi-million-dollar capital project?

In today’s episode, we sat down with Jim Brill, Managing Director of the Construction and Real Estate Practice at EY to uncover what it takes to be successful in large-scale investment projects. With over 30 years of experience, Jim has advised a variety of stakeholders on capital projects across multiple industries. His leadership in consulting and expertise in project management have made him a key figure in the industry.

In our conversation, we find out how he got started in the industry, what his current role entails, and hear what makes EY unique in the construction and real-estate space. We also unpack how EY serves clients from the ground up to execution and its approach to integrating the entire business and owner objectives into a project.

Explore the various ways a large-scale project can fail, how EY supports the mission of its clients, and the various sectors it operates in. And discover why good leaders are vital for effective risk management, the difference between perception and perspective, the steps to fostering a healthy work culture, the importance of communication, and more.

Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Learn how to navigate the needs of the business with nuances of design and construction.

• Learn the fundamentals of setting a project up for success from its inception.

• How to gain an understanding of an entire project and the different teams involved.

Quotes:

“In my business, we have to sell internally to your account partners and then be able to get a good conversation [going] with the account themselves.” — Jim Brill

“I think that it takes good leaders to be able to execute risk management appropriately.” — Jim Brill

“Put in the hard work early and often, and it is going to pay dividends.” — Jim Brill

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Jim Brill on LinkedIn

EY (Ernst & Young)

How to Win Friends & Influence People

Inspiring People & Places Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn