Contechtrio - Talking Construction Tech

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the host Jeff Sample sits down with Tooey Courtemanche from Procore to discuss exciting innovations in the construction industry, particularly the role of AI in improving project management and work-life balance. Tooey shares insights into Procore's latest advancements, including AI-driven tools and the integration of structured data. They explore how these developments are empowering field workers, improving efficiency, and setting the stage for a new era in construction technology.Tooey Courtemanche is the founder and CEO of Procore Technologies, a leading construction management software company. Tooey has played a central role in transforming how construction projects are managed by leveraging technology to improve efficiency, safety, and communication. Key TakeawaysThe significance of Procore’s Groundbreak event to showcase innovations and foster collaboration.How Procore is embracing generative AI to automate repetitive tasks while improving project outcomes.A di

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the host Jeff Sample talks with Jonathan Marsh to reflect on their recent experiences at the 2025 MCAA Fabrication Conference. They discuss key takeaways from the event, including industry shifts in prefabrication, innovation in service and maintenance strategies, and the accelerating influence of AI and robotics on construction. With their trademark insight and candor, Jeff and Jonathan paint a dynamic picture of a rapidly evolving construction landscape.Jonathan Marsh is a respected construction technologist and thought leader known for driving digital transformation in the MEP space. He brings practical experience and sharp industry analysis, making him a regular voice on The ConTech Crew. Key TakeawaysWhy more contractors are sending new people to MCAA Fab and what that means for industry engagement.How Binsky and other innovators are pushing prefab practices closer to manufacturing standards.The role of innovation hubs like Conovate and Duggan Innovative Solutions in

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the hosts Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood chat with Or Lakritz. Or shares the journey of StructShare, from its inception to its recent acquisition by Trimble. They discuss how this acquisition is reshaping procurement in the construction industry, the role of AI in construction technology, and how contractors and founders can innovate and solve real problems within the industry.Or Lakritz is the Co-founder of StructShare, a digital procurement platform built to solve procurement inefficiencies for contractors. Or has recently moved to Boulder, Colorado, after StructShare was acquired by Trimble. In this episode, he shares his entrepreneurial journey, the reasons behind the acquisition, and how Trimble’s platform is evolving to connect the digital and physical world in construction.Key TakeawaysHow StructShare streamlines procurement processes through digital solutions.Insights on why StructShare was acquired by Trimble and what it means for the company's future.How the con

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, host Jeff Sample interviews Michael Pink, CEO of SmartPM, to discuss the importance of time management in construction projects. Michael, a seasoned professional in construction technology, shares his journey from consulting to creating SmartPM, a platform that helps businesses manage risk, stay on schedule, and make better-informed decisions. The conversation covers everything from the challenges of data integrity in construction to how predictive analytics can transform project management.Michael Pink is the CEO of SmartPM, a platform that uses predictive analytics to help construction companies optimize their project schedules and manage risk. He started his career in consulting, focusing on dispute resolution and project controls, which eventually led him to create SmartPM in 2019 to address the inefficiencies in construction scheduling.Key TakeawaysMichael’s transition from consulting to launching SmartPMThe role of time in construction and its impact on project costM

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, the hosts Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood discuss the challenges and opportunities in prefabrication (prefab) in the construction industry. They explore how constraints in labor, logistics, and scalability can be overcome through a smarter, more distributed approach. The focus is on leveraging marketplaces and data to unlock unused capacity in fabrication shops and redefine collaboration in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) trades.Britton Langdon, founder of BuildFactory and a veteran in the construction technology space, returns to the podcast to discuss his latest venture. With prior roles at Snaptrude and M-Suite and roots at Modern Piping and Victaulic, Britton brings a seasoned perspective to the evolving world of construction automation and offsite fabrication. BuildFactory is his response to the demand for a scalable, user-friendly platform that optimizes prefab capacity and marketplace coordination.Key TakeawaysWhy traditional prefab workflows are facing s

This episode of The ConTech Crew is a special crossover with Morning Coffee Review (MCR), bringing together two influential voices in construction tech. Host Jeff Sample sits down with Jason Artley and Michael Echave of ATG USA to discuss the evolution of their podcast, the power of community-driven learning, and their unique approach to live software demonstrations. The conversation also shifts to the upcoming Unbound conference and the transformative impact of AI on Bluebeam, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal moment in the AEC industry.Jason Artley is Director of Civil Services at ATG, with over 30 years of experience spanning from swinging hammers to building Civil 3D templates and training systems. Michael Echave is the Structural Services Manager at ATG. Together, Jason and Michael host Morning Coffee Review, a dynamic live podcast that focuses on solving business challenges in the AEC space, particularly around Bluebeam and beyond.Key Learnings:How MCR was born from a dislike of traditional

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, host Jeff Sample is joined by Travis Voss and Matthew Cole from Wings Testing and Balancing Co., Inc. to discuss the world of Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) and its importance in the construction and HVAC industries. Matthew shares his journey into the industry, explains the crucial role of TAB technicians in building systems, and highlights the significance of proper indoor air quality, particularly in schools and healthcare facilities. From the technical side of balancing HVAC systems to ensuring fire life safety in buildings, Matthew sheds light on the unseen work that keeps buildings safe and operational.Matthew Cole, based in Hamden, CT, US, is currently a Field Operations Manager at Wing's Testing & Balancing Co., Inc. With a deep passion for ensuring optimal building systems, Matthew now leads a team that specializes in testing and balancing HVAC systems to ensure they meet the design specifications, improving air quality and efficiency in various e

In this episode of The ConTech Crew Podcast, part of a crossover with FreeTo CTO series, hosts Jeff Sample and Trent Leinenbach sit down with Jen Clark, Project Integration Manager at General Sheet Metal. They explore how non-traditional career paths and curiosity-driven problem-solving can shape a new generation of construction technology leaders. This conversation shines a light on Jen's unique route into tech leadership, her approach to low-code app development, managing shadow IT, and driving digital transformation in construction.Jen Clark is the Project Integration Manager at General Sheet Metal, a Portland-based mechanical contractor with nearly a century of operations. Originally trained in civil engineering, Jen's journey has taken her from software support to field engineering and eventually into a self-defined technology leadership role. Her work spans app development, ERP integration, and digital strategy which have all been aimed at bridging the gap between operations, finance, and IT in

The second half of this episode continues the crew Jonathan Marsh, CEO of Steel Toe Consulting and a technology strategist, Nathan Wood, Founder & Chief Enabling Officer At SpectrumAEC, Travis Voss, Director of Innovative Technology and Fabrication at SMACNA and Jacob D’Albora, Director of Digital Building Operations at VIATechnik gets into how policy, planning, and finance are reshaping construction’s landscape. They unpack the risks of short-term thinking in materials sourcing, renewable energy setbacks, and how permitting reform could change how we build.Things also get financial as the group discusses M&A trends, private equity’s growing interest in construction, and the precarious position of mid-sized contractors. Is the middle tier hollowing out? And how might public policy like environmental mandates and tax incentives speed up or stall that process?Key Learnings:Permitting reform could speed up projects but raises accountability questions.Federal moves may unintentionally weaken environmental

In this special roundtable episode of The ConTech Crew, Jeff Sample is joined by Jonathan Marsh, CEO of SteelToe Consulting and a technology strategist, Nathan Wood, Founder & Chief Enabling Officer At SpectrumAEC, Travis Voss, Director of Innovative Technology and Fabrication at SMACNA and Jacob D’Albora, Director of Digital Building Operations at VIATechnik for a spirited conversation on the convergence of AI and construction. With insights rooted in practical experience, the group digs into what’s hype, what’s real, and what’s starting to deliver value on jobsites and across the back office.The first half of the episode tackles the evolving conversation around AI - from technical distinctions between LLMs and traditional models, to the construction implications of large data center builds, labor disruption, and the accelerating demand for faster delivery. This isn't just a news recap - it's a temperature check on where the industry actually is with AI.Key Learnings:AI success depends on clearly

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood sit down with Jacob D’Albora, Director of Digital Building Operations at VIATechnik, to talk about their newest innovation: Voyager, a digital twin solution built with owners in mind. Jacob shares insights into bridging the construction-operations gap, the shift from BIM as a 3D model to BIM as a data source, and why the facilities side of the AEC industry needs tools designed specifically for their workflow. The conversation also covers cultural change, standards, AI integration, and Jacob's recent appointment to the National Institute of Building Sciences’ Digital Twin Integration Committee.Key Learnings:Digital twins should empower not overwhelm facility teams.Interoperability is more realistic and effective than forcing a single source of truth.The design and construction phases must hand off clean, validated data to ops.Data consumers (like Voyager) increase the value of data creators.Change management is just as vital as the technology

In this episode, Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood sit down with Benjamin Urban, the CEO of DIRTT, to explore how their innovative approach to off-site construction is pushing the boundaries of prefab with a focus on Design for Disassembly (DfD). Benjamin shares how DIRTT’s proprietary software and modular systems are revolutionizing how we build, adapt, and reuse spaces especially in healthcare, education, and commercial offices.DIRTT’s process enables cost certainty, labor efficiency, sustainability, and real-time reconfigurability. You’ll also hear fascinating insights into how DIRTT was quietly solving the same problems that caused others like Katerra to fail.Key TakeawaysDIRTT builds flexibility into buildings by focusing on Design for Disassembly, not just construction.Their tech stack allows real-time pricing, manufacturing instructions, and product design from a single software interface.Healthcare facilities can repurpose spaces within hours a game-changer for real-world patient care demands.Labor and cost

In this high-energy episode of The ConTech Crew, Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood welcome Tyler Campbell, Founder of FieldProof and host of the Construction Brothers podcast. From steel detailing to shaking up construction technology, Tyler opens up about the realities of field-level frustrations and how tech solutions often miss the mark. This episode dives deep into how Field Proof connects the boots on the ground with the people building the tools, creating feedback loops that actually work.Tyler shares his evolution from a salty steel detailer to a bridge-builder between the field and the tech world. The conversation covers arrogant tech rollouts, bloated platforms, broken processes, and why empathy might be the industry's greatest innovation tool. It’s part reflection, part industry rant, and all heart.Key LearningsGreat tech can’t thrive without listening to the people in the field.Tyler’s steel detailing background fuels his passion for user-centered technology.Arrogance is common in construction and it

In this special episode of The ConTech Crew, Jeff Sample is joined by Scott Reynolds, CEO and Co-Founder of UpCodes, and co-host Nathan Wood to unpack the evolving debate around building code accessibility and the controversial Pro Codes Act. The episode sheds light on the decades-long legal battle between public access advocates and standards development organizations (SDOs) over who really owns the building codes once they become law. Scott gives us an insider’s perspective on UpCodes’ mission, the origins of the copyright conflict, and why transparent access to legal codes is critical for innovation, fairness, and public safety.The trio also gets into another critical disruption, what some are calling the “death of SEO” and how it’s forcing companies, especially in construction, to rethink content distribution. From HubSpot’s 80% traffic loss to the rising importance of targeted, high-value content across multiple platforms, this episode is a deep dive into how legal, marketing, and technological shifts ar

In this episode, Jeff Sample sits down with Jon Chesser, Chief Growth Officer at Cumulus, to explore how connected tools are transforming construction QA/QC particularly in the booming data center space. With nearly 20 years of experience in construction technology and a successful exit from Jovix, Jon brings a deep understanding of solving field-level problems with practical tech.As AI accelerates the demand for faster, more efficient data center builds, Jon unpacks how Cumulus is eliminating legacy paperwork for electrical and mechanical contractors through Bluetooth-enabled tools. From torque verification to real-time digital records, this conversation gets into the real-world innovations helping contractors stay in flow, reduce rework, and scale with speed.Key LearningsConstruction tech success depends on solving field-level workflow problems, not just tracking data.Jovix gained traction by fixing procurement-to-installation disconnects using RFID and schedule integration.Cumulus is eliminating paper-base

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, Jeff Sample is joined by Dave McCool, Director of Product of Procore Technologies and Tore Hovland, co-founder of Novarender, for a detailed discussion into the global evolution of Building Information Modeling (BIM). Together, they explore the innovative tech that’s redefining how the construction industry interacts with massive models in real-time from civil tunneling projects in Norway to vertical builds in the US.The conversation unpacks how Novarender’s origin in oil and gas tech evolved into a game-changing BIM viewer capable of rendering “the universe,” and why the merger with Procore is a pivotal moment for democratizing BIM. The trio tackles philosophical differences in BIM adoption across countries, the potential to reduce rework and safety incidents, and the crucial move from reactive to proactive construction.Key Takeaways:Norway's BIM-first mandate is leading global adoption and shifting the construction paradigm.Novarender was built to stream massive data

From X-Con to Unbound, a new era for Bluebeam is taking shape ushering in innovation, AI transformation, and a deeper connection with the AEC community. In this episode, Jeff Sample is joined by Usman Shuja, CEO of Bluebeam, to unpack the evolution of the company and its commitment to putting users at the center of everything. They explore how Unbound isn’t just a revived conference, it's a strategic milestone that reflects Bluebeam’s next chapter of growth, collaboration, and community-driven innovation.Usman discusses how Bluebeam is embracing generative AI to automate tedious workflows, empower field teams, and enhance productivity. He also offers a glimpse into Unbound’s exciting speaker lineup, including innovation leaders from Disney, CBRE, and even Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Whether you're a long-time Bluebeam user, a construction tech enthusiast, or new to the scene, this conversation sets the stage for where the industry and Bluebeam is headed.Key Learnings Unbound is the evolution of X-

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, Jeff Sample sits down with Peter Lasensky, founder of Command Post and the original creator of NoteVault, to talk about revolutionizing documentation in construction. With decades of firsthand experience as a contractor and tech innovator, Peter shares how a tough legal lesson inspired him to create a voice-to-text solution that’s changing how field teams protect their projects and their bottom line.Peter gets into the power of real-time documentation, why adjectives don’t belong in daily reports, and how AI and multilingual support are shaping the future of construction communication. From solving disputes before they start to connecting teams with smart collaboration tools, this episode is packed with insights for anyone building in today’s high-risk, high-stakes environment.Key LearningsReal-time voice documentation can help contractors avoid litigation and get paid faster.Removing opinions and adjectives from reports makes them stronger in legal disputes.Documentation

In this episode, the ConTech Crew Host Jeff Sample Alongside Co-Host Rob McKinney gets into the evolving world of construction technology with returning guest Josh Kanner, Sr. Director, Product & Strategy, Construction & Engineering Intelligence at Oracle. Together with the crew, they discuss how innovation, AI, and real-time data are transforming the industry from top to bottom. The conversation explores lessons learned from years in the field, how startups scale in construction, and the tech adoption hurdles that continue to challenge the sector.From predictions on AI’s impact to the critical importance of understanding what happens on the jobsite, this episode is packed with insightful, future-facing perspectives. Whether you’re a contractor, a tech provider, or somewhere in between, the episode offers value on navigating construction’s digital transformation while staying grounded in real-world execution.Key TakeawaysAI adds value through visibility, not replacement.Jobsite photos and payroll data

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, Jeff Sample and co-host Nathan Wood sit down with Tracy Young, co-founder of TigerEye and formerly co-founder and CEO of PlanGrid, to explore the journey from building groundbreaking field technology to pioneering modern business intelligence. Tracy reflects on the early struggles of carrying massive blueprint rolls through job sites and how that frustration evolved into one of the most successful ConTech startups of its time.Now with TigerEye, Tracy is tackling an entirely different challenge giving go-to-market teams access to immediate, trustworthy, and actionable data. This conversation unpacks the lessons learned at PlanGrid, the importance of knowing your customer, and the shift from tech-for-tech's-sake to solving real, felt problems. With plenty of laughs and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for founders, builders, and innovators alike.Key Learnings:Innovation starts with solving a real-world problem, not chasing tech trends.Building a product