In this compelling episode of People-First Builders, host Fletcher Wimbush welcomes Mike Frick, president of Bear Ironworks, to share the incredible story of how a simple welding project turned into a thriving, multi-generational manufacturing business. From his early days in the oil fields and rural road building to managing over $200 million in infrastructure projects, including a $6 billion LNG plant, Mike’s career spans the full arc of American blue-collar ingenuity. What began as a practical solution to a job-site challenge, designing a rock screen for a skid steer, eventually became Bear Ironworks, a Colorado-based fabrication company that now ships across the country and employs a team of dedicated craftspeople. Mike recounts how his son, then a college student, took the reins, built a website, and helped scale the business before returning to finish his degree. Together, they rebuilt the company during COVID, running it remotely across multiple states while staying grounded in family values and a shared belief in hard work. Along the way, Mike discusses how he has consistently inspired and trained young people, including his son and stepson, to pursue careers in the trades, often helping them launch their own businesses.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• The power of hands-on experience in launching successful entrepreneurial ventures

• Why blue-collar careers offer financial freedom, personal pride, and long-term opportunity

• The importance of teaching and mentoring the next generation, even if they eventually leave your company

• How to build a values-driven culture that balances safety, autonomy, and professional development

• Why leaders in the construction and manufacturing sectors must champion the trades as viable and noble career paths

Mike’s story is a timely reminder that building things with your hands can also build a legacy. Leadership, at its best, is about investing in people for the long haul.

In this episode of the People-First Builders Podcast, I’m joined by Jeff Forrest, successor and co-owner of WPC, a family-run construction powerhouse based in Central Florida. Jeffrey shares his journey from pushing a broom on job sites at 15 to leading one of the Southeast’s premier construction management firms.

We dive into his unique career trajectory, including a fascinating stint as a professional poker player, and how those lessons in risk, adaptation, and incomplete information translate directly to the world of construction leadership. Jeffrey also opens up about the generational transition at WPC, the evolving people-first philosophy that guides their work, and how they’re navigating the ongoing labor challenges in the trades.

We explore:

• The power of starting early and learning from the ground up

• How poker taught Jeffrey about decision-making and resilience

• WPC’s shift to empowering the next generation while honoring the past

• Why construction remains a deeply rewarding, purpose-driven career

• Practical insights on hiring, talent development, and fostering a growth mindset

Join us as we share stories, insights, and lessons that bridge generations, champion the trades, and build a better future one project at a time.

In this episode of The People-First Builders Podcast, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Jeff Forrest Sr., President and CEO of WPC, a construction industry titan with over 45 years of hands-on leadership experience. From humble beginnings in 1979 to overseeing thousands of units across the Southeast, Jeff shares a candid look at the art of leadership transitions, generational shifts, and the evolving face of construction.

Jeff opens up about his journey from apprentice to president, the challenges of following in the footsteps of his visionary brother, and the rewards of guiding his own son, Jeffrey Jr., into the family business. With warmth and humor, he recounts how his son's pivot from professional poker to construction infused the business with fresh perspectives, balancing analytics with hard-earned wisdom.

We delve into the trials and triumphs of succession planning, navigating leadership tensions, and fostering an environment that champions both tradition and innovation. Jeff underscores the power of peer groups and lifelong learning, while highlighting the crucial role of culture and mentorship in cultivating the next generation of builders.

From reflections on the talent shortage crisis to the future of work in the trades, Jeff’s insights offer a masterclass in sustainable leadership and the power of people-first practices. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to build not just great projects, but great teams.

Key Takeaways:

• Navigating generational transitions in family businesses

• The essential role of mentorship and open communication

• The growing appeal and opportunities in the construction industry

• Lessons from leadership transitions and the importance of peer networks

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that celebrates the human side of building—one that leaves you rethinking what it takes to succeed and sustain in a dynamic, people-driven industry.

In this episode of People First Builders, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Paige Byrd, Co-President of Thiel & Team, a seasoned leader in amenities-focused interior design and architecture. With over 30 years of experience, Paige shares the remarkable story behind the revival of the historic Baker Hotel and Spa in Mineral Wells, Texas — a project nearly two decades in the making.

From her early site visits in 2008 to the official project kickoff in 2024, Paige offers a rare inside look at what it takes to sustain momentum and passion over the long haul. She unpacks how her firm built a “dream team” of design professionals, weathered industry-wide challenges like the 2008 recession and COVID-19, and maintained transparency and unity through economic uncertainty.

You’ll hear insights on:

• Retaining top talent through flexible work models and transparent leadership.

• Scaling and evolving a firm without compromising on culture or quality.

• Attracting high-impact hires in a competitive market through values-driven strategies.

• Revitalizing historic properties with design innovation and community alignment.

Plus, Paige discusses how Thiel & Team embraced remote and hybrid work long before it was common in the architecture world, enabling a more diverse, connected, and resilient workforce.

Whether you're leading a creative team, building a legacy property, or navigating economic headwinds, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable insights.

Connect with Paige:
🔗 THI and Team Website
🔗 Paige Byrd on LinkedIn
🔗 THI and Team on LinkedIn

In this episode of the People First Builders podcast, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Justin Bride, CEO and founder of Ascent Contracting, to explore what it really means to lead with purpose in the construction industry.

From his unconventional path—pivoting from a physics degree to a career in residential construction—to founding a company rooted in empathy, integrity, and craftsmanship, Justin shares the lessons that shaped his leadership style and his people-first philosophy.

We dive deep into:

✅ How emotional intelligence transforms customer relationships
✅ Why investing in your team leads to better client outcomes
✅ The challenges of hiring in the trades—and why referrals matter most
✅ What commercial-grade project management looks like in a residential setting
✅ How Justin’s company culture empowers every employee to lead with care

Whether you're a builder, a business owner, or someone passionate about leadership through service—this conversation will resonate with you.

🔗 Learn more about Ascent Contracting
Visit: https://www.ascentcontractinginc.com

🛠 Interested in joining Justin’s team?
Check out their “Who We Hire” page to see if you’re a fit.

📌 Subscribe for more conversations with purpose-driven leaders in construction, architecture, and engineering.

#ConstructionLeadership #PeopleFirst #ResidentialConstruction #TeamCulture #AscentContracting #BuilderPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleFirstBuilders

In this episode of People-First Builders, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Traci Austin, Chief Talent Officer at Elevated Talent Consulting, to unpack one of the biggest leadership challenges in the trades: the blame game.

Tracy, a lifelong advocate for transformational leadership in construction and the AEC space, shares how leaders can shift from chronic complaints to intentional culture-building. Her no-nonsense mantra — "Stop bitching, start pitching" — sets the tone for a conversation packed with practical tools and mindset shifts.

You’ll learn:
🔹 How trade leaders can move from task management to team empowerment
🔹 The top 5 levers of employee engagement (and how to actually use them)
🔹 Why onboarding, mentorship, and peer support are essential retention tools
🔹 How to define and communicate what “good” looks like on your job sites
🔹 What it takes to turn job ads, interviews, and the first week into culture wins

Whether you’re a CEO, foreman, or HR lead in the trades, this episode will challenge you to lead with purpose — and give you the tools to start building the culture your people deserve.

🎧 Listen in and start turning complaints into culture today.

In this episode of the People First Builders Podcast, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Brandon Stanchock, CEO of SWF Industrial, to explore how authentic leadership and a true commitment to people-first values can transform a business.

Brandon shares his journey from project management in power plant construction to leading a growing industrial fabrication company—where he’s driven incredible results: a 12% turnover rate (versus an industry average of 37%) and an employee retention average nearly double the national standard.

We dive into:
✅ The power of humor, transparency, and flexibility in leadership
✅ Building culture by eliminating outdated rules and investing in people
✅ Creating sustainable career paths from the shop floor to leadership
✅ How employee development drives business success and customer loyalty
✅ Why workplace authenticity matters more now than ever

If you're passionate about leadership, culture, and creating work environments where people actually want to stay and grow, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

🎧 Tune in now and learn how putting people first can become your ultimate competitive advantage!

Connect with Brandon Stanchock:

From Field to Founder: How Sal Hernandez Scaled, Exited, and Now Coaches the Next Generation of Builders

In this episode of People-First Builders, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Sal Hernandez — a veteran, serial entrepreneur, and former owner of a successful design-build firm. From humble beginnings mowing lawns with his father to scaling a full-service construction company with multiple licenses, Sal shares how he went from technician to strategic leader — ultimately exiting the business to focus on coaching and supporting fellow veterans.

You’ll hear how Sal built a thriving business from the ground up, developed systems that enabled him to delegate and grow, and how he navigated the tricky process of finding, hiring, and retaining quality field talent — spoiler alert: Craigslist still works.

We dig into:
🔹 Why systems and processes are key to growth in the trades
🔹 How Sal leveraged subcontractors to scale without compromising quality
🔹 His grassroots hiring strategy (including bilingual outreach) that cut through the noise
🔹 The importance of vet-to-vet leadership and his work with the Capital Region Veterans Chamber of Commerce

Whether you're a contractor looking to scale or a builder aiming to transition into leadership, this episode is packed with practical insight, real talk, and powerful lessons from someone who's lived it.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to grow smart — and build a legacy that lasts.