Send us a Message!

Ted Baumgardner's journey from Marine Corps intelligence officer to construction technology entrepreneur offers a compelling roadmap for veterans seeking meaningful work after service. Growing up in a South Jersey construction family with parents who ran union businesses in Atlantic City, Ted had building in his blood—but first answered the call to serve after 9/11, attending the Naval Academy and becoming a Ground Intelligence Officer.

What makes Ted's story particularly valuable is how directly his military skills translated to construction. As an intelligence officer, his job was "organizing chaos"—collecting battlefield information and delivering it in a synthesized, actionable format to commanders. When he joined his family's glass and glazing business after eight years of service, he discovered the construction industry faced similar challenges with information overload. Estimators and project managers were drowning in drawings, specifications, and communications, often spending half their time just organizing files rather than applying their expertise.

"Building skyscrapers is the closest thing to war in a peacetime environment," Ted quotes, highlighting why veterans find such natural homes in construction. Both domains thrive on teamwork, shared mission, and overcoming physical and mental challenges together. The sense of camaraderie that veterans miss after leaving service exists abundantly on construction sites, where creating something tangible with your team provides profound satisfaction.

Ted offers a philosophical perspective on finding purpose after military service: "When the revolution was over in 1783, George Washington went back to the plow. The whole point of war is to achieve peace. And then, what do we do in peacetime?" The answer lies in building communities. "If it wasn't for folks in construction, we wouldn't have places to live, work, or worship. All of this is done because men and women dedicate themselves to working together and creating things that otherwise wouldn't exist, and there's nothing more meaningful than that."

Connect with Ted on LinkedIn to learn more about transitioning from military service to a fulfilling construction career—he's passionate about mentoring others following this path.

This episode is brought to you buy Aerial Resupply Coffee. Aerial Resupply delivers bold flavor with every sip. Their beans are expertly roasted for peak freshness and a smooth, invigorating taste. Elevate your coffee game by using code CONSTRUCTIONVET10 at checkout to receive 10% off every order. Stay caffeinated with Aerial Resupply Coffee.

If you're a military veteran in the construction industry, or you're in the construction industry and support our military vets, and you'd like to be a guest on the podcast you can find me at constructionvetpodcast@gmail.com , or send me a message on LinkedIn. You can find me there at Scott Friend. Let's share the stories and motivate others!

Support the show

• TCV Email: constructionvetpodcast@gmail.com
• TCV YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@constructionvet/featured
• TCV Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constructionvetpodcast/

Send us a Message!

Career transitions can feel like starting over, especially when you've invested years building your expertise and identity. In this deeply personal episode, Scott opens up about his journey from 14 years in construction to a new career in insurance—a shift that felt remarkably similar to leaving military service.

For many veterans, construction offers familiar comfort: structure, discipline, physical challenges, and a daily mission. Scott shares how he progressed through various roles from project engineer to operations manager, learning what true leadership means along the way. But the grind eventually took its toll. The constant pressure, long hours, and struggle to maintain work-life balance led to difficult questions about sustainability and purpose.

This isn't a story about "not being able to hack it," but about recognizing when your heart is no longer fully committed to the mission. Scott candidly discusses how he leveraged his military and construction background to build a new career in property and casualty insurance, where he continues serving the construction community, just differently. "Instead of building structures, I'm building security and peace of mind," he explains.

The episode offers powerful insights for anyone facing a career crossroads: your identity is bigger than your job title; growth requires leaving your comfort zone; community support is essential; and patience with yourself matters. Most importantly, Scott emphasizes that your mission doesn't end when your uniform or career changes—it simply evolves.

Whether you're a veteran considering a career shift, someone questioning your path in construction, or facing any significant life transition, this episode provides honest perspective and practical advice from someone who's been there. Connect with Scott on LinkedIn to continue the conversation about navigating life's challenging transitions.

This episode is brought to you buy Aerial Resupply Coffee. Aerial Resupply delivers bold flavor with every sip. Their beans are expertly roasted for peak freshness and a smooth, invigorating taste. Elevate your coffee game by using code CONSTRUCTIONVET10 at checkout to receive 10% off every order. Stay caffeinated with Aerial Resupply Coffee.

If you're a military veteran in the construction industry, or you're in the construction industry and support our military vets, and you'd like to be a guest on the podcast you can find me at constructionvetpodcast@gmail.com , or send me a message on LinkedIn. You can find me there at Scott Friend. Let's share the stories and motivate others!

Support the show

• TCV Email: constructionvetpodcast@gmail.com
• TCV YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@constructionvet/featured
• TCV Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constructionvetpodcast/

Send us a Message!

What does it take to redefine success after three decades in military service? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Bill McDonald, an Army Special Operations veteran who transitioned from a 31-year career to find new purpose in the construction industry. Bill offers a candid look at his diverse roles as a Special Forces medic, engineer, and civil affairs officer, highlighting the critical yet often overlooked field of civil affairs. His insights into building trust and rapport provide a fresh perspective on leadership, illustrating how skills honed in the military can seamlessly transition to civilian life.

Bill's story doesn't stop at his military achievements; it extends into a transformative journey of personal growth and resilience. After facing a significant injury, Bill navigated the challenges of reshaping his career and personal identity. He shares how military strategies like backward planning and lean construction consulting have been pivotal in his civilian success, emphasizing the importance of being comfortable with discomfort as a growth strategy. His openness about seeking help for mental health challenges shatters stereotypes and encourages others to redefine masculinity and character, prioritizing integrity and courage over physical prowess.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the power of adaptability and effective communication, both in professional settings and personal relationships. Bill expands on the concept of PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) to enhance connection and empathy beyond military applications. This episode is a compelling testament to the enduring qualities of leadership and resilience that transcend professions, offering inspiration and practical tools for veterans and anyone seeking personal and professional development. Bill's journey is a beacon for those ready to embrace change and forge new paths after service.

This episode is brought to you buy Aerial Resupply Coffee. Aerial Resupply delivers bold flavor with every sip. Their beans are expertly roasted for peak freshness and a smooth, invigorating taste. Elevate your coffee game by using code CONSTRUCTIONVET10 at checkout to receive 10% off every order. Stay caffeinated with Aerial Resupply Coffee.

For precision that sets the standard, choose Benchmark Abrasives! Their high-quality discs and pads deliver unbeatable performance and durability. Get the job done right—every time. Benchmark Abrasives, where excellence meets efficiency.

BENCHMARK ABRASIVES

This episode is brought to you by Memorial Ranch; A place where for our veterans and first responders to find rest and relaxation while they prepare for their next mission: LIFE

Memorial Ranch

If you're a military veteran in the construction industry, or you're in the construction industry and support our military vets, and you'd like to be a guest on the podcast you can find me at constructionvetpodcast@gmail.com , or send me a message on LinkedIn. You can find me there at Scott Friend. Let's share the stories and motivate others!

Support the show

• TCV Email: constructionvetpodcast@gmail.com
• TCV YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@constructionvet/featured
• TCV Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constructionvetpodcast/