Welcome to Episode 7 of the Donovan Digital Podcast — where we explore real-world strategies to help building product and service companies in the AEC industry spark engagement, build brand authority, and drive measurable results.

In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Ayer, CEO and founder of Hunley, a consultancy specializing in Salesforce.com solutions for the AEC industry. Aaron’s journey is anything but typical — from serving as a nuclear submarine officer to engineering roles in the building products sector, to launching Hunley and its game-changing SpecSuccess AI platform.

We cover:
✅ How a naval officer’s mindset shaped Aaron’s approach to business and technology
✅ Why process design, not just technology, makes or breaks CRM adoption
✅ How SpecSuccess AI integrates Dodge and ConstructConnect data directly into Salesforce to uncover spec-qualified leads and speed up deal cycles
✅ The biggest pitfalls companies face when rolling out CRM systems — and how to avoid them
✅ Why sales teams must see value first before management ever will

If you're a building product manufacturer, architect, or AEC professional looking to leverage technology, data, and AI to win in the commercial specification space, this episode is for you.

Thank you for watching! Let us know what you thought of this episode, or what you would like to see next!

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Donovan Digital Podcast — where we explore real-world strategies to help building product and service companies in the AEC industry spark engagement, build brand authority, and earn the one thing that matters most: trust.

In this episode, I sit down with Vinu Abraham, Vice President of Products & Environmental for Intertek’s Building & Construction Group. Vinu’s story is a masterclass in leadership, technical excellence, and the business of building trust. From his early days running the Hurricane Test Lab after Hurricane Andrew, to overseeing 1,000+ professionals and 22 labs worldwide for Intertek, Vinu shares how reliable relationships and honest guidance can fuel long-term success — even in the high-stakes world of product testing, certification, and compliance.

We cover:
✅ The fascinating journey from Nigeria to Texas Tech to leading Intertek’s Building & Construction Group
✅ Lessons learned from launching Hurricane Test Lab in the wake of Andrew
✅ Why trust is the ultimate product manufacturers can deliver
✅ How honesty (even when it costs you business) builds lifelong clients
✅ What it takes to grow a global operation without losing sight of your roots

If you're a manufacturer, architect, or AEC professional looking to understand how technical credibility and authentic relationships drive market success, this episode is for you.

Thank you for watching! Let us know what you thought of this episode, or what you would like to see next!

Welcome to Episode 5 of the Donovan Digital Podcast, where we explore strategies and insights that help architectural building product and service companies build brand awareness, spark engagement, and establish authority. In this episode, I'm joined by Diana Darling, President and Co-Founder of AN Media Group, publishers of The Architect’s Newspaper, AN Interior, Best of Design, and the organizers of Facades+ and CE Strong.

Diana shares her journey from retail marketing to launching one of the AEC industry’s most influential media platforms. We discuss the real challenges and opportunities of bridging the gap between building product manufacturers and architects, and how curated events, continuing education, and great storytelling are at the heart of meaningful engagement.

This episode covers:
✅ The founding story of AN Media Group and The Architect’s Newspaper
✅ The evolution and impact of the Facades+ symposium
✅ Creating meaningful engagement between brands and architects
✅ The value of continuing education (AIA credits, CE Strong)
✅ What it really takes to build trust with AEC professionals

Whether you're an AEC marketer, manufacturer, or architect, Diana’s insights are a masterclass in how media and education can connect people, products, and projects.

Thank you for watching! Let us know what you thought of this episode, or what you would like to see next!