How This Family Business Has Thrived Over 4 Generations - With Julie Evans Sanders This week, Taylor sits down with Julie Evans Sanders, Chief of Operations at H. W. Tucker Co., and fourth-generation construction business owner, to discuss the unique challenges and rewards of leading a family-owned company in the dynamic world of construction. Juli…

Matt Bachtel of Bachtel Excavating joins Taylor today to discuss his journey from one man and a truck to a thriving multi-generational business. Matt shares his conservative approach to growth, emphasizing the importance of consistent, meticulous work, and open communication with his team. He reveals the surprising risks of staying small, the chall…

This week, Taylor sits down for an informative and inspiring conversation with Nic Parish, VP of Contracting and Operations at Burns Dirt Construction, and a key player in FORGE Your Path, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging the next generation to explore careers in the trades. In this fascinating episode, Taylor and Nic dive into the importance o…

James Simmons, Co-founder of Montana Excavation & Utilities, joins Taylor on the podcast today to share his journey from Pennsylvania to Montana and discuss the trials and triumphs of building a business in the excavation industry. From early entrepreneurial ventures as a teen mowing lawns to managing a growing excavation company, James’ story is o…

Taylor welcomes Lynn Miller, President of Miller Earthworks, to the podcast this week to explore his remarkable journey from a rather modest start to leading a successful family-owned business. Highlighting his unique approach to excavating which involves focusing on niche projects that larger companies often overlook, Lynn discusses with Taylor th…

Sitting down for a chat with Taylor today is none other than Bret Barnhart, President of Barnhart Excavating in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bret shares his incredible journey, from humble beginnings working with his father and grandfather to growing his company into a thriving business that handles both municipal and commercial projects. Together, he and Tayl…

Michael Melicia, the founder and CEO of Coastal Paving and Excavating, joins Taylor this week to share his remarkable journey from starting a business with just $500 to leading a thriving civil engineering and construction company. Along the way, Michael and Taylor explore the challenges of starting a business at a young age and how Michael navigat…

Taylor welcomes the truly amazing Matt DiBara, a fourth-generation mason and the founder of The Contractor Consultants to the podcast today. At just 31 years old, Matt has transformed the recruitment landscape for contractors, offering a fresh approach to an industry rich in tradition. With over 100 years of family history in the masonry business, …

Joining Taylor for a truly inspiring conversation today is Mike Simon, Founder of Dirt Perfect, an excavating business in southern Indiana built upon the rock solid foundation of commitment to family, community, and helping others. A lifelong tradesman turned YouTube star known for his hands-on approach and construction expertise, Mike shares his f…

Brian Hess, the dynamic owner of The Pavement Group, Top Contractor School, and One Key Media, takes time out of his incredibly busy schedule to join Taylor on the podcast today to discuss his remarkable journey from construction to becoming a tech-savvy entrepreneur. Emphasizing the importance of creating a strong company culture and balancing fam…

Taylor is joined today by the dynamic duo of James O'Connell and Joey De Athe who run Soil Cycle, a subsidiary of Contour Group, that was established in 2020 to provide additional support to Contour’s earthworks division by delivering cost-effective services for the disposal of excess soil. Known for brilliantly transforming the landscape of soil m…

Director of Aggregate Operations at Wm. D. Scepaniak, Inc., and fellow third-generation entrepreneur, John Scepaniak joins Taylor on the podcast today to explore the dynamic world of family-run businesses and a whole lot more. Sharing his firsthand experiences in managing the complexities of mining and road construction operations, John sheds light…

This week, Taylor finally gets an opportunity to sit down and have a chat in person with Silkstone Group’s CEO, Travis Hesketh, a fellow entrepreneur whose journey through professional motocross and a formidable construction career epitomizes both resilience and grit. Travis details his transition from the high-speed world of motocross to the equal…

With apologies to all his other guests, Taylor welcomes “probably the smartest person” he’s “ever had the chance to interview” to the podcast - the mastermind behind Trunk Tools, Dr. Sarah Buchner. Among her many achievements, Sarah is a Stanford MBA Graduate, holds a PhD in Civil Systems Engineering and Data Science, has been named a Forbes ‘30 Un…

Luke Payne, President of Western Excavation, returns to the podcast today to join Taylor for a candid exploration of the intricacies of entrepreneurship, resilience, and work-life harmony. Their discussion, filled with personal anecdotes and professional advice, touches on the importance of a supportive family foundation, the concept of a "zero-fai…

The legendary “Dozer Dave” Turin, a stalwart of gold mining from the acclaimed series Gold Rush and the brain behind America's Backyard Gold, joins Taylor here today to share his journey from civil engineering to becoming a venerated figure in both television and gold mining. This episode delves into the heart of gold mining, touching on the histor…

In today’s exclusive episode, Taylor takes center stage, embarking on a solo journey filled with invaluable insights gleaned from questions sourced directly from the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Instagram community. Delving into the heart of the construction industry's challenges, Taylor fearlessly addresses topics such as cash flow struggles, the significance …

Katie Kelleher, aka “Katie Cranes”, an increasingly prominent, award winning figure in the construction industry joins Taylor for what turns out to be her first visit to the podcast today. Katie’s journey from a sales background to her current role as a crane operator and technical development officer exemplifies the importance of seizing opportuni…

Taylor welcomes Brian Dietz, Co-owner of Bob Dietz and Sons Inc., to the podcast today, and together, they turn their spotlight on achieving enduring success in the construction industry, particularly as a family-owned construction business. Brian shares his personal journey, instilled with an outstanding commitment to excellence and a strong work …

This week, Taylor is joined by legendary leader of Blount Contracting and BuildWitt CFO, Randy Blount, who shares his inspiring journey of taking his family business to simply incredible heights of success. Together, they also dive into such essential themes as leadership, accurate job costing, and the intricacies of managing overhead costs, provid…

The visionary behind Dig-It Digital GPS, EJ Herron, joins Taylor on the podcast this week for a fascinating journey through the cutting-edge realm of construction technology. Together, they explore its profound impact on the industry's efficiency and precision, and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. Whether you're a construction professiona…

Aaron Witt: Putting People First to Transform Construction Taylor welcomes self-proclaimed “Chief Dirt Nerd”, Aaron Witt, to the podcast today for an insightful discussion on construction, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Currently the CEO of BuildWitt - a services, media, and software business focused on the infrastructure and mining industr…

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Amy Underwood, widely recognized as the_digger_girl, brings her charismatic and insightful perspective to her conversation with Taylor here today. Amy, a plant operator hailing from Scotland, shares her remarkable journey within the construction industry, transcending traditional gender stereotypes and championing blue-collar careers for both women…

Taylor welcomes James Stiksma, the founder of Canadian Septic, to the podcast today for an indepth look at his unique journey from corporate sales to the world of septic installations. James’ dedication to excellence and his strategic approach to positioning within the market are discussed as are the evolution from subcontracting to equipment owner…

Excavator operator extraordinaire, Liam Bryan, better known as @diggerbry on social media, joins Taylor for a very special episode of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG podcast. Starting out as a bricklayer and eventually becoming an expert excavator who captivates online audiences with his finesse in asphalt fine grading, Liam’s journey within the construction i…

This week, Taylor welcomes Trey Bohannan, widely known as Treybodirt on TikTok, to the podcast. A seasoned entrepreneur and equipment enthusiast, Trey’s insights here today offer a masterclass in leadership and work-life balance. Together, he and Taylor explore his remarkable journey in the landscaping and construction industry, starting from his h…

Welcome to another exciting episode of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG podcast as Taylor discusses the logistics of building a successful excavation business with his guest, Travis Gemmell, Founder of Walnut Grove Excavating. Today, Travis recounts his remarkable journey from the corporate realm to becoming a passionate business owner in the dirt industry, and…

Today marks a very special episode as Taylor welcomes none other than the President and Owner of Ken White Construction to the podcast - his father, David White. Beyond the bonds of family, Taylor and David share a remarkable partnership and friendship that has shaped their journey together. Their fascinating conversation here today constitutes an …

Ep. 139: Building from the Ground Up: Tips from a New Construction Business Owner On today’s episode, Dylan Mercier, owner of D2 Contracting, joins Taylor for a discussion centered on a number of topics, beginning with Dylan’s journey into the construction business and his decision to start his own company. Their conversation further focuses on the…

Live at CONEXPO-CON/AGG with Dana Wuesthoff Taylor welcomes a very special guest to the podcast today, and he does so in an equally special location. Dana Wuesthoff, the show director for CONEXPO-CON/AGG, the largest construction trade show in North America joins Taylor at the Expo itself to discuss the planning and logistics involved in creating s…

Paving the Way for Online Success with Matt Stanley In this episode of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG podcast, host Taylor White speaks with Matt Stanley, a paving foreman, marketer for American Pavement Specialist, and founder of Raised on Blacktop about the themes of marketing, branding, and company culture in the construction industry. Stanley begins by sh…

The Power of the Right Balance of Relationship Building vs. Profit with Dane Cotten This week, Taylor interviews Dane Cotten, owner of DC Excavation, about a number of topics including his background, the growth of his company, and the importance of networking in the construction industry. Dane also reviews the family tradition that inspired him to…

Building Personal and Professional Success in Construction with Missy Scherber In today’s episode, Taylor sits down with former host of the podcast and the owner of Big Machine Hustle and Scherber Roll-Offs, Missy Scherber, to discuss a number of topics, particularly the challenges of balancing work and personal life as a business owner. Throughout…

Living the Owner-Operator Life with John Schiedeck Joining Taylor on this episode is the world’s best operator (in our opinion) and CEO of Schiedeck Construction, John Schiedeck. John’s been in the construction industry for almost seventeen years and has worked as an owner-operator for the last six. He opens the episode with an overview of his hist…

Building a Rock-Solid Business and Reputation with Ryan Goodfellow In this episode of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG podcast, Ryan Goodfellow from Rock Structures joins Taylor to share his background in the heavy equipment industry, including his experience with the CONEXPO show, starting his own business, and the challenges and lessons he has learned along t…

Setting Your Construction Business Apart from the Rest with Jimmy Starbuck Taylor’s guest today is Jimmy Starbuck, owner of Starbuck Excavation and a familiar face on social media. Jimmy dives right into his work with mass grading and trucking, talking through the services his company offers and the details of running his business. He then shares h…

Advocating for Everybody in Construction with Alexandra Smith On today’s episode of CONEXPO, Taylor is joined by Alexandra Smith, aka Al the Little Operator, who runs equipment, installs septic systems, and shares Taylor’s love of wastewater treatment. Alexandra kicks off the episode by discussing what her job involves as a newly self-employed work…

Taylor welcomes Luke Eggebraaten and Luke Payne, both successful business owners within the construction industry. Luke E is the Founder & Managing Partner of Phaser Marketing, which is a digital marketing agency for construction companies. Luke P, on the other hand, is the owner of the construction businesses: Black Iron Dirt & Demolition & Wester…

Taylor welcomes construction veteran and legend, Jeff Cavanagh, to the podcast to talk about the history of his family firm, Thomas Cavanagh Construction, the importance of building vibrant communities, and investing and trusting in the right people. The pair open the episode by discussing Cavanagh’s company history and familiarity with vertical in…

Joining Taylor White on the podcast this week is Ryan Priestly, President of Priestly Demolition, who you may know from the show Salvage Kings on the History Channel. Ryan kicks off the episode by discussing the scope of Priestly Demolition’s work, from bringing down power plants to bridge demolitions to asbestos abatement - taking on projects both…

On this very special second episode of the podcast, Taylor welcomes Nick Drew, the man behind the infamous 'Digger Man Blog’, to talk about his early start in construction, his late blooming blogging skills, the realities of the construction industry, and, of course, CONEXPO. Nick opens up the episode by fondly remembering his childhood and the day…

On this highly anticipated episode of the podcast, Taylor White takes on the hosting duties and is joined by his very special guest, Scott Colclough. The pair talk about Colclough’s life, his business, his experiences with CONEXPO-CON/AGG, and the upcoming 2023 show. Upon getting his start in construction as an operator in Alberta, Scott acquainted…

Kevin Gray took a leap of faith when he purchased a dying asphalt paving and sealcoating business in 2011. A small business loan, some rundown equipment, and entrepreneurial grit were all they had during the first few years. Now, thanks to the organizational processes and culture initiatives Kevin has implemented, Louisville, Kentucky-based ADC Pav…

Heath Hanna’s passion for dirt runs deep. He spent the first part of his career working as a Caterpillar dealer instructor before making the leap into starting his own construction business. With some serious work ethic and grit, his company, Contour Mining & Construction, has transformed from startup to one of the largest heavy civil contractors i…

Randy Blount, president of Arizona-based Blount Contracting grew up around the construction industry, helping at his family’s business during high school and college. When his dad received a cancer diagnosis, Randy was thrust into a leadership role at a young age. Now 10 years later, we’re getting the scoop on how far the company has come and what’…

Justin Ozinga is president of Ozinga, a fourth-generation family business best known for its red and white striped concrete mixer trucks. While involved in the company since a young teen, Justin moved up the ranks and was recently appointed as president of all of Ozinga operations, including ready mix concrete, aggregates and cement. Ozinga has mor…

Herb R. Sargent is the president and CEO of Sargent Corporation, an infrastructure construction firm based in Stillwater, Maine. Founded by his grandfather Herb E. Sargent in 1926 with a used dump truck and a strong work ethic as his assets, the company now has hundreds of employees owners working in New England and the mid-Atlantic regions. Herb a…

The youngest Black woman to receive California’s CSLB (A) General Engineering license, Jennifer Todd, serves as LMS General Contractors Founder and President. Jennifer heads the company’s management team and is responsible for developing & executing LMS’s strategic growth. Jennifer is a strong advocate for job creation and employee development. Her…

Brian Hess, founder and president of The Pavement Group and Top Contractor School is shaking things up when it comes to sales, marketing and client relations in the asphalt and concrete paving industry. At The Pavement Group, Brian’s team takes a data-driven approach to solving customer problems and maintaining the highest level of service. He’s ta…