In commercial construction, we have found it’s easy to get in a rut. Sure, we build different types of structures, but we are often dealing with a similar set of trade contractors—structural steel, MEP, masons, paint, etc. After years of working in the industry, most of us have a list of folks we trust. We …
These days, salt gets a bad rap. The USDA tells us that sprinkling too much on food can result in high blood pressure. We’re encouraged to steer clear. But in ancient times, salt represented a lifeline. It’s main role was as a preservative. In the absence of refrigeration, that was exceptionally important. So important, that Roman …
Tim Cook leads one of the largest global corporations, with sales approaching $200 billion, but you’d never know it. I had the opportunity to visit with Steve Jobs’ Apple successor recently at the Auburn University Lifetime Achievement Awards, and found him to be engaging, insightful and most of all, humble. Cook came from modest beginnings in rural …
Impressive things are happening in the “Black Belt” town of Greensboro, Alabama. The area was named for its rich topsoil when cotton was king, and is now facing a variety of challenges. For the last few years, a grassroots group of folks from around the nation have focused their efforts down South, inciting change in …
We recently started work on the renovation of a 100-year-old structure in the city as the Construction Manager for The Lyric Theatre, a project which has proved interesting for many reasons. One is the history lesson we are getting about construction practices in 1913. The foundations, rebar and structural steel have proven particularly interesting. We …
Not too long ago, when I visited Interface‘s offices, I walked past a wall inscribed with these words: To be healthy, wealthy, happy and successful in any and all areas of your life you need to be aware that you need to think healthy, wealthy, happy and successful thoughts twenty four hours a day and …
Another college football signing day is on the books. For coaches, getting there is always a long process. Throughout the year, coaching staffs scrambled to reach good prospects to fill the rosters. Sure, text messaging and social media conversations are a part of the plan, but a recent Wall Street Journal article reported that more …
Recently, I spent an afternoon with the John Bradford, the chief innovation officer of Interface carpet. I can only say, “Wow,” to everything they’re doing and how they’re doing it. Interface was founded some 4 decades ago by Ray Anderson, a visionary in the carpet industry who, among other things, developed the concept of carpet tiles. …
Earlier this week, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting 6 more weeks of cold weather. I don’t think I’m alone in saying no one wanted him to see his shadow. This winter has been the most brutal in the last 20 years, and we are all feeling it. It seems like we need a break. …
Weather models get it right most of the time. Every once in a while, a forecast misses the mark, as happened this week in Birmingham, Atlanta, and in between. We were expecting only a light dusting of snow, with any significant impact headed south of us. Midday, the weather pattern veered north and the roads iced within …
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking to Auburn University’s Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) Class of 2015. MRED is a post graduate track offered jointly by the University’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction and the College of Business. It is led by Professor Michael Robinson. The program is aimed at practicing professionals from both the public and private sectors of the industry, generally …
For the last nine years, I have spent the second weekend of my year at the Sewanee–The University of the South, participating in a solid program called Beyond the Gates. About 30 of us spend two days visiting with seniors, sharing what to expect in the job market, how to get a job and how their …