The Preconstruction Podcast - Commercial Construction.

Our host, Gareth McGlynn, sits down with Ted Rusch, Vice President of Preconstruction at Batson-Cook Construction, for a conversation shaped by more than 26 years in the industry.
Ted’s path from a decade in project management to leading preconstruction at one of Atlanta’s major healthcare builders gives him a perspective rooted in both field delivery and front-end planning.
Discussion Highlights:
A decade in the field as a Project Manager before transitioning fully into preconstruction.
His progression at Batson-Cook, now serving as VP of Preconstruction.
Technology on the precon side. What he uses, what’s working, and tools he has tested over the years.
The role of tech in design phase reviews, value engineering, estimating and takeoffs.
Building a data strategy over the past two and a half years and how it now supports conceptual and schematic estimates within 2–3 percent accuracy.
How this accuracy improves service for clients and strengthens early decision making.
You can connect with Ted Rusch on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-rusch/
If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to like, share, and subscribe for more conversations from across preconstruction.

This week's episode features Michelle Abii, Senior Data Center Construction Manager at Switch, for a look at her path into construction and the scale of work she now leads in the data center field in Las Vegas.
Discussion Highlights:
Transitioning from a healthcare background into construction.
Complexities involved in data center construction
Managing a large Greenfield build covering 2,800 square feet across three campuses.
Tools and processes Michelle uses at Switch for coordination, collaboration and scheduling.
Why Michelle is committed to supporting women in construction, especially minority women, and encouraging more to enter the industry, particularly preconstruction.

You can connect and engage with Michelle via her Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-c-abii/

Our host Gareth McGlynn sits down with Samuel Liesmer, Hyperscale Estimator at National Technologies (a Connex Company), to discuss the growing demand for low voltage expertise in hyperscale data center construction.
Discussion Highlights:
The surge of AI and data center growth driving electrical and low voltage packages.
Understanding Division 27 low voltage systems in large-scale builds.
The complexities of structured cabling, fiber optics, and media systems.
How CCTV, security, and access control systems are managed within hyperscale projects.
Working with owners and general contractors to balance delivery, design, and management challenges.
And much, much more.

Connect with Sam Liesmer:
🔗Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-l-424b8a146/
🌐National Technologies: https://www.ntitech.com/

Recorded live at Precon World 2025 in Irvine, Texas, this episode features Nick Papadopoulos, Founder and CEO of Eos Group, as he shares practical takeaways from his session “Demystifying AI: Practical Predictive Analytics for Better Estimates.” Nick unpacks how preconstruction teams can apply AI with structure, governance, and purpose.

Discussion Highlights:
Governance and structure around AI implementation
Common pitfalls contractors face when adopting AI
Understanding where teams stand in their AI journey
Foundational steps for those starting to integrate AI into preconstruction

You can also revisit Nick’s first appearance on The Preconstruction Podcast from a few years ago to see how his perspective on innovation and data in preconstruction has developed since then.
LINK: https://www.nichessp.com/pre-construction-podcast/33-nick-papadopoulos
You can reach out to Nick via his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjpapadopoulos/
That’s a wrap for our Precon World 2025 series.
Thank you for tuning in to this special lineup of conversations with industry leaders. Stay with us for more episodes of The Preconstruction Podcast featuring the people shaping the future of preconstruction.

Our host, Gareth McGlynn, catches up with Brent Pilgrim, National Director of Preconstruction at The Beck Group, recorded live at Precon World 2025 in Irving, Texas.
Brent returns to the podcast after two years to share major progress in his long-term work on integrated estimating workflow — a model-based estimating process he has been refining for over 15 years. Brent has now demonstrated—through real results with clients, architects, and contractors that integrated estimating workflow truly delivers.

Key Discussion Highlights:
How integrated estimating workflow has moved beyond proof of concept into proven real-world application.
Collaboration with Texas A&M University and Colorado State University to bring academic rigor to research and validation.
Published papers and pilot projects with Sundt Construction and Page Southerland Page.
A new funded case study involving leading architecture and construction firms.
Development of a value stream–based ROI formula to measure the real impact of integrated estimating workflow.
The goal of wider industry adoption and stronger collaboration between design and construction teams.

You can check out the research papers here:https://easychair.org/publications/paper/swJv/open https://easychair.org/publications/paper/2WQl/open

Have questions for Brent? Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentpilgrim/