In this episode of ThriveCAST, host Shannon Singler dives into a powerhouse conversation with Kristi Pempin, CPSM, Vice President of Marketing and Client Development at White Hawk Engineering, a woman-owned, multidisciplinary firm on a mission to shake up the AEC world.

From landing major federal contracts to mentoring the next gen of talent, Kristi shares how marketing excellence isn't just a department - it's a growth engine. You'll hear how White Hawk leverages smart strategy, deep partnerships, and people-first teaming to drive real results across Texas, Oklahoma, and beyond.

Whether you’re a small firm looking to scale or a marketer searching for your seat at the strategy table, this episode is your playbook for building trust, winning work, and staying true to your values along the way.

Key Takeaways:

• Marketing = Growth: Why White Hawk treats marketing and business development as critical, chargeable assets, not overhead.
• Teaming 2.0: How relationship-driven, people-first partnerships are winning more work (and more trust).
• Small Firm, Big Moves: From a no-poach policy to federal wins, how White Hawk is redefining success in the AEC industry.

🎧 Tune in. Take notes. And maybe steal a few playbook pages.

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In this episode, Shannon Singler dives into the deep end with Ray Cox, Senior VP of Marketing at Highfill Infrastructure, an engineering powerhouse specializing in water infrastructure across the Carolinas. From regulatory red tape to tech breakthroughs and talent gaps, this conversation doesn’t just skim the surface, it plunges into the real challenges (and surprising wins) shaping the future of water and wastewater management.

Here’s why this episode is worth a listen:

• Water woes + climate chaos: Discover how deferred maintenance, PFAS, and climate change are rewriting the playbook for utilities, and how engineers are racing to catch up.
• Tech meets tap: From smart meters to data-driven systems, hear how technology is transforming the way we manage, monitor, and move water.
• Leadership that flows: Learn why relationship-building beats RFP-chasing in business development, and how Highfill's service-first culture is turning heads (and winning projects).

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In this power-packed episode of ThriveCAST, Shannon Singler sits down with Malory Atkinson, CPSM, LEED, and co-founder of Shear Structural, Georgia's first all-women-owned structural engineering firm that's redefining what it means to build community impact through smart engineering solutions.

This isn't your typical engineering conversation. Malory breaks down how her firm is winning in a competitive market by focusing on what matters most - relationships, resilience, and real results. From adaptive reuse projects that breathe new life into communities to innovative workplace cultures that actually attract top talent, Shear Structural proves that being different isn't just an advantage, it's essential.

We dive into topics such as:

• Relationship-driven growth: Discover how over 90% of their work comes from repeat clients and why building long-term partnerships out performs chasing projects.
• Talent attraction strategies: Learn how their workplace flexibility tactics can help small firms compete with industry giants for the best engineering talent.
• Community-focused engineering: We discuss how prioritizing adaptive reuse and public projects creates lasting impact while building a sustainable business model.
• Resilience over sustainability: Understand why preparing for challenges beats just surviving them, and how transparency builds and unshakeable firm culture.

Ready to engineer your own competitive advantage? This episode delivers the strategic insights B2B leaders need to build relationships, attract talent, and create lasting community impact.

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What happens when you combine rock-solid strategic planning with a relentless focus on people? You get Keeley Companies - a national AEC powerhouse doing business in 48 states and proving that culture isn’t just HR fluff, it’s a growth strategy. Meet John Regan, Vice President of People Development and Strategic Planning at Keeley Companies, to talk culture, accountability, and what it really takes to build a people-first business that scales.

From implementing ERP systems to driving employee engagement and weaving integrity into every handshake, this episode stages how Keeley does more than build things - they build leaders.

Key Takeaways:

• The Keeley Way isn’t a slogan - it’s a way of life. Strategic planning, cultural alignment, and accountability are cornerstones of their success.
• People over processes. Training, onboarding, and employee engagement aren’t perks, they’re business priorities.
• Doing good = doing well. Corporate philanthropy and community engagement fuel brand equity and employee loyalty.
• Growth doesn’t happen by accident. Marketing and sales alignment, ERP implementation, and clear strategic goals drive scalable success.

Whether you're leading a team or building one, this episode is a guidebook for what it takes to grow with purpose, and stay rooted in what matters. Tune in and take notes.

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Interior design just got a serious upgrade. In this episode of Thrivecast, Shannon Singler sits down with Vikas Kaushal, co-founder of Foyr, to talk about the design platform that’s making waves in the industry, and making life way easier for design professionals. From his tech roots to building Foyr's s all-in-one system (including a magic little tool called ID8 that can literally turn your design musings into visuals), Vikas breaks down how they’re using AI to streamline workflows, not complicate them.

We talk tools. We talk tech. We talk about turning the old-school design process on its over-upholstered head.

What you’ll walk away with:

• How Foyer is ditching the complexity and creating a design OS that actually works for designers
  
  
• Why ID8 is the AI sidekick you didn’t know you needed (but now can’t live without)
  
  
• A no-fluff look at what the future holds for design, tech, and the intersection of the two

Hit play, and prepare to upgrade your brain.

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In this episode of ThriveCAST, Shannon Singler sits down with Daniel Durham, founding partner and head of construction at Daniel Durham Construction based out of Portland, Oregon to talk about building more than just beautiful spaces. Daniel shares how a hammer, some early lessons from his dad, and a deep respect for design-first thinking led him to launch one of Portland's standout construction firms.

From forging strong relationships with clients and trade partners to bringing a much-needed sense of calm to job sites (yes, it's possible), Daniel breaks down what it really takes to run a modern construction business — without losing your soul in the process.

Plus, he shares how a trip to Japan reshaped his design perspective, why personal growth isn't just self-help fluff, and the daily habits that keep him (and his business) thriving.

Key takeaways:

• Great craftsmanship starts with great relationships - and a calming job site presence clients actually appreciate
  
  
• Inspiration doesn’t happen by accident: travel, design exploration, and Japanese techniques fuel Daniel’s creativity
  
  
• Business success is tied directly to personal growth, smart financial decisions, and keeping your learning game strong

If you’re building a trade business, or just looking for a better way to work, Daniel’s approach will make you rethink what’s possible. Tune in for a fresh take on craftsmanship, mindset, and modern construction done right.

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What happens when a building starts leaking, cracking, or needs to be evacuated? Forensic architect Michael Fiebig of Fiebig Architecture knows the answer, and it’s usually not pretty. In this episode of ThriveCAST, we dig into the world of forensic architecture, where construction defects turn into legal disputes and the blueprints becomes evidence.

Michael breaks down how and why buildings fail - from water intrusion nightmares to structural oversights - and how his work connects architecture, building codes, fire safety, and the courtroom. Whether he’s flying drones to uncover hidden damage, decoding outdated regulations, or squaring off with opposing counsel, forensic architecture isn’t just technical, it’s a full-blown construction Crime Scene Investigation.

Here’s what we cover:

• Why water damage is a top offender in construction defect claims, and how to spot the warning signs
• How regulatory gaps and outdated building codes can set the stage for disaster
• What it's really like to serve as an expert witness in a high-stake legal battle
• The role of tech tools like drones and thermal cameras in modern forensic investigations

Whether you're in construction, architecture design, or just fascinated by what happens after the ribbon cutting, this episode gives a rare look into the high-pressure world of forensic architecture, where the smallest design flaws can lead to million-dollar consequences.

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We’re going underground—in the best way possible. In this episode of ThriveCAST, we dig deep with Roberto Zolante and Thomas Egan from Phoenix Boring, a company making underground infrastructure smarter, faster, and less disruptive through trenchless technology. (Yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.)

We get into the good, the gritty, and the innovative world of trenchless technology, and why this method of installation should be the norm, not the niche for policy makers, city planners, and civil engineers.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why critical conversion depth is the not-so-secret key to trenchless adoption
  
  
• How trenchless solutions slash long-term costs for cities and municipalities
  
  
• What’s holding back adoption (hint: outdated data and lowest-bid mentalities)
  
  
• How Phoenix Boring plans to scale smarter and dig cleaner in the years ahead

If you've ever wondered if there's a way to improve underground infrastructure, there is! And it starts underground.

🚧 No trenches were dug in the making of this episode.

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