Great facilities don’t start with green fibers; they start with a base that never blinks. We sit down with Jeff Bresee and John Valastro to unpack how sports engineering transforms fields from maintenance headaches into safe, durable, multi-sport assets. From those early, painful turf installs to post-flood recoveries that reopen in 24 hours, we trace what actually keeps lines straight, balls true, and athletes protected: soils, drainage, and a design tailored to the site and the sport.

Jeff explains why one-size-fits-all specs fail in the real world—especially in floodplains, on high water tables, or on expansive Texas clays. We get into breathable versus fully sealed systems, how infill migration burns fields early, and why annual, vendor-performed re-leveling can nearly double turf life. John brings a superintendent’s view: politics, community expectations, and the responsibility to stretch taxpayer dollars. Together, we show how to plan maintenance, protect warranties, and tune surfaces for football speed, baseball hops, softball wear paths, and soccer traction.

We also explore budget-savvy creativity. Multi-sport practice complexes with tall netting and integrated lighting let one field serve five programs without compromise. Indoors, ditching concrete for drainable bases makes facilities cleaner and cheaper. With heat rules tightening, new roof skins can cut shade structure costs in half. And for tracks, post-tensioned concrete offers a century-scale base compared with the 25–30 year life of asphalt. The throughline is simple: independent, site-specific engineering delivers performance, resilience, and real ROI.

Enjoy the conversation, then take a fresh look at your campus plan. If this sparked ideas for your field, track, or indoor build, share the episode with your team, subscribe for more deep dives, and leave a quick review so others can find the show.

What if a trail wasn’t just a trail, but the backbone of a region’s daily life? We share the inside story of the Razorback Greenway, how a community sketch along creeks became a 40-mile corridor that connects neighborhoods to schools, jobs, parks, and local businesses across Northwest Arkansas.

We start with the spark: Fayetteville’s early FAT Plan, a homegrown construction crew, and design lessons learned the hard way, wood decks swapped for concrete, weathering steel that lasts, and widths that anticipate e-bikes and growth. Then the breakthrough moment: a 2010 TIGER II grant matched by private philanthropy, six cities and two counties dropping the Friday night rivalries to work as one. You’ll hear how the team navigated 129 property owners, federal right-of-way rules, and early NIMBY fears that turned into gates cut into brand-new fences.

The conversation becomes a playbook for small and rural communities: choose the first mile that changes lives, write grants that quantify people connected instead of paper specs, and build momentum when awards fall through by phasing, regrouping, and trying again. We unpack the policies that compound progress, requiring developers to build mapped segments, securing recreational easements in utility corridors, and adopting standards that make the whole system feel seamless. Safety drives adoption, so tunnels replace risky crossings and gentle grades welcome all ages and abilities. E-bikes erase hills, university connectors unlock thousands of trips, and trail-facing retail shows the economic upside.

If you care about active transportation, downtown revival, safer streets, or practical climate wins, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a city leader, and leave a review to help more communities turn their first mile into a network.

Want to know why a “perfect” parcel can still be a bad site? We dig into the real-world checklist that makes fueling and convenience projects work: traffic that actually converts, access that moves cars and trucks safely, zoning that survives politics, utilities that show up on time, and visibility that pulls travelers off the highway. With national fueling expert Alex Fuller and sector leader Jim Tredwell, we share the tools, tactics, and cautionary tales that separate winners from write-offs.

We start where the math matters most: traffic. You’ll hear how to use DOT maps, direction-specific flows, and truck percentages, when to verify with manual counts or drones, and how to mine city traffic studies for LOS and queuing insights. From there we unpack parcel reality—size, shape, frontage, and “usable vs. paper” acres—plus the design implications of setbacks, easements, replats, and topography. Zoning gets a frank treatment: by-right labels, overlay districts, design reviews, neighborhood outreach, and how city staff, mayors, and EDC leaders can either accelerate or stall your timeline.

Access and circulation take center stage as we map driveway spacing, right-in/right-out constraints, TIAs, and the choreography of trucks, autos, deliveries, and pedestrians. We talk signage and visibility strategy, including FAA limits on high-rise price boards near flight paths. Then we tackle utilities—will-serve letters, capacity checks, power lead times, offsite extensions, and stormwater—plus environmental musts: Phase I/II, wetlands mitigation timelines, and flood map adjustments that can lower insurance and calm lenders. Throughout, we return to a core habit: spend windshield time. Watch how great sites actually work, and let those observations shape your next layout.

If you’re planning a c-store, travel center, or truck stop, this conversation gives you a field-tested blueprint to cut risk and speed approvals. Enjoy the episode, share it with your team, and if it helped you think differently about site selection, subscribe and leave a quick review—what part changed your checklist?

Finding your professional path isn't always straightforward, something Tristan Smith discovered firsthand during his remarkable three-year internship journey with CEI Engineering Associates. What began as a mechanical engineering dream inspired by Iron Man and Legos transformed into a passionate pursuit of civil engineering through hands-on experience that classroom learning could never provide.

The conversation reveals how Tristan's early survey team experiences, machete in hand, clearing paths through timber to locate benchmarks, laid a foundation for understanding engineering from the ground up. His progression from field work to managing complete Walmart remodel projects showcases the transformative power of internships that offer real responsibility rather than coffee runs. "I've never been treated like an intern at all," Tristan explains, describing how he was immediately embraced as part of the CEI family and entrusted with meaningful work.

What stands out most about Tristan's experience is the workplace culture that fostered both professional growth and personal connections. The flexible "work where you work best" approach allowed him to balance academic responsibilities while gaining invaluable industry experience, even working remotely from California when needed. His advice for future interns resonates with authenticity: build relationships beyond the surface level, don't be shy about reaching out to colleagues, and maintain a positive outlook. For engineering students navigating their own career paths, this episode offers a blueprint for turning internship opportunities into transformative professional experiences that clarify your direction and build lasting industry connections.

Ready to explore engineering internship opportunities that could transform your career trajectory? Visit ceieng.com to learn more about how you can join our team and discover your own professional path.

What does it really take to grow from an entry-level position to leadership? In this candid conversation with Nick Degan, CAD Manager at CEI Engineering, we uncover the surprisingly human elements that fuel professional development in the design and engineering world.

Nick's story begins with a leap of faith – transitioning from mechanical engineering to civil design without prior experience. "I came in knowing nothing about civil engineering," he admits, reflecting on his 14-year journey through every design position at CEI. What transformed an uncertain beginner into a confident leader wasn't just technical prowess, but the culture of support he encountered from day one.

The conversation reveals unexpected insights about professional growth. While Nick has created extensive technical training materials, he identifies CEI's "Building Relationship Versatility" program as his most valuable resource. "It really teaches you how to talk to people," he explains, noting how understanding communication styles transformed his interactions with clients and colleagues alike. His practical advice cuts through typical career platitudes: "Your boss is not waking up thinking about how they can get you a promotion. You have to advocate for yourself."

Perhaps most compelling is Nick's story about a former CAD manager who drove an hour on a Saturday to fix his computer in just minutes – a simple act that profoundly shaped Nick's leadership philosophy years later. It's a powerful reminder that workplace culture isn't built through policies but through individual moments of genuine support.

Whether you're just starting your career or looking to advance to leadership, this episode offers honest insights about what really matters: being open to learning, actively seeking mentorship, advocating for yourself, and ultimately, paying forward the support you receive. Ready to transform your professional journey? Listen now and discover how to create your own path to success.

Career paths rarely follow a straight line. Kevin Hall's journey from aircraft mechanic to Director of Technical Services at CEI Engineering demonstrates how unexpected detours can lead to remarkable professional growth when paired with curiosity and determination.

After being laid off from his job at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, Kevin faced a critical decision. Rather than relocating, he chose to stay in an area he had grown to love. Through an unconventional connection at the unemployment office, he found himself interviewing at CEI despite having zero background in surveying or civil engineering.

The early months proved challenging as Kevin navigated unfamiliar terminology and concepts. However, through supportive mentorship and his own persistence, he gradually built expertise. A pivotal moment came when the birth of his first child prompted a transition from field work to the office, opening new avenues for career advancement. From CAD technician to project manager to department head, Kevin's progression showcases how personal drive coupled with organizational support creates powerful professional development.

What makes CEI special, according to Kevin, is its blend of structure and entrepreneurial freedom. Department managers operate with significant autonomy while following the company's strategic vision, creating space for innovation and personal leadership styles. This approach, combined with a collaborative culture where resources and expertise flow freely across departments, fosters both individual and organizational growth.

For those beginning their careers or considering a change, Kevin offers straightforward advice: "Don't be afraid of what you don't know" and "keep learning every day." His story stands as compelling evidence that with curiosity, persistence, and the right organizational culture, remarkable career transformations are possible at any stage. Ready to discover your own unexpected career path? Kevin's journey proves that sometimes the best destinations aren't on your original map.

Successful fueling and convenience store development hinges on masterful pre-development planning. The foundation of your project's success isn't just about selecting prime real estate—it's about understanding the complex dance of regulations, community concerns, and technical requirements before breaking ground.

Our expert panel from CEI unpacks the critical elements that can make or break your next convenience store project. Jim Tredwell shares wisdom gained from 30+ years overseeing projects from both owner and consultant perspectives, emphasizing how early planning creates stronger foundations. "If you don't have a strong foundation, you'll have a weak project," he notes, highlighting how pre-development sets the course for controlling risk throughout the project lifecycle.

The conversation reveals surprising insights about site investigations that developers often overlook. From outdated surveys in seller packets to hidden infrastructure limitations in growing municipalities, our experts identify the common pitfalls that delay projects and inflate budgets. They offer practical guidance on navigating restrictive covenants, environmental concerns, and community pushback that can derail even well-planned developments.

Modern survey technology emerges as a game-changer for developers willing to invest in comprehensive site understanding. As Dustin Riley explains, "We're getting a thousand times more data than we've ever got in less time than it's ever taken." His team's approach to drone and LIDAR technology delivers safer, more thorough site assessments while eliminating costly return visits. The panel challenges the common request for "the cheapest survey," explaining how this mindset often costs developers more through extended timelines and unexpected complications.

Whether you're expanding an existing brand or developing your first convenience store location, this episode provides the roadmap for smoother, more predictable project delivery. Listen now to gain practical insights that will transform how you approach your next development opportunity. Have you experienced unexpected delays in your projects? Share your story and learn how comprehensive pre-development planning could have changed your outcome.