Get Into Politics or Get out of Business, Guest: Ben Brubeck
Release Date: 02/08/2024
Blueprints & Banter
ABC Florida Gulf Coast hosted over 60 events in the first half of 2026 — and the Gulf Coast construction market kept pace with each of them. In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, President & CEO Steve Cona III and Executive Vice President Laura Gross recap the first half of the year: the events, the workforce demand, the construction boom across Southwest Florida, and what ABC is doing to make sure members have everything they need to keep growing. They cover the apprenticeship program, superintendent and PM training, the STEP safety program, and what longtime members already know...
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The NEXGEN Leadership Program has been developing commercial construction leaders on Florida's Gulf Coast since 2014. In this episode, host Laura Gross, Executive Vice President of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with the incoming Class of 2027 chairs Arin Lowery (ACCI), Kyle Shank (Schaefer General Contracting), and Ciarra Wilson (Gaylor Electric) — to talk about what the program is, what it does, and why now is the right time to apply. They cover the workforce shortage facing the industry, the role relationships play in a career in construction, what companies gain when they invest in...
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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona III, President & CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with Oliver Corizzi, Principal at Avenue Media - an experienced, industry-focused marketing agency based in Sarasota - to talk about what's driving unprecedented competition in commercial construction and what contractors need to do differently to stay ahead. Oliver shares why AI is dramatically increasing the number of firms bidding on every project, why more contractors are niching down into specific sectors rather than positioning as generalists, and why a strong website is...
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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona III, President & CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with Nick Murphy, Project Manager at Gaylor Electric and ABC’s 2025 Young Professional of the Year, to talk about how early career decisions, hands-on experience, and industry involvement shape the next generation of construction leaders. Nick shares how starting in ABC’s apprenticeship program reshaped his perspective on learning, how combining field experience with formal education strengthened his communication and leadership skills, and why involvement in industry...
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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona III, President & CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with Jason Hall, Chief Revenue Officer at GMF Steel and ABC’s 2025 Member of the Year, to talk about what real industry engagement looks like - and why it matters more than ever. Jason shares how his company leaned into ABC from day one, how involvement across leadership, workforce programs, and committees created measurable value, and why collective action is essential for solving the construction industry’s biggest challenges - from workforce shortages to policy advocacy....
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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona III, President & CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with Jason Spears, the newly appointed 2026 Chairman, to discuss leadership, advocacy, and the future of the construction industry. Jason shares his 20+ year journey with ABC - from his early days in the University of Florida student chapter to serving on the executive board - and how programs like NEXGEN Leadership became a national model for developing industry leaders. Together, Steve and Jason unpack what really happens behind the scenes at ABC, from boardroom conversations...
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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, ABC Florida Gulf Coast President & CEO Steve Cona sits down with Adam Handfinger - construction attorney and co-founder of Document Crunch - to unpack the real risks contractors are facing right now, and how technology can help keep projects on track. With 25 years practicing construction law and a front-row seat to jobsite realities, Adam explains how AI is changing the way contractors understand contracts, manage risk, and avoid costly mistakes—especially in today’s volatile environment. Here’s what we cover: ✔️ How AI tools...
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In this powerful episode of Blueprints & Banter, ABC Florida Gulf Coast President & CEO Steve Cona sits down with Bob Buckhorn, Tampa's transformational 58th Mayor, to discuss leadership through crisis, city building, and Tampa's incredible renaissance. Here's what we cover: ✔️ Leading Tampa through the Great Recession with a $30 million deficit ✔️ The permitting crisis that's choking construction growth statewide ✔️ How Tampa became the Southeast's top destination for young talent ✔️ Why Buckhorn is considering a 2027 mayoral run to finish the...
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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, ABC Gulf Coast Chapter President & CEO Steve Cona III sits down with Nathan Somerville from VectorNet, a Tampa-based engineering design firm specializing in reality capture and advanced construction technology. As a licensed engineer and contractor in Florida, Nathan brings a unique insider's perspective on how construction technology can solve real industry challenges. Here's what we cover: ✔️ How VectorNet started three years ago to fill technology gaps in the AEC space ✔️ Why AI is the hottest trend in construction - from...
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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, ABC Gulf Coast Chapter President & CEO Steve Cona III sits down with Ron Pierce, President and CEO of RSA Consulting, to break down everything you need to know about the 2024 legislative session in Tallahassee. Here’s what we cover: ✔️ Why the session lasted 105 days ✔️ The $900 million commercial lease tax repeal ✔️ ABC’s major win on apprenticeship funding & transparency ✔️ How ABC plays defense against harmful bills ✔️ Key leaders from the Gulf Coast shaping Florida’s future ✔️ What’s coming next:...
info_outlineGuest: Ben Brubeck, VP of Regulatory, Labor, & State Affairs at ABC National
Ben Brubeck is vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs at the Associated Builders and Contractors, a construction industry trade association representing more than 21,000 general contractors, subcontractors and industry partners. A recognized expert in procurement, labor and employment issues impacting the construction industry, Mr. Brubeck has extensive experience with the Davis-Bacon Act, state prevailing wage laws, project labor agreements and regulations affecting federal contractors. He also serves as vice president of policy for the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships. Prior to joining ABC, Mr. Brubeck was the 2003 James A. Finnegan Foundation Fellow for the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee.
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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association with 68 chapters representing 22,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms. ABC's membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the industry.
ABC is the merit shop construction industry's voice with the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government and with state and local governments, as well as with the news media.
ABC's mission is the advancement of the merit shop construction philosophy, which encourages open competition and a free-enterprise approach that awards contracts based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation.
ABC's activities include government representation, legal advocacy, education, workforce development, communications, technology, recognition through national and chapter awards programs, employee benefits, information on best practices and business development through an online contractor search directory.
ABC was founded in 1950 when seven contractors gathered in Baltimore, Md. to create an association based on the shared belief that construction projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and responsible low bidders. The courage and dedication of those seven contractors - Charles Mullan, C.K. Wells, Jr., Philip Cloves, Ernest Shultz, Edward Colwill, Charles Knott and Edward Dickinson - helped to quickly spread the merit shop philosophy, within time making ABC the fastest growing association in the United States. Today, ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America's business community and the merit shop construction industry.