Sneak Peek: The First-Ever Kraus-Anderson AI Symposium
Build Me Up
Straying from our usual podcast format, today we're bringing you an inside look at the first ever Kraus-Anderson AI Symposium! Hosted by Comport, the AI Symposium was designed to bring forward-thinking executives and industry leaders from around the twin cities area to discuss how AI is reshaping business. In addition to presentations from St. Thomas University’s Manjeet Rege and Autodesk’s Prakash Kota, Kraus-Anderson CIO Tony Peleska hosted 4 panelists from various industries. In this episode, we hear the discussion hosted by these panelists: Andrea Ciccolini - API...
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AI and Tribal Gaming: How Intelligent Automation Is Reshaping the Industry
Build Me Up
(For video version, visit ) Hello and welcome to Build Me Up! Today we’re digging into AI, specifically AI in the tribal gaming world. Our guests today recently attended the Indian Gaming Association Trade Show and Convention, one of the largest gatherings of tribal leaders and casino executives in the country. This conference offers a meeting place where the community gathers to learn, network and exchange industry-specific ideas, as well as a cultural celebration of Native American success, strength and self-reliance. Episode guests: Bryon Miller (CEO, S&K Gaming), George...
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Group Hug: The Triumphs and Tribulations of Building Mass Timber
Build Me Up
(For video version, visit ) Welcome to Build Me Up with Laurisa and Kaitlin from Kraus-Anderson! Earth Day is upon us, and we are taking a deep dive into one of our most sustainable, unique projects as of late: the Washington County Central Service Center, a mass timber building in Woodbury, MN. Yep, unlike many construction projects going up today, this building is largely made of wood! Joining us to talk about how mass timber could be a financial and environmental benefit for your organization’s next project are Erik Jalowitz, Washington County Building Services Manager,...
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Project Delivery, Priority Management, and Private PortaPotties: Celebrating WIC Week 2026
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Hello and welcome to Build Me Up! This month we have the exciting opportunity to celebrate Women In Construction Week. Women make up just about 10% of the construction workforce. Today, we are joined by four of these women; from project managers to interns to executives, there’s something they can teach every one of us in this industry!
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Hold on to Your Hair: Reducing Stress and Unknowns With FCA
Build Me Up
Welcome to Build Me Up with Laurisa and Kaitlin from Kraus-Anderson! Today we are joined by three facility experts: Erik Krause, Director Regional Facilities Hospital Operations at Allina Health; Tim Kittila, KA’s inhouse expert on facility planning and analysis; and Mike Stark, KA’s director of growth and strategy. As the title suggests, today we will be focusing on how proactive facility planning and management can save building owners time and money in the long run. The questions and topics discussed today are pulled from real-world experience, feedback, and questions we are receiving...
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2026: Industry Lookahead
Build Me Up
Welcome back for Season 8 of “Build Me Up” with Laurisa and Kaitlin from Kraus-Anderson! Back for the 6th year in a row is FMI’s Partner and Managing Director of Research and Analytics, Jay Bowman. KA’s EVP and COO Rich Jacobson joins us as well to discuss where the new year will bring the built market. Jay specializes in construction spending forecasts, strategic planning, and research and analytics for the A/C/E industry, while Rich gives a more local, close-to-home perspective.
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Predesign: So What?
Build Me Up
Welcome to “Build Me Up” with Laurisa and Kaitlin from Kraus-Anderson! Pre-Design is a term buzzing around our office because of its proven effectiveness when it comes to cost savings and enhanced collaboration. Today, we’ve invited two of KA’s preconstruction experts: Nate Enger, director of DPM, and Kevin Bright, sustainability manager, to discuss how pre-design services are re-shaping the traditional construction delivery model.
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Care for the Caregiver: Current Trends in Healthcare Construction
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In today’s discussion, we explore construction and design trends reshaping the healthcare industry. The design needs and construction requirements for medical centers are evolving rapidly, driven by new challenges, technological advancements and economic changes—and we’re here to explore what this means for you and your projects. Laurisa is joined by Rachael Oelke of Kraus-Anderson, Matt Okeefe with Synergy Architecture Studio and Luke Sahly from Continua. Together, we discuss navigating material uncertainties, speeding up project delivery and design choices in...
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Downtown by Design 2035: the Future of Minneapolis
Build Me Up
Today we welcome back Ben Shardlow, chief of staff at the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District. Ben joins us today to talk about the Downtown by Design 2035 plan for the city of Minneapolis. From safety to culture to the overall vibe of the city we cover some of the highlights of what we can expect in the next 10 years along with how the city engaged with neighborhood groups, organizations, and other cities to create a strategic vision for the future of downtown Minneapolis.
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Raise The Barr: Discussing Affordable Housing and the Curb Cut Effect
Build Me Up
In this episode, Lori Barr, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of , joins "Build Me Up." Lori and her son Anthony, a former defenseman for the Minnesota Vikings and 4X NFL Pro-Bowler, founded the organization in 2016. The nonprofit aims to help single parents break down the social and economic barriers that come with pursuing higher education. We chatted with Lori about Raise the Barr’s programs and resources, her personal experiences that led to the opening of the nonprofit, working with her son and the nonprofit’s blueprint for success, and more!
info_outlineThis week, Abbie Lown from Girl Scouts of River Valley, Barb Pecks from the Carpenters Union, and Laurie Trousil, Kraus-Anderson’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion, join Build Me Up. The group talks about the Girl Scouts' Power Girls program which focuses on exposing middle school and high school girls to the trades and the impact it’s having on not only the girls but their families as well. We also discuss the current state of women in the trades and what keeps some women from looking at trade work as a viable career. Kraus-Anderson recently sponsored an event at the Carpenters Union with the Girl Scouts, so we recap the day's activities and discuss the possibility of future events.