Project Delivery, Priority Management, and Private PortaPotties: Celebrating WIC Week 2026
Build Me Up
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
Build Me Up
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!
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2025 Construction Industry Lookahead
Build Me Up
Back by popular demand, “Build Me Up” invited FMI’s Partner and Managing Director of Research and Analytics, Jay Bowman, and KA’s EVP and COO Rich Jacobson back to chat! They join us each year as we look to see what the new year is going bring the built market. Jay specializes in construction spending forecasts, strategic planning, and research and analytics for the A/C/E industry. We recap our 2024, talk fed rates and building material prices, how AI and tech fits into our world, and of course predictions for 2025! Jay brings in the national perspective of what...
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Season 6 Finale!!
Build Me Up
Season 6 of "Build Me Up" is complete. Thank you to all the guests who participated in Season 5, as well as to our listeners. We’re grateful to have a platform where stories that build up the community can be shared. See you in the New Year!
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Feeding Hope: Tackling Food Insecurity with Foothills Food Bank
Build Me Up
Food shelves are essential for addressing food insecurity in communities, providing vital support to individuals and families who struggle to access adequate nutrition. They offer a safety net, especially during times of economic hardship, by distributing donated and surplus food to those in need. Food shelves help reduce hunger, promote health, and foster a sense of community by ensuring that no one goes without the necessity of food. and from the in Cave Creek, AZ join the podcast to help us better understand the terms "food deserts" and "food insecurity," to deliver an honest...
info_outlineIn this episode, Laurisa and Lisa delve into the fascinating world of The Learning Jet with our special guests, Steve Hurvitz and Kraus-Anderson’s Doug Jaeger! Wonder what The Learning Jet is and what it does? The Learning Jet's primary goal is to ignite students' passion for STEM subjects by immersing them in aviation education programs and activities. As the nation's pioneering nonprofit organization of its kind, they've transformed a Boeing 727 cargo jet into a one-of-a-kind classroom. Join us as we explore the innovative hands-on experiences The Learning Jet offers to students and community organizations alike.