 |
People-First Builders PodcastAuthor: Fletcher Wimbush
At People-First Builders, we shine a spotlight on the leaders who shape the construction industry by building more than projectsthey build teams, culture, and legacy. This podcast is your gateway to the stories of exceptional CEOs and visionaries who prioritize their people, achieve remarkable success, and redefine what it means to lead in construction. Discover how family-owned businesses, niche projects, and innovative leadership styles are driving progress in steel erection, bridge rebar, and infrastructure installation. Each episode celebrates leaders who have spent decades honing their craft, advancing their operations, and achieving results that inspire their teams and peers alike. Whether you're a construction professional, a leader looking for inspiration, or simply someone fascinated by people-centered success stories, People-First Builders offers valuable insights and actionable takeaways from industry's best. While People-First Builders is a new podcast, it's backed by years of experience. Host Fletcher Wimbush is a seasoned podcaster with over seven years behind the mic, having built a dedicated audience with The Hire Talenta show focused on optimizing hiring and leadership in the industry. Now, he's bringing that expertise to People-First Builders, highlighting the construction leaders who are shaping the future through culture, innovation, and operational excellence. Language: en Genres: Business, Careers, Entrepreneurship Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Creating Career Paths That Keep Engineers Growing with Carrie Stokes
Tuesday, 5 May, 2026
In this episode of People-First Builders, Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Carrie Stokes, CEO and President of Barge Design Solutions, to explore what it truly means to build a people-first engineering firm. Carrie's journey—from student intern to becoming the first woman to lead a 70-year-old, employee-owned company—is a powerful example of long-term growth, intentional leadership, and investing in people. With nearly three decades in the architecture and engineering industry, she shares how Barge is redefining career paths, leadership development, and talent retention in a highly competitive market. They dive into how creating flexible career tracks—where engineers can grow without being forced into management—helps retain top talent and build stronger teams. Carrie also breaks down how employee ownership, internal mobility, and leadership transparency are shaping a culture where people stay, grow, and thrive. If you're a leader navigating the "war for talent" or looking to build a company where people actually want to stay, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. In this episode, you'll learn: Why forcing engineers into management is a mistake How to create multiple career paths that retain top talent The role of employee ownership in engagement and performance Why internal mobility ("climbing the rock wall") drives long-term growth How leadership transparency builds future executives
