Foundations

About Foundations

The histories and stories behind the construction companies that built the buildings and put into place the infrastructure that we use everyday. Foundations Podcast is a collection of conversations with founders, owners, leaders, and legends of the construction industry and the companies that built this nation. Each episode is a journey filled with history, triumphs, defeats, and insights told by those at the helm of some of the industries most distinguished companies.

Publisher

Ed Stelter, LEED AP, DBIA

Category

business · business · history

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Jan 2022

Latest episode

1 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Jun 2026

   Sussex Development Corporation

   Sussex Development Corporation is a privately held general contracting firm founded in 1990 by Harry L. Davis III, a Virginia Beach native and Virginia Tech graduate who set out to build a company grounded in integrity, commitment, collaboration, and excellence. Starting with a two-room office and an early hospital renovation project, Sussex grew steadily by leveraging key relationships, eventually expanding its presence across the Mid-Atlantic region in markets spanning healthcare, recreatio...

2. 

   9 Oct 2025

   W. M. Jordan Company, Inc.

   Founded in 1958 by W.M. “Bill” Jordan and Bob Lawson, WM Jordan Company has grown into a powerhouse of construction management and real estate development across the Southeastern United States. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, the company is known for its relentless pursuit of excellence, community investment, and a culture that values integrity, innovation, and people-first leadership. In this episode, we sit down with John Jordan, Executive Chairman and son of the company’s founder,...

3. 

   7 Jul 2025

   S. B. Cox, Inc.

   Sidney Barbee Cox Jr. discusses how S.B. Cox Inc. evolved from a small demolition contractor into a leader across multiple industries, reshaping Virginia's landscape.

4. 

   8 May 2024

   MEB

   For more than four decades, MEB has consistently delivered exceptional value to its clients, forging relationships based on transparency, integrity, and an unyielding dedication to excellence. Headquartered in Chesapeake, VA, with a regional office in Richmond, VA, they have strategically set themselves apart from many with the ability to self-perform a majority of their annual volume in a variety of market sectors and a willingness to take on the most challenging and complex projects. At the heart of their success, their core value, 'Family by Choice,' underscores their investment in and commitment to their people. Join me as I engage in a conversation with George Clarke, IV the founder and CEO, and David Ervin, the president of MEB. Listen in as they reflect on MEB's journey tracing back to their first project, a government contract worth $3,700, and George's first employee, his cub scout teacher. Witness how far they have come, and the trials and tribulations they've encountered along the way.

5. 

   9 Mar 2024

   Wagman, Inc.

   Established in 1902, Wagman, Inc. stands as a fourth-generation family-owned company with its headquarters based in York, Pennsylvania. The company, comprising subsidiaries Wagman Heavy Civil and Wagman Construction, specializes in general construction, heavy civil, and geotechnical construction services. Wagman Heavy Civil operates from offices in Pennsylvania and Virginia, engaging in diverse construction services across the Mid-Atlantic and Southern Regions. Their services encompass design-build projects, bridges, structures, highways, excavation, drainage, marine construction, bonded concrete overlays, grooving and grinding, as well as geotechnical construction services. Wagman Construction, Inc., a comprehensive full-service general contractor situated in downtown York, PA, serves senior living, healthcare, higher education, urban development, institutional, and industrial markets throughout Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. On this episode I have the pleasure of sitting down with Lisa Wagman Glezer, the current, and more notably, the fourth generation leader of Wagman, Inc. Listen in as she shares the remarkable journey of the company that was started by her great-grandfather, George A. Wagman, in 1902. Central to their philosophy lies the "Wagman Way" – a set of intrinsic values and ingrained culture that spans four generations. These guiding principles have deeply rooted an enduring commitment to excellence, fostering generational employees and sustaining their lasting success and impact not only within the industry, but also within their communities.

6. 

   22 Oct 2023

   Wayne Brothers

   Over three and a half decades ago, brothers Keith and Eric Wayne set out to take control of their own destiny and launched a small concrete construction company. Armed with an unwavering work ethic, a backhoe and dump truck, and a mindset that wouldn't let a complex challenge or obstacle get in the way of progress, they quicky gained a reputation of a high quality, schedule driven, "can do" subcontractor throughout the Charlotte market. Today, Wayne Brothers is considered one of the most prominent leaders in concrete, industrial, civil, and infrastructure contracting in the southeast region.  Join me as I sit down with Keith Wayne and hear his and Wayne Brothers inspiring story and remarkable journey.

7. 

   14 Sept 2023

   Lee Construction Group, Inc.

   The origins of the Lee Construction Group, Inc. can be traced back to 1939, when father-son duo, Bob and Bobby Lee, embarked on a journey of constructing and restoring fine and historic homes throughout Central Virginia. Operating initially under the banner of R. E. Lee & Son, Inc. for many years, they have since evolved into a group of independent business units specializing in the commercial construction industry. These business units collectively offer a comprehensive range of services, covering every phase of the building process, from concept to construction to operation and maintenance. As you will hear, Arlene, who represents the fourth generation, unexpectedly assumed the role of CEO due to a tragedy. In her own words, she describes herself as an accidental CEO. Many would have taken the easy way out, however Arlene embraced the responsibility of leading and safeguarding the Lee legacy for generations to come. As the saying goes, life sometimes takes you down a path you didn't choose; instead, it chooses you.

8. 

   20 Jun 2023

   Luck Companies

   On this episode I sit down with Charlie and Richard Luck of Luck Companies as they celebrate their company's 100th anniversary. Charlie and Richard represent the third and fourth generation of the company that was started by their grandfather and great-grandfather, Charles Luck, Jr. in 1923. Luck Stone is the nation’s largest family owned and operated producer of crushed stone, sand, and gravel. Aside from providing the construction industry with crushed stone products, they are both committed, dedicated, and passionate about leaving a positive and enduring impact with their associates, customers, and within the communities they touch. For them, it’s about igniting the potential within all of us.

9. 

   14 Nov 2022

   Shirley Contracting Company, LLC

   Since 1974 Shirley has been creating assets for countless communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. They have played a large role in the development of hundreds, if not thousands of miles of highway and roadway infrastructure projects, as well as countless other heavy civil infrastructure projects. They have also earned the distinction of being considered one of the regions premier design-build highway contractors. Join me as I sit down with Mike Post, the CEO of Shirley Contracting Company. As you will hear, Shirley's foundation and success was built on the core values embodied by Mike's father, Mr. Post. Although they weren't written down at the time, they were inherently present and lived every day. To Robert Post, handshake was his word, his commitment, and his promise to fulfill an obligation, even if it meant taking a loss. As Mike also shares, the success of Shirley sits squarely on the shoulders of the many men and women that are a part of Shirley's team, regardless of their role in the organization.

10. 

    3 Oct 2022

    Hourigan Group

    Right out of college, Mark Hourigan jumped head first into the corporate world with no intention of starting a construction company. Eventually an opportunity presented itself for Mark to switch hats and give contracting a try. Seven years after making that career move, Mark took a leap of faith and started Hourigan Construction. With four employees he leveraged the relationships he developed over the previous seven years and took on anything that was thrown is way. Guided by the principles of integrity and a strong work ethic instilled in him by his father and grandfather, he has grown his company into one of the most distinguished contractors in the Mid-Atlantic region. Join me in my conversation with Mark Hourigan as he shares the history and stories behind Hourigan Group.

11. 

    9 Aug 2022

    Harman Construction, Inc.

    In 1971 Carl Harman and his brother started Harman Farm Supply in Harrisonburg, VA, selling and installing buildings, grain bins, and feed equipment to the farm community. As the farm economy changed they pivoted to focusing on commercial buildings. Today, Harman Construction is a full service design-build general contractor providing comprehensive delivery of projects both large and small. Join me in my conversation with Carl Harman as he discusses Harman Construction’s fascinating history how he got to where he is today.

12. 

    1 Jul 2022

    Nello L. Teer Company

    In 1909, with one hand, not even a high school education, a few men, and a few mule teams, Nello L. Teer, Sr. started what was to become one of the largest and most distinguished contractors in the world. Having performed work around the world, Nello L. Teer Company covered the globe from their office in Durham, NC to Africa, the Middle East, and Central America. Their projects included: seventeen sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway; multiple military bases and air bases state side and abroad in Israel, Iceland, and Northern Africa; major sections of the Washington DC Metro; built in excess of 1,000 miles of roads, bridges, and tunnels in Central America including sections of the Pan American Highway; constructed major dam projects in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Venezuela, and El Salvador to name a few. Although Nello L. Teer Company is no longer around, I had the chance to sit down with Robert Teer, Jr., the grandson of the founder, Nello L. Teer, Sr., and hear the deep history and fascinating stories about his family's company.

13. 

    1 Jun 2022

    Barnhill Contracting Company

    Since 1949 Barnhill Contracting has been providing commercial building, site infrastructure, transportation, and asphalt services throughout the Southeast. Join me as I sit down with the 2nd and 3rd generation leaders of Barnhill, Bob and Rob Barnhill. You will hear about how their father and grandfather, Robert Barnhill Sr., who only had 30% utilization of one of his arms as a result of early childhood polio, and along with two oxen, started Barnhill Contracting. Although the company has continued to grow and change in many ways, they remain firmly grounded in the values and legacy that Robert Barnhill Sr. left. It is clear that Bob and Rob have an unwavering commitment to those foundational values and their people, or as they call them, their Barnhill Family. And they know they wouldn't be where there are today without either of those.

14. 

    10 May 2022

    Lanford Brothers Company, Inc.

    Lanford Brothers Company was  founded in 1960 by brothers Jack and Stan Lanford. After a lifetime of  growing up watching their father working as a contractor at his own company, Lanford & Slater, the two brothers sought to carry on the legacy of their father's name with a new focus on bridge and box culvert construction. Over the years, the company's expertise has moved from building new structures to providing innovated repairs for existing structures. Today, Lanford Brothers is made up of a team of 140 employee-owners with an unmatched reputation for quality of work and  integrity. With our years of expertise and access to industry-leading  equipment and project management technology, Lanford Brothers is able to  provide top quality bridge repair services for municipalities and Departments of Transportation. Join me as I sit down with the father and son team of Stan and Ken Lanford and hear their stories about their life, how they got started, and what they are doing now.

15. 

    4 Apr 2022

    Charles McRaven and McRaven Restorations

    Charles McRaven understands early American pioneer buildings better any other. He can be called a pioneer, craftsman, historian, contractor, and author. Having built and restored hundreds of log, stone, and post & beam structures, and having written five books on the subjects, he is the nations foremost expert on early American building. Join me as I sit down with Mac and hear about his journey and experiences.

16. 

    2 Mar 2022

    Chemung Contracting & Cedar Mountain Stone - The Dalrymple Companies

    Since 1902 The Dalrymple Companies have been providing heavy highway construction services as well as manufacturing and distribution of crushed stone, gravel, and asphalt. Join me as I sit down with Ed Dalrymple, the President of Chemung Contracting and Cedar Mountain Stone, and hear the stories about where they came from and their journey along the way.

17. 

    6 Feb 2022

    J. E. Liesfeld Contractor, Inc.

    Celebrating their 50th year in business, J.E. Liesfeld Contractor, Inc. is considered one of Central Virginia’s leading site preparation and land development contractors. Join my conversation with the founder, Joe Liesfeld, Jr., his son and current President, Joe Liesfeld, III, and their former CFO and General Manger, Chuck Sheehy, as we discuss the evolution of their business from their humble beginnings to where they are today.

18. 

    1 Jan 2022

    S.L. Williamson Company, Inc.

    Founded in 1949, S.L. Williamson Company., Inc. is a third-generation asphalt paving and road construction company based in Charlottesville, Virginia. I sit down with Blair and Stirling Williamson and discuss the origins of S.L. Williamson, their people, interesting insights, and many of their stories along the way.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

20 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

27

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

Contact Foundations

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.