CAM Building Michigan Podcast

In Season 5, Episode 2 of the Building Michigan podcast, we delve into the crafting of Detroit Catholic Central’s new George and Mary Turek Hall of Science, which received CAM’s 2025 Project of the Year Award. The $51 million, 57,000-square-foot STEM facility was designed and built, respectively, by CAM members Integrated Design Solutions and J.S. Vig Construction.

Season 5, Episode 1 of the Building Michigan podcast, hosted by Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan, features Fan-Yu Kuo, Senior Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), for a discussion on the economic outlook for 2026 and beyond. Fan-Yu Kuo will also headline the February 3rd CAM/HBA Economic Forecast Breakfast, held during the 2026 Great Lakes Design and Construction EXPO.The episode explores today’s economic landscape, covering inflation trends, labor market shifts, and housing’s pivotal role in driving growth. Fan-Yu weighs in on challenges such as skilled labor shortages and rising material costs, while offering insights on monetary policy, changes at the Federal Reserve, and how AI is shaping construction efficiency.

In Season 4, Episode 3 of the Building Michigan podcast, we dive deep into the monumental restoration of Michigan Central Station, the recipient of the 2024 CAM Project of the Year Award. Once a stark symbol of Detroit's industrial decline, this iconic landmark has been meticulously brought back to life and now stands as the vibrant heart of Corktown’s new Innovation District. Hosted by CAM President Kevin Koehler, this episode features:Larry Brinker Jr., CEO of The Brinker Group, a leader in Detroit's construction industry who brings a wealth of experience in revitalizing the city and mentoring future leaders.Ron Staley, founder of Christman's Historic Preservation Group, a national expert in historic preservation with over 40 years of experience.Austin Giesey, Senior Project Manager from The Christman Company, who has a background in engineering and played a crucial role in coordinating the renovation.Their collective expertise and dedication helped transform the dilapidated train station into a beacon of Detroit's renaissance. If you enjoy this episode, you can purchase the book Ruin to Revival: Restoring Michigan Central Station: The Builders Journey, authored by Ron, Austin, and Rob Yallop, documenting each step of the Rehabilitation. 

In our 20th episode of the “Building Michigan” podcast, we're introducing you to the team behind CAMPRO—a new level-funded healthcare insurance product designed specifically for small businesses in Michigan’s construction sector. Hosted by CAM President Kevin Koehler, the podcast features insights from:Tina Pelland, President of Varipro, who brings decades of experience in auditing and health insurance administration, ensuring that CAMPRO’s processes are robust and efficient.Tom Mittelbrun, T3 Advisory, with a background in managing multi-employer trust funds and association benefits, underscores the importance of transparency and flexibility for employers.Lisa Hierlwimmer, Business Development and Financial Analyst at Varipro, highlights the operational and client service strengths of the program.Their collective expertise ensures that CAMPRO is not just another insurance product, but a thoughtfully designed solution for Michigan’s construction community.

In this episode of CAM's "Building Michigan" podcast, host Kevin Koehler speaks with Eric Lynch, a Certified Business Economist (CBE) from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), about the economic outlook for 2025 and beyond. Lynch provides valuable insights into the US economy and the construction industry, emphasizing the themes of moderation and "wait and see."

This episode of the Building Michigan podcast, hosted by Kevin Koehler, president of the Construction Association of Michigan, shines a spotlight on the monumental renovation of Detroit’s historic Book Tower, CAM Magazine's 2023 Project of the Year. Koehler converses with key figures from the construction project team: Larry Brinker, Jr., CEO and President of Brinker Group, and Paul Yambor, Project Executive for The Christman Company. The two companies established a joint venture to manage Book Tower’s construction, successfully transforming this iconic structure.

In this episode of the Building Michigan podcast, hosted by Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan, features a conversation with Alex Calderone and Patrick Bero of Calderone Advisory Group, a boutique financial advisory and litigation support consultancy based in Birmingham, Michigan.

In this episode of the Building Michigan podcast, hosted by Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan, recruiters Adam Cosola and Jason Epstein from CTC Talent Partners discuss the best ways to attract, hire, and retain the right employees.

Hosted by Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan, this episode features a conversation about business succession planning with Brian Van Riper, Managing Director at MassMutual Great Lakes.

Hosted by Kevin Koehler, President of the Construction Association of Michigan, this episode features a conversation about employee stock ownership plans, or ESOPs, with Jeremy Garrett and Jeffrey Jamerino from Lazear Capital Partners.